Program Overview

Ocean Engineering, Ph.D.

The Ocean Engineering Ph.D. at UNH offers advanced research opportunities in marine systems and sustainable solutions. This program prepares students for solving critical marine engineering challenges, with a focus on ocean renewable energy, marine robotics, and coastal resiliency.

Program Description

Students admitted to the ocean engineering Ph.D. program come from traditional engineering degree programs, including physics, mathematics, computer science, and marine science programs. Those entering the Ph.D. program with a B.S. degree from an engineering program should be prepared to begin the Ph.D. program directly.

Requirements for the Program

The full course requirements are for students entering with a relevant B.S. degree. Students entering with a relevant M.S. degree with comparable content must take a minimum of six of the listed courses, of which at least three must be at the 900-level.

• Course List:
  • Core Courses:
    • Ocean Seminars I and II
    • Select one course from the following courses in oceanography or ocean science:
      • Biological Oceanography
      • Chemical Oceanography
      • Introduction to Physical Oceanography
      • Geological Oceanography
    • Complete the following core courses in ocean engineering:
      • Ocean Measurements Lab
      • Ocean Hydrodynamics
      • Ocean Waves and Tides
      • Spectral Analysis of Geophysical Time Series Data
      • Underwater Acoustics
    • Select two 900-level courses from the following:
      • Graduate Partial Differential Equations
      • Nonlinear Control Systems
      • Spatiotemporal and Turbulent Dynamics
      • Numerical Partial Differential Equations
      • Advanced Underwater Acoustics
      • Hydrographic Field Course
      • Seafloor Characterization
      • Graduate Special Topics
    • Select two additional CEPS electives (one 800-level and one 900-level)
  • Total Credits: 41-48

Curriculum and Progress

The general progress of a student through this program is expected to follow the time frame below:

• Year 1: Coursework
• Year 2: Coursework, qualifier by the end of the year, form graduate dissertation committee
• Year 3: Research, dissertation proposal defense
• Year 4: Research
• Year 5: Research, dissertation defense

Student Learning Outcomes

• Can conduct original research and develop new technologies in ocean engineering.
• Communicate research results through peer-reviewed publications and public presentations.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

• Deadline:
  • Fall: Jan. 15 (for funding); April 1 (recommended US; final international); July 1 (final)
  • Spring: Dec. 1
  • Summer: N/A
  • Special: N/A
• Application fee: $65
• Campus: Durham
• New England Regional: CT, MA, ME, VT
• Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

Additional Requirements

• Transcripts: If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally.
• Letters of recommendation: 3 required
• Personal Statement/Essay Questions:
  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language.