JOINT DOCTORAL PROGRAM
San Diego State University (SDSU) offers a doctoral degree in Engineering
Science/Applied Mechanics in collaboration with the University of California,
San Diego (UCSD). The program involves graduate level courses and research projects
under the supervision of SDSU faculty from the Departments of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering with cooperating faculty from the University of California, San Diego. The Ph.D. degree is awarded jointly by the two cooperating institutions.
Information About :
- Preparing for Admission
- Application to the Program
- Advising Committee
- Programs of Study
- Qualifying for the Final Examinations
- Program Timeframe
- Awarding of the Degree
- Research Facilities
- Financial Support
- Location and Cost of Living
- Staff
Preparing for Admission
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or master's degree from an acceptable institution and must meet the requirements for classified admission to the Graduate Division of both SDSU and UCSD. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the major field for students with a B.S. or 3.4 for students with the M.S. degree is required.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required with a minimum combined score of at least 1,250 and a minimum analytical writing score of 4. The GRE must have been taken within the last 5 years to be accepted.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all international students with a minimum score of 80 on the Internet Based Test (IBT), 213 on the Computer Based Test (CBT), or 550 on the Paper Based Test (PBT). The TOEFL must have been taken within the last 2 years to be accepted.
Application to the Program
A complete application to the JDP includes:
- Appropriate graduate application form submitted on-line
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended and degree certificates
- Official GRE and TOEFL (if applicable) Scores
- Resume/CV and Statement of Purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- Acceptance by an SDSU faculty member to serve as advisor
The applicant must be recommended by the graduate advisor on each campus to the graduate deans for formal certification of admission to the doctoral program. Entry occurs when the student is formally accepted by the graduate deans of both universities.
For more information and to recieve an admissions manual contact:
Joint Doctoral Program Administrator
Email: dgeiger@mail.sdsu.edu
Telephone: (619) 594-6079
Advising Committee
When a student is admitted to the Doctoral Program, the Director of the Engineering Joint Doctoral Program at SDSU and the Chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UCSD will appoint a three member Advising Committee consisting of at least one member from each institution.
It is the responsibility of this committee to develop in consultation with the student a course of study and plan of preparation for the Doctoral Qualifying Examination. The qualifying examination should be taken as soon as possible after the two years of study at the two institutions. Students with advanced standing may be capable of taking the exam earlier.
Upon the student's successful completion of the examination, the Advising Committee will recommend the membership of the student's Doctoral Committee, which, upon appointment, will supersede the Advising Committee and be responsible for the student's program of study and dissertation research. The Doctoral Committee will consist of three members from each institution; one of the three members will be from outside UCSD MAE and one member will be from outside the student's dissertation area.
Programs of Study
The Ph.D. degree is a research degree and represents both attainment of advanced knowledge and demonstration of research skills. Therefore, no specific course requirements for the Doctoral Program in Engineering Sciences and Applied Mechanics exist.
Programs of Study includes mechanical, civil, environmental, aerospace, and other specializations of engineering. The Advising Committee may require specific coursework to prepare the student for the Qualifying Examination. Upon satisfactory completion of that examination and appointment of the student's Doctoral Committee, an appropriate program of course work at SDSU and UCSD will be developed in order to enhance the student's research capabilities in the subject of the dissertation.
Qualifying for the Final Examination
There are two qualifying examinations that must be passed before advancing to candidacy and defense of the final dissertation. The Doctoral Qualifying Examination (DQE) and the Senate Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Doctoral Qualifying Examination:
The Doctoral Qualifying Examination is administered by the student's Advising Committee supplemented, if appropriate, by faculty appointed by the Director of the Engineering Joint Doctoral Program at SDSU and the Chair of the MAE Department at UCSD. The examination will be oral, will cover at least four areas selected so as to ensure appropriate competence in the general areas of applied mechanics and engineering sciences, and will be at the level and content of both SDSU and UCSD courses already completed. The specific areas will be approved in advance by the Director of the Engineering Joint Doctoral Program at SDSU and the Chair of the MAE Department at UCSD. One of the areas may be satisfied by coursework with at least a B grade.
Doctoral Committee and the Senate Qualifying Examination:
Upon successful completion of the Doctoral Qualifying Examination, a Doctoral Committee shall be appointed by the Deans of the Graduate Divisions of SDSU and UCSD upon the recommendation of the Director of the Engineering Joint Doctoral Program at SDSU and the Chair of the MAE Department at UCSD. The Doctoral Committee shall supervise the study and research program of the student. The chair will be the student's principal dissertation advisor and will determine in consultation with the student when the Senate Qualifying Examination will be held. The student's Doctoral Committee will administer the examination, which will consist of a presentation of the student's proposed research topic, initial dissertation results and plans for future research. Upon successfully completing the Senate Qualifying Examination, the student may apply to both institutions for advancement to candidacy for the doctorate degree. The student must be a candidate at least two semesters (1 year) prior to the award of the degree.
Final Dissertation Examination:
The Doctoral Committee will administer the final examination, which will consist of two parts: the student's submission of the written dissertation and the student's oral presentation of the dissertation results. The first part of the oral dissertation defense is open to the public while the second part of the dissertation defense involves specific evaluation and discussion with the student's Doctoral Committee.
Program Timeframe
The normative time for the Engineering Doctoral Program is five years. The regulations concerning the normative time are described in the SDSU and UCSD General Catalogs and are initiated at the time the student is admitted to the program. Students are expected to make continuous, satisfactory progress and to remain in good standing at both institutions.
Adwarding of the Degree
The degree of Doctor of Philosphy (Ph.D) in Engineering Science and Applied Mechanics is awarded jointly by the Trustees of The California State University and the Regents of the University of California.
Research Facilities
The laboratories of the engineering departments involved in the program are fully equipped for modern research in different areas of engineering science. Major items include a low speed wind tunnel, a low speed water channel, a supersonic wind tunnel, an acoustic visualization system, a soil mechanics laboratory and a biodynamics laboratory. Research support shops and numerous computational facilities are also available; SDSU is also a member of the regional CRAY Supercomputer Consortium and is the only participant in The California State University System.
Financial Support
The Engineering Joint Doctoral Program endeavors to provide adequate support for all students so that full time can be devoted to research and graduate level study. All students are also expected to obtain teaching experience; this will be carried out under the supervision of faculty members participating in the program.
Location
San Diego is located on the coast of southern California, about two hours south of Los Angeles by car. San Diego is a major metropolitan city with over 1.3 million residents, making it the 2nd largest city in California and the 7th largest in America. It is home to many beautiful beaches and a year-round warm mediterranean climate. San Diego also supports a vibrant economy and world-class entertainment, historical, and sporting venues.
SDSU is located about 10 minutes east from downtown San Diego and is served by the trolley and several bus lines. UCSD is located about 15 minutes north of downtown San Diego and is served by several bus lines and a university shuttle.
Staff
SDSU Program Director - Eugene Olevsky, PhD
619-594-6329, eolevsky@mail.sdsu.edu
SDSU Program Administrator - Donovan Geiger, MBA
619-594-6079, dgeiger@mail.sdsu.edu
UCSD Program Director - David Benson, PhD
858-534-5928, dbenson@ucsd.edu
UCSD Program Administrator - Noemy Ellis
858-822-3778, ngellis@ucsd.edu