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PHD IN ENGINEERING

Qualifying Examination

First and foremost, each student admitted to the Engineering PhD program must pass the Qualifying Exam to obtain candidacy or official entrance into the doctoral program. The Qualifying Exam is usually taken at the end of spring quarter after the first full year of academic study (3 quarters of Ph.D. study). However, students enrolled in one of the engineering Master's programs may opt to take the Qualifying Exam at the end of the spring quarter of the second year of their MS program. Prior to taking this examination, a student must identify a faculty member who has indicated that he/she is willing to supervise the student's research.

The purpose of the Qualifying Exam is to determine whether the student has the necessary foundations to undertake doctoral studies.

The Qualifying Exam will take place over a five hour, uninterrupted period, for example: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Individual subject tests will be designed to take one hour, but each student will be given the entire exam at the start of the examination period and expected to regulate the time accordingly. Students who do not pass a topic area will be allowed to retake that subject area once. In unusual circumstances students may petition to retake a subject area a second time, but must have their advisor's written support for the petition.

PhD students seeking a concentration in Computer Engineering must demonstrate competence in five of the seven fundamental areas listed below. Each topic will be graded separately. To pass the Qualifying Exam the student must obtain a passing score in all five subject areas. Well in advance of the exam, students will submit a request to take the Qualifying Exam and list the five areas on which they seek to be tested. The professors who teach these courses will make available a list of topics they feel are needed to demonstrate competency so that the student can properly prepare for the exam.

PhD students seeking a concentration in Electrical Engineering must demonstrate competence in five of the seven fundamental areas listed below. Each topic will be graded separately. To pass the Qualifying Exam the student must obtain a passing score in all five subject areas. Well in advance of the exam, students will submit a request to take the Qualifying Exam and list the five areas on which they seek to be tested. The professors who teach these courses will make available a list of topics they feel are needed to demonstrate competency so that the student can properly prepare for the exam.

PhD students seeking a concentration in Mechanical Engineering must demonstrate competency in five of the seven fundamental areas listed below. Each topic will be graded separately. To pass the Qualifying Exam the student must obtain a passing score in all five subject areas. Well in advance of the exam, students will submit a request to take the Qualifying Exam and list the five areas on which they seek to be tested. The professors who teach these courses will make available a list of topics they feel are needed to demonstrate competency so that the student can properly prepare for the exam.

Minimum Credit Requirements

Students with a bachelor's degree only

For students entering with a bachelor's degree 90 QH of course work are required, 72 of which must be completed at the University of Denver. A minimum of 48 QH must be at the 4000 level and may include as many dissertation research hours (Independent Research and Independent Study) as considered appropriate by the student's advisor. The student with his or her advisor will devise an appropriate program of study in a major, a minor, and advanced mathematics. Prior to completion of the comprehensive exam, the program of study must also be approved by the student's PhD committee. The major will consist of 15 QH of course work (with a minimum of three 4000 level courses, excluding independent research). Nine (9) QH of course work (excluding independent research) are required to establish a minor. The minor must be in engineering or related areas (e.g., Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry or Cognitive Sciences). Further, a 3 QH advanced mathematics requirement must be met. Advanced mathematics courses at the 3000 or higher level are selected with the prior approval of the student's advisor. In addition three quarter hours of Engineering Seminar are required.

Students with a closely related master's degree

If a student is admitted with a closely related master's degree, a minimum of 45 QH is required, 36 of which must be completed at the University of Denver. The student with his or her advisor will devise an appropriate program consisting of a minimum of 36 QH at the 4000 level, which may include as many dissertation research hours (Independent Research and Independent Study) as considered appropriate by the student's advisor. In addition three quarter hours of Engineering Seminar are required. Prior to completion of the comprehensive exam, the program of study must also be approved by the student's PhD committee.

Comprehensive Examination

Generally within three years of attaining candidacy, the student should schedule and take the comprehensive examination. This oral examination will be attended by a minimum of three faculty members, preferably the student's entire PhD committee, with the student's advisor acting as chair. The student will be expected to make a 20 to 30 minute concise presentation on his/her dissertation topic. The presentation will highlight previous work in this area, demonstrate a need for the research, and explain how the research will contribute to the advancement of the area. The student will also present completed work and results, anticipated work and results, and a detailed plan for project completion. In addition, the student will be expected to answer general fundamental questions in the area of his/her concentration and detailed questions in the area of the student's graduate course work. The examination can be retaken only once.

Dissertation

The student is required to complete and defend a dissertation of publishable quality based on the student's original research. The dissertation must be completed in written form in accordance with university Graduate School guidelines. A summary of the dissertation must be presented in a public seminar and subsequently defended by the student in the final oral examination. The examining committee will consist of the student's entire PhD committee.

Residence Requirement

One year of full-time graduate work and two consecutive years of part-time graduate work satisfy the minimum residency requirement at the University of Denver.

PhD Committee

The PhD committee will consist of five faculty members. Three faculty members must be from within the student's specialty area; these can include the student's advisor, other faculty in that degree program and, if necessary, off campus experts. Finally, the committee chair must be a faculty member outside the department of engineering.

Suggested Courses

It is strongly recommended that courses used to fulfill the remainder of the required quarter hour requirements be selected from among those listed below and those listed under the qualifying exam above, in consultation with the student's advisor.

It is strongly recommended that courses used to fulfill the remainder of the required quarter hour requirements be selected from among those at the 3000 or 4000 level having prefixes ENCE, ENEE, ENGR, and ENME, or MTSC, or the following courses listed in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science, in consultation with the student's advisor.

Seminar Requirement

All students are required to register for at least three quarter hours of Engineering Seminar (ENGR 4900); six quarter hours are required if the student is entering with a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, all students are required to attend all Engineering Seminars whether or not they have registered for seminar.

Interdisciplinary PhD Program

The program offers opportunities for students to petition to the Engineering Department if they wish to follow special advanced programs of study in Engineering. In such a case, the petition must have the sponsorship of three faculty members, at least one of whom shall be from the Department of Engineering. When a significant amount of work is to be taken in another division or department, one faculty member from each division/school or department must act as a sponsor.

Degree Information