Doctoral Program

Programs leading to the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctoral of Engineering are offered. The doctoral student formally affiliates with the department or center where activities most closely relate to his or her advanced study goals. However, the range of inquiry may cut across even school lines, so that reserarch opportunities are extremely broad and highly individualized programs can be pursued. There is no foreign language requirement for either degree. Ninety credit hours are required beyond and bachelor's degree (60 beyond the master's degree) plus successful completion of a preliminary examination, a candidacy examination, and a thesis.

Doctor of Philosophy

phd_prog.htmphd_prog.htm This is a research-oriented degree, which is focused on the development of new knowledge in the student's chosen area of study. This degree includes the preparation of a dissertation that carefully documents the original contribution of the student's research. The dissertation can represent up to 30 credits of the student's approved plan of study. In addition to the examination processes required of all Rensselaer doctoral students, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department students working toward this degree must pass a preliminary examination during their first year of doctoral study.

Doctor of Engineering

This is a specialized program aimed at advanced engineering problem solving. This degree includes the preparation of a dissertation that proposes a significant engineering problem and develops a solution to that problem. The dissertation can represent up to 30 credits of the student's approved plan of study. In addition to the examination processes required of all Rensselaer doctoral students, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department students working toward this degree must pass a preliminary examination during their first year of doctoral study.