University Program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Engineering is an advanced graduate degree for those wishing to contribute to knowledge through independent, original research at the cutting edge of the field. The program provides a springboard for careers as academicians, researchers, consultants, and higher-level engineering managers in universities, institutes, industry, and government.

Doctoral students should possess initiative, inquisitiveness, ingenuity, and persistence. Our program affords each student the flexibility to design a plan of study that fulfills the individual's career objectives and intellectual aspirations. The primary concern of the faculty is to give each student the needed guidance and opportunity for a complete educational experience and superior professional preparation. Toward that end, the program includes four components:

• Courses through which the student acquires fundamental and advanced knowledge;
• Research conducted individually, under the guidance of a faculty advisor, and leading to a publication of a conference proceeding, an archival journal article, and a doctoral dissertation;
• Seminars, regular meetings of graduate students and faculty for presenting and discussing contemporary systems problems and research; and
• Participation in the intellectual life of the University. Being an active member of the academic community and contributing to its intellectual life is viewed by the faculty as an essential prerequisite for admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.

What kind of financial aid is available?

The department of Systems and Information Engineering makes every attempt to completely fund (with tuition, health insurance, and a stipend) all students for their first year. Subsequent years can be funded through Research and Teaching Assistantships.

For more information, please see the Doctor of Philosophy Handbook.