Current Students

Program Requirements - Coursework

 

The PhD requires a minimum of 135 units:

  • The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering requires that at least 45 of these units must be unduplicated Post-MS Program course work, independent study (CEE 299), or advanced engineering problems (CEE 399). All 45 program units must be in the 100 level and at least 50% must be courses in the 200 or above level. These 45 program units must include at least 27 units of course work; i.e. excluding independent study, thesis, or dissertation units. The 45 program units should be reported on the student’s Application for Candidacy for Doctoral Degree. Neither thesis nor dissertation units (CEE300 or CEE400) may be counted as part of the required 45 program specific units.

  • 90 units of the 135 minimum total required units must be completed at Stanford.

  • Up to six units of the Post-MS program course work may be taken for student elected CR/NC grade type.

  • All CEE-PhD candidates are required to complete CEE200 (A, B or C) Teaching of CEE in conjunction with a one quarter TA/CA-ship to gain training and instructional experience

A minimum of three units of coursework must be taken with at least four different Stanford faculty members. Your program of study must be approved by your principal advisor and your advisory committee. Your advisor and committee may require additional coursework.

If (1) you had started post-BS degree studies or (2) your master’s degree was obtained at another school, you may request to transfer up to 45 units of residency credit by completing an Application for Transfer Credit for Graduate Work Done Elsewhere.

Academic Performance

(LGI) of at least 3.0 in the Stanford courses listed in the 45 units of Post-MS course work, independent study, and/or advanced engineering problems on your Application for Candidacy for Doctoral Degree. The CEE400 PhD Thesis course is for dissertation preparation and grading type is the option of the dissertation advisor—letter or S/NC.

Selecting a Research Area

Upon admission to the PhD program, you’ll be assigned a temporary program advisor. During the first year of Post-MS Study, you should enroll in one or more seminars in your area of interest to acquaint yourself with the faculty and their research (and vice-versa). If no seminars are available, make personal inquiries or sign up for independent study with potential advisors.

By the end of the first quarter, you should have selected an area of research and should make it a special point to become well acquainted with a department faculty member and seek advice and counsel regarding confirmation as a possible PhD candidate.