Doctoral Research and Dissertation

Catalog description

One of the primary goals of the Ph.D. in Engineering program is to teach the candidate how to identify unsolved problems in engineering, formulate a hypothesis for a feasible solution, design experiments or analysis methodologies to implement the proposed solution, and analyze results and draw conclusions. All of these require critical and analytical thinking and problem solving skills. Achieving such a goal requires methodical and persistent effort over a long period of time for obtaining command of the general body of knowledge as well as the state-of-the-art in the area of interest, followed by identifying an unsolved problem that is worth solving, followed by developing and verifying solution(s) and finally disseminating the new knowledge created by this process. Since this is a long term process, it can only be achieved by dedicating significant time and effort to this process. Doctoral Research and Dissertation is a variable-credit independent study based research course that is designed to provide the student necessary time and guidance to help him/her achieve the aforementioned goals. Students are expected to take appropriate number of credits of this class each semester they are materially involved with doctoral research, culminating with preparation, execution, and defense of the Dissertation. Each section of this course is associated with a faculty member, and each student will take that section of this course that is associated with his/her Ph.D. Advisor, who will be guiding the student's doctoral research.