Civil and Environmental Engineering (Ph.D.)
Description
The Doctor of Philosophy degree with a major in Civil and Environmental Engineering requires that students complete the doctoral core courses, courses from the department, and additional courses as specified by the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering. Students must also take 30 credit hours of dissertation research as well as complete examinations. For additional information, please see the department webpage.
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Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- analyze and design a complex engineering system or component (Technical Competence)
- independently investigate an engineering topic and make conclusions about its effect on designs (Research Skills)
- present an engineering solution (Effective Communication)
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Admission Requirements
Students may apply to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a major in Civil and Environmental Engineering program upon completion of either a baccalaureate or a master’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field. Typical minimum requirements include an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a graduate GPA of 3.5 (if relevant). Students who have taken relevant graduate level courses elsewhere (possibly as part of earning a master’s degree) may transfer up to 30 credit hours from their master’s program with approval of the department chair and dean's office. Although the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required, a strong score on the GRE will strengthen the application. In addition, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable, while not required as part of the application, is encouraged because its results can be useful in facilitating the admission process. Students who obtained their degree(s) outside the U.S. must also submit official ECE or WES evaluation reports for each institution attended.
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Degree Requirements - Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Civil and Environmental Engineering (81 credit hours)
The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Civil and Environmental Engineering is divided into three parts: Coursework, Dissertation, and Examination. All doctoral programs of study must be approved by the faculty advisor/committee and the department chairperson.
Coursework
Coursework consists of 51 post-baccalaureate course credit hours at the graduate level. Up to 30 graduate credit hours may be transferred with department and dean's office approval, but at least 21 additional graduate credits must be earned at Detroit Mercy. Coursework is divided into:
- Doctoral core (12 credits)
- CIVE discipline specific (9 credits)
- Discipline specific courses (CIVE) are graduate courses from the Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Department that pertain closely to the student's dissertation topic. These courses must be agreed upon by the student’s advisor and the department.
- Electives (30 credits)
- Elective courses are selected (with written approval of the student's advisor) from CIVE, ENGR, MENG, and/or AEV. Courses from additional departments may be permissible with written approval of the advisor, however, co-op related credits may not be used toward the requirements.
Students are expected to have a GRE Analytic Writing Section score of 3.5 out of 6, TOEFL Writing score of 4 out of 6, TOEFL iBT Writing score of 24 out of 30, or have their master thesis evaluated for writing proficiency. Some students not meeting these requirements may be required to take up to three additional courses in writing such as English as a Second Language (ESL).
Dissertation
CIVE 7990, Civil Engineering Doctoral Dissertation (30 credits total)
Dissertation credits consist of research credits accrued under the guidance of a doctoral dissertation committee headed by a faculty member who acts as the supervisor. Although doctoral research is independent, novel, and advances the state-of-the-art, the committee members can provide guidance, advice, and technical expertise. Dissertation credits may only be taken after passing the qualifying examinations.
Examinations
Examinations comprise three stages: Qualifying, Dissertation Topic, and Final.
The Qualifying Examination consists of two parts: mathematics and discipline specific (in this case, civil and environmental engineering topics relevant to the individual examinee). The Mathematics Qualifying Exam should be taken in the first year of the program and must be taken when the student has completed the doctoral core courses. The Discipline-Specific Qualifying Exam is administered by the Civil, Architecture, & Environmental Engineering Department. This exam is comprised of a major area exam and a minor area exam. Major and minor areas are selected by the student in cooperation with his/her doctoral advisor. These exams are typically taken after the area-specific coursework has been completed. Students passing the Qualifying Examinations are allowed to advance in the doctoral program. Students can repeat each qualifying exam once. Students failing the second time are dismissed from the doctoral program.
The Dissertation Topic Examination consists of the formal presentation of the dissertation topic to the supervisory committee. The committee provides feedback to the student regarding scope, depth, and relevancy of the topic. With approval of the committee, the student can proceed with the research and subsequent accrual of dissertation credits.
The Final Examination consists of the formal and public presentation of the dissertation results. The written dissertation must also be approved and accepted by the supervisory committee and the dean of the College. The Final Examination, in concert with submission of the approved version of the written dissertation, constitutes the last step in completion of the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Master's and Doctoral Thesis Guidelines and information regarding the Mathematics Qualifying Exam may be found on the College of Engineering & Science website.
Total credits required: 81 credits
Program Contact Information
Alexa Rihana-Abdallah, Ph.D.
Chair, Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering Department
Office: Engineering 262
Email: rihanaa@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-993-1040
