CSEM PhD Program

CSEM Concentration Areas

Within this graduate studies program, each student must develop a program of study and research in Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematics that includes a substantial component from each of the three CSEM concentration areas:

Degree Options

CSEM has two degree options. Upon entering the program, each student must select an option.

Advisors

Every student is required to have a faculty dissertation advisor (or co-advisors). The primary advisor must be chosen from the CSEM Graduate Studies Committee (GSC). The student must select an advisor willing to serve as a mentor, supervise the dissertation, and give advice on coursework. A dissertation advisor need not be selected until the end of the second long semester of the student's studies. Prior to the selection of a dissertation advisor, the CSEM Graduate Advisor will appoint a faculty mentor who, along with the Graduate Advisor, will advise the student on coursework and progress in the program.

Browse potential advisors

Coursework

First year sequence

During the first full academic year of the program, the student must complete the following first year sequence, depending on the degree option.

Course requirements: First year sequence

After completing the first-year sequence, students must complete the following additional coursework by the end of the seventh long semester:

• Area A: two graduate level courses (6 credit hours) approved by the Graduate Advisor. At least two courses (6 credit hours) of all Area A coursework must be listed or cross-listed with the Mathematics Department.
• Area B: two graduate level courses (6 credit hours) approved by the Graduate Advisor. If deemed appropriate by the student's advisor and the Graduate Advisor, up to 3 credit hours may be taken at the undergraduate (upper-division) level.
• Area C: two graduate level courses (6 credit hours) in some application area consistent with the student's proposed research area, approved by both the student's dissertation advisor and the Graduate Advisor. If deemed appropriate by the student's advisor and the Graduate Advisor, up to 3 credit hours may be taken at the undergraduate (upper-division) level.

Preliminary exams

At the end of the first full academic year, the student is required to demonstrate a graduate level proficiency in CSEM Areas A, B, and C by taking and passing a written preliminary examination in each area. These exams cover the subject material of the first year courses taken by the student.

A student failing any of the preliminary exams will be required by the examining committee to do one of the following:

• take a make-up exam before the start of the Fall semester
• repeat that particular exam the following year
• or
• leave the program

See the preliminary exams page for more info.

PhD Dissertation Committee

The student and dissertation advisor must recommend to the Graduate Advisor a dissertation committee to pose the qualifying exam and evaluate the dissertation. The dissertation committee must consist of the advisor and at least four additional faculty members. The committee must include at least one CSEM Graduate Studies Committee faculty member representing Area A, a second representing Area B, and a third representing Area C, not including the student's advisor. Moreover, at least three of the committee members must represent distinct UT departments through positive time appointment. The Graduate Advisor must approve the composition of the committee. Minimum committee requirements summarized below:

1. Advisor
2. CSEM GSC faculty member from Area A
3. CSEM GSC faculty member from Area B
4. CSEM GSC faculty member from Area C
5. Additional faculty member (must NOT be on the CSEM GSC)

Dissertation Proposal

Before the end of the sixth long semester, the student must propose research for their PhD dissertation.

Abstract

The student must write a concise abstract of the dissertation proposal. The abstract must address how each of the three CSEM Concentration Areas A, B, and C will be addressed in, and form an integral part of, the proposed research (Abstract Guidelines). The student must meet with each member of his or her dissertation committee to discuss the abstract, the expertise the committee member will contribute to the dissertation, and the background knowledge expected of the student, as well as the types of questions that might be asked at the proposal presentation (see Dissertation Proposal Presentation section below.) The abstract must be signed by each member of the committee. Before the dissertation proposal presentation may be scheduled, this abstract must be submitted to and approved by the Graduate Studies Subcommittee (GSSC.) Submit the abstract in pdf format to the Graduate Coordinator who will make it available to the GSSC for review.

Proposal

The student must write his or her dissertation proposal and submit it to each member of the dissertation committee, and to the Graduate Coordinator. The format of the proposal must conform to the CSEM PhD Proposal Requirements.

Dissertation Proposal Presentation

Approximately two weeks after submission of the written dissertation proposal, the student is required to give a private, oral presentation of the proposal to his or her dissertation committee. The presentation itself should be about 45 minutes in length. The committee will then examine the student to explore details of the proposal and to test his or her general background knowledge relevant to the proposed research, including the ability to integrate ideas from Areas A, B, and C. The committee will expect somewhat greater depth and breadth in Area A as opposed to Area C for students in the CAM option, and the opposite for students in the CSE option.

Once you have scheduled the proposal presentation, you must notify the Graduate Coordinator of the date, time, and room number.

The student's performance is satisfactory if the committee agrees, with at most one dissenting vote, that the student developed a sufficiently rich, original and interdisciplinary research program and demonstrated competence to complete the proposed research. In the event of an unsatisfactory performance, the committee is charged with explaining to the student the reasons that his or her performance was not satisfactory. The committee may impose requirements on the student, such as requiring changes to the proposal, additional coursework, and/or another presentation to be given within one year.

The Candidacy Checklist outlines the steps for entering candidacy, from the formation of the dissertation committee to the submission of the candidacy application to the Graduate School.

Admission to PhD Candidacy

After completing all coursework, preliminary examination, and proposal requirements, the student must submit a Graduate School application for candidacy. The CSEM Graduate Coordinator will send instructions for submitting the application once the student's advisor has confirmed that student has passed the proposal.

PhD Dissertation and Oral Defense

Information for scheduling your defense may be found at CSEM Defense Guidelines.

Generally, by the end of the tenth long semester, and definitely before the end of the fourteenth long semester, students must prepare a written dissertation of the results of their research and provide a copy to each member of their PhD dissertation committee and to the Graduate Coordinator. This dissertation must be presented in a seminar of about 45 minutes that is open to the public, and it must be announced publicly to CSEM faculty and students within the Oden Institute. Immediately after the presentation, the student will meet privately with the dissertation committee to face questions and orally defend the work. The dissertation committee will judge whether the dissertation and the oral defense are acceptable.

Both the dissertation and the oral defense must follow appropriate Graduate School requirements and procedures found on the Deadlines and Submission Instructions page.

Seminar Attendance

Each student is expected to regularly attend regularly Oden Institute sponsored seminars. The GSSC will set the number required each semester.

Annual Progress Reports

Each student is required to submit an annual progress report of coursework, research activities, and financial support. Students not making satisfactory progress to the degree will be given specific requirements that must be met to return to good standing in the program.

Probation

Students failing to satisfy the requirements of the program in a timely manner will be put on probation by the GSSC, and their progress will be monitored closely. The student will remain on probation until satisfactory progress is achieved. A student may remain on probation for a maximum of two long semesters. A student who has been on probation for a total of two long semesters and is found to be out of compliance with the timely requirements of the program will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Appeals and Petitions

Students may appeal to or petition the CSEM GSSC for waiver or alteration of any CSEM requirement, except for waiver of an exam or waiver of a Graduate School degree requirement. Written appeals or petitions should be submitted to the GSSC through either the Graduate Advisor or the CSEM Graduate Studies Committee Chair.