Doctor of Philosophy (Civil and Environmental Engineering)

Program Requirements

Coursework

The PhD degree is a research degree. Courses in a doctoral program are assigned by the supervisor and supervisory committee, in consultation with the student. They are designed to enhance the depth and breadth of understanding in the field of study. The course requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the student’s background. Students in the doctoral program are expected to maintain a course average of 3.0 or higher before proceeding to their candidacy examination.

All doctoral candidates must prepare and defend a thesis of high calibre on an approved topic.

There is no second language requirement other than English for the degree of PhD.

The minimum period of residence is two academic terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. The two terms need not be consecutive.

Ethics Requirement

Engineering students must complete FGSR ethics requirements based on their programs

Professional Development Requirement

Engineering students are required to:

complete FGSR’s professional development requirement, which includes an individualized career plan document called an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and eight hours of professional development activities inspired by their career plan;
complete professional development requirements specific to the Faculty of Engineering:
1. students doing their first graduate degree in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta are required to complete an ENGG Grad PD 01 module; or,
2. students doing their subsequent graduate degree in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta who have completed in a previous graduate degree ENGG 600 and/or ENGG Grad PD 01 are required to complete four hours of professional development in the areas of communication, networking, EDI, university teaching, and career development. These hours must be included in the student’s IDP and approved by their supervisor/advisor and the department graduate coordinator.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. However, a minimum of three years is normally needed. The maximum time permitted for completion of the program is six years from the date of first registration.