Ph.D. in Engineering

The Ph.D. in Engineering program at Saint Louis University's School of Science and Engineering focuses on a specific research topic. The students are expected to conduct original academic research that culminates in a dissertation and peer-reviewed publications. Additional coursework related to the chosen research area is also required.

Ph.D. students prepare a program of study that must be approved by the faculty advisor, department chair and the director of graduate programs. This program of study is developed and then reviewed within the context of students’ background and career goals, allowing students to customize their program to suit their professional goals.

Graduate students in engineering at Saint Louis University will demonstrate:

enhanced professional and analytical skills through the development of an in-depth understanding of theoretical and practical concepts; excellent communication skills through written and oral presentations; creative thinking skills through mastery of topics required to solve complex engineering problems; and depth of knowledge required to pursue advanced work in a modern, ever-changing world through entrepreneurial experiences woven into their program.

These attributes will be assessed during the required examination milestones. For a Ph.D., the required milestones include a qualifying exam, a written dissertation proposal and corresponding oral defense, and a written dissertation and corresponding oral defense presentation.

Saint Louis University formed the School of Science and Engineering in 2022 to better meet the future needs of students and faculty. The school brings together science, engineering and technology to promote cross-functional, interdisciplinary research and study. SLU’s newly formed School comprises the following departments: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering; The Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science; Biomedical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil, Computer and Electrical Engineering; Computer Science; Earth and Atmospheric Science; and Physics. Students in SLU’s School of Science and Engineering receive a hands-on education from world-class, award-winning faculty in their fields. From the time they arrive on campus, students have access to staff advisors, research mentors and a number of student support services - including career services. Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers more than 13,500 students a rigorous, transformative education of the whole person. At the core of the University’s diverse community of scholars is SLU’s service-focused mission, which challenges and prepares students to make the world a better, more just place. SLU is located in St. Louis, Missouri. The city is a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship — with Popular Mechanics ranking St. Louis the No. 1 start-up city in America — and SLU is right in the center of it. The Cortex Innovation Community, a center for business, innovation and technology, neighbors’ campus and the metro area is home to eight Fortune 500 companies. Additionally, St. Louis is home to more than 55,000 SLU alums. To learn more about Saint Louis University’s School of Science and Engineering, visit slu.edu/science-and-engineering.