The doctoral program in chemical engineering provides students with advanced education and training in a variety of technical topics, including biotechnology, environmental technologies, high-performance computing and simulations, electrochemical systems, renewable energy and storage, and clean water. Students work closely with faculty to perform hands-on research, develop original research articles and intellectual property, and make scientific presentations at national and international conferences. Students from this program will be prepared to enter a variety of careers, such as higher education, entrepreneurship, consulting, and industrial and government research.
Admissions
Admission is contingent upon recommendation by the graduate faculty of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Admission opportunities are available for students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than chemical engineering (e.g., chemistry, biomedical engineering, and other related fields).
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements
The minimum coursework for the Ph.D. degree is 60 hours, which includes 42 hours of coursework and 18 hours of dissertation research. An overview of the curriculum is shown in the curricular table below, followed by a summary of the mandatory course requirements (core courses and seminar) and options for electives.
| Curriculum Overview | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CHE 551 | Adv Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| CHE 552 | Transport Phenomena | 3 |
| CHE 554 | Chemical Reaction Engr | 3 |
| Mathematics Core Elective | 3 | |
| CHE 570 Chemical and Biological Engineering Research Techniques | 1 | |
| CHE 595 | Seminar | 1 |
| CHE 695 | Seminar | 1 |
| CHE 593 | Chem & Biol Engr Practicum | 3 |
| CHE 693 | Chem & Biol Engr Practicum | 3 |
| Electives | 21 | |
| Dissertation Research | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Core Course Requirements
The department requires four "core" graduate courses, one research skill course and two seminar courses. The core courses must be taken at UA, unless the equivalent course credit is transferred from another domestic institution (with a grade of A- or higher). The four core courses are comprised of the three required CHE courses, plus one mathematical elective course, as well as research skill and seminar requirements.
Electives
21 Hours of Electives may be any of the following:
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CHE 512 | Polymer Materials Engineering | 3 |
| CHE 514 | Computer Methods in ChemE | 3 |
| CHE 516 | Stem Cell Bioengineering | 3 |
| CHE 518 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| CHE 540 | Health Safety Chem Process Ind | 3 |
| CHE 545 | Intro to Biochemical Engr | 3 |
| CHE 591 | Special Problems | 3 |
| CHE 592 | Special Problems (Newly Developed Elective Courses) | 3 |
| CHE 598 | Non-Thesis Research | 6 |
| CHE 691 | Special Problems | 3 |
| CHE 698 | Non-Dissertation Research | 6 |
Mathematics Core Elective
Three hours may be any of the following:
| Mathematical Core Course Elective Options | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CHE 553 | Computation In Chem Engr | 3 |
| CHE 514 | Computer Methods in ChemE | 3 |
| GES 500 | Engineering Statistics | 3 |
| GES 554 | Partial Diff Equations | 3 |
| ST 560 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| MATH 509 | Data Analysis: Sec Teachers | 3 |
| MATH 510 | Numerical Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 541 | Boundary Value Problems | 3 |
| MATH 551 | Math Stats W/Applictn I | 3 |
Graduate Seminar Requirements
The department requires that students take and pass the Graduate Seminars: CHE 595 seminar during the first part of the doctoral program of study (normally during the second semester of enrollment) and the CHE 695 Seminar in the latter part of the program (normally during the final semester of enrollment). These two hours of seminars count towards the coursework hours needed for graduation.
| Seminar Course Requirement | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CHE 595 | Seminar | 1 |
| CHE 695 | Seminar | 1 |
Mentored Instructional Experience (MIE)
In their careers, PhD engineers are expected to be thought leaders, mentors, trainers of other developing professionals, and communicators with a variety of audiences. Therefore, in addition to technical training in their discipline, all UA College of Engineering PhD students will have a Mentored Instructional Experience (MIE) that will enhance their abilities in these critical areas of communication, giving and receiving formal feedback, mentoring, and training, as well as deepen their discipline-specific knowledge through educational support experiences (typically office hours, laboratory instruction, conducting recitations, preparing instructional materials, and guiding in-course design teams of undergraduate students).
