项目介绍

2022年4月28日

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is offered in two areas: environmental engineering and water resources (EEWS); and materials, mechanics, and structures (MMS). When a student enters the department, an adviser is assigned to the student based on the student’s area of interest.

Every admitted Ph.D. student is given financial support in the form of a first-year fellowship.

In addition, all admitted Ph.D. students are automatically considered for the prestigious Wu and Upton Fellowships.COURSES:

Demonstrated proficiency in coursework is required for admission to the General Examination in the following courses:

• CEE 509 – Independent Study I
• CEE 510 – Independent Study II
• 2 applied mathematics or computational methods courses
• 6 additional courses covering depth in, and breadth around, one’s research

CEE 509 and 510: The CEE 509/510 requirements are meant to demonstrate the requisite abilities to carry out advanced independent research with scientific conference-type presentations evaluated by faculty. These requirements must be completed by the end of the semester of the General Examination.

Applied mathematics or computational methods: The mathematics/computational methods requirements are meant to provide a strong foundation in quantitative skills.  The requirement may be fulfilled by courses in advanced calculus, probability, data science, statistics, numerical methods, scientific computation, or related fields.

Specialized knowledge courses: Each student must complete at least three courses that focus on the student’s specific research. These courses are directly related to the foundational knowledge of the Ph.D. thesis research, and they ensure that the student has a firm grasp of relevant fundamentals. At least three specialized knowledge courses must be completed by the end of the semester of the General Examination.

The breadth of knowledge courses:  In addition to taking courses in specialized subjects, students must broaden their education beyond the intellectual boundaries of their own research. This is important for success in future academic or non-academic careers, given the complexity of modern civil and environmental challenges and the need for interdisciplinary teams to solve them. To be active members or future leaders of such teams, students must be able to converse and understand a range of issues, concepts, and approaches that are far wider than their detailed research specialization. Each student must demonstrate proficiency in at least three “breadth” courses.  These courses must cover multiple areas outside the student’s core research area. One of the breadth courses may be taken after the General Examination. 

Grade requirements:  All required Ph.D. coursework must be taken for a grade (no P/D/F, no audit). The average grade of all graduate courses in the student’s overall program of study must a “B” (3.00) or better.GENERAL EXAM:

To be considered eligible to stand for the general examination, students must have successfully completed nine of the ten required courses.  Students are expected to take the general examination by the end of the second year of Ph.D. studies. 

In cases where equivalent and relevant graduate coursework has been completed before enrollment as a Ph.D. student at Princeton, a student may propose using that prior coursework to satisfy one or more course requirements and demonstrate coursework proficiency. A student must submit to the DGS a copy of the syllabus and other supporting material for review by CEE faculty before submitting the General Exam Request Form.

General Examination Request form: The General Exam Request Form consists of the student’s plan to meet the coursework proficiency requirements, the title of the Ph.D. research, and the research abstract. The form, normally submitted in the semester before taking the General Examination, is reviewed by CEE faculty to ensure demonstrated proficiency in relevant subject areas. For plans that are not approved, feedback is given to the student to modify the plan. Once approved, any deviations from the approved coursework plan must be submitted to the faculty adviser and DGS. A full review by the CEE faculty may be required for substantial coursework changes.

Research Proposal: A dissertation research proposal is due to the Graduate Program Administrator in advance of the General Examination. This document forms the basis of the student’s General Examination oral presentation. It must demonstrate adequate background knowledge, clear and concise communication skills, and the ability to plan and formulate a research project.

Examination Structure: The General Examination Committee consists of four to six examiners, of whom at least three are CEE faculty members. The student’s adviser normally chairs the Committee. The General Examination is scheduled for up to three hours and is conducted as an oral examination. The General Examination consists of a presentation by the student, followed by questions from the committee on topics related to the student’s research and coursework preparation.QUALIFYING FOR THE M.A.:

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is normally an incidental degree on the way to full Ph.D. candidacy. It is earned after a student successfully completes the required coursework and the general examination.  It may also be awarded to students who, for various reasons, leave the Ph.D. program, provided that the coursework requirements have been met and the sections of the general exam showing proficiency and scholarship have been passed.  In such cases, it is not required that students have completed the part of the general exam involving a research seminar based on a dissertation proposal.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program who do not wish to complete the program may be considered for an M.S.E. degree with approval from the department and the Graduate School.  Ph.D. students who have already been awarded the incidental M.A. are not eligible to earn an M.S.E.TEACHING:

Teaching experience is considered to be a significant part of graduate education. It is recommended that Ph.D. candidates assist with course instruction for at least one term.POST-GENERALS REQUIREMENT(S):

Yearly Meetings with Research Committee
Upon completing the general examination, students must have a research committee consisting of the adviser and two or more additional faculty members. The research committee meets with the candidate at least once per academic year to supervise the research and provide feedback.DISSERTATION AND FPO:

Dissertation: The candidate must complete a dissertation that has to be accepted by the Department and follows Graduate School requirements.

Final public oral (FPO) examination: After completing an acceptable thesis, the candidate has a final public oral examination, in which the dissertation is presented and defended by the candidate.

The Ph.D. is awarded after the candidate’s doctoral dissertation has been accepted and the final public oral examination sustained.