Department of Civil Engineering
University of New Mexico
MSC01 1070
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Ph (505) 277 2722, Fax (505) 277 1988
Email: civil@unm.edu
 

WWW Civil WebPages

  DOCTORAL STUDENTS' PROCEDURES »

All OGS forms are available at the OGS website: http://www.unm.edu/grad.

  1. Qualifying Examination
    1. This examination is taken during your first or second semester as a doctoral student.
    2. You must pass this exam before a Committee-on-Studies can be formed.
    3. You must notify the Director of Graduate Programs in writing of your intention to take the exam by September 15 or February 15.  This memo will identify your preliminary selection of a major advisor and the areas in which you wish to be examined.
  1. Committee-on-Studies
    1. You should discuss your interests with several Civil Engineering faculty early in your program.  It is helpful but not necessary for a CE faculty member to agree to serve as the chair of your Committee before the Qualifying Exam is taken.
    2. If anyone on your committee is NOT a full-time tenure or tenure-track CE faculty member, you MUST check with the Coordinator of Program Advisement as to whether the individual is approved for graduation instruction in the CE department.  All such individuals MUST be approved by OGS before you can formally have them on your committee (see the CE Graduate Manual for more information).
    3. Notify the Director of Graduate Programs, with a copy to the Coordinator of Program Advisement, in writing of your committee’s membership.
  1. Doctoral Comprehensive Examination
    • This examination is usually taken after approximately your first year in the  doctoral program.
    • Notify the Director of Graduate Programs in writing of your intent to take the exam by September 15 for fall semester or February 15 for spring semester.
    • If you are planning on using the CE Conference Room, you MUST schedule it with Ida in the CE Office.  That room is used for meetings and sometimes a class.
    • Complete Announcement of Examination form (OGS form) and submit it at least two weeks before the examination date (strongly recommend 3-4 weeks).
    • This exam cannot be held until approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies and returned to Civil Engineering.
    • You must have a 3.0 cumulative gpa at the time of the exam.
    • Report of Exam (OGS form) results should be reported to OGS within two weeks of exam date.
  1. Application for Candidacy (AC)
    1. This OGS form will establish your degree requirements.  It must be submitted in the semester in which you have passed the Comprehensive Exam but no later than July 1 for fall graduation, October 1 for spring graduation, and March 1 for summer graduation.
    2. The Committee-on-Studies must approve it before it is submitted to OGS.
    3. You must have a 3.0 gpa in all courses listed on the application.
    4. No more than 50% of the required course credits at UNM may be taken with a single faculty member.  (Course work that has been completed for the master’s degree is included in this limit).
    5. If you are using courses from a master’s program, you must attach a copy of that transcript.
    6. Dissertation hours count from this semester forward.
    7. When the comprehensive exam has been passed and the AC has been approved, you will have gained “Advancement to Candidacy”.
  1. Appointment of Dissertation Committee
    1. Complete this OGS form and submit no later than the first semester of CE 699 (dissertation) enrollment. 
    2. In most cases the Committee-on-Studies becomes this committee.
    3. Committee must meet the composition criteria as published in the UNM catalog.
    4. If anyone on your committee is NOT a full-time tenure or tenure-track CE faculty member, you MUST check with the Coordinator of Program Advisement as to whether the individual is approved for graduation instruction in the CE department.  All such individuals MUST be approved by OGS before you can formally have them on your committee (see the CE Graduate Manual for more information).
    5. If the composition of the committee changes, you must submit a revision of the Appointment of Committee form.
  1. Departmental Notification of Intent to Graduate
    1. This must be filed with the Coordinator of Program Advisement by July 20 for Fall graduation, by December 5 for Spring graduation, and May 2 for Summer graduation.
    2. Application for Candidacy MUST be approved, be on file with Office of Graduate Studies (OGS, and be in your file in the department in order for the department to accept this form.
    3. Form can be found here: http://www.unm.edu/~civil/forms.html. 
    4. FAILURE TO MEET DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSION OF THE AC WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED A COMPELLING REASON TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE GRADUATION LIST.
  1. Notification of Dissertation Defense
    1. Complete Announcement of Examination form (OGS form) and submit it at least two weeks before the dissertation defense date (strongly recommend 3-4 weeks) but no later than November 1 for fall graduation, April 1 for spring graduation, and July 1 for summer graduation.
    2. Notify the Director of Graduate Programs at least two weeks before the dissertation is held.
    3. If you are planning on using the CE Conference Room, you MUST schedule it with Ida in the CE  Office.  That room is used for meetings and sometimes a class.
    4. Report of Exam (OGS form) results of the defense and the Report on Dissertation forms from all committee members must be submitted to OGS within 90 days BUT no later than the deadlines in #9 below.
  1. Turning in Your Dissertation to OGS
    1. This is the last formal step before your degree is awarded.
    2. Dissertation must be submitted to OGS within 90 days of the defense but no later than the dates in #9 below. 
    3. Turn in two, unbound copies in a box separated by a colored sheet of paper and a set of “red bordered sheets” for each manuscript.  The following items must accompany the final manuscript:
    4. Receipt for $15.00 binding fee.  Fee is payable at the Cashier’s Office in the Student Services Center.
    5. The CE Department requires 2 copies that stay within the department.  Bring copies in a box separated by a colored sheet of paper.  Additional copies for personal use cost $21.78 per copy.
    6. Report on Thesis or Dissertation completed by each member of the committee.
    7. Information Cover sheet – no signatures necessary.
    8. Certification of Final Form of Dissertation – requires signatures from you and your dissertation director.
    9. Survey of Earned Doctorate – booklet available from OGS.
    10. UMI Microfilming – booklet available from OGS.
    11. Manuscript formatting guidelines are found here:  http://www.unm.edu/~grad/manuscripts/manuscripts.html

    9 .  Completion of All Degree Requirements
    Except for courses in which you are currently enrolled, all degree requirements (including final manuscripts, graduate exams, results of exams, defenses, and incomplete and NR grades) must be completed and related documentation received by OGS by the following deadlines:
    Fall Graduation – November 15
    Spring Graduation – April 15
    Summer Graduation – July 15

The forms in #3, 4, 5, and 7, when completed, should be submitted to the Coordinator of Program Advisement in CE who will forward them to OGS.

THIS SHEET IS only A SUMMARY - Please READ THOROUGHLY AND refer to:

  • the OGS website
  • the UNM Catalog 
  • the Department of Civil Engineering Manual for Graduate Studies

It is each student’s responsibility to be informed regarding all requirements and to ensure that all requirements are met.

Director of Graduate Programs:  Dr. John Stormont, Tapy 155, 277-6063, jcstorm@unm.edu
Coordinator of Program Advisement, Josie Gibson, Tapy 214, 277-6633, jgibson@unm.edu