Architectural Engineering Graduate Student Handbook - Penn State Architectural Engineering
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Architectural Engineering Graduate Student Handbook 2018 - 2019 William Bahnfleth, PhD Graduate Program Officer 104 Engineering A University Park, PA 16802 Voice: (814) 863-2076 Fax: (814) 863-4789 Email: wbahnfleth@psu.edu Richelle Weiger Graduate Program and Placement Coordinator Voice: (814) 865-6664 Email: rweiger@engr.psu.edu July 2018
Table of Contents
1 Architectural Engineering Graduate Program
– General Information ................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 GRADUATE PROGRAMS OFFERED ...................................................................................................... 1
1.2 REQUIREMENTS OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL AND THE DEPARTMENT .............................. 1
1.3 NEW STUDENTS ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1.4 COURSE CREDIT LOAD ........................................................................................................................... 1
1.5 ADDING AND/OR DROPPING OR AUDITING COURSES .................................................................. 2
1.6 SPECIAL COURSES .................................................................................................................................... 2
1.7 GRADES ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
1.8 PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS OF GRADUATE STUDENTS .............................................................. 2
1.9 OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ............................................................................................ 3
1.10 USE OF DEPARTMENT COMPUTERS AND PRINTERS .................................................................... 3
1.11 GRADUATE STUDENTS WITH A TEACHING OR RESEARCH
ASSISTANTSHIP, OR WAGE PAYROLL POSITION ........................................................................... 3
2 Master of Science Degree Program Information ........................................ 4
2.1 DEGREE REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 SELECTING AN ADVISOR ....................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM APPROVAL FORM .................................................................... 4
2.4 M.S. THESIS COMMITTEE ....................................................................................................................... 4
2.5 M.S. THESIS PROPOSAL ........................................................................................................................... 5
2.6 M.S. THESIS ................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.7 ORAL PRESENTATION OF THESIS ....................................................................................................... 5
2.8 FORMAT REVIEW AND FINAL ARCHIVAL COPY OF MS THESIS ............................................... 5
2.9 THESIS GUIDE ............................................................................................................................................ 6
2.10 MASTER OF SCIENCE CHECKLIST ...................................................................................................... 6
3 Master of Engineering Degree Program Information ................................ 7
3.1 MASTER OF ENGINEERING PROGRAM GOALS............................................................................... 7
3.2 SELECTING AN ADVISOR ....................................................................................................................... 7
3.3 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................................. 7
3.4 MASTER OF ENGINEERING CHECKLIST ........................................................................................... 7
4 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program Information .................................. 8
4.1 PH.D. PROGRAM GOALS ......................................................................................................................... 8
4.2 ADVISOR ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
4.3 ENGLISH COMPETENCY ......................................................................................................................... 8
4.4 BECOMING A DOCTORAL CANDIDATE AND THE QUALIFYING EXAM................................. 10
4.5 THE DOCTORAL COMMITTEE ............................................................................................................ 11
4.6 BREADTH REQUIREMENT ................................................................................................................... 12
4.7 COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION .................................................................................................... 12
4.8 DOCTORAL FINAL ORAL EXAMINATION AND THESIS DEFENSE ........................................... 13
4.9 COURSE CREDITS ................................................................................................................................... 14
4.10 CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION ............................................................................................................ 14
4.11 THE PH.D. DISSERTATION .................................................................................................................... 14
4.12 OTHER REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................................................... 15
4.13 TIME LIMITATIONS AND SCHEDULE ............................................................................................... 15
4.14 TRANSFERRING FROM MS TO PHD................................................................................................... 15
Appendix A: Forms and Degree Checklists ......................................................16
Appendix B: Penn State Guidelines for the
Responsible Conduct of Research ...............................................................32recommendation of the faculty. Lecture
1 Architectural Engineering announcements will be distributed via email to
graduate students and/or printed on posted
Graduate Program - General announcements throughout the department.
Information Students must document their attendance at lectures
using the Guest Lecture Participation Form. The form
1.1 GRADUATE PROGRAMSOFFERED is distributed at the AE Graduate Student Orientation
There are four formal programs leading to graduate in the Fall and is also available from the Graduate
degrees in Architectural Engineering: (1) the Master of Student Secretary. To be cleared for graduation,
Science in Architectural Engineering (M.S.); (2) the students must submit the completed form to the
Master of Engineering in Architectural Engineering Graduate Program Officer a minimum of four weeks
(M. Eng.); (3) the Integrated Bachelor and Master of before graduation. Students not submitting the form
Architectural Engineering Degree Program (M.A.E.) by the deadline may be removed from the graduation
which is reserved for Penn State undergraduates; and list.
(4) the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with a major in
Architectural Engineering (Ph.D.). All Architectural Engineering graduate students are
required to satisfy the requirements of the Scholarship
and Research Integrity (SARI) program. The details of
The M.S. offers an introduction to research, and the
this program are on the department Graduate
Ph.D. offers research competence. The M.Eng. and
Curriculum web page at
M.A.E. degrees offer students the opportunity to
http://www.ae.psu.edu/academics/graduate/.
gain advanced knowledge for application in
professional engineering practice.
