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  Feb 19, 2025
 
2014-2015 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
  
2014-2015 Graduate Studies Bulletin [Archived Catalog]

Chemical Engineering, Ph.D.


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Degree Requirements Department of Chemical Engineering 
Learning Outcomes  College of Engineering and Computing| 

Degree Requirements (60 Post Baccaluareate Hours)

For Doctor of Philosophy students, a minimum of 60 credit hours is required beyond the B.S. degree. No more than two courses below the 700 level may be used on the program of study.

For students entering the Ph.D. degree program with a Master of Science degree in chemical engineering equivalent to that awarded at USC, the Program of Study must show a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the MS degree, including 30 credit hours of dissertation preparation (ECHE 899), or additional lecture courses in place of ECHE 899. The Program of Study should also show all course work taken in the previous MS degree program. Any additional lecture courses may be from chemistry, engineering, mathematics, statistics, physics, biology, medicine, etc. upon approval of the student’s Dissertation Committee and the Graduate Director. No more than two courses below the 700 level may appear on the Program of Study, including courses taken in the prior master’s degree program.

The overall Program of Study, including courses taken in the prior M.S. degree program, must include the five reguired courses for the PhD degree. Courses taken during the prior M.S. degree program may be used to fulfill these reguirements. Students must submit petitions to the Graduate Director, supported by appropriate documentation, to seek approval for substitution of prior course work for any of the five reguired core courses.

Each Ph.D. student must select a research advisor during the first semester after admission to the doctoral program. After a Ph.D. student passes the admission to candidacy examination, an advisory committee of no less than four members will be selected. The committee must include the department chair and one outside member. Doctoral students must pass the comprehensive examination before the start of the student’s fifth semester in the program (not including summer terms). Students should consult the graduate director for information on the format and subjects of the admission to candidacy and comprehensive examinations. Prior to graduation, each Ph.D. student must submit at least three papers for publication in peer-reviewed technical journals. Other requirements pertaining to the comprehensive examination, dissertation examination, and final submission of the dissertation conform to the general regulations of The Graduate School.

Under extenuating circumstances, students may seek relief from departmental degree regulations by written petition to the graduate director.

Course Work (24 Hours)


Remaining Three Courses (9 Hours)


  • The remaining three courses may be from many disciplines including chemistry, engineering, mathematics, statistics. physics, biology, medicine, etc. upon approval of the PhD Committee and Graduate Director.

 

Research (At Most 6 Hours)


Dissertation Preparation (12 Hours)


Note:


No foreign language is required for any graduate degree in chemical engineering. Additional requirements follow.

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