The Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering is granted in recognition of superior achievement in independent research and coursework. The research must demonstrate that the student possesses the capacity for original thought, talent for research, and ability to organize and present findings.

The minimum credit hours required for the Ph.D. degree are 60 semester hours beyond the master's degree. This includes a minimum of 30 semester hours for the dissertation and a minimum of 30 semester hours of course-work. A student seeking the Ph.D. is required to complete a minimum of six semester hours in advanced mathematics.

The dissertation must either add to the fundamental knowledge of the field or provide a new and better interpretation of facts already known. It is expected to result in one or more manuscripts suitable for publication in a refereed journal.

The student must satisfactorily complete the courses listed in the doctoral plan of study with a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average. One grade of "F" or more than one grade of "C" may be grounds for dismissal from the program pending recommendation of the doctoral advisory committee.

For more information about admission, program requirements and course descriptions, see the Doctoral Degree Requirements in the University of Dayton School of Engineering Graduate Bulletin.