Doctor of Philosophy in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems

The Ph.D. in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems (INES) is an interdisciplinary program emphasizing: (a) innovations in design, analysis, construction and operation of urban, energy, and environmental infrastructures, (b) scientific analysis of environmental systems and contemporary sustainability issues, and (c) exploration of sustainable and renewable resources. The interplay between the environment and infrastructure is thoroughly studied by students as they confront the challenges facing urbanizing regions. INES engages a diverse group of talented faculty from the science, engineering and management disciplines. INES students are required to conduct interdisciplinary and original research that contributes new knowledge to the profession, as evidenced by scholarly publications in refereed journals. The program is intended to:Provide students with educational opportunities in science, engineering, and management, culminating in an interdisciplinary research-based Ph.D. in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems
Involve students in emerging issues pertaining to infrastructure and the environment for promoting regional and national economic and social development, as well as policy implications
Prepare students for careers as research scientists, resources and systems managers, professional engineers and educators who are capable of advancing knowledge in sciences, technology, and management relevant to infrastructure and environmental systems
Doctoral students engage in coursework that develops their competency for research. Students generate knowledge through research and become competent scientists and engineers. During this process, students acquire knowledge of foundation subjects and specialty areas within their focus of research and, as a result, they develop into professionals.

Specific outcomes of the INES program are that students completing the Ph.D. degree will demonstrate abilities to analyze and evaluate advanced topics in engineering and/or science, to communicate technical information effectively, to discover and create new knowledge, and to understand interactions among advanced topics in science, engineering, and management.

The following are general guidelines for successful admissions into the Ph.D. in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems program:
The equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate and a master's degree, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body, in architecture, construction, engineering, earth sciences, energy, environmental studies, geology, management, resources economics, transportation, or a related field with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.20 and a minimum graduate GPA of 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) in all graduate work. Applicants meeting these requirements will be admitted to the Advanced Standing Track (see Degree Requirements for details).
Applicants holding only baccalaureate degrees with an undergraduate GPA of 3.75 or above may be considered for admission into the regular track (see Degree Requirements for details).
Applicants working toward a master's degree or holding a master's degree in an unrelated field with a minimum GPA of 3.50 will be admitted into the regular track (see Degree Requirements for details).
An acceptable TOEFL or IELTS score as required by the Graduate School for international students.
Three letters of reference, two of which must be from faculty members.
An essay of less than 500 words to address the applicant's motivation and research issues of interest.
Students entering the program are expected to remediate any coursework deficiencies identified by their advisory committee in the first semester after enrolling in the program. The required coursework depends on the background of the student and is established by the INES Program Director and the student's research advisor.
A minimum score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required.