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Doctor Of Philosophy In Civil Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Civil Engineering is designed to provide a flexible vehicle to address new and emerging areas of research in civil engineering that are within interest and expertise of  the civil engineering faculty.

Forms for Ph.D. Â鶹´«Ã½s

Objectives of the Ph.D. in civil engineering

• Apply fundamental concepts of civil engineering in a sub-discipline of interest.
• Identify and formulate innovative research questions in new and emerging topics that are of national and international interest through comprehensive literature review and synthesis.
• Develop and execute a research plan for the identified research question(s).
• Disseminate research results through the completion of a dissertation manuscript and through journal publications and professional presentations.

Admission requirements

In addition to the University minimum Ph.D. admission requirements as outlined in the Graduate Catalog, all applicants to the Ph.D. in Civil Engineering program are expected to meet the following minimum requirements for admission:

• The Â鶹´«Ã½ must contact a faculty member who agrees to advise the Â鶹´«Ã½ and who will serve as the chair of the Ph.D. dissertation committee.
• The Â鶹´«Ã½ must have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• The Â鶹´«Ã½ must submit two official transcripts from each institution attended since high school.
• The Â鶹´«Ã½ must have an overall minimum grade point average of 3.25 at the master’s and 3.0 at the bachelor’s levels.
• The Â鶹´«Ã½ must provide the General GRE test scores.
• The Â鶹´«Ã½ must provide a statement of purpose describing the applicant’s research interests and professional goals.
• The Â鶹´«Ã½ must provide three letters of recommendation.

Program requirements

In addition to the minimum University requirements listed in the graduate catalog, the following must be fulfilled for the Ph.D. in Civil Engineering program:

1. Minimum Credit Hours: After admission into this Ph.D. program, the majority of credits taken at Â鶹´«Ã½ must be from CCE and CEAS (excluding thesis and dissertation credits). A minimum of thirty (30) graduate-level credit hours, excluding the dissertation, beyond the master’s is required at Â鶹´«Ã½ in an approved program of study. Further, no more than six credit hours of independent study courses can be applied to the degree.
2. Program of Study: A program of study must be completed in the first year of enrollment. This program of study is uniquely defined and approved by the Ph.D. committee chair, the Â鶹´«Ã½, the department chair, and the Dean of the Graduate College. The exact distribution of courses, seminars, and research will depend upon the program and may vary from one Â鶹´«Ã½ to another. Each Â鶹´«Ã½ is required to complete a dissertation.
3. Doctoral Dissertation: Minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours of Doctoral Dissertation (CCE 7300) are required.
4. Research Tools: Two appropriate research tools courses are required. Such research tools may include, but are not limited to, statistics, numerical analysis, mathematics, research methodology, and computing. These are determined by the Ph.D. committee chair and the Â鶹´«Ã½.
5. Candidacy and Examination Requirements: Passing the following three examinations in the intended specialty area is required. These exams are designed and administered by the dissertation committee.
   • Qualifying Exam: Before admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree, the Â鶹´«Ã½ must pass a written qualifying examination. The exam must be completed within the first calendar year of enrollment in the Ph.D. program. Please refer to the Qualifying Exam Guide for details.
   • Comprehensive Exam: Each doctoral candidate must obtain approval from his or her dissertation committee for a dissertation topic and research plan through the comprehensive exam. The exam requires a written proposal and oral presentation, and is typically taken near the end of the course work outlined in the doctoral program of study. The comprehensive exam must be completed within one year after passing the qualifying exam. Upon passing the comprehensive exam, the Â鶹´«Ã½ is advanced to the Ph.D. candidate status.
6. Dissertation Defense:The defense takes place at the conclusion of the dissertation research with the approval of the committee. Upon a successful defense outcome, as determined by the dissertation committee, the Â鶹´«Ã½ earns the Ph.D. in Civil Engineering degree.

If a Â鶹´«Ã½ fails any of the above exams, the Â鶹´«Ã½ must retake the exam within a year. A second failure will result in dismissal from the program. 

Doctoral Dissertation Committee

A doctoral dissertation committee shall be appointed for each Â鶹´«Ã½ during the first year of enrollment. The purpose of the dissertation committee is to:

• develop, with the Â鶹´«Ã½, the program of study for the intended specialty field under the Ph.D. program;
• design and administer the required Ph.D. examinations; and
• provide the technical guidance to the Â鶹´«Ã½ during the dissertation portion of the doctoral program.

The doctoral dissertation committee shall consist of at least three faculty members. A minimum of two members must be from the civil and construction engineering department including the committee chair. All members of the committee must be either full or associate members of the graduate faculty.

1. Application: international admissions or resident. Select Ph.D. in civil engineering.
2. English test scores: English proficiency

Dr. Osama Abudayyeh, PE
Email Osama Abudayyeh
Department of Civil and Construction Engineering
Â鶹´«Ã½
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5316 USA
Phone (269) 276-3210
Fax (269) 276-3211