Graduate Catalog 1993-1994 College of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering Requirements for the Ph.D. Although it is possible for students to study toward a Ph.D. directly upon entering graduate school, most students choose to obtain the M.C.E. or M.A.S. first. A student's doctoral program, including the doctoral thesis, is centered around a research objective in applied or engineering science. The degree requires sufficient course work within, or in direct support of, the chosen area of concentration to form an adequate basis for original work. In addition, the student's knowledge must be extended within other fundamental sub-areas such as applied mathematics, physical, chemical, biological and engineering sciences. In the thesis the student reports the findings of his or her independent research. Further information about details may be obtained from the current Departmental Graduate Program brochures. The Ph.D. is particularly useful for students who plan to pursue a career in research and teaching at the university level but also provides a superlative education for a career as a professional engineer.