1.3 NEW STUDENTS
Requirements for each of these programs are discussed All incoming students will be required to participate in
in detail in separate sections of this document. The a kick-off orientation/mixer at the beginning of the first
immediate sections that follow pertain to all of the semester of graduate study.
graduate programs except the Integrated Master of
Architectural Engineering Degree, which is a degree Immediately upon arriving on campus, a student
that is integrated with the Penn State Bachelor of should obtain an access account and communicate via
Architectural Engineering degree and is covered under email with the Graduate Program Officer during the
separate guidelines. first week of graduate study. Students should
frequently check their email since this media will be
1.2 REQUIREMENTS OF THE GRADUATE used to communicate with students on a regular basis.
SCHOOL AND THEDEPARTMENT
New students should also become familiar with the
All graduate students in the Department of
Engineering Library and its resources at:
Architectural Engineering are required to adhere to the
https://libraries.psu.edu/engineering
requirements of the Graduate School, as found in the
latest Graduate Bulletin for Graduate Degree
1.4 COURSE CREDIT LOAD
Programs. The requirements of the Graduate School,
however, are minimum requirements and the policies, Full-time students and students receiving fellowships
procedures, and regulations listed below are additional should register for 12-15 credits per semester. All
and more specific requirements for graduate students students (US and International) receiving assistantships
pursuing formal programs in Architectural should register as follows:
Engineering. Advisers will call pertinent regulations to
the attention of their advisees, but students should Category Credits
understand that it is their personal responsibility to see
that all requirements from both the Graduate Bulletin 1/4-time Assistantship 9-14
and this Department Handbook are satisfied. 1/2-time Assistantship 9-12
3/4-time Assistantship 6-8
All Architectural Engineering graduate students are
required to attend ten approved guest lecture Students may apply to the Graduate School for one
presentations prior to graduation. Approved lectures credit beyond this limit, provided they have the
include, Bowers Lectures, CE lectures, ME lectures, approval of their advisor, work supervisor and the
selected guest lectures of AE student societies (AE Head of the Department.
Graduate Student Association, ASHRAE, IES,
SSAE, SPACE). This list will be expanded upon International students with student visas must maintain
full-time academic status as determined by their type of
1assistantship, or must be registered for at least 9 credits this course, but may award a grade of A, B, C, D, or F
if not supported by an assistantship during both the Fall for up to 6 credits for M.S. students and 12 credits for
and the Spring semesters. AE 601 also provides for Ph.D. students (see Graduate Bulletin.) An R need not
full-time status as noted in the next section. be changed later to a quality grade. A quality grade
must be reported no later than the end of the following
1.5 ADDING AND/OR DROPPING OR semester.
AUDITING COURSES
Courses taken formally as an audit are not included in AE 601 (611 off-campus) Ph.D. Thesis Preparation
the minimum number of credits required for ONLY Ph.D. STUDENTS CAN REGISTER
assistantships or for satisfying visa requirements for FOR AE 601 AND ONLY AFTER THEY
international students. The Graduate Faculty of the
Department strongly discourages retroactively HAVE PASSED THEIR COMPREHENSIVE
switching a course from a "for-credit" to audit basis or EXAM AND MET THE TWO-SEMESTER
initiating "late drop" procedures and receiving WF, RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.
WN or WP. Ph.D. students may register for one additional course
when they register for AE 601. If this course is for
Students wishing to add or drop courses must consult credit (not simply a course audit), an additional fee is
their advisors before taking any action. Students on required. Prior to graduation, the Graduate School
assistantships should not change their schedules to reviews students' transcripts. Students registering for
reduce or increase their course credits beyond the AE 601 when they have not satisfied the above
limits indicated in the previous section. Students requirements will be asked to retroactively change
adding or dropping courses should refer to the their registration, pay retroactive fees and possible
Schedule of Classes for the procedures and fees. A additional course-credit costs before they will be
limited tuition refund may apply for courses that are permitted to graduate. It is vital that graduate students
dropped. consult their advisors prior to each semester's
registration to insure they are registering for the
1.6 SPECIAL COURSES correct course.
AE 596, 597, 600 (610), 601 (611)
Graduate students registering for the above courses 1.7 GRADES
should consult with their advisor to insure they are A +/- grading system is used in both graduate and
registering for the correct course. Failure to select the undergraduate level courses. Grades with plus and
correct course may require the student to pay minus include, A 4.0; A-, 3.67; B+, 3.33; B, 3.0; B-,
"retroactive fees" and perhaps additional course-credit 2.67; C+, 2.33. A minimum grade-point average of
fees. 3.00 for work done at the University is required for all
graduate degrees.
AE 596 Individual Studies
This course covers creative projects. AE 596 SHOULD 1.8 PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS OF
NOT be used for M.S. or Ph.D. thesis research. GRADUATE STUDENTS
Instructors or advisors may award a grade of A, B, C, All Masters and Doctoral students are:
D, F or R for this course. (See Graduate Bulletin.) 1. Provided with a desk within office space controlled
by the department. Students who do not plan to use
AE 597 Special Topics department office space should notify the Graduate
This course is a trial or experimental course, A grade of Program Officer. (Note: M.Eng. students will be
A, B, C, D or F is awarded. (See Graduate Bulletin.) provided with a desk only if space is available within
the department.)
