Engineering Ph.D.

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Minimum Requirements for Engineering Doctorate Degree: 36 credits

Concentrations: Aerospace, Arctic, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Engineering Management, Environmental, Geological, Mechanical, Mining, Petroleum

Credits
General University Requirements
Complete the graduate general university requirements.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
Complete the Ph.D. degree requirements. 118
Engineering Program Requirements
Complete at least 18 credits of coursework beyond the M.S. degree.18
Complete at least three full-time semesters of residency, which may include a summer semester. 2
Complete and pass a written and oral comprehensive examination.
Complete and submit a written thesis proposal for approval.
Complete a research program as arranged with the graduate advisory committee.
Complete a thesis that is a substantial contribution to the body of knowledge in engineering and pass an oral defense of the thesis.
Total Credits36
1

Requires 18 thesis credits.

2

Residency is defined as living in the Fairbanks area and working with the student’s graduate advisor and graduate committee while taking courses at UAF.

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Admission Requirements

Complete the following general university admission requirements for graduate programs:

  1. Submit an application for admission
  2. Submit official transcripts
  3. Official test results: GRE scores are not required for this program, but may be considered if submitted
  4. Submit resume/curriculum vitae
  5. Submit statement of academic goals
  6. Submit 2 letters of recommendation

International Students: Please consult UAF’s most recent application requirements regarding English language proficiency.

Additional program admission requirements and information:

  • Complete either a B.S. or M.S. degree in engineering.
  • Complete a master’s degree in engineering or a closely related field.

Admission to Ph.D. Engineering program directly from a bachelor’s program:

Entering graduate students whose highest earned degree is the baccalaureate are normally admitted as Master of Science students. However, exceptionally able and accomplished students in this category are eligible for direct admission to the Ph.D. program. For direct admission from the baccalaureate to the Ph.D. program, a student must receive endorsement by the proposed chair of the graduate advisory committee and meet ONE of the two criteria below:

  • Receipt of an NSF, NIH, or similar prestigious pre-doctoral fellowship. OR
  • Demonstrated research proficiency (e.g. undergraduate thesis, Research Experiences for Undergraduates or other intensive research experience) documented in the application AND attained a GPA of at least 3.5 at the undergraduate level

Students who elect this route must fulfill course requirements as outlined for both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Applicants who do not meet these criteria may enter the graduate program as M.S. candidates, and in exceptional cases may petition for conversion to the Ph.D. program after advancement to candidacy (for the M.S.). Such petitions must be approved both by the student’s current (M.S.) and proposed (Ph.D.) advisory committee and the department chair or designee.

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Roadmaps

Roadmaps provide suggested semester-by-semester study plans for programs and are based on full-time enrollment, unless otherwise specified.

  • This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising sessions. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
  • Certain courses and milestones must be completed in the specified semester to ensure on-time graduation.
  • Transfer credits may affect the roadmap.
  • Requirements, course availability, and sequencing may change.
  • Courses marked with (*) are recommended.
First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Thesis Degree Requirement3Thesis Degree Requirement3
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 6 6
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Thesis Degree Requirement3Thesis Degree Requirement3
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 6 6
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Thesis Degree Requirement3Thesis Degree Requirement3
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 6 6
Total Credits 36

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

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Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the technical ability and knowledge to function as professionals in their engineering concentration area(s)
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform independent research in areas associated with their engineering concentration area(s)
  • Enter professional careers in areas associated with their engineering concentration area(s)