Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program in Engineering and Computational Sciences is a unique interdisciplinary program. It integrates the strengths of various disciplines of computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical and manufacturing engineering, civil engineering, and systems engineering. The curriculum provides advanced knowledge and research experiences in the following concentration areas: (1) Engineering Systems and (2)
Computational Sciences. The program prepares graduates for successful engagement in research and development, academia, and various research-based engineering industries.
Program Outcomes
Admissions Requirements
For admission to the Ph.D. in ENCS program, the student must:
- Have a Master of Science in an engineering discipline or computer science, a Master of Engineering, or a master’s degree in a closely related field. Students with B.S. degrees with documented exceptional academic performance will also be considered.
- Submit a certificate of proficiency in English with the required scores as noted in the current TSU Graduate Catalog (for students that have a B.S. and/or master’s degree(s) from a foreign university).
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale for their master’s degree to be eligible for unconditional admission to the Ph.D. program.
- Have above average grades in all of the pre-requisite courses in related mathematics, engineering, and computer science courses:
- a. Differential Equations
- b. Engineering Design
- c. Computer Programming
-
Important Dates
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester July 1 November 1 April 1
Registration Deadlines
Fall Semester Maymester Summer Semester Spring Semester Feb 15 - Apr 12, 2025 March 10-May 5, 2025 Mar 23 - Apr 27, 2025 Oct. 23, 2025 - Jan. 9, 2026
Program Duration
Usually, a student needs about six (6) semesters to complete the coursework. Most students can finish within four years, but sometimes, students need to take one or two years more to finish their studies.
Transfer of Credits
At the specialist’s and doctoral level, a maximum of six (6) semester hours may be transferred. Only courses in which the student earned grades “B” or better, and which are taken within the degree program time limit, will be considered for transfer.
Degree Requirements
-
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA during matriculation.
-
The Ph.D. Program requires a total of 72 credit hours after the B.S. degree as outlined in the curriculum.
-
Passing of the Comprehensive Written Examination, administered in two parts: Group I courses (2 courses from the common core) and Group II courses (2 courses from the concentration courses).
-
Passing of the dissertation proposal within 2 semesters after passing the comprehensive written exam (and at least one semester before defending the dissertation research).
-
After the approval of the dissertation proposal, students must complete dissertation research and submit completed dissertation to the advisory committee for approval.
-
Upon approval by the advisory committee and the graduate school, the student must defend the research before the advisory committee at a public seminar before the faculty, students, alumni and/or industrial representatives.
-
Upon successful oral defense of the research, submission of the written dissertation, and approval by the Coordinator of the Ph.D. program, the major advisor with the consent of the Ph.D. Advisory Committee will initiate recommendation for awarding of the degree.
Accreditation Information
PhD in ENCS is a non-accredited degree. Non-accreditable graduate programs in Tennessee must undergo either an academic audit or external peer review on a pre-approved review cycle. Program Review Rubric lists the criteria used to evaluate a program. This rubric consists of 32 criteria. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) uses these criteria to assess standards and distribute points to graduate programs. A self-study report is usually prepared to comprehensively review the ENCS (PhD) degree program in the College of Engineering at Tennessee State University (TSU).
Career Opportunities
Most of the students who graduated from the PhD program secure jobs in the industry and academic institutions, national laboratories, or federal/state agencies. Some students continue in the Postdoc programs.
Faculty Credentials
All faculty who teaches in the College of Engineering meet the SACSCOC guidelines for credentials, per review of their transcripts and credentials by the College of Engineering and the Division of Academic Affairs. They hold Ph.D. degrees from respected institutions in areas related to the concentrations they teach. They have also been reviewed by the Graduate Council and certified as Graduate Faculty. Further, as all the college undergraduate degree programs are accredited by ABET, these faculty also possess the credentials deemed appropriate for their respective programs at the undergraduate level.
Program Website
https://www.tnstate.edu/engineering/encs.aspx
Program Coordinator/Contact Information
Catherine Armwood, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies carmwood@tnstate.edu
Office: 615-963-5416
Program of Study and Credit Hours Required
Return to: