Ph.D. Program Description and Requirements

Program Description and Requirements
Ph.D. Program Director, Dr. Hossein Salehfar

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering program provides a student with specialized training customized to meet his or her specific interests and goals. Faculty advisors work with each student to structure a graduate program consisting of traditional engineering study, complementary multidisciplinary studies, strong interaction between fellow engineering students, and high quality research. The program is based upon the research strengths of faculty, and includes studies in the major engineering disciplines. Students receive a Ph.D. of Engineering with a specified track of:

Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Energy Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Geological Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

The program recognizes that effective researchers should have extensive expertise in a specialization (track) coupled with a familiarity and awareness of related research needs and the context for applying that expertise. Students enrolled in the Engineering Ph.D. program will develop a broad and inclusive background in the chosen track while also working with faculty from related disciplines to create the interdisciplinary and integrative research paradigms necessary for comprehensive research. A principal goal of the program is to produce Ph.D. research engineers for careers that focus on the invention and development of new technologies and advances for the 21 st Century and beyond. Activities to develop professional and personal skills are intended through a multidisciplinary emphasis to enable participants to 1) understand the ethical, political, and economic impacts of their research developments and policies and 2) improve their ability to communicate about complex technical subjects in both professional and general settings.

The program includes a significant research component characterized by substantial interaction between the student and their advisor. Research topics are determined based upon the mutual interest of the student and research advisor. Students develop a strong research methodology and apply this research method to a specific engineering problem as directed by their advisor. Student’s attendance is required at a weekly seminar. This seminar is used to enhance the research methodology, by allowing students to present their research during various stages of development. The seminar also serves the important role of providing exposure of all students to a diverse range of multidisciplinary work.

Specific Research Interests of the Faculty in the School of Engineering and Mines