Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Engineering program at Saint Louis University emphasizes original research, preparing students for advanced careers in industry, government, or academia. The program requires 60 credits of coursework, a qualifying exam, and a dissertation defense, and offers concentrations in aerospace and mechanical engineering and civil engineering. Students benefit from faculty mentorship, research opportunities, and access to industry professionals, resulting in a well-rounded education and preparation for success in their chosen field.
Program Outline
Students are expected to conduct original academic research that culminates in a dissertation and peer-reviewed publications. Additional coursework related to the chosen research area is also required. Ph.D. students prepare a program of study that must be approved by the faculty advisor, department chair, and the director of graduate programs. This program of study is developed and then reviewed within the context of students' backgrounds and career goals, allowing students to customize their program to suit their professional goals. Graduate students in engineering at Saint Louis University will demonstrate:
- Enhanced professional and analytical skills through the development of an in-depth understanding of theoretical and practical concepts.
- Excellent communication skills through written and oral presentations.
- Creative thinking skills through mastery of topics required to solve complex engineering problems.
- Depth of knowledge required to pursue advanced work in a modern, ever-changing world through entrepreneurial experiences woven into their program. These attributes will be assessed during the required examination milestones. For a Ph.D., the required milestones include a qualifying exam, a written dissertation proposal and corresponding oral defense, and a written dissertation and corresponding oral defense presentation.
Outline:
The Ph.D. in engineering requires a total of 60 credits of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree, with 12 credits of dissertation. A limited number of courses may be at the 4000 level; all others must be at the 5000 or higher level. Students who earn an M.S. may include a maximum of 24 master's degree course credits with departmental approval, but not the thesis or project credits in the 60 credits for the Ph.D. degree. There are two concentrations in the engineering doctoral program:
- Aerospace and mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
Assessment:
The program's assessment methods include: The details of the exam are determined by the home department, but all portions of the qualifying exam should be completed in one day.
- Dissertation proposal and doctoral oral examination: Students present and defend a dissertation proposal, called a doctoral oral examination. This exam is based on their written proposal, and their oral defense of the proposal. Both components will be evaluated by the guidance committee.
- Dissertation defense: Doctoral candidates present the dissertation research in both written and oral format. The defense typically includes a seminar that is open to the public. Following the open session, the student defending and his or her guidance committee continues the discussion in a closed session.
Teaching:
The program's teaching methods include:
- Coursework: Students take courses related to their chosen research area.
- Research: Students conduct original academic research under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
- Seminars: Students participate in graduate seminars.
Careers:
Graduates of the doctoral program seek employment in the industry, government, or as university professors.
Other:
- School of Science and Engineering graduate students gain valuable experience working with both faculty and peers.
- Additional opportunities to publish in scientific journals and attend professional conferences prepare our graduates for careers in industry or academia.
- The School of Science and Engineering provides many opportunities for these professionals to interact with students, share their real-world experiences, network, and even collaborate on research projects.
- The expert faculty of the School of Science and Engineering collaborate with graduate students in groundbreaking research in the following areas:
- Engineering education
- Fluid dynamics
- Haptic and human-machine interfaces
- Hydrodynamics and environmental fluid mechanics
- Infrastructure
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Manufacturing and materials
- Space systems
- Transportation
- Unmanned aerial systems and flight control systems
- Water quality and treatment
