Introduction

The multidisciplinary Engineering and Applied Science Doctor of Philosophy degree program is offered by the College of Engineering, Design and Computing and consists of a primary and secondary concentration. Applicants apply and enter the program through one of four departments, called the host department, which is chosen based on the applicant's intended primary concentration of study. The four departments that serve as host departments are:

• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Each host department offers several concentrations. A list of concentrations can be found on each department's website. Go to engineering.ucdenver.edu to learn more.

The required secondary concentration can be chosen from any remaining department within the college, including the Department of Bioengineering. The secondary concentration may also be chosen from another CU Denver school or college. A student chooses his/her secondary concentration with the help of a faculty advisor after entering the program.

Graduate Education Policies and Procedures apply to this program.

Requirements for Admission

Requirements for admission to the Engineering and Applied Science PhD program can be found at engineering.ucdenver.edu/graduate-admissions.

Program Requirements

The minimum degree requirements consist of: 

• 30 semester hours of course work in the primary and secondary areas of concentration 
• 30 semester hours of research/dissertation credit 
• Each candidate for the degree is expected to take a preliminary examination by the end of the second year. After successful completion of this exam, the student is required to take the comprehensive examination and the doctoral dissertation defense examination.
• Additional requirements are outlined in the Rules and Regulations document that each student signs after being admitted to the program. Each student must also satisfy the degree requirements of the CU Denver Graduate School.

• Program must be completed within eight years of the date the student begins the degree program.

NOTE: for students applying through the Department of Civil Engineering, students must hold an earned master's degree before they can be admitted to a doctoral program in the Department of Civil Engineering; there is no direct admission from a bachelor's program to the doctoral program. However, a student enrolled in a master's program may apply for the doctoral program before the master's degree is granted, as long as the master's degree is conferred before they enroll as a doctoral student at CU Denver.