M.E. and M.S. Degrees
Students pursuing M.E. and M.S. degrees will be assigned a faculty advisor upon entering the program. The advisor will work with the student to define a program of studies, and (if applicable) conduct research for an M.S. thesis. The advisor will work with the student to address M.E. and M.S. degree requirements established by the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).
Ph.D. Degree
When a student enters the PhD program, an advisory committee is formed, chaired by the students advisor, to formulate a coursework and research plan suited to the student’s needs, interests, and goals. The advisory committee determines final requirements for the student. The requirements described below are minimum requirements for the department.
Plan of Study
A doctoral Plan of Study, listing the courses taken as part of the Ph.D. program and tailored to the interests and needs of the individual student, is developed in consultation with the student’s doctoral advisory committee. The plan must satisfy all SEAS requirements. The plan of study should ensure both depth in the specific research area and breadth in civil engineering and related sciences.
The plan of study should be submitted promptly after appointment of the doctoral advisory committee.
Qualifying Exam
The student’s doctoral advisory committee will develop and administer a qualifying examination designed to test: (a) the student’s integrative knowledge in their focus area within civil and environmental engineering, and (b) the student’s research abilities. The examination will consist of a written and oral component.
This examination should be completed within a maximum time period of 6 months following the student’s completion of coursework as defined by the plan of study.
Dissertation Proposal
Doctoral students are required to prepare a written dissertation proposal. The proposal should indicate the purpose and objectives of the work to be undertaken, the current state of the art with bibliography, and the strategy to be followed and techniques to be employed in the research. Preliminary data, calculations, and/or theoretical developments should be included in support of the proposed work. The proposal will be presented orally and discussed publicly. The doctoral advisory committee will serve as the dissertation proposal exam committee. This phase of the doctoral program should be completed within a maximum time period of 12 months following completion of Qualifying Exam.
Purpose of the Dissertation Proposal
- To determine if the student’s knowledge of the area chosen for research and the pertinent literature is adequate
- To determine whether the proposed work, if completed, would provide the basis for an acceptable dissertation
- To advise the student on general approaches and specific techniques that may be helpful in the proposed research
Teaching Experience
To contribute to the educational and professional development, each doctoral student should serve as a graduate teaching assistant for a minimum of two semesters. These semesters should occur after the student has passed the qualifying exam.
Publication Expectation
A doctoral student is expected to serve as the lead author on one or more peer-reviewed journal papers prior to scheduling his or her final defense.
