PhD in Engineering
About the Program
The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD ENGR) is awarded to candidates who successfully complete a program of advanced courses in engineering and conduct independent research of a specialized area within their selected discipline. Students are expected to seek novel solutions that advance the boundaries of engineering knowledge, demonstrate initiative in their approach and innovation in their work. PhD candidates prepare and present a dissertation on their chosen area. Research may be undertaken in a variety of topics corresponding to the areas of focus identified by the University. Candidates applying to the program may opt for a PhD in Engineering with a concentration in one of the engineering areas listed below. The concentration will be specified on the student’s diploma and official transcript.
• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Engineering Systems and Management
• Material Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Robotics
Selecting a concentration is not mandatory and students who prefer to pursue a multidisciplinary form of research have the option to complete a multidisciplinary PhD in Engineering (i.e. with no one specialization). If this option is selected, only the title of the degree will be stated on the diploma and transcript of the student.
Program Educational Objectives
Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that graduates are expected to attain within few years of graduation. The PhD in Engineering program aims to produce graduates with the disciplinary preparation and ability to:
1. Synthesize scientific and technical engineering knowledge to identify, formulate and solve research challenges, and effectively disseminate the results to a variety of audiences.
2. Work across multiple disciplines and develop their individual academic, professional and career focus.
3. Keep abreast of the latest advances in science and engineering that contribute to the advancement of knowledge for the benefit of society.
Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a PhD in Engineering will have the ability to:
1. Demonstrate appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge that is at the frontier of their disciplines and areas of specialization.
2. Conduct and defend original independent research that results in significant contributions to knowledge in the field and leads to publishable quality scholarly articles.
3. Understand and value diverse methodologies and techniques for solving critical problems in research.
4. Verify, justify and evaluate the various aspects of the solution to a complex engineering problem.
5. Communicate effectively and professionally, in written and oral forms, the major tenets of their field and their work to a variety of audiences.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to ethical behavior in research and professional activities.
7. Contribute effectively in multidisciplinary collaborative environments.