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The PhD program requires completion of at least 30 credits of coursework beyond the Bachelor’s degree level, and successful completion of a PhD thesis (CIVL 699) (which itself carries no academic credit). Most students would typically count 18 credits from the preceding Master’s degree coursework, leaving only 12 credits of coursework to be taken within the PhD program itself.

The 30 credits of coursework are subject to the following requirements:

• 500 level courses: A minimum of 24 credits of graduate level course (numbered 5XX) courses must be completed, of which at least 12 credits must be in Civil Engineering (labeled CIVL 5XX).
• CIVL 597: All students are required to register once in the appropriate section of CIVL 597 Graduate Seminar (1 credit, Pass/Fail mark); however, they are encouraged to attend the seminar series (without subsequent registration) throughout their time in the program.
• CIVL 592: A maximum of 6 credits may be taken through CIVL 592 Directed Studies.
• CIVL 598: A maximum of 6 credits may be taken through CIVL 598 Topics in Civil Engineering. (These are courses that have not yet been approved by the University Senate.)
• 300- & 400-Level Courses: A maximum of 6 credits of 300- or 400-level courses may be taken.
• 100- & 200-Level Courses: 100- & 200-level courses may not be used for credit towards completion of the PhD degree.
• Specialization Requirements: Coursework requirements specific to each area of specialization must be satisfied and may be found under Research Areas.

Students are required to obtain approval of their course selection from their Research Supervisor.

All PhD students must register and maintain registration in CIVL 699 Doctoral Dissertation in order to complete the PhD thesis. The thesis is prepared under the guidance of the Research Supervisor.

Coursework Plan. All PhD students are required to secure the approval of a Coursework Plan from their Research Supervisor or Specialty Advisor. Students should initially develop a draft plan that lists the proposed courses and schedule, taking into account course availability (not all courses are offered every year) and term in which they are offered (see Course Schedule), as well as the below considerations. The aim of the coursework plan is to help students ensure adherence to course credit requirements, coursework regulations, an appropriate course load, and avoidance of scheduling conflicts.

Minimum Course Marks. A minimum grade of 68% is required in each course used for credit. However, a maximum of 6 credits with grades between 60 and 67% may be accepted for credit, if the candidate has an average greater than or equal to 68% in all coursework. Supplemental examinations are not granted to graduate students: a course in which a grade of less than 60% is obtained may be repeated for a higher standing, subject to approval of the Department. A student who obtains a grade of less than 68% in more than 6 credits will normally be required to withdraw for inadequate academic progress.

Course Exemptions. Transfer credits are not granted to PhD students.  Instead, they may be granted exemptions towards the 30-credit requirement based on previous courses taken. A student who has completed graduate courses while enrolled in another UBC department or another university, will have course requirements assessed on an individual basis by the Research Supervisor: exemptions may be granted for a maximum of 18 credits of coursework, for courses with a standing of at least 74%, subject to approval of the Department and G+PS.

Core Course Substitutions. A Core Course may be substituted by an elective course if the equivalent course has already been taken. 

Selection of Elective Courses. Elective Courses may be selected from the list of Approved Elective Courses for the relevant specialization, CIVL 592 (which needs to be arranged with a particular instructor), a relevant CIVL 598 section (if available) and/or other courses including 300- & 400-level undergraduate courses and courses outside Civil Engineering. However, beyond the Approved Elective Courses, the final selection of elective courses requires the approval of the Research Supervisor, typically at the time of Coursework Plan approval. At all times, Department-wide course credit requirements and constraints need to be strictly adhered to.

Each Ph.D. Candidate in Civil Engineering is required to present in writing, and to defend orally, a research proposal. The purpose of the research proposal and its subsequent oral examination is to demonstrate to the Candidate’s supervisory committee that the Candidate has the knowledge and ability to pursue a Ph.D. in their chosen field. The Comprehensive Examination will include questions of a fundamental nature that are relevant to the proposed research topic. All candidates shall complete the research proposal and schedule the oral examination within 24 months of starting their Ph.D. program. The Comprehensive Exam cannot be held until a student has successfully completed their coursework. Written letters need to be submitted to the graduate advisor from the student and their supervisor if an extension for the comprehensive exam is required for special cases, with a maximum of one-year extension. Ph.D. students who do not complete their Comprehensive Examination within 24 months shall submit the annual progress form every 3 months until the comprehensive exam is held.

The research proposal, not exceeding 25 double-spaced pages, will consist of a cover page, a table of contents, a main body, tables, figures, and a reference list. The research proposal will include: a statement of the research questions to be explored, a literature survey that provides a critical evaluation of previous work, and a description of the methodology to be employed. The proposal should end with a justification of the research as a potentially significant contribution. Also, students shall include a Gantt chart schedule indicating the various stages of the proposed research program as well as the estimated time for completing each stage. The written proposal, if acceptable to the Candidate’s supervisor(s), will be made available to the supervisory committee at least 10 business days before the scheduled date of the examination.

The defense of the research proposal will be chaired by a faculty member appointed by the departmental Graduate Advisor. The chair will be someone other than one of the supervisory committee members. The defense will consist of a brief (no more than 20 minutes) oral presentation by the Candidate summarizing the highlights of the proposal, followed by a longer period of questions from the supervisory committee. The first round of questions will assess the breadth of the candidate’s knowledge in the proposed area of research. The second round of questions will be specific to the research proposal that the candidate intends to pursue. The Candidate is permitted to meet with individual committee members prior to the oral examination to discuss the scope of the first round of questions.

After both questions period are over, the Candidate will be asked to leave the room. The supervisory committee will then discuss the Candidate’s performance and decide on one of the following possible outcomes:

1. The Candidate passes unconditionally, in which case the Candidate would be expected to proceed immediately with research in the area proposed.
2. The Candidate passes, but only conditionally. Because of perceived weaknesses in their background understanding or research plans, the Candidate will be required to fulfill requirements specified by the supervisory committee (e.g., remedial courses, supplemental literature reviews, etc.) in addition to carrying out the proposed thesis work. The supervisor(s) will be responsible for monitoring the Candidate’s progress and for ensuring that these additional requirements are satisfactorily completed.
3. The Candidate is asked to appear for re-examination at a date to be set by the supervisory committee. The Candidate may be asked to improve or modify all or parts of their proposal and to present it again at that time, and/or the Candidate may be asked to study areas of basic science and/or engineering underlying the proposal.
4. The Candidate fails and is asked to withdraw from the Ph.D. program.

Once the Candidate has unconditionally passed the Comprehensive Examination, the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will be notified using this form and the Candidate will be formally admitted to Candidacy.

Advancement to Candidacy. Upon successful completion of all required coursework, the comprehensive examination and the proposal defense, the student may be admitted to candidacy through the submission and approval of the relevant G+PS form. All doctoral students must be admitted to candidacy within 36 months of initial registration in the PhD program. 

Dissertation Defense.  For detailed information on the final doctoral examination, including appointment of the External Examiner, the constitution of the Examination Committee, and the oral defense, refer to Final Doctoral Examination.

For detailed information on the final doctoral examination, including appointment of the External Examiner, the constitution of the Examination Committee, and the oral defense, refer to Final Doctoral Examination.

PhD students are considered full-time, and may not apply for part-time status. They may apply for leaves of absence during the program, and any such leave, if granted, does not count towards the total duration limitations of the program. PhD students will be expected to spend the equivalent of at least two consecutive years of fulltime study at the University, although completion of the program typically takes a minimum of three years. The PhD program must be completed within 6 years of initial registration.