All PhD students will receive pedagogical training in these instructional support areas through pedagogy practicum courses (CHE593, and CHE693). In addition, each student shall complete a set of instructional experiences during designated semesters (2 semesters at 10 hours/week, 4 semesters at 5 hours/week, or the equivalent) under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
This additional instructional practice is a graduation requirement.
CHE 593 Chem & Biol Engr Practicum (3 hr.)
CHE 693 Chem & Biol Engr Practicum ( 3 hr.)
Transfer Credit
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Doctoral Plan of Study Requirement
Graduate School information on the Doctoral Plan of Study.
Comprehensive Exams
Doctoral Qualifier Exam
Once a student has completed all of the four core required graduate courses, the student is required to take the doctoral qualifier ("qualifier") exam as a first evaluation stage in the doctoral program. This qualifier exam is offered twice per year, immediately following the end of the spring semester (during the month of May) and immediately following the end of the fall semester (Dec/Jan). If significant extenuating circumstances prevent the student from completing the qualifier during the required period, the student must submit a petition to the graduate committee to postpone the exam. The student needs to propose a time to complete the exam but no later than the following cycle.
The nature of the qualifier exam is an assignment to independently write (and defend in front of a faculty committee) a research proposal in a field related to (but not directly overlapping) the student’s dissertation topic. The faculty committee will be composed of the major advisor plus two other departmental faculty members. The proposal topic and the committee composition will be the responsibility of the student/advisor to determine. The student will provide a written copy of the proposal to the committee, and the student will defend the proposal in front of the committee during an oral presentation. The student will typically be given 2-3 weeks to complete the assignment. There are three different possible outcomes from the qualifier exam:
a) Pass – Students take a “bypass” Plan II MS degree (after completing 30 hours) and continue in the doctoral program.
b) Conditional - Students perform extra work based on the deficiencies identified by the committee. After reevaluation (within 2-3 months) by the committee, the student will pass or fail. No other extensions or reevaluations will be provided.
c) Fail - The student may not continue as a doctoral student. The student is expected to work with the advisor to make a plan to finish any ongoing projects. Financial support beyond this point should not be expected by the student.
Ph.D. candidacy exam
The ChBE candidacy examination is a single examination consisting of two parts (written and oral), typically administered (1) one year after the qualifier exam and (2) after completing at least 30 hours of coursework (including transfer credits). The written document should be distributed to the committee at least one week prior to the oral exam.
Written Document Guidelines
The format of the written document emphasizes the research progress to date, understanding of the entire research project, and a detailed plan for future research. It should be a compact, carefully worded document (no more than 2 pages, single-spaced) including the following key information:
- Significance: significance of the work to provide suitable motivation for the dissertation project.
- Novelty: the novelty of the work should be clearly identified by comparing to what others have done in the field.
- Progress: Adequate progress toward identifying an important and impactful research problem, as well as a summary of the research progress to date.
- Skills: skill sets acquired, as well as those to be developed.
- Plan: A detailed research plan, along with a specific research strategy and methodology (including specific aims). For each aim, identify the research goals, experimental design, anticipated outcomes/milestones, timetable for completion, etc.
Oral Exam Guidelines
Students should prepare a 30 min oral presentation (uninterrupted), but they should expect the entire examination to last up to 90 minutes to allow time for questions during and after the presentation (schedule exam for 2 hours). Students are expected to answer the questions from the committee without the help of the advisor.
The student will be evaluated on the scientific and technical comprehension, preliminary results to warrant continuation towards Ph.D. candidacy, the quality of the research plan, overall scholarly understanding of the research area, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, and accomplishments to date.
The candidacy exam will be scored as pass, conditional pass (with conditions such as, “repeat within one semester,” “re-write document,” or “take other additional actions suggested by the committee”), and fail. The score will be a consensus of the committee. Students who fail the examination can still graduate with a Master’s degree if all the requirements are met. However, if a student fails, there should be no further financial support expected beyond the end of the current semester, since the student would no longer be in the Ph.D. program.
