PhD Programs

PhD in Civil Engineering

Areas of specialization include:

• Construction Engineering and Management
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Hydraulic and Hydrologic Engineering
• Intelligent Systems
• Materials and Highway Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Next Generation Transportation Systems

PhD in Environmental Engineering

Areas of specialization include:     

• Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology
• Hazardous Substance Treatment and Control
• Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics
• Management Policy and Economics
• Surface and Groundwater Hydrology
• Watershed Hydrology and Ecohydrology
• Water Quality Engineering
• Geostatistical Modeling and Optimization
• Atmospheric Modeling

Steps Toward the PhD Degree

Major steps toward the PhD degree include:

• preliminary examination
• appointment of dissertation committee
• completion of coursework and English proficiency requirement
• advancement to candidacy
• research proposal defense
• final oral examination
• completion of dissertation

Admission to the PhD program is granted to students who show promise and provide sufficient evidence that they can meet scholastic requirements of study, including independent research, at an advanced level. The preliminary examination is only open to students with GPA of better than B+. View this flowchart to understand how this process works.

Preliminary Exam Procedures

The specific format of the Preliminary Examination will vary, depending on the student’s area of specialization. Areas of specialization for the Preliminary Examination are:

• Structural and Materials Engineering (PDF)
• Geotechnical Engineering (PDF)
• Construction Engineering and Management (PDF)
• Intelligent Systems (PDF)
• Next Generation Transportation Systems (PDF)
• Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (PDF)
• Hydraulics (PDF)

The Preliminary Examination is typically scheduled during either the first week of January or first two weeks of May.

For details regarding scheduling and requirements, please refer to the PhD guidelines document as well as the document specific to your area, if available. Questions not answered by these documents can be directed to your faculty advisor.

PhD Mentoring Framework

This sample framework provides a starting point for establishing a good advising and mentoring relationship between faculty advisors and PhD students engaged in research together. The framework needs to be established when students start their PhD programs. By revisiting and updating shared expectations within the framework (at least annually), it can then be tailored to emphasize relevant and important topics in a timely way during the course of a student’s time in the graduate program.

PhD Most requested forms

Please note all forms should be turned in to the Grad Coordinator for Grad Chair signature via email or turned in to the Student Services Office in 2188 GG Brown Building.

• Dissertation Committee Worksheet (PDF)
• Who can serve on my committee? Quick Reference Chart (PDF)
• Add a Degree or Certificate
• Apply to PhD CEE Program
• CEE PhD Guidelines (PDF)
• Acceptable Cognate Courses (PDF)
• CEE PhD Flowchart (PDF)