Applicants holding an M.S. degree from a university of recognized standing are eligible for admission to the doctoral program, provided they meet the College of Graduate Studies' requirements for Ph.D. admission.

Applicants must also demonstrate a suitable scientific background in the proposed field of study. Any deficiencies in prior academic preparation must be addressed within the first two semesters of enrollment.

Ph.D. students must complete 30 credit hours of coursework while maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. After one academic year of study, students must also present an annual seminar.

Comprehensive Examination

A comprehensive examination, with written and oral components, is conducted upon completion of major and minor field coursework. The minor must be chosen from a field relevant to the professional scope of chemical engineering, including designated areas of chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineering, or systems engineering.

For students specializing in chemical engineering, the written examination covers:

The minor area for the written examination is selected in consultation with the student's advisor. The oral examination is scheduled within one semester following the written examination, allowing time to prepare the dissertation proposal. Students may be advanced to Doctoral Degree Candidacy on the basis of the comprehensive examination. Only two attempts at the comprehensive examination are permitted.

Dissertation

Following successful completion of the comprehensive examination, candidates prepare and submit a dissertation on an approved research topic representing a rigorous, original study within chemical engineering. A departmental dissertation committee guides the research and reviews the dissertation. The public defense is arranged by the candidate in consultation with the committee and with the approval of the College of Graduate Studies.