Nov 15, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Interdisciplinary Engineering, Ph.D.


[linked graphic] Program Description [linked graphic] Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Policies [linked graphic] Program Course Requirements [linked graphic] Have questions? Contact us! Hyperlink to the Program Student Learning Outcomes

Program Description

Today’s engineers face complex problems that require interdisciplinary approaches.  Industries are particularly interested in interdisciplinary graduate education that emphasizes both breadth of knowledge and depth in a particular field. The Interdisciplinary Engineering Ph.D. program is designed specifically to meet these needs.

The Ph.D. program in Interdisciplinary Engineering takes advantage of unique resources and strengths at Kennesaw State by creating a program that can be tailored to the individual student while focusing on interdisciplinary research thrusts in Intelligent Robot Systems, Smart Infrastructure, Biomedical and Health Systems, and Innovative Materials. The program, with a strong research emphasis, prepares graduates for academic and industrial careers.

This program is a part of the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering & Engineering Technology 

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Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Policies

Admission Requirements

The following are program-specific requirements beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

Ph.D. students will be selected through a highly competitive review process. Criteria for selection include GPA, optional GRE scores, documented relevant engineering or PM experience, personal statement, research interest statement, CV, and letters of recommendation.   

An undergraduate or graduate degree in Engineering or a closely related field, for example physics, mathematics, computer science is required.  Must have successfully completed calculus through calculus II and at least one higher-level mathematics course such as calculus III, linear algebra, differential equations, discrete mathematics, etc.   

Required Documents 

  • Statement of how this degree facilitates your career goals, recent accomplishments and activities, and research interest. 
  • CV/resume. Documented relevant engineering or project management experience after earning B.S. degree or Professional Engineering license is considered. 
  • Three letters of recommendations from academic and/or professional contacts.  At least two letters must be from an academic contact.

An applicant can supplement their application with the GRE general test. High quantitative scores will be considered. 

Other information not listed here may be considered in exceptional circumstances. 

Transfer Credit

Graduate work taken at other regionally accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the program director and/or graduate committee in order to satisfy degree requirements. Such transfer credit cannot exceed 25% of the total semester hours required for the degree and cannot reduce residency requirements. 

Enrollment Requirements 

Elective Credit

Elective credit, selected with the student’s advisor, is required to ensure depth and breadth of an interdisciplinary engineering degree.  Graduate course work numbered 6000 or above can be applied, so long as at least 75% of the total semester hours required for the degree are at the doctoral level (8000-9999).

Graduation Requirements 

Each candidate must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of program requirements. For more information, please view the corresponding section of Academic Policies: 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements 

Concentrations (12 Credit Hours)


Electives (9 Credit Hours)


Select 9 credit hours of 6000-level or higher coursework from the following prefixes: ENGR, CE, EE, ME, MTRE, SYE.

Research (36 Credit Hours)


Students will take a minimum of 15 hours of ENGR 9900 to graduate. This course should only be taken by students who have passed the candidacy exam or with the permission of the program director.

Program Total (72 Credit Hours)