- Graduates will be able to apply knowledge of advanced concepts and analytical skills within engineering that enhance or add to the scientific consensus.
- Graduates will be able to communicate clearly and creatively a mastery of topics required to solve complex engineering problems through peer-reviewed research and oral presentations.
- Graduates will be able to conduct independent research that addresses problems in broader contexts.
The Ph.D. in Engineering requires a total of 60 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree with 12-18 credits of dissertation research. Of the 60 credits, a maximum of six credits may be comprised of coursework at the 4000-level; all other course credits must be at the 5000 or 6000-level. Those students who earn a Master of Science may include up to 24 credits from the associated Master of Science, but not the thesis or project credits, in the 60 credits which are needed for the Ph.D. Ph.D. students should also satisfy four semesters of graduate seminar beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Non-Course Requirements
First Semester in Ph.D. Program
In the first semester, Ph.D. students will begin taking courses as indicated in the program of study. In parallel, students may also begin research in an identified research area under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
The faculty advisor and students will form a guidance committee of at least five members. The committee members should be persons who will likely provide expertise and guidance that will assist students in their research. At least two members, besides the faculty advisor, must be in student's home department. If the faculty advisor is in another department, then one guidance committee member in the home department will be designated as the guidance committee chair.
Annual Student Review
Active students are expected to check in with their faculty advisor regularly regarding coursework and research, and all students go through an annual review using a process determined by their area of concentration, which is then submitted to the Office of Graduate Education.
Qualifying Exam
A qualifying exam will be administered according to the expectations of the academic discipline. For example, in engineering, a qualifying exam may be administered relatively early in the doctoral studies.
The student’s guidance committee will advise students on preparation for the qualifying exam. Ideally, the guidance committee will continue after the qualifying exam and through the dissertation research.
The qualifying exam is designed to determine if students are prepared to continue Ph.D. studies. Normally, it is a written exam, with the option for follow-up with an oral exam. The details of the exam are determined by the home department, but all portions of the qualifying exam should be completed in one day.
Qualifying examinations are arranged and administered by the home department. The result of the exam may be a pass, no-pass or conditional pass. The conditional pass will normally require that students correct specific weaknesses, with appropriate modifications to the plan of study.
Qualifying exam procedures can be accessed at the School of Science and Engineering website.
Dissertation Proposal and Doctoral Oral Examination
Typically, after a year following the qualifying exam, students will present and defend a dissertation proposal, called a doctoral oral examination. This exam is based on their written proposal, and their oral defense of the proposal. Both components will be evaluated by the guidance committee.
Doctoral candidate status will be given to students after the successful passage of the doctoral oral examination of the dissertation proposal.
Dissertation Defense
At a time selected by students and the guidance committee, the doctoral candidates present the dissertation research in both written and oral format. The defense typically includes a seminar that is open to the public. Following the open session, the student defending and his or her guidance committee continues the discussion in a closed session.
Based on the defense, the guidance committee may:
- approve the dissertation,
- conditionally approve, with specific instructions on revisions to the dissertation document, or
- not approve the dissertation.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Concentration Courses | 6 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Concentration Courses | 9 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Concentration Courses | 9 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Concentration Courses | 9 | |
| PhD Qualifying Exam | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Concentration Courses | 9 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Dissertation Research | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Dissertation Research | 3 | |
| Doctoral Oral Examination | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Five | ||
| Fall | ||
| Dissertation Research | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Dissertation Research | 3 | |
| Final Defense of the Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
For more information about any School of Science and Engineering graduate program, email ssegrad-admissions@slu.edu.