CIP Code = 140101
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 .
An academic advisor is assigned by the college to each student upon admission, who provides guidance on required or recommended courses in the first term of enrollment. During the first term, students are required to select (by mutal consent) a research advisor (Major Advisor) who will aslo assume the role of academic advisor from that point. The student and the Major Advisor will constitute a Doctoral Advisory Committee, chaired by the Major Advisor, that includes at least four more members of the graduate faculty.
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.
A student must register for a minimum of 18 credit hours in (ENGR 651: Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Research ). 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 Program Coordinator. None of the examinations may be taken more than three times. At least 60% of the faculty serving on the Advisory Committee must recommend that the student has satisfactorily passed the oral examination.
Student is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree upon satisfactory completion of ENGR 685 and ENGR 686 . The 66 graduate hours for the degree should include 9 hours of ENGR 651 and 9 hours of ENGR 751 .
Unless explicitly stated above, the provisions of the “General Requirements for Doctoral Degress” established by the Graduate School will apply.
Concentrations: