The PhD in Engineering is an interdisciplinary degree with a strong research emphasis. The program prepares candidates for both academic and industry careers. Interdisciplinary graduate degrees have been advocated in recent reports by the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council, among others. This degree provides five concentration areas, namely, (a) Cyberspace, (b) Engineering Education, (c) Engineering Physics, (d) Micro and Nanoscale Systems, and (e) Materials and Infrastructure Systems.
Students in this program are expected to complete 66 graduate hours (including dissertation) beyond the baccalaureate degree. These hours will be approved as part of a comprehensive plan of study by the student’s PhD Advisory Committee. Eighteen credit hours of core courses are required of all students in the program. These courses are intended to provide a strong fundamental set of research capabilities and to help individual students bridge the gap to other disciplines preparatory not only to dissertation work but also to their future career. The remaining courses are chosen in relation to the thematic areas, which currently are microelectronics, micromanufacturing, and materials and construction systems.
All students are required to enroll in the doctoral seminar course ENGR 610 each Fall quarter.
A student must register for a minimum of 18 credit hours in (ENGR 651: Research and Dissertation ). The topic will be selected in accordance with and approved by the student’s Advisory Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.
The schedule of exams consists of a comprehensive examination at or near the completion of formal coursework and a defense of the dissertation. The comprehensive examination consists of written and oral parts organized by the Ph.D. in Engineering Steering Committee. At least 60% of the faculty serving on the Advisory Committee must recommend that the student has satisfactorily passed any of the examinations. None of the examinations may be taken more than three times.
The minimum residence requirement for the doctoral degree is 8 quarters beyond the bachelor’s degree. The student is required to spend at least 3 quarters beyond the first year of graduate study in continuous residence. The transfer of course work from a recognized graduate school carries with it the transfer of residence credit, but a minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the first year of graduate study must be earned in residence at Louisiana Tech University. PhD students are required to complete the doctoral program in its entirety within 3 years after successful completion of the comprehensive examination