AE 600 (610 off-campus) Thesis Research 2. Eligible to apply for financial assistance (grant-in-
This course should be used to register for M.S. and aid and stipend). (Note: M.Eng. students do not qualify
Ph.D. thesis research. Instructors usually award a grade for graduate assistantships).
of R (for research, which assumes adequate effort) for 3. Eligible for services at the Ritenour Health Center.
4. Provided access to the services of the University
Placement Office.
5. Eligible to participate in the programs offered by the
Graduate Student Association.
6. Eligible to join undergraduate student organizations
except those with constitutions limiting membership to
undergraduates.
21.9 OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Graduate students are not permitted to attempt to
All graduate students must: circumvent, in any way, the print charges imposed on
them for the use of the department printing facilities. If
1. Maintain scholarship satisfactory to the department. a student finds a printer that is not charging copies to
2. Make progress in their degree program that is their account, the student should contact Mr. Corey
acceptable to the department. Wilkinson and refrain from making excessive copies
3. Assume full responsibility for knowing the during the time that the printing system is
regulations and pertinent procedures of the Graduate malfunctioning.
School.
4. Comply with department policies related to the use
1.11 GRADUATE STUDENTS WITH A
of department facilities such as computers, printers and
TEACHING OR RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP,
copiers. OR WAGE PAYROLL POSITION
4. Comply with regulations governing the use of
automobiles by all students. A large number of graduate students are appointed as
5. Meet standards of conduct as outlined below graduate assistants. They are assigned tasks in
teaching, research, or other activities that are
"By virtue of their maturity and experience, graduate educationally significant. These appointments are made
students are expected to have learned the meaning and by department at the recommendation of the faculty.
value of honesty before entering the Graduate School.
However, to insure the maintenance of a high level of Although graduate assistants may assist with research,
moral integrity, each student and faculty member is they should be distinguished from Research Assistants,
expected to assume personal responsibility for the who are full-time members of the staff with rank
encouragement and promotion of the highest ethical equivalent to Instructors.
and moral standards. It is the particular responsibility
of each department and each staff member to set up Graduate students with a teaching or research
conditions of operation, which will encourage the assistantship must comply with Graduate School
student to strive for these high ideals on the one hand regulations governing the duties of their appointment
and will assure the detection of violations on the other. (See Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin). For
A violation is regarded as a serious offense, raising example, note that “appointments for graduate
grave doubt that the guilty student is worthy of assistants are for eighteen weeks of activities per
continued membership in the Graduate School semester.” Typically this means that students are asked
community." to report at least one week prior to the first day of
classes and work through the finals week and/or the
1.10 USE OF DEPARTMENT COMPUTERS AND following week. Work may also be required during the
PRINTERS week of Spring Break. A student is responsible for
clarifying all planned absences from the University,
Graduate students are provided access to department including arrival and departure dates, with their work
computers, printers and copiers to permit them to supervisor prior to making plans related to these
conduct their funded work activities (instructional or activities.
research). All computer use must abide by established
University policies: On rare occasions, a student may be offered a wage
payroll position within the department that provides an
Graduate students are provided with allowance of free hourly wage and no tuition benefits. To work in such
printing each semester for use on their own positions, international students must submit an
coursework. Page charges are incurred based on the "Application For Permission To Work On-Campus" to
printer that is used. Students may add additional money the Office of International Students, and may work up
to their personal printing accounts at the Engineering to a maximum of 20 hours/week.
Copy Center.
Students who are on research and teaching
assistantships will be required to charge printing
conducted in support of these activities to a
separate account. These accounts will be
charged to the department or to a research
budget. All graduate students must ensure that
any charges to department and research budgets
are for those purposes. No personal printing
should be charged to these accounts.
3lectures during the time period of their program.
2 Master of 2.2 SELECTING AN ADVISOR
Science Degree
For the student's first semester, a member of the
Program Graduate Faculty will serve as a temporary advisor
Information until the student has chosen a thesis advisor.
Students are expected to locate an advisor in their
2.1 DEGREE REQUIREMENTS area of specialization (see Table 1 below) before
The following are the requirements for beginning their second semester. The student should
the Master of Science degree in inform the Graduate Program Officer of the name of
Architectural Engineering: their advisor. Students should feel free to discuss
possible advisors with the faculty in their area of
1. Complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits specialization and the Graduate Program Officer.
(minimum 24 credits of course work, at least 12
of which must be at the 500+ level, and a TABLE 1. AE Graduate Faculty by option
minimum of 6 credits of thesis research). A area
maximum of three 596 credits can be applied
toward the MS Degree requirements. AE 596 Construction Structures
credits must be preapproved and supervised or Dr. Somayeh Asadi Dr. Thomas E. Boothby
co-supervised by a faculty member in the Dr. Robert Leicht Dr. Linda M. Hanagan
student’s option. See the Appendix for the
Dr. John I. Messner Dr. Ali M. Memari
approval form. 20 of these credits must be earned
on the University Park Campus. These credits Dr. Esther Obonyo Prof. M. Kevin Parfitt
must be completed with a grade point average of Dr. David Riley Dr. Aly Said
3.00 or higher.
