Professor and Dean
M.R. Haddara, Interim
Professor and Associate Dean
R. Gosine, Acting
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is offered in the Faculty of Engineering
and Applied Science and may be obtained either through full-time or part-time
studies. The Ph.D. degree can be obtained through programs in the following
disciplines: Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, and Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering. At present, the
following interdisciplinary research areas are active in the Faculty: Engineering
Analysis; Environmental and Hydrotechnical Studies; Manufacturing and Robotics;
Mechanics, Structures, and Materials; and Ocean Engineering. The interdisciplinary
area of Ocean Engineering has been and continues to be a major strength for
graduate studies and research in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
A) QUALIFICATIONS FOR
ADMISSION
B) PROGRAM OF
STUDY AND RESEARCH
C) REGULATIONS FOR PH.D.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
Admission to the Ph.D. program is limited and competitive. All applicants
must meet the minimum qualifications described in the GENERAL REGULATIONS for the School of
Graduate Studies. Admission is normally restricted to candidates holding
a Master’s degree in Engineering or a related area. Decisions on admission,
however, will also take into account such things as the applicant’s rank
in class, referees’ assessments, general performance throughout the applicant’s
previous academic programs, and the availability of supervisors in the area
of the applicant’s interest. In cases of demonstrated ability, a student
enrolled in the M.Eng. program may be allowed to transfer to the Ph.D. program
without the completion of all the M.Eng. degree requirements. As well, in
exceptional cases, direct entry to the Ph.D. program, after completion of
a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related area, is possible.
Normally, applicants will be considered in January for admission for the
following September. In special cases, applicants may also be considered
in April and August. Applications should be made sufficiently far in advance
to permit the University to obtain all relevant documents and review the
application.
B) PROGRAM OF STUDY AND RESEARCH
A Ph.D. program shall normally consist of three components:
1) a minimum of 6 credit hours consisting of graduate courses recommended
by the student’s supervisory committee
2) a comprehensive examination as detailed in Section C
3) a thesis satisfying the requirements of the GENERAL REGULATIONS for the School of
Graduate Studies.
In cases of direct entry after a Bachelor’s degree or promotion from a Master’s
program before fulfilment of the Master’s course requirements, it is likely
that the student will be required to take more credit hours than the normally
required minimum. In such cases, the requirements for the course component
of the student’s program will be reviewed on an individual basis by the student’s
supervisory committee and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied
Science.
C) REGULATIONS FOR PH.D. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
PART I - Timing of Examination
A candidate registered in a Ph.D. program in the Faculty of Engineering
and Applied Science shall normally take the Comprehensive Examination during
the first year of the program.
PART II - Composition of the Examination Committee
The Examination Committee shall be appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies
on the recommendation of the Dean of Engineering and Applied Science. It
shall consist of:
a) The Dean of Engineering and Applied Science (or delegate)
who shall be the Chair and a voting member.
b) The Dean of Graduate Studies or delegate.
c) Four additional voting members nominated by the
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. The candidate's Supervisor and
not more than one other from the Supervisory Committee shall be among the
nominated members of the Examination Committee.
PART III - Content of Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination for Ph.D. candidates shall consist of two
parts, a research examination and a general examination.
a) Research Examination
The candidate will provide a written submission to the Examination Committee
outlining the proposed research program. In this brief, the candidate must
demonstrate an acceptable understanding of the proposed research and indicate
the availability of the facilities necessary to carry out the work.
The Comprehensive Examination Committee shall examine the candidate orally
on any or all aspect(s) of the research proposal.
b) General Examination
Within two weeks after the Research Examination the candidate shall submit
to another oral examination by the same Committee. The candidate will be
expected to demonstrate a mastery of the subdisciplines of engineering as
defined in General Regulation H.2.c.
At least one week in advance of the first oral examination, the Chair of
the Examination Committee will issue a notice to faculty and graduate students
in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, notifying the date and
place of the examinations. Both oral examinations shall be open. After the
candidate has been examined by the Examination Committee, others in the audience
will be given an opportunity to question the candidate.
At the conclusion of the public portion of the oral examination, the Committee
may meet in private to further question the candidate and may ask the candidate
to appear for a written examination on specified topics within 14 days after
the general oral examination. The candidate shall be given at least 7 days
notice before such written examination.
The Examination Committee will meet in camera to arrive at its recommendations.
After the Committee has considered the candidate's performance on all portions
of the examination, the Chair shall report the result of the examination
to the Dean of Graduate Studies. The report will be in accordance with General Regulation H.2.
D) COURSES
For a list of graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Engineering and
Applied Science refer to the list of “Core Courses” and the list of “Other
Courses” offered for the Master of Engineering
program.
Up to Calendar Table of Contents
Back to Office of the Registrar's Home Page