PhD degree, WE

Information concerning the pursuit of a PhD in WE, including degree requirements, Qualifying Exam procedures, Candidacy Exam procedures, time frame for completion, graduation details, and more.

Time frame for completion

The typical length of time for completion of a PhD degree while enrolled as a full time student is approximately five years, inclusive of Summers. A student holding a GRA or Fellowship will often combine research and academic studies during the first two to three years in the program. During this period the student will take 14-16 courses to develop his/her knowledge of WE.

By the end of the first year in the program the student is to take the Qualifying Examination. At the point that the student has taken 45 graded graduate courses--roughly 2-3 years into the degree--s/he may take the Candidacy Exam. Approximately one year after completing the Candidacy Exam the student is to present and defend an acceptable dissertation.

Degree requirements

PhD degree requirements
WE-specific requirements necessary to earn a doctoral degree in materials science and engineering.

Candidacy Exam procedures

Candidacy Exam procedures
Information concerning the PhD Candidacy Exam, including required documents, timing, and more.

Dissertation Overview procedures

Dissertation Overview procedures
Provides information regarding the purpose, timing, and the form needed to complete this required exercise.

Publication requirement

Publication requirement and form
Dissemination of research results is important for all students that write a dissertation. To this end, evidence of having done so in the form of two articles published in a recognized journal is a requirement of the degree.

Dissertation defense

Ph.D. dissertation defense
Procedures for the Ph.D. student's final term, including dissertation submission and defense process.

Qualifying Examination [pre-AU19 only]

Qualifying Examination procedures
The Qualifying Examination serves to discern, at an early point in the student's career, his/her readiness to proceed toward the Doctoral degree. The Qualifying Examination was part of the pre-AU19 PhD degree requirements.