2. As a general rule, 400-level courses Mechanical Lighting
normally offered to non-option students Dr. William P. Bahnfleth Dr. Kevin W. Houser
in the 5-year undergraduate program at Dr. James D. Freihaut Dr. Richard G. Mistrick
Penn State cannot be included in the 30-
Dr. Donghyun Rim
credit minimum.
Dr. Gregory Pavlak
3. All M.S. students must participate in
new student orientation activities. 2. MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM APPROVAL
FORM
4. All M.S. students must attend ten approved The purpose of the M.S. Program Approval Form
guest lecture presentations prior to graduation. (Appendix B) is to insure that students have selected an
Approved lectures include, Bowers Lectures, CE advisor and begin a program of study and research tailored
lectures, ME lectures, selected guest lectures of to their interests. Every M.S. degree student must prepare
AE student societies (AE Graduate Student the Masters Approval Form in consultation with his/her
Association, ASHRAE, IES, SSAE, SPACE). academic advisor. The M.S. Program Approval Form must
This list will be expanded upon recommendation be submitted no later than the end of the first semester. The
of the faculty. Lecture announcements will be Masters Approval Form identifies courses the student
distributed via email to graduate students and/or intends to take and describes the topic of the thesis in the
printed on posted announcements throughout the M.S. program. The Graduate Program Officer will review
department. the Masters of Science Program Approval Form, however,
the student is ultimately responsible for completeness and
5. A thesis proposal must be written by the conformance with program guidelines. If, at a later time,
student and submitted for approval to the advisor the student and advisor wish to add or delete courses or
and a faculty committee. The proposal is also change the emphasis of the thesis, they have the authority
presented during a meeting of the student’s to do so, but a revised Masters Approval Form must be
thesis committee. A copy of the proposal and submitted to the Graduate Program Officer.
approval sheet shall be sent to the Graduate
Program Officer by the advisor. (See Appendix Students failing to submit the Masters Approval Form by
C for guidelines and approval sheet.) the end of the first semester will be advised that such
action constitutes "Unsatisfactory Scholarship" which can
6. All M.S. students must attend 10 approved
4be grounds for dismissal from the University. make a formal oral presentation to his/her
committee on the thesis problem and the
2.3 M.S. THESIS COMMITTEE proposed approach to its solution. The use of
M.S. students must assemble a committee audio-visual aids in this presentation is
consisting of a minimum of three faculty encouraged. The intent of this presentation is to
members with expertise in areas related to the provide valuable feedback to the student to
proposed thesis project to serve as their M.S. assist him/her in completing the work.
Thesis Committee. At least two of these
members must be from the AE department, 3. Documentation: The candidate must submit the
but an outside member is not required. MS Thesis Proposal Approval Form to the
2.4 M.S. THESIS PROPOSAL Graduate Program Officer before filing their
A candidate for the M.S. degree must provide a intent to graduate. Students who do not turn in the
short written and oral presentation of the thesis form may be removed from the graduation list.
proposal to the student's committee for approval a
minimum of one semester before graduation. 2.5 M.S. THESIS
1. Written Requirements. The candidate's written A candidate generally registers for a minimum
thesis proposal should consist of the following: of 6 credits of AE 600 and submits a thesis
Introduction following the procedures specified by the
Literature Graduate School. The formatting guidelines are
review outlined in the following document:
Research http://gradschool.psu.edu/current-students/etd/
hypothesis
Proposed research activity The research thesis must be a research topic
Tools necessary to undertake the resulting in work that is publishable in a
proposed research professional journal. It is permissible, provided
Anticipated schedule the committee approves, to have a thesis
composed of parts (published or un- published)
The objective of this proposal is to: provided a comprehensive introduction is
provided. It should also have a conclusion
♦ Clearly demonstrate that the candidate has placing the parts in perspective to the whole and
identified and sufficiently narrowed the thesis making recommendations for future research.
research topic through a concise statement of the
thesis hypothesis. The M.S. thesis may be written in the form of a
conference paper with supporting information
♦ Clearly demonstrate that the candidate is provided in Appendices, with the approval of the
familiar with related work reported in the student’s advisor.
literature.
2.6 ORAL PRESENTATION OF THESIS
♦ Clearly demonstrate that the candidate is aware All Masters degree students will present and
of and has mastery of the analytical/experimental defend the results of their thesis research at a
tools necessary to successfully undertake the meeting consisting of their advisor, the thesis
proposed thesis research. committee and other members of the faculty and
graduate student body. The format and content of
♦ Provide a basis upon which to evaluate the the presentation will be similar to that used at
final thesis research. technical meetings. Accomplishing this task in a
satisfactory fashion is a requirement for
♦ Provide a basis for committee approval graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to
of the proposed work. inform the Graduate Program Officer, using the
“M.S. Thesis Oral Presentation Request Form”,
This written proposal must be provided to the a minimum of 1 week in advance of the oral
candidate's committee a minimum of one defense. The Graduate Program officer will then
week in advance of the oral presentation. make sure the event is publicly announced. To
emphasize the importance of complying with this
2. Oral Requirements: The candidate will requirement, the Graduate Officer will not the
sign graduation clearance forms if the defense is
held without proper notification of the Graduate
Officer.
