PhD Requirements
There are a number of Whiting School of Engineering policies related to Ph.D. students, which are listed here. Ph.D. student requirements for the Civil Engineering Department include:
- 8 Courses*
- Department Qualifying Examination (DQE)
- Graduate Board Oral Examination (GBO)
- Responsible Conduct of Research short course (AS.360.625)
- Academic Ethics short course (EN.500.603)
- Final Ph.D. Thesis Defense
*All courses must be completed with a grade of B or better. All courses must be at the 600- or 700- level.
Typical Timeline for Ph.D. Students
**For additional information, please click on the highlighted terms.**
Year 1 Fall:
- Arrival prior to start of classes
- Selection of first semester courses (typically 4) with Director of Graduate Studies or research advisor
- Language/communication testing and placement for International Students
- Responsible Conduct of Research short course (AS.360.625)
- Academic Ethics short course (EN.500.603)
- First semester coursework and research
- Determination of permanent advisor in first semester
Year 1 Intersession:
- Intersession research
- Department Qualifying Exam (DQE) (completed in early January)
- Annual review completed by January 31
Year 1 Spring:
- Second semester coursework and research
Year 1 Summer:
- Research
Year 2 Fall:
- Research
- Coursework (typically finishing up this semester)
- Ph.D. Thesis Committee Meeting required prior to end of Fall semester
Year 2 Intersession:
- Research
- Annual review completed by January 31
Year 2 Spring:
- Research
- Coursework
Year 2 Summer:
- Research
Year 3:
- Research (Year-round)
- Ph.D. Thesis Committee Meeting
- Annual review completed by January 31
- GBO: Exact timing determined by advisor in consultation with the student
Year 4 and Beyond:
- Research (Year-round)
- Ph.D. Thesis Committee Meeting every Fall prior to the end of the semester
- Annual review completed by January 31
Final semester:
Note: Teaching assistant duties may also be assigned during one or more semesters.
