Minimum GPA

All graduate students must achieve the following minimum grade point averages (GPA):

• 3.000 GPA for all credits counted toward the completion of coursework requirements; and
• 2.800 GPA cumulative for all credits earned at Syracuse University.

Maximum Credits of 500-level Coursework

Graduate students in the PhD program may not count more than 14 credits of 500-level coursework toward the completion of their PhD program of study.

Maximum Credits of Independent Study

Applicants entering the program post-BS degree may count up to 6 credits of independent study toward the completion of their PhD program of study.

Applicants entering the program post-MS degree may only count up to 3 credits of independent study toward the completion of their PhD program of study.

Independent study credits cannot by supervised by the student’s dissertation advisor.

Chemical Engineering Graduate Core

All graduate students in Chemical Engineering are required to complete a set of 4 core courses:

• CEN 651 - Molecular and Statistical Thermodynamics 3 credit(s)
• CEN 671 - Chemical Engineering Methods I 3 credit(s)
• CEN 786 - Kinetics 3 credit(s)

• And choice of:

• CEN 741 - Transport Phenomena I 3 credit(s)

• Or

• CEN 643 - Fluid Dynamics 3 credit(s)

Coursework Requirements (42 credits)

In addition to the 12 credit Chemical Engineering Graduate Core, all PhD students must complete:

• At least 12 additional credits of coursework in chemical engineering (CEN); and
• 18 credits of approved electives

Qualifying Examination

All PhD students must successfully complete a Qualifying Examination in order to be entered into doctoral candidacy.

The Qualifying Examination has two components; a written outline of the student’s research and an oral presentation before the examination committee.

Preparation

It is recommended that the student meet with their defense committee to review dissertation progress at least three to six months in advance of the defense.

Deadlines

The official Request for Examination form must be signed and submitted to the Graduate School at least three full weeks prior to the oral defense date.

A copy of the dissertation document must be delivered to all members of the defense committee at least two full weeks prior to the oral defense date.

Defense Committee

The dissertation defense committee will consist of six members, including

• the research advisor;
• four tenured or tenure-track faculty members from the department; and
• the Chair of the Oral Examination Committee.

The Chair of the Oral Examination Committee must be a Syracuse University tenured or tenure-track faculty member from outside the department and program.

The student may substitute one committee member based on subject-matter expertise who is external to Syracuse University. Additional external committee members may be allowed by petition.