Environmental Engineering – (Ph.D.)

Contents

Programme of Study

The programme of study leading to a Ph.D. in Civil or Environmental Engineering requires successful completion of at least 240 ECTS, through a combination of graduate courses and research work. The minimum length of study for full-time students is six academic semesters and the maximum allowable length of study is eight academic years. The 240 ECTS required for the Ph.D. degree are distributed as follows:

Coursework 80 ECTS

- Graduate courses in CEE related to the Ph.D. programme (48 ECTS)

- Graduate courses in/outside CEE programme (32 ECTS)

- CEE 610 Graduate Seminar (0 ECTS)

Ph.D. Thesis Research 160 ECTS

- Thesis Research (CEE 690) (160 ECTS)

TOTAL 240 ECTSAll courses in the first category (graduate courses in CEE, related to the Ph.D. programme) must be taken from the list of courses relevant to the degree sought (civil engineering or environmental engineering), as listed in the department´s course categories. The course Independent Research (CEE 650 or CEE 651) does not count towards fulfillment of the required courses, and must be differentiated from the Ph.D. thesis research. A maximum of 8 ECTS of Independent Research may be credited towards the Ph.D. degree. Courses outside the CEE department may be selected with the approval of the student´s academic advisor and the chairman of the department´s Graduate Studies Committee.

Students who have joined the doctoral programme after successfully completing a relevant M.Sc. programme may be credited with a maximum of 56 ECTS based on graduate courses which they have successfully completed, and which may count towards fulfillment of the required 80-ECTS coursework. The maximum number of ECTS that can be credited to students with a graduate degree in other fields of study is 32.

The transfer of ECTS is subject to the approval of the Departmental Board based on recommendations by the CEE Committee of Graduate Studies. Students should select, in consultation with their advisors, the courses that will help them in the completion of their Ph.D. thesis. Graduate coursework outside the CEE department may be accepted subject to prior approval from the Department´s Graduate Studies Committee and upon an application by the student signed by his/her advisor. Comprehensive Examination

Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. programme is granted when the student has satisfactorily passed a written comprehensive examination that evaluates fundamental ability and knowledge in civil or environmental engineering, as well as specialized knowledge and understanding of the intended research area.The comprehensive examination will cover three areas of study with questions set by at least three faculty members. Scoring will be equally weighted for the three areas. The comprehensive examination lasts 4 hours and a total score of at least 60% is required. Dissertation Proposal

Doctoral students must prepare a brief written proposal of their intended doctoral research, and make a comprehensive oral presentation on the proposed work that demonstrates a sound understanding of the dissertation topic, the relevant literature, the techniques to be employed, the issues to be addressed, and the work completed to-date.The written proposal must be delivered to the candidate´s doctoral examination committee and a representative of the Department´s Graduate Studies Committee at least two weeks before the date of examination. The oral presentation is given before a three member Dissertation Committee and the graduate committee representative. Doctoral Dissertation

The doctoral degree requires the successful completion of original research work and a thesis. The doctoral candidate selects a research topic in collaboration with his/her academic advisor.

The doctoral dissertation must address current and valid scientific and/or technical issue(s) primarily through fundamental research, leading to new scientific and/or engineering knowledge. Applied research and development aspects, leading to a prototype or an application of this basic research, may also be included as a secondary component of the dissertation. The research must be novel and original, and of the highest scholarly standards, qualifying it as acceptable for publication in international academic journals.The dissertation must be based on significant research findings by the doctoral candidate, distinguished clearly from the work of others, testifying to the candidate´s personal contribution and scholarship, and acknowledging support by others in or outside the University. In addition, the broader impacts of the research must also be highlighted in the dissertation, in terms of opening new scientific or engineering areas or issues, and generating new technical applications and innovations. Broader impacts also must be indicated in promoting learning innovation, education at all student levels and training of the workforce; involving underrepresented groups in science and engineering; establishing physical infrastructure (laboratory resources, software programmes, etc) and virtual resources (centres, networks, etc); setting dissemination plans through scholar publications and presentations, and outreach through the media to the public, etc; and indicating societal implications of the work, including public health and safety, security, environmental impacts, etc. Dissertation Defense

Doctoral candidates are required to defend the originality, independence, and quality of research during an oral dissertation defence that is administered by an Examining Committee, which has at least five members. A thesis defence process consists of three stages: (a) a public 45- 60 minute presentation of the doctoral research work by the candidate, and a 30-minute public discussion, (b) a discussion on the thesis work with the examination committee, and (c) a concluding closed session of the examination committee in which doctoral work is assessed.