The Ph.D. degree requires 90 credit hours. This is divided among major course work, minor subjects, and research work. Students enrolled in 12 hours per semester during the regular semesters and 3 hours during the summer term would achieve this total in just over 3 years. A diversified and flexible choice of minor subjects and a good selection of research topics are available. Qualified students may bypass the master’s degree and work directly toward the Ph.D. degree. Requirements specific to the Department of Chemical Engineering (please see below) are as follows: Satisfactory completion of specified coursework, Satisfactory performance in a qualifying examination covering the field of Chemical Engineering, Submission of a written thesis proposal and satisfactory oral defense of this proposal, Submission of an acceptable dissertation, and satisfactory oral defense of this dissertation and Presentation of research results at a departmental seminar.