Civil Engineering, PhD

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Applicants to the PhD program must have fulfilled the requirements for the MS in civil engineering at UH Mānoa or its equivalent as determined by the application review committee. Those who have earned the MS at universities other than UH Mānoa may elect to furnish the results of the GRE General Test or submit evidence of passing either the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) or PE (Professional Engineer) exam. All applicants must furnish official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate studies and three letters of reference clearly indicating that they are capable of completing a rigorous PhD program. Applicants must also supply a letter explaining in detail their career goals, specific area of concentration, work experience, and reasons for applying to the program. If so required by Graduate Division, applicants must supply the TOEFL or other approved English proficiency test score.

Requirements

Candidates for a PhD are required to pass a qualifying examination consisting of oral and written components. The examination will be confined to basic topics in civil engineering. One purpose of the qualifying examination is to identify possible deficiencies in the student’s background with a view toward remedial measures. In addition, the examination serves as a means of assessing the student’s potential for doctoral studies.

To earn a PhD in civil engineering, a student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 50 credit hours in course work beyond the BS and a minimum of 1 credit hour in civil and environmental engineering graduate seminar as a PhD student. Students must also complete and successfully defend a satisfactory doctoral dissertation. Based on a written recommendation of the student’s dissertation committee and with the approval of the chair of graduate studies in civil engineering, students entering the PhD program may be granted an equivalence of up to 30 credit hours earned as part of the student’s master’s program. The 30 credit hour equivalents may include up to 9 credit hours for the previous MS thesis work but exclude graduate seminar credit hours taken as part of the MS program.

The courses that a student undertakes to fulfill the PhD credit hour requirements must be approved by the student’s dissertation committee. At least 27 credit hours must be from graduate-level civil engineering courses. The remaining courses may include graduate and 400-level courses offered by the civil, environmental and construction engineering department or other appropriate departments of UH Mānoa.

Comprehensive Examination

Every PhD student must pass a comprehensive examination. The purpose of this examination is to ascertain the student’s advanced knowledge in the chosen specialty. Examinations are given when, in the judgment of the dissertation committee, the student has had sufficient preparation, but not sooner than six calendar months after the student has passed the qualifying examination.

Students pass the examination if no more than one committee member opposes such an action. Students who fail may repeat the test once at least six months later. Students who fail the examination a second time are dismissed from the program.

Dissertation Defense

PhD candidates are required to take a final oral examination in defense of their dissertation. The examination is conducted by the candidate’s dissertation committee. Students pass upon the favorable recommendation of the majority of the committee.