52.7 FORMAT REVIEW AND FINAL
ARCHIVAL COPY OF MS THESIS
The Graduate School web site provides a Thesis
Information link which is designed to provide
guidance and answer questions for a graduate
student writing a thesis or dissertation. When you
start your thesis, you should reference this
information. Dates for the format review and the
final archival copy submissions are available on
the Graduate School web site.
The thesis will be reviewed by each member of
the student's thesis committee. At least three
faculty members must approve and sign the
Master’s Approval Page available on the
Graduate School web site. The Master’s
Approval Page must also bear the signature of
either the Department Head or Graduate Program
Officer.
The final archival copy of the thesis (incorporating
any format changes requested by the Thesis
Office), must be uploaded as an eTD (electronic
dissertation) by the deadline announced by the
Graduate School for the semester/session in which
the degree will be conferred. Additionally, the
original, signed Master’s Approval Page must be
submitted to the Graduate School and a copy must
be submitted to the Graduate Program
Assistant in 104 Engineering A Building to be
retained in the student’s file.
As a courtesy, most students also present their
advisor with both a bound and an electronic copy
(for ease of reproduction and distribution) of their
dissertation. Students should consult their advisor
about their desire to receive a bound copy.
Information on binding can be found on the
Graduate School web site.
2.7 GUIDE
The Graduate School Thesis and Publications Office
provides a Thesis Guide (Web site referenced
earlier), which is designed to provide generation
formatting information and answer most questions
for a graduate student who is writing a thesis.
2.8 MASTER OF SCIENCE CHECKLIST A
checklist summarizing program requirements and
with a lecture approval form printed on the back is
provided to each student at the beginning of their
program. The checklist is also included in the
appendix.
6courses that are expected to make up a student's degree
program. Students must file an amended plan in
3Master of Engineering Degree subsequent semesters if changes to this program are
required. All changes to a student's approved program
must be approved prior to enrollment in any course.
Program Information
♦ The courses on a student's approved M.Eng.
3.1 MASTER OF ENGINEERING PROGRAM program list must be completed with a grade point
GOALS average of 3.0 or better to receive the M.Eng. degree.
The goals of this program are to provide the highest
quality professional education in Architectural ♦ Each M.Eng. student must attend a minimum of 10
Engineering. department lectures and document these on the
appropriate form.
3.2 SELECTING AN ADVISOR
Each student is assigned to an academic advisor, a ♦ The University requires that M.Eng. students
member of the graduate faculty in their area of interest, submit a formal capstone paper as part of their degree
prior to their first semester of graduate school. A requirements. This paper should demonstrate
student may transfer this position to another faculty comprehensive knowledge of the field of study, and
member later in their program by submitting a Change may be take the form of an in-depth design study,
of Advisor form to the Graduate Program Officer. The technical paper, or other engineering or research
student's advisor assists the student in constructing a activity. Each MAE student should coordinate this
program of courses that meets the educational activity with their adviser, or another graduate faculty
objectives of the student along with all department member in their area of study and submit a M.Eng.
requirements. During the first semester of graduate capstone project proposal form prior to beginning the
study, each M.Eng. student must submit a M.Eng. work. The student should register for AE 596 –
Program Approval form, which lists the courses the Independent Study (3 credits) when work on this
student expects to take to fulfill the 30-credit activity will be conducted (late in their program of
coursework requirement. This form must be amended study). The student must submit both the paper and a
in future semesters if a student's program changes for copy of the M.Eng. Paper Approval Form to the
any reason. Graduate Program Officer prior to graduation. The
form must be signed by the faculty member who
3.3 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS reviewed the paper, indicating that the paper is of
Requirements for graduation are the following. sufficient quality to fulfill this requirement.
• All M.Eng. students must participate The student will receive notice from the Graduate
in the new student orientation Program Officer regarding final acceptance of the
activities. paper, or informing the student of required changes or
modifications that must be made prior to acceptance of
• Each student must complete at least 30 credits, of the paper. The department will retain a final copy of
which at least 18 must be at the graduate level (500- the paper.
level). A maximum of six 596 credits can be applied
toward the MEng degree requirements with three of 3.4 MASTER OF ENGINEERING CHECKLIST
those credits applying toward the MEng paper A checklist summarizing program requirements and
requirement. AE 596 credits must be preapproved and with a lecture approval form printed on the back is
supervised or co-supervised by a faculty member in the provided to each student at the beginning of their
student’s option. See the Appendix for the approval program. The checklist is also included in the
form. Students must follow the approved program of appendix.
study provided in one of the four emphasis areas, or
receive approval to substitute courses on the courselist.
A limited number of courses may be substituted for
those listed in the approved programs. Students must
provide valid justification for all proposed changes
(such as lack of availability, previous successful
completion of a similar course, greater benefit to a
student's degree program, etc.). As early as possible
during the first semester of study, a student should
consult with his/her advisor and submit the Master of
Engineering Program Approval form, which lists the
7meets the educational objectives of the student along
4Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
with all department requirements; however, the Ph.D.
committee will ultimately determine a student's
program of courses.
