Degree Requirements
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Satisfactory completion of an oral qualifying examination administered by a committee of the faculty.
This examination should be taken no later than the end of the second year. Students will submit a full non-thesis or thesis research proposal followed by an oral defense of the proposal. The topic will be confirmed by the education committee. In case of failure, the students are allowed one more re-examination on the following semester. Every student must advance to Ph.D. candidacy by the end of the third year of their study.
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Satisfactory completion of required courses and credit hours.
At least 18 credits in formal courses including required courses and elective courses for students entering with a M.S. degree. Note that an additional 12 credits in formal courses are required for students who enter the program with a B.S. degree. Students holding only a B.S. degree require evaluation by the admission committee to advance into the Ph.D. program at the end of their first year of study.
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Satisfactory completion of two laboratory rotations of 2 months each in the first year of study.
The lab rotations should be finished by the end of their first year. After lab rotations, students may choose his/her thesis advisor and start full-time research.
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An annual progress report of the doctoral thesis to the Thesis Advisory Committee.
Beginning on their third year, Ph.D. candidates should meet with their Thesis Advisory Committee annually to assess progress on their theses.
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Successful completion of a doctoral thesis.
A doctoral candidate will orally defend their thesis in front of the thesis committee and pass their evaluations.
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Written acceptance of the thesis by each member of the final oral examination committee.
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No more than seven years may elapse between the date of matriculation and fulfillment of all requirements for the Ph.D. degree.