Preliminary Defense Exam
The preliminary defense ("prelim") exam normally takes place when ~80% of the dissertation research is completed. The exam is scheduled based on the research progress, not a year after the candidacy exam. If there is over a year between the candidacy exam and the preliminary exam, an annual review is required. However, the preliminary exam should be minimum 6 months before the defense time. The exact date should be coordinated between a student and his/her Ph.D. advisor. The prelim exam is a formal presentation to the dissertation committee that provides a summary of progress to date (research accomplishments, scholarly publications, conference presentations, etc.). The exam consists of a written document (normally 15 pages in length, plus references), as well as a presentation (normally 30-45 minutes in duration, followed by a period of questions from the committee). Representative examples of the prelim exam (format, expectations, etc.) can be obtained from the Graduate Program Director upon request. A copy of the written document must be provided to the committee a minimum of two weeks before the scheduled prelim exam. There are three different possible outcomes from the prelim exam:
a) Pass – Students continue in the doctoral program and continue their research and dissertation progress.
b) Conditional - Students perform extra work based on the deficiencies identified by the committee. After reevaluation (within 2-3 months) by the committee, the student will pass or fail. No other extensions or reevaluations will be provided.
c) Fail - The student may not continue as a doctoral student. The student is expected to work with the advisor to make a plan to finish any ongoing projects. Financial support beyond this point should not be expected by the student.
Final defense
The final defense is scheduled when the student's assigned dissertation projects are completed. The student is required to deliver an oral presentation (~45 min) publicly and a dissertation following Graduate School guideline. A copy of the complete dissertation must be provided to the committee a minimum of two weeks before the scheduled defense time. the student is required to publicly announce the defense date and location with an abstract.
Expectation :
- Fully understand the dissertation topic (overall picture and research details)
- Completed assigned research project (two first author research paper published or accepted)
- A well thought out future plan.
In order for the student to graduate, the committee must approve both the oral defense and the dissertation.
There are two different possible outcomes from the final defense:
a) Pass – The student may graduate with a Ph.D. degree.
b) Fail - The student may not obtain the Ph.D. degree.
Continuous Enrollment Policy
Graduate School information on Continuous Enrollment Policy.
Dissertation Requirements
Dissertation Committee Formation
Students should identify their committee and immediately after completing their qualifier exam. Since this exam is normally taken after the second semester in the program, the dissertation committee formation should be completed no later than the end of the third semester.
Dissertation Format
Dissertation format and submission procedures should follow Graduate School policies.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Student Progress Requirement
Once the doctoral qualifier (comprehensive) exam is passed, doctoral students are required to form a dissertation committee and schedule required Ph.D. assessment exams with their dissertation committee accordingly. It is the student's responsibility to schedule and coordinate the exam date as suggested by the program requirements. If a formal exam (e.g., candidacy exam or preliminary exam) is not scheduled during that year, an annual review should be performed. It should be a formal presentation lasting approximately 20-30 minutes (a written document is not required). No more than 12 months should transpire between meetings that a student has with his/her dissertation committee. Satisfactory progress, as judged by the dissertation committee is required for continued participation in the doctoral program. In certain cases, the committee will provide a probationary period with specific deliverables/outcomes identified, in order for the student to continue in the doctoral program.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
Graduate School information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation Information
Graduate School information on the Application for Graduation.
Acquisition of Financial Support:
All students in good standing in the chemical engineering Ph.D. program within the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE) are normally supported by a graduate research assistantship (GRA) funded through their advisor, a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) funded by the department, a fellowship, or a combination of various forms. Both types of assistantships provide an equivalent stipend and benefits along with paid tuition and fees. Financial support is typically guaranteed through the Ph.D. studies for Ph.D. students who meet performance expectations and who do not meet any Conditions for Termination of Financial Support (see below). Students will be informed of impending financial support termination at least two months prior to the support termination date except in the special cases noted under Conditions for Termination of Financial Support. As the source of student support may vary from semester-to-semester, the obligations of the student may also vary. These obligations will normally be communicated to the student at the beginning of the semester, but there may be some variance over the course of the semester.
Fellowship Nominations:
Eligible students who excel in the ChBE graduate program or are anticipated to excel in the program may be nominated by the department for various fellowships. Nominees are selected by votes of the ChBE Graduate Program Committee, based upon prospective nominee research productivity, academic performance, and contributions to the department.
Performance Expectations for Continuing Financial Support:
- The student must be in good academic standing in the chemical engineering Ph.D. program. In general, students in the chemical engineering M.S. program do not receive departmental financial support.
- The student must remain clear of all infractions outlined under Conditions for Termination of Financial Support.
- The student must complete all mandatory annual training and abide by all rules and policies held by The University of Alabama, The UA College of Engineering, UA Environmental Health and Safety, and the ChBE department.
- Graduate teaching assistants must adequately perform all duties assigned to them in a timely manner as defined by the instructor of record or their designee for all courses to which the student is assigned teaching, grading, and/or laboratory preparative responsibilities.
- Once a research group is assigned, students must conduct research under the direction of a department-approved research advisor. Continuous research progress is expected as directed by the research advisor and the student’s dissertation committee.
Conditions for Termination of Financial Support:
Students who meet one or more of the following criteria will be subject to termination of financial support, pending ChBE department administrative review. Depending upon the severity of the infraction or the extent of non-compliance, the ChBE Department Head and Graduate Program Chair (with possible input from other stakeholders, such as the ChBE Graduate Program Committee, College of Engineering, or the UA Graduate School) will recommend immediate termination of financial support, termination of financial support at the end of the current semester, or termination of financial support (partial or full) at the end of the following semester.
- Dereliction of duty. Dereliction of duty includes but is not limited to: failure to comply with all UA safety and interpersonal conduct policies; absence from scheduled obligations without prior notification to the instructor of record or designee (for teaching assistants) or the research advisor (for research assistants); or failure to satisfactorily complete all activities associated with the funded position as defined by the instructor of record or designee (for teaching assistants) or by the research advisor (for research assistants) and the student’s departmental memorandum of appointment.
- Resolved finding of academic misconduct. Penalties, including potential loss of financial support, will be determined by the ChBE Department Head with guidance from the UA Graduate School and/or the UA College of Engineering.
- Failure to have a department-approved research advisor for more than one semester. Ph.D. (or thesis-based M.S.) students without an approved research advisor may not enroll in research courses and, therefore, cannot proceed toward degree completion. Students without an advisor may be relegated to the Plan II (non-thesis) M.S. program. Students in the chemical engineering M.S. program are normally not provided with departmental financial support.
- Loss of good academic standing. Students not in good academic standing have one probationary academic semester after notification of their change in academic status to return to good academic standing—with the non-passing grade exception noted below. Financial support will be terminated if good academic standing is not restored by the end of the probationary academic semester. Students who earn more than two grades of ‘C’ or at least one grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’ in graduate courses will have a compulsory academic performance review by the ChBE Graduate Program Committee. This review will determine whether the student should be allowed to continue to receive financial support and/or be dismissed from the program at the end of the semester in which the non-passing grade is earned or at the end of the following semester. A decision will be rendered prior to the end of the semester in which a third ‘C’ and/or a ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade is reported.
- Insufficient continuous research progress. The dissertation committee determines by majority vote if a student is making adequate research progress commensurate with their time in the program during required annual reviews. If the committee determines the student is not making adequate research progress, the student will be granted one probationary semester (i.e., academic semester or full summer term) to remedy productivity deficiencies, as assessed by the dissertation committee. Failure to meet minimum research expectations by the end of the probationary semester will result in immediate termination of financial support.