Academic Programs Catalog

College of Engineering

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Graduate Study
Civil Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy

Admission

An applicant for admission to the Ph.D. degree program in civil engineering should have a bachelor's or master's degree in civil engineering or a related field and should have a grade-point average that would indicate success in graduate study.

All applicants are encouraged to submit their scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified by their guidance committees.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Civil Engineering

These general criteria are the same for all students, the specific requirements for each student are developed in consultation with the advisor and the guidance committee.
1. Students with a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering must complete 12 credits of course work at the 800-level or above in consultation with their advisor and guidance committee.
2. Students admitted directly to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Civil Engineering must also complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering as part of the doctoral plan of study.
3. Students entering the program with a bachelor's or master's degree in a field other than civil engineering may be required to complete additional collateral course work to fulfil deficiencies in their academic background as specified by the guidance committee. This course work will not count towards the requirements for the doctoral degree program.
4. Complete the following course during the first year of study:
     CE  900 Research Strategies and Methods in Civil Engineering     1
5. Complete 24 to 36 credits of CE 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
6. Complete a qualifying examination comprised of a written examination and an oral examination.
7. Complete a comprehensive examination comprised of a written thesis proposal and oral presentation. This examination must be completed at least six months prior to the doctoral dissertation defense.
8. Complete and successfully defend the dissertation and present the results of the dissertation research in a public seminar.