Program Information
4.3 ENGLISH COMPETENCY
4.1 Ph.D. PROGRAM GOALS English competence has been formally designated as
The goal of the Ph.D. program is to produce part of the Ph.D. candidacy requirements as outlined
outstanding engineers who have demonstrated their in the Penn State Graduate Bulletin. Both domestic
abilities through the following: and international candidates must meet the English
1. Independent Research: Each Ph.D. candidate competency requirements set down in this policy
must demonstrate an ability to plan and carry out statement. International students should note that
independent and original research. This work must passage of the minimal TOEFL requirement does
show a high degree of maturity and creativity and not demonstrate the level of competence expected of
contribute to the knowledge base in Architectural a Penn State Ph.D. graduate. Required remedial
Engineering. actions must be completed before scheduling the
2. Depth of Study: Each Ph.D. doctoral comprehensive exam. The main elements of
candidate must develop a depth of the policy are detailed below.
understanding in one of the four basic
areas of the department: Building 4.3.1 First Year English Proficiency Exam
Construction, Building Illumination The first year evaluation of English competence
Systems, Building Mechanical and comprises two components—written and oral. The
Energy Systems, Building Structural written component of English competence will be
Systems. assessed by the student’s advisor during the first
semester of the student’s doctoral studies (normally
This is normally established through work on the M.S. in the fall semester). The oral component of English
degree and will be developed further within the Ph.D. competence will be assessed by the Qualifying Exam
Committee as part of the Qualifying Exam (normally
In the area of research, a student is expected to attain a in the spring semester).
level of understanding far above that normally acquired
through typical course work. This depth is developed Written English Competency: The student will be
not only through an organized series of courses but asked to write an essay of about 1,500 words in
through extensive independent study and research. length on a topic selected by the Graduate Program
Officer. The student will have two hours to complete
3. Breadth of Study: At all times, the concept of the this assignment in a monitored setting. The student’s
Architectural Engineer as an individual who possesses advisor will evaluate the essay by noting the
a breadth of understanding of the building and building candidate's ability to: narrow the topic appropriately;
processes must be maintained. Some of this breadth define a statement of purpose; organize ideas;
will come from formal classes while the remainder of present logical arguments; use accurate and
it will come from self study, active participation in a appropriate spelling, grammar, and punctuation; and
wide range of department lectures and activities, a demonstrate syntactic variety. The results will be
personal interest in buildings, and interaction with indicated by pass or fail, and will be communicated
fellow students. in writing by the advisor to the student and to the
Graduate Program Officer. For failures, non-native
4.2 ADVISOR candidates must complete ESL 116G: ESL
Each student, upon entering the doctoral program, is Composition for Academic Disciplines with a grade
assigned to an academic advisor. The advisor selected of B or higher. Native candidates must complete
will generally be the member of the graduate faculty ENG 202C Technical Writing with a grade of B or
who is best aligned with the student's area of academic higher. This assessment will occur during the
interest, or will be the faculty member who is the student’s first semester of doctoral studies (normally
student's supervisor for an assistantship. When a the fall semester) so that the student can take
student decides on a faculty member with whom they remedial action during the second semester
plan to work on their Ph.D. dissertation, that person (normally the spring semester), if required.
should then become their academic advisor. A Change
Oral English Competency: The oral portion of the
of Advisor Form should be completed and submitted
Qualifying Exam lends naturally to an assessment of
to the Graduate Program Officer. The advisor assists
speaking and presentation ability. The Qualifying
the student in constructing a program of courses that
Exam Committee will evaluate the
8candidate’s competence in speaking English by follows:
assessing the ability to organize thoughts, use • Accurate pronunciation, with only
visual props available to help convey the thoughts, occasional instances of clearly non-native
use appropriate language, speak with vocal variety, accent or intonation patterns, especially for
and use correct pronunciation, grammar, and engineering- specific terminology.
articulation. The oral English competency part of • Appropriate grammatical constructions,
the Qualifying Exam will be evaluated by the with only minor non-native influences.
entire Qualifying Exam Committee, requiring a 2/3 • Near native-like flow of speech, with only
majority to pass. The results will be indicated by a occasional non-native pauses, accentuation,
pass or fail, and will be communicated in writing or intonation.
by the advisor to the student and to the Graduate
Program Officer. For failures, non- native speakers For professional conference presentation
must complete ESL 115G American Oral English settings, minimum speaking proficiency
for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) with a expectations also include the following:
grade of B or higher. Native candidates must • Strong clarity of purpose for thepresentation.
complete either CAS 100A Effective Speech or CAS • Appropriate adaptation to an audience.
211 Informative Speaking with a grade of B or • Effective organization.
higher. • Effective and appropriate visual aids
and delivery style.
Successful completion of the above-specified remedial
actions will serve as the final requirements for those
Expectations for written material include
candidates who failed the written or oral components
demonstration of clear competence on both
of first-year English proficiency. If any remedial
rhetorical and syntactic levels. Ph.D. students are
courses are required, they must appear on the official
expected to be able to do the following:
University transcript with grades of B or better prior to
• Effectively address a writing task.
scheduling the doctoral comprehensive exam.
• Organize and outline written material.
4.3.2 Further Opportunities for Enhancement • Use appropriate details to support a thesis.
of English Competency • Be consistent in the use of language.
The student’s doctoral committee will continue to • Demonstrate syntactic variety and
assess a student’s English competence at other points appropriate word choice.
in the student’s doctoral program, including • Effectively observe grammar, punctuation,
coursework, the dissertation proposal, and the doctoral and spelling conventions in English
comprehensive exam. A student whose work exhibits
difficulties with either spoken or written English will 4.3.4 Attainment of English Competence
be required to take additional English courses to If the doctoral student completes and passes—with a
improve his or her English proficiencies. Poor grade of B or better—the course(s) required by the
performance on the comprehensive exam or on the student’s advisor, the Qualifying Exam Committee,
doctoral dissertation proposal will necessitate the Graduate Program Officer, and the student’s
additional English coursework so that writing and doctoral committee, then the student will have
speaking deficiencies can be removed before the satisfied the departmental requirements. If the
student attempts to write his or her doctoral student fails to achieve a B or better in required
dissertation. Remedial courses will be listed on the courses, then the student must retake the course (or
Doctor of Philosophy Coursework Approval Form, another comparable course). The AE Department’s
which is completed at the time of the doctoral policy to evaluate English competence at multiple
comprehensive exam. Such courses, while required to points within a student’s doctoral program means
complete the Ph.D. degree, do not count toward the that a student who attains first-year English
credit requirements listed in 4.9 Course Credits. competence through either the exam or coursework
Decisions on remedial English competency could still be required to take additional English
coursework are the responsibility of the student’s coursework later in their doctoral program if English
doctoral committee. performance at a later evaluation point does not
meet the recommended standards as set forth and
4.3.3 Expectations evaluated by his or her doctoral committee.
It is expected that candidates for the Architectural
Engineering Ph.D. be able to communicate effectively A student will not be permitted to schedule the final
in daily academic and job-related settings, and in more oral examination until he or she has fulfilled all
formal professional conference settings. The minimum English proficiency requirements established by the
expectations for comprehensible speech are as doctoral committee at either the comprehensive
9examination or at the dissertation proposal stage. coursework and degrees earned. When the
official transcript does not show the completion
Students who do not make sufficient progress towards of a degree, an official certification of the
achieving competency in English jeopardize the degree is required.
renewal of their graduate assistantship funding and/or b) Has become associated with some member of
their continued enrollment in the Penn State University the graduate faculty to a sufficient degree to
Architectural Engineering Doctoral Program. allow evaluation of the potential candidate's
ability to do independent research.
4.3.5 Summary of English Proficiency Program c) Has earned a minimum of 18 course credits in
The overall objective of the English Proficiency graduate work (taken at PSU or accepted from
program implemented by the department of another institution recognized by the AE
Architectural Engineering is to ensure that all doctoral Graduate Faculty) beyond the baccalaureate
students exhibit the high level of competence in the degree.
use of the English language necessary to complete d) Has fulfilled other pertinent requirements of the
their doctoral dissertations and enable them to Graduate School as stated in the Graduate
become successful members of the research, Catalog and the AE Graduate Student
academic, and building industry communities. Handbook.
Students are evaluated at a number of different points e) Has demonstrated sufficient intellectual
throughout their AE doctoral program to ensure they capacity and maturity to progress successfully
have the English skills necessary to succeed in their through the coursework and other organized
doctoral studies and in their future careers. aspects of the Ph.D. program.
f) Has demonstrated the ability to perform original
and independent work required for research and
4.4 BECOMING A DOCTORAL CANDIDATE
design activities.
AND THE QUALIFYING EXAM
4.4.1 Becoming a Doctoral Candidate The first attempt of the qualifying examination must
Graduate students who wish to become doctoral be completed during, or immediately following, the
candidates must be approved for candidacy by the two semesters of residency beyond the MS in order
graduate faculty of the department. This approval is to identify any deficiencies and to discourage the
based on: marginal student from further effort in the Ph.D.
program. Students enrolled in the doctoral program
a) the academic record of the student, including the without first completing a masters degree must take
fulfillment of any conditions of acceptance the exam at the first offering after completing a
b) a qualifying examination given by the department minimum of 18 credits of coursework.
c) evidence of research capability based on a concise
preliminary research plan that must be submitted The qualifying exam will be administered in April,
by each student prior to the exam. approximately two weeks prior to the end of the
d) Other evidence of research capability. Spring Semester. The timing of the exam permits
faculty to base second year funding on the results of
To begin to develop a research record, it is essential the exam, and permits the students to be accepted to
candidacy prior to the start of their third semester.
that a new student begin working with an advisor as
soon as possible.
The form of the exam will consist of an eight-hour
written test in one of 4 AE specialty areas
4.4.2 Qualifying examination
(Construction, Illumination, Mechanical Systems,
Potential candidates are strongly encouraged to and Structures). An oral exam will be scheduled
undertake the qualifying evaluation at the earliest for each student so that specific depth topic
possible time. The purpose of the qualifying exam is to questions, often based on, but not limited to, the
assist the faculty in determining whether or not the written exam may be directed to each student.
student is competent to pursue a Ph.D. program and to
provide the doctoral committee with a basis for
4.4.3 Written Exam
recommending a program of study. Participation in the
The material covered in the qualifying examination
exam requires that the student:
will include general and advanced topics related to
the student’s specialty area. Details about the topical
a) Has submitted official transcripts (English
coverage of the exam can be found on the AE
translation) showing the completion of prior
website—click on “Current Students”, “Graduate”,
“Degree Programs”, “Ph.D.”, “Qualifying Exam”.
Topics in each of the four AE depth areas will
10include fundamental knowledge expected of a Ph.D. b) The student should first be enrolled in the
student in that field, as well as selected items from M.S. program. Upon successful completion,
graduate courses taken by the students in the the student may be reconsidered for
semesters preceding the exam. The exam may consist admission to the doctoral program.
of both closed and open-book sections. While some c) The student should withdraw from
of the material may be based on baccalaureate degree the department.
topics, the faculty expects competency and maturity at
a level conducive to graduate study. The faculty The decision to accept or deny admission to
expects candidates to possess an understanding of doctoral study in Architectural Engineering will
architectural engineering principles, to be able to be based on:
recall them quickly, and to synthesize them
accurately. In addition, candidates should be able to 1. Results of the written exam.
express themselves verbally with clarity and
persuasion. 2. Results of the oral exam.
4.4.4 Oral Exam 3. Academic record of the student.
The purpose of the oral portion of the exam
(approximately 60 minutes long) is to evaluate the 4. The student’s preliminary research plan, faculty
student's depth of understanding of basic concepts and advisor recommendations, and the quality of
through his/her answers to questions. The student's work performed for the student's research or
ability to express ideas and concepts verbally, and with teaching.
clarity, will be assessed. The oral exam is typically
scheduled to occur within 2 weeks of the written exam. A formal letter from the AE Graduate Program
Officer reporting the result of the exam will be
The oral exam will be conducted by a minimum of four provided to each student taking the exam.
AE faculty members, which will include at least two Additionally, the results are reported to the
from the student’s specialty area, and at least one AE Graduate School for entry into the student's record.
faculty member from outside the student’s specialty Admission to candidacy is noted on the student’s
area. The faculty in a specialty area (Structures, transcript.
Illumination, Mechanical Systems or Construction)
may elect to have more than two faculty members 4.5 THE DOCTORAL COMMITTEE
participate in the Qualifying Exam. One of the four When a graduate student has passed the qualifying
faculty members will be the AE Graduate Program examination, a Ph.D. Committee should be formed
Officer or their designee. All faculty members are IMMEDIATELY. In this way, the student will
welcome to attend the scheduled exams, however, only receive proper guidance early in his/her program.
designated examination committee members will vote The candidate and the advisor should discuss
on the exam outcome. possible committee members. The committee must
have a minimum of four members. At least two
4.4.5 Results of the Exam
members must be from Architectural Engineering
Based on the student's performance related to the
and one must be from outside the department and
criteria provided above, one of the following
have no project or financial ties to the AE
recommendations will be implemented by the Graduate department or the committee chair. Names of the
Program Officer for communication to both the student proposed committee should be forwarded to the
and The Graduate School. Graduate Program Officer for action. The Graduate
Officer may act on the suggested committee
1. Full admission to Ph.D. candidacy: Approval of at members or may discuss possible changes prior to
least 3/4 of the Graduate Faculty Qualifying Exam
requesting that the Graduate School form the
Committee assigned to conduct the student’s exam
committee. The Graduate School will appoint the
is required to admit a student to Ph.D. candidacy.
committee and notify all persons concerned. At this
This recommendation may include the stipulation
point, the student's program is under the complete
that specific courses be included in the student's
control of the Ph.D. Committee. The function and
“committee approved” program of study.
2. Rejection as a doctoral candidate: A negative organization of the doctoral committee are as
decision of the Graduate Faculty may yield follows:
the following recommendations: Chairperson and Thesis Advisor
a) The student should be reexamined The chairperson is responsible for the administrative
while remaining in the doctoral aspects of the doctoral program and for coordinating
program. the committee's activities. The chairperson convenes
11all meetings of the committee. The chairperson’s developed from content delivered in a third-
duties also include: year 300-level option specific course (AE
308, 310, 311 or 372), or a department
1) directing the research program. approved 400-level option course. The
2) assisting the student in selecting and required exam or exams that fulfill this
scheduling courses. requirement for a given course will be
3) supervising and releasing: determined by the course instructor. The
- the research proposal Ph.D. student will generally take the exam at
- the final draft of the thesis for defense the same time and location as students who
- the final copy of the thesis that will be sent are formally enrolled in the course.
to the Graduate School 2. Enroll for credit, and successfully complete,
with a grade of C or better, a department
Meetings of the Doctoral Committee approved 300, 400 or 500-level course in one
Planning Meeting of the three option areas outside the student’s
The Ph.D. candidate and committee will meet main area of focus.
immediately (within 30 days) after the doctoral
committee is formed. The objective of the meeting is A student may elect to participate in a breadth
as follows: course or exam at any time prior to the
comprehensive exam, including prior to passing the
1) listen to brief comments by the student qualifying exam.
regarding his/her academic record and work or
educational experience. Graduates of ABET-accredited Architectural
Engineering programs can fulