Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Applied Science

The Ph.D. program offers a novel approach to doctoral education that prepares students to be exceptional professionals in their future careers in industry, academia, nonprofits, consulting, or government agencies. Graduates will be prepared to respond to 21st century challenges across a broad range of specialties. The program offers an innovative curriculum that merges coursework, practical research experiences, and mentorship from university faculty into an experience that develops critical and analytical thinking skills over a minimum of three years.

Students will plan their coursework with their advisor to be prepared to complete research in active research areas including biomaterials for medical devices, tissue engineering, rapid detection of microbes, cybersecurity and forensics, artificial intelligence, data science, nondestructive evaluation, radar signal processing, renewable energy systems, wireless communication, structural engineering, sustainability in engineering, and environmental remediation. As an interdisciplinary degree program, students can take coursework from multiple disciplines to develop the skillsets needed to solve problems spanning across traditional discipline borders.

The research-based Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Engineering and Applied Science prepares students for positions in academia, industry, or consulting in a specific engineering or applied science discipline with coursework and research tailored to the student's particular interests and professional goals.

Students identify a field of research at the time of admission that aligns with their career goals, previous educational experience, and existing faculty expertise. Disciplines represented include biomedical engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, data science, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, and mechanical engineering. Specific specializations will necessarily depend on faculty research interests which, based upon current active research groups, may include such fields as biomaterials for medical devices, tissue engineering, rapid detection of microbes, cybersecurity and forensics, artificial intelligence, data science, nondestructive evaluation, radar signal processing, renewable energy systems, wireless communication and advanced antennas, structural engineering, sustainability in engineering, and environmental remediation.

Successful completion of an MS degree in a related STEM area with a GPA of at least 3.5; or successful completion of a BS degree in a related STEM area with a GPA of at least 3.5.

A strong statement of research aligned with the research expertise of one or more STEM-focused faculty at the University.

Willingness of a STEM-focused faculty member in the University to supervise the candidate upon successful completion of the qualifying examination.

A minimum IBT TOEFL score of 100, PTE score of 68, or 7.5 on the IELTS test is required.

Applications for the Ph.D. program in Engineering and Applied Science must be submitted by March 1 for fall admission and October 15 for spring admission.