PhD Program

The Pratt School of Engineering requires a minimum GPA of 3.2 from an undergraduate program in order to gain admission to the PhD program.

A minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the Internet-based test is also required.

Average GRE scores and UGPA from recent admitted applicants are:

• GRE Quantitative: 161
• GRE Verbal: 160
• UGPA: 3.7

Duke CEE provides a customized, flexible educational experience tailored to meet your needs in your chosen sub-discipline.

You’ll progress from introductory classes to specialized coursework. As you learn, your focus gradually shifts from coursework to learning important leadership and research skills.

• 30 course credits (15 credits from core courses based on study track and 15 course credits related to the student’s area of research)
• Strongly encouraged to participate in the department’s Graduate Colloquium
• Establish and meet with Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC)  [Download Committee approval form]
• Complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training
• Pass the Research Proposal Defense [Download Outcome Form]
• Complete a Teaching Assistantship
• Complete and defend a dissertation – [Download Defense forms, dissertation guidelines, evaluation rubric]
• Pass a final examination

In addition to fulfilling departmental course requirements, students are encouraged to take advantage of the variety of courses across the university to broaden their education.

Such courses do need to be approved by a preliminary exam committee before the preliminary exam is taken, and by the advisor after this exam.

You’ll select a study track mapped to our signature research enterprises:

• Computational Mechanics & Scientific Computing
• Engineering Environmental Geomechanics & Geophysics
• Environmental Health Engineering
• Hydrology & Fluid Dynamics
• Systems, Risk & Decision

• A written test based on core courses taken by the student
• A five-page minimum written research based proposal by the student, on a topic of their choice, which can be started at any time during their stay at Duke
• An oral defense of the research proposal and follow-up questions to their answers on the written exam

The Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC) of three (3) faculty members meets with the student during their first few semesters to review their background, and make certain that they take courses such that they are prepared for the written portion of the preliminary exam. The preliminary exam itself is administered by faculty members in the student’s study track.

The oral examination will normally be held before the end of the student’s third semester from matriculation.

Students must ultimately pass each of the three (3) components of the preliminary exam, but are allowed to retake any portion of the exam, depending on the support of the faculty.

Students become PhD candidates upon passing a Preliminary Exam, to be administered by their PhD Committee.

In addition to the course credits listed and discussed above, each graduate student is encouraged to participate in the departmental Colloquium on Mechanics and the Environment. The colloquium is a series of seminars given by Duke faculty, visiting scientists and senior graduate students.

Workshops focused on helping PhD students prepare for the preliminary exam may be organized as part of the colloquium.

The faculty strongly encourages all graduate students to attend as many Graduate Colloquium seminars as possible. The seminars are excellent exposure to novel ideas and provide examples of what constitutes an effective presentation.

The defense evaluates a student’s readiness before proceeding with doctoral-level research.

A defense committee must be identified and approved by the director of graduate studies and Duke’s Graduate School at least 30 days in advance.

Part 1: Research Proposal

A student must write a research proposal which:

• Defines the objectives of the proposed research
• Includes a survey and analysis of pertinent literature, with a focus on what is apparently missing in the literature and the student’s anticipated contributions
• Describes the research tasks to be completed including theory development, data collection, analysis, and documentation
• Suggests a schedule for completion of the research

The goal is to successfully provide the groundwork for all future doctoral research. The proposal should be made available for review by members of the committee at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled oral presentation.

Part 2: Oral Defense

The defense should take the form of a half-hour oral presentation given to all members of the committee. The committee evaluates the oral defense and the student’s readiness to undertake the proposed research.

The committee will on both parts of the Research Proposal Defense, as well as grades in graduate courses at Duke, to evaluate the student’s potential to successfully complete the doctoral research program.

The outcome of Part 2 of the Research Proposal Defense is to be determined by vote of the members of the PhD Committee. Only two outcomes are possible:

1. The student passes and may continue with the proposed doctoral research
2. The student fails

Students who fail the exam may apply, with the consent of the committee and the director of graduate studies, for the privilege of a second examination to be taken no sooner than three (3) months after the date of the first exam.

Successful completion of the second exam requires the unanimous vote of all PhD Committee members.

Failure on the second examination renders the student ineligible to continue in the PhD program.

All PhD students complete two semesters of Teaching Assistantship (TA) prior to graduation. We provide training before you enter an undergraduate classroom for the first time.

It is expected that you will complete this requirement during your third through eighth semesters. TA assignments will be based on your background and interests, and department needs.

Teaching Assistantships require 10 hours per week on average, and may involve organizing and leading discussion sections, grading homework and quizzes, assisting in the development of course materials and supervising laboratory sessions.

The final examination is administered by the same committee as the Research Proposal Defense.

A successful defense of the dissertation requires at least four (4) affirmative votes, including the affirmative vote of the dissertation advisor. A negative vote by the dissertation advisor means that the student fails.

Details concerning important dates and deadlines, format of the dissertation/thesis, filing of intention to graduate, committee approval, and additional details may be found in the Graduate Bulletin and on the website of Duke’s graduate school.

Students entering the PhD program with a Master of Science (MS), can, with approval of the Preliminary Exam Committee (PEC), the director of graduate studies, and the dean of Duke’s Graduate School, transfer up to 12 relevant course credits from the previous institution.

Students who are pursuing a PhD may, after completing the credit requirements for the Master of Science degree, formally apply for the degree.

Typically an thesis, defense and exam are required.