Chemical Engineering - PHD

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering – PH7251

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
1 Ohio University
Stocker Center 171
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.1492
chemical@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

Research areas include advanced materials processing, molecular modeling, nanotechnology, corrosion and flow in multiphase systems, biocorrosion and biofouling mitigation, electrochemical engineering, batteries and fuel cells, energy and pollution control, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, and biomedical and biochemical engineering. Active collaborations exist with professors of biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, and civil and mechanical engineering. Full-time students who enter the program without a master’s degree typically require 4-6 years to complete the program; students who enter with a chemical engineering master’s degree usually require 3-5 years.

Program Learning Outcomes

Apply graduate-level concepts in engineering mathematics, kinetics and reactor design, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena to engineering problems.
Become a subject matter expert in one or more areas of technical specialization.
Independently plan and execute a strategy to test a scientific hypothesis or proposed engineering solution, using prior published knowledge as a foundation.
Synthesize information from a variety of sources to develop proposals for productive novel directions for research and development.
Communicate advanced engineering knowledge and the results of novel research and development activities in professional venues.
Develop habits of collaboration, leadership, initiative, safe performance of work, and ethical conduct.

Opportunities for Graduates

The program prepares students for academic and industrial positions requiring both a broad chemical engineering foundation and specialized subject matter expertise. Graduates are poised to lead the research enterprise in university, government, and industry positions and contribute to improving the human condition.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/engineering/chemical/academics/graduate/phd

Link to Program Handbook: See “Requirements and Procedures for Graduate Degrees in Chemical Engineering” at https://www.ohio.edu/engineering/chemical/academics/graduate/resources/documents

Admission Requirements

GRE scores are not required. Most successful applicants will have a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a closely allied field. Those whose educational preparation does not include the full range of required coursework typical of an accredited bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering may be admitted with requirements for additional coursework to fill such gaps. Applicants lacking background in mathematics through differential equations, in general chemistry, in general physics, or in thermodynamics will not be considered. Many applicants qualify for an online application fee waiver; please inquire.

International students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

The Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering requires a minimum of 90 credit hours (including those credited from a prior graduate degree) and successful completion of the student’s approved course of study. The course of study will, minimally, include the following:

Foundation Courses

Research and Writing Core

The following courses will be waived if completed at Ohio University within the five years prior to beginning the Ph.D. program:

Chemical Engineering Core

These core courses will be waived if the student has previously completed equivalent graduate-level coursework.

Additional Coursework

Doctoral Courses

Complete a minimum of 9 hours of coursework at the 7000-level or higher, at least 3 of which must be chemical engineering hours. Hours from CHE 8940 (Research) or CHE 8950 (Dissertation) may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Technical Electives

A minimum of 6 additional hours of technical graduate-level coursework is required, with the following conditions:

Technical elective courses must be approved by the dissertation committee and the department graduate chair.
Research, thesis, dissertation, seminar, internship, or D-designated course hours may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Students may be required to take additional courses to make up for any chemical engineering deficiencies in their previous coursework.

Seminar

Students must participate in Seminar every semester during study that it is offered except when out of town and registered only for 1 dissertation hour. Students in Athens who are not required by funding conditions to register for full-time coursework may register for 1 hour of CHE 6000 rather than dissertation in the final semester.

Students are expected to present one CHE 6000 Seminar if they have not done a full-length presentation at a board meeting or national meeting during their time in the program.

Dissertation Hours

A minimum of 51 dissertation hours are required.

CHE 8950 - Dissertation

Additional Requirements

Examinations

Students must successfully complete a qualifying examination demonstrating mastery of chemical engineering foundation knowledge.

Students must also successfully complete a comprehensive exam testing the ability to synthesize specialized knowledge and define a strategy for future research.

Standard of Work

Students must achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0/4.0 in each of five categories (note that no grade less than C is acceptable in any course used to satisfy any graduation requirement):

chemical engineering courses
chemical engineering graduate courses
courses listed on the student’s course of study
graduate courses
all courses

Culminating Experience

Students must complete and successfully defend a dissertation.