Sample DOCTOR OF ENGINEERING CHEMICAL

Program Overview

The Doctor of Engineering degree is granted in recognition of high achievement in scholarship and an ability to apply engineering fundamentals to the solution of complex technical problems. Students are expected to pursue a broad program of study, pass all prescribed examinations, and submit an innovative, high-quality applied-engineering dissertation as described in the section on Degree Requirements.

                       

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites: Bachelor's or Master's degree with at least one degree in engineering. In exceptional cases, applicants may be considered without an engineering degree if they have a strong foundation in math and science. 

Minimum G.P.A: 3.00 at the bachelor's and 3.25 at the master's level are required.

GRE Requirement: The GRE General section is required of all applicants.  Minimum scores at the 80th percentile on the Quantitative section and 3.5 on the Analytical Writing section are usually required depending on the specialization area.

TOEFL Requirement: Required for international students. If an English language proficiency examination is required, then a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based exam, 78 on the internet exam (including at least 20 in reading, 21 in listening, 17 in writing, and 20 in speaking), 6.0 on the IELTS exam, 5.0 on the iTEP exam, or 213 on the computer-based exam, is required.  Students who do not satisfy these requirements but who do satisfy the University's TOEFL requirements, will be tested upon arrival at CSU by the English as a Second Language Program.  Depending on test results, students may be required to take a writing (ESL 502) and/or speaking (ESL 503) course.

Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from individuals familar with the student's previous academic work are required.  Applicants are required to submit a two-page personal statement of their research interests.

Degree Completion Requirements

 The doctoral degree includes the following specific requirements:

1. A minimum of ninety (90) credits beyond the bachelor's degree. These credits must include:
   1. Course Credits:  Independent study and directed study courses are not admissible as course credits. A minimum of 40 credits of course work is required, which should include:
      1. A minimum of six (6) credits (2 courses) of advanced-level engineering mathematics from an approved list maintained by the Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC) of the Engineering College. 
      2. A minimum of six (6) credits (2 courses) of graduate level courses from outside of engineering.  Courses must be applicable to the graduate program of the offering department.
      3. A three (3) credit (minimum) course on research communications from an approved list maintained by the GAC of the Engineering College, and a 1-hour doctoral seminar course (ESC 850 or BME 850).
      4. A minimum of twenty-four (24) credits of coursework, determined by the area of specialization, including 12 credits (minimum) of required core courses; and 12 credits (minimum) of advanced-level (6xx or 7xx level) elective engineering courses.
   2. Research Credits:  A minimum of thirty (30) credits of doctoral research, including a maximum of 10 credits of xxx895 (doctoral research), and a minimum of 20 credits of xxx899 (dissertation).  Registration in xxx899 is contingent upon successful completion of the candidacy exam.
   3. Flexible Credits: A minimum of 20 credits, from a combination of dissertation and/or coursework at the 500-level or above.

For students entering the doctoral program with a master's degree, the student's combined master's and doctoral coursework must satisfy all content requirements described above.  At least 20 credits of coursework required for the doctoral program must be taken at CSU.  At least 30 credits of research (xxx895 and xxx899) must be taken at CSU.  And at least 60 credits (total) must be taken at CSU.  The graduate program committee of the specialization is responsible for assignment of credits from the student's MS program to the doctoral of engineering program.

 2. Satisfactory completion of the Qualifying Examination.

 3. GAC approval of the Dissertation Committee and Plan of Study and satisfactory completion of the doctoral Candidacy Examination.

 4. Completion of a doctoral dissertation and successful oral defense of the dissertation.

 5. Compliance with all requirements of the College of Graduate Studies for regular graduate student status and graduation.

Engineering Core Requirements:

1. Advanced engineering mathematics (minimum two courses, 6 credit hours)
2. Research Communication or alternative approved course (one course, 3 credit hours)
3. Graduate courses from outside of engineering (minimum two courses, 6 credit hours)

Required Core Courses:

1. CHE 502 Advanced Thermodynamics (4 credits)
2. CHE 506 Advanced Transport Phenomena (4 credits)
3. CHE 504 Advanced Reactor Design or CHE 508 Advanced Separation processes (4 credits)

Electives (minimum of 12 credits):

12 credits of 6xx or 7xx level engineering electives, subject to advisor approval.

Dissertation Defense and Degree Completion

One paper from the student's dissertation research must be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, prior to the dissertation defense.  The dissertation defense is a public presentation of the dissertation, followed by an oral examination by the dissertation committee which is closed to the public.  The dissertation committee determines pass or failure.

The doctoral program director ensures that all program requirements are satisfied before signing the degree completion (including: course and research credits, successful completion of qualifying, candidacy and dissertation defense exams, publication requirements, and all program assessments).  The Notice of Completion is signed by the dissertation committee chair, the department chair of the program of specialization, and the doctoral program director.