DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PH.D.) DEGREE

Admissions

Students should have the equivalent of an M.E. or M.S. degree in civil engineering or closely related engineering field. Exceptional students may be eligible to enter directly the Ph.D. degree program with a B.S. degree in civil engineering or closely related engineering field. Applicants must exceed the minimum grade and test score requirements for admission to the Master’s degree programs (refer to the M.S. and M.E. eligibility requirements listed above). Outstanding students with non-engineering baccalaureate degrees may qualify for admission to the Ph.D. degree program, with the understanding that they must complete specified deficiency/prerequisite courses.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for the Ph.D degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering conform to the regulations of the Graduate School. The student is responsible for satisfying both departmental and Graduate School requirements.

Completion of the doctoral degree requires a minimum of 60 credits beyond the B.S. degree.

Students having an earned M.S. or M.E. degree must complete a minimum of 30 credits beyond the Masters degree, of which 12 credits must be Dissertation Preparation (ECIV 899).

For students pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the same program area (environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation or water resources engineering) as their M.S. or M.E. degree, a minimum of 18 credit hours of course work is required. Core-Courses may be satisfied during the M.S. or M.E. degree. At least 9 of the 18 hours of course work must be completed at the 700-level or above. At least 9 of the 18 hours of course work must be completed within the department.

For students pursuing a Ph.D. degree in a different program area from their M.S. or M.E. degree, a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work in the new area is required. Core-Courses must be satisfied in the new area. At least 12 of the 24 hours of course work must be completed at the 700-level or above. At least 15 of the 24 hours of course work must be completed within the department.

Outstanding students entering the doctoral program directly from the B.S. degree must complete 12 credits of Dissertation Preparation (ECIV 899) and 48 hours of course work. At least 30 of the 48 hours of coursework must be completed at the 700-level or above. At least 30 of the 48 hours of coursework must be completed within the department. Prescribed Core-Courses are required for each area of study.

A maximum of 6 credits of ECIV 797 can be used toward the student’s program of study beyond the baccalaureate degree.

In addition to the above requirements, all students are required to attend the Civil and Environmental Engineering Seminar in each semester in which they are full-time students. Full-time is defined as those on an assistantship and/or enrolled in 9 or more credit hours.

The residency requirement for the Ph.D. degree ensures that students benefit from and contribute to the complete spectrum of educational and professional opportunities provided by the graduate faculty of a comprehensive university. The granting of a doctoral degree presupposes a minimum of three full years of graduate study following admission to the doctoral program. As such, the residency requirement may be fulfilled by enrollment in at least 18 graduate credit hours within a span of three consecutive semesters (excluding summers). Enrollment in a summer term is not required to maintain continuity, but credits earned during summer terms may be used to count toward residency. Enrollment through the APOGEE program does not satisfy the residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree. If the student has completed all required coursework, ECIV 899, (dissertation preparation), may be used to fulfill the residency requirements.