Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

1. The M.S. Degree is not a prerequisite for the Ph.D.
2. A minimum number of 24 credits in the 500-level (excluding 590 and 596) courses in Chemical Engineering and in related fields of science and engineering. All courses outside Chemical Engineering must be approved by the student's advisor. All of these 24 credits must be passed with a grade of B or better.
3. Core courses that must be taken are: Ch E 524 (3), Ch E 535 (3), Ch E 544 (3), and Ch E 546 or Ch E 501.
   
   Note: Ch E 524, Ch E 535, and Ch E 544 must be taken prior to scheduling the Candidacy Exam, and students must have a minimum GPA of 3.33 in these courses.
4. Graduate Student Colloquium. Ph.D. students are required to register for Ch E 590 in their first Fall Semester and in their second Spring Semester. In addition, students are required to make one additional presentation at a technical society meeting, research seminar, or other professional forum
5. Students must register for research every semester until the completion of degree requirements. Ch E 600 (610) is used until completion of the Comprehensive Exam. Ch E 601 (611) is used after the Comprehensive Exam and all formal course work has been completed.
6. Participation in Chemical Engineering Departmental Seminar (no credit) is required each semester a student is in residence.
7. No courses outside of the Chemical Engineering Department are required by the department; however, the doctoral Committee may specify up to 12 credits of non Chemical Engineering courses.
8. Students transferring to Penn State with a MS degree from another institution may transfer up to 12 credits of course work if so evaluated by the Graduate Admissions Committee. These students must complete at least 12 credits of 500 level courses at Penn State (excluding Ch E 590 requirement) of which at least 6 credits must be in Ch E 500 series. In addition, they must satisfy the course requirements described under (3), either by transfer of courses or by taking the Penn State courses.
9. Completion of all 400, 500, and 600 level credits with a grade point average of 3.00.
10. Completion of a minimum of 2 Teaching Assistantships.

Masters Requirements

For information about masters requirements please refer to the chemical engieering graduate student handbook.

Other Resources

Penn State Ch E graduate course descriptions (White Book)

Additional information can be found in the chemical engineering gradute student handbook.