Doctoral Program in Chemical Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering
Admission to the Chemical Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering doctoral program is based on evidence that a student will prove capable of scholarly specialization in a broad intellectual foundation of a related discipline. The master’s degree is strongly recommended for students entering the doctoral program. Applicants without the master’s degree will normally be enrolled in the master’s program.
Eighty-four credits of graduate work in an approved program of study are required beyond the bachelor’s degree; this may include up to 30 credits obtained in a master’s degree program, if the area of the master’s degree is relevant to the doctoral program. A doctoral dissertation for a minimum of 30 credits and based on the results of the student’s original research, carried out under the guidance of a faculty member and defended in a public examination, is a major component of the doctoral program. The Ph.D. qualifying exam consists of a written and an oral exam. Students are strongly encouraged to take the qualifying exam within two semesters of enrollment in the graduate program. A minimum of 3.5 GPA must be satisfied in order to take the exam. A time limit of six years is set for completion of the doctoral program. Completion of the signature doctoral course, PRV 961 (3 credits), is required of all doctoral students at Stevens.