Doctor of Science in Engineering and Policy

 
 
 

The purpose of the D.Sc. program in Engineering and Policy is to develop a high level of research competence in individuals who can make original contributions to the understanding and solution of significant problems in engineering and applied science that have direct policy relevance. As part of the program, candidates are required to complete successfully a dissertation that contributes in a fundamental and generalizable way to knowledge about a technology or a technology-based problem area of societal concern.

The D.Sc. degree requires a minimum of 72 units after the bachelor's degree, including 24 to 36 units of research. All D.Sc. candidates in engineering and policy must complete at least 36 graduate course credits, at least 18 credits of which are offered through the department. Up to four 400-level courses may be counted towards the doctoral program. Course selection is guided by the student's advisor who may require the successful completion of specific courses and may also recommend course work beyond the minimum to develop necessary depth and breadth in specific areas.

Admission to doctoral candidacy is gained by successfully completing the written and oral portions of the qualifying examination, which measure the student's mastery of appropriate bodies of knowledge. The first part of the qualifying examination is the written portion which consists of two sections. The first section, the Analysis Core, tests the student's facility with the quantitative and qualitative techniques of engineering and policy and of management of technology and engineering that are at the core of the research upon which the department focuses. The second section of the written examination tests the student's ability to conduct research by preparing a Research Paper on an assigned topic. The written portion of the qualifying examination must be completed as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the fourth academic term of full-time graduate study in the department.

1. Analysis Core.
Covers quantitative and qualitative analytical methods as exemplified in EP 502, 511, 512, 535, and 561, T81-503B and T81-506B. Successful completion of at least four of these courses is a prerequisite for taking the Analytical Core exam. Questions are grouped into seven corresponding blocks of which students must indicate in writing (on or before April 15 of the year of the examination) five of the seven that they wish to be questioned on in the examination. At the examination, of these five blocks, students must choose four. An overall score of 70 out of 100 as well as passing grades of 70 out of 100 on each of at least three of four blocks is required.
2. Research Paper.
Each student will be assigned a research paper that is not necessarily mainstream for his or her doctoral dissertation. The student is to prepare a paper indicating the approach taken to investigate the problem, any findings, analysis or conclusions obtained, an outline of how the research might be explored further and whether it appears to be a promising area for further research, as well as difficulties encountered. A grade of B is required to pass.

Normally these two parts of the written portion of the qualifying examination must be successfully completed according to the following schedule. The Analysis Core will be offered the first Monday after commencement in May. The Research Paper will be assigned the following day and must be submitted no later than 5PM on the Monday two weeks after commencement. On Wednesday of that week, the student will make a brief presentation and be examined on the contents of the Research Paper.

A passing grade in each section—the Analysis Core and the Research Paper—of the written portion of the qualifying examination is required. Students not achieving a passing grade in either section will be permitted to retake that section once, no later than in May of the following year.

At the oral examination, the student presents and defends his or her dissertation proposal. The proposal is a written document covering the objectives, status, scope, and method of the research planned. The proposal also discusses its potential significance and, where possible, presents preliminary results. After successful completion of the written portion of the qualifying examination, the student must present and successfully defend his or her dissertation proposal either 1) within one calendar year or; 2) before the third registration for Doctoral Research and/or as a Special Student, whichever comes later. Except in very unusual circumstances, students who fail to meet this deadline will be required to retake the entire qualifying examination. The candidate must submit a satisfactory dissertation which makes an independent, creative contribution to his or her area of research, and which demonstrates ability for critical and constructive analysis. The candidate must defend the dissertation during a final oral examination.

To be considered for the Doctor of Science program, students must satisfy all requirements and prerequisites for admission to one of the master's programs in the department. They must also have demonstrated potential for success in a doctoral program through superior performance in previous undergraduate or graduate work: a minimum grade point average of 3.5 out of 4.0 is normally one such indication. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination general (aptitude) test must be submitted by all applicants to the D.Sc. program.

Doctoral study in the Department of Engineering and Policy requires a strong command of the English language. Non-U.S. applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE). Normally, a minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL must be achieved for admission.

Students not making satisfactory academic of research progress may be required to leave the program.

Additional information and procedural forms are available from the Engineering and Policy administration office.