PhD(CV) - Program Details

Doctor of Philosophy (Civil Engineering)

Program Info ( Eligibility Criteria ) ( PhD Approved Supervisors )

The PhD program requires candidates to undertake a number of graduate level courses, pass a qualifying examination, and then carry out research in a chosen area. The candidates are required to publish research papers in journals of international repute.

Program Objectives:

Impart in depth knowledge and application of methodology to investigate original research problems through a systematic and focused approach
Enable students to produce publishable research for journals and conferences of international repute
Enable students to conduct independent research

Program Outcomes:

Students will be able to exhibit specialized knowledge and ability to use appropriate research methodology in the relevant field of study
Students will be able to conduct systematic and focused research
Students will be able to publish research papers in journals and conferences of international repute
Students will be able to conduct and supervise independent research and can produce knowledge

PhD Coursework:

PhD coursework comprises 6 courses (total 18 credit hours). A non-credit course “SS 310 Research Methodology” must also be passed; unless already passed during MS coursework.

Comprehensive Examination:

The student becomes eligible to appear in the Comprehensive Examination after passing the PhD coursework with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. This exam must be passed within two years of admission, failing which the admission shall be cancelled.

Research Work:

The student can start work on PhD thesis only after

Passing the Comprehensive Exam, AND
Acceptance of synopsis by the Graduate Studies Committee.

PhD Dissertation:

The PhD Dissertation must contain original research work.

Plagiarism Test:

The Plagiarism Test shall be conducted on the Dissertation before its submission to foreign experts.

Evaluation by TWO Foreign Experts:

The PhD Dissertation shall be evaluated by at least two PhD experts from technologically/ academically advanced foreign countries.

Local Expert Evaluation:

If the foreign evaluators recommend that the work is acceptable for award of PhD, then a local committee, comprising two local experts and an internal evaluator, is constituted. The thesis is sent to all three members of this committee.

Open Defence:

After receiving positive comments from the local experts, the student is expected to defend his/her work before this Committee. The student will be declared successful after the local Committee approves the work.

Research Paper: (w.e.f 1st March 2025)

Publication of one research article in an HEC approved “W” category journal is a requirement for the award of a PhD degree.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1	Knowledge and Understanding	Demonstrate the ability to make a contribution to their specific field of study through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work, some of which merits international refereed publication.
2	Critical Review	Place critically the results of existing research work in the context of the research literature and make creative and expert use of a range of existing theories, techniques and tools relevant to their field of research.
3	Societal and ethical impact	Be well informed of issues related to ethical conduct in science, and be able to engage in discussions on this topic both with their peers and the general public in an informed and reasoned fashion.
4	Independent Research	Be able to set their own research agenda for the future, and to undertake a future career as an independent researcher in academia and industry.
5	Communication Skills	Document and communicate the core issues, problem statements, evaluation reviews to produce an effective research article.