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Ph.D. - Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Ph.D. program in Civil and Environmental Engineering offers advanced courses in the areas of structural analysis and design, transportation engineering, water resources, environmental engineering, and geotechnical engineering.

The Ph.D. program aims to educate technical experts to meet challenges related to enhancing infrastructure and the environment, and to teach students about conducting research and solving global problems existing in the Northwest.

The Ph.D. program culminates in a written dissertation representing an original contribution to knowledge in the field, significantly enlarging, modifying or reinterpreting what was previously known. Students work closely with their advisor, but Ph.D. research is original, independent investigation of the chosen research topic.

Specialty Areas:

How to Apply

Degree Requirements

A Ph.D. student must complete the following departmental requirements:

  • Complete a minimum of two years of full-time graduate work (including coursework and thesis credits) beyond the Master’s degree.
  • Complete an approved program of study, which includes a minimum of 24 hours of approved coursework.
  • Pass the comprehensive examination.
  • Present and pass a prospectus defense for advancement to candidacy.
  • Complete 27 credit hours of dissertation credit (CE 603) leading to the completion of a doctoral dissertation.
  • Present and pass the final oral dissertation defense.
  • Submit the written dissertation in compliance with University guidelines and deadlines.

Residency and Registration Requirement

A minimum of three consecutive terms must be spent in full-time residence, with registration for 9 or more graduate credits each term, after admission to the doctoral program. After advancement to candidacy, a Ph.D. candidate is expected to register for dissertation or research credit for a minimum of one full-time academic year. The student must be registered for at least one credit for every term in which the student is working on any phase of the degree. Ph.D. students must register for a minimum of 27 hours of dissertation (CE 603) credits before graduation.

Steps to the Ph.D. Degree

  1. Coursework and Comprehensive Exam
    • The newly admitted Ph.D. student will meet with his/her department advisor within the first quarter of his/her enrollment. The advisor and the student will develop a draft program of study; and will discuss the potential scope and nature of the comprehensive examination. The student should work with his/her advisor to modify the program of study, as needed.
    • The comprehensive examination will generally be taken at the end of coursework, and will include both written (consisting of two 4-hour segments) and oral sessions.At least 6 months before the comprehensive exam, a CEE Examination (or “advisory”) Committee will be formed to approve the program of study. The CEE Examination Committee will include at least three PSU faculty, with a minimum of two from CEE. Copies of the approved program of study should be given to the student, advisor, Chair, and Office of Graduate Studies (OGS).
    • The CEE Examination Committee will define the scope and nature of the comprehensive exam, based on the approved program of study. The Exam Committee will agree to the subject areas of the comprehensive examination, determine the details of exam administration, and provide questions for the examination. The Committee will communicate these details to the student.
    • The Exam Committee may pass the student, pass him/her with qualifications, fail him/her with the option of retaking the exam, or fail him/her without option of retaking the exam. The committee will provide the exam results to OGS, using the Department’s “Comprehensive Exam Approval” form.
  2. Dissertation Prospectus Defense
    • After the comprehensive exams have been passed, and after identification of the dissertation proposal, the student will work with his/her advisor to choose a dissertation committee.
    • The advisor will submit the “Appointment of Final Oral Examination Committee” form (GO-16D) to OGS. Formation of the committee must follow OGS rules. The committee must be approved by OGS before the prospectus defense is scheduled. The Committee should communicate with the student about expectations and format for the written prospectus (also called a comprehensive research proposal).
    • The student will submit the written dissertation prospectus to the dissertation committee for discussion, evaluation, modification and final approval.
    • An oral defense of the prospectus will be scheduled with the student and dissertation committee. All members of the student’s exam committee must be present at the defense.
    • The dissertation committee may pass the candidate, pass with qualifications, or fail the candidate. If the dissertation committee passes the candidate, it will recommend the student to OGS for advancement to candidacy, using the Department’s “Prospectus Approval” form.
    • When the student has been advanced to candidacy by OGS, he/she can proceed with his/her Ph.D. research (a minimum four-month to maximum five-year timeline before the dissertation defense).
  3. Final Dissertation Defense
    • At the conclusion of his/her research, and under guidance of the dissertation committee, the candidate will prepare a preliminary draft of his/her written dissertation in acceptable form setting forth the results of his/her original investigation. The draft is revised and corrected until it meets the approval of the research advisor.
    • The candidate files an “Application for the Degree” during the first week of the anticipated term of graduation.
    • At least two weeks prior to the final oral dissertation defense, the chair of the dissertation committee submits copies of the final draft to each committee member.
    • The final dissertation defense is scheduled, and may be open to the public.
    • The dissertation committee can pass, pass with qualifications, or fail the student.
    • If the candidate passes, the Department will complete a “Recommendation for the Degree” form (GO-17D) and forward if to OGS no later than last week of the term of graduation.
  4. Other degree requirements
    • The dissertation must be prepared in accordance with the University’s “Information Regarding Dissertation Approval.”
    • 3 copies of dissertation and 4 copies of abstract in final approved form must be submitted to OGS no later than three weeks before graduation.
    • Candidates must be continuously enrolled.
    • The final oral exam must be passed, degree requirements met, and student graduated no later than five calendar years after advancement to candidacy.
    • Microfilming of dissertation is mandatory for doctoral candidates. See PSU Bulletin for details.
    • The National Research Council Survey of Earned Doctorates must be completed by student and returned to OGS.
    • Incomplete or In Progress grades must be removed no later than two weeks before graduation.

Note: Students should thoroughly read the PSU Bulletin’s Graduate Admissions Requirements and other information. See especially the “General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees” and “Summary of Procedures for Doctoral Degrees.” Note the applicable “Graduate Candidate Deadlines” available in the Graduate Office or on their web page at:http://www.gsr.pdx.edu/ogs.html