Princeton University

1. Qualifying Requirements

As described in the Graduate Announcement, the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy include the passing of a general examination, presentation of an acceptable thesis and the passing of the final public oral examination (thesis defense). The general examination ascertains the student's knowledge and preparation for advanced research and scholarly work, aptitude for research and independent work, and ability to organize and present research results.

The Program has three qualifying requirements that must be satisfied prior to sitting for the general examination. These are the successful completion of: (i) CEE 501 and 502, (ii) CEE 509 and 510, and (iii) two courses in mathematics or computational methods. The CEE 501/502 requirement is intended for preparation in the fundamental chemical and physical processes underlying atmospheric, surface, and subsurface processes relevant in EEWR. The CEE 509/510 requirement is meant to demonstrate the requisite abilities to carry out advanced independent research. The mathematics/computational methods requirement is meant to provide a strong foundational education. The mathematics/computational methods requirement may be fulfilled by courses in calculus, probability, statistics, numerical methods. These courses should be at the 500-level, but under special circumstances an upper class undergraduate course may be used. Selections of the mathematics/computational methods courses are subject to the approval of the Program. CEE 501 and 502 are to be completed in the first year, and CEE 509, CEE 510, and at least one of the mathematics/computational methods courses must be completed by the end of the semester preceding the general examination. Both mathematics/computational methods requirements must be completed by the end of the semester in which the general examination is taken.

Students need to develop a program of study to prepare them for the general examination. Students will be examined in one major and one minor area of concentration. Although there are no specific course requirements, the major area is defined to include the intellectual content of three graduate-level courses, and the minor area corresponds to one graduate-level course.

2. General Examination

The general examination is administered by a committee consisting of at least six faculty members, who are assigned by the EEWR Program. A majority of the committee must be faculty members from the EEWR Program. The committee is normally chaired by the student's advisor.

Students must sit for the general examination within the first two years of their Ph.D. studies.  Students who have not sustained the general examination within this period will not be admitted to a third year (fifth term) of graduate study without approval of the Program and the Graduate School.

The General Examination consists of a written and an oral part:

3.   Dissertation and Post-Generals Courses

As described in detail in the Departmental Policies for the CEE graduate program, after successful completion of the General Examination, each student must form a PhD Thesis Research Committee, which serves to oversee the student's research progress. The committee must have at least three members, one of which is the student's thesis advisor, and another of which must be a faculty member from the EEWR program. This committee must meet at least once per academic year, in accordance with the rules of the CEE Department.

For EEWR students, the first meeting of this committee must be held within six months of the General Examination. At this initial meeting of the committee, the student must present a detailed proposal for research that will lead to the PhD dissertation. A detailed written proposal must be presented to all members of the committee at least one week prior to the committee meeting. The research proposal must then be presented at the committee meeting. Successful completion of this requirement is prerequisite for readmission to the PhD program. The student should provide the advisor with the Phd Dissertation Research Committee Meeting Record, which will be filled out and signed by the advisor after the committee meeting.

Structures

Materials

3. Dissertation and Post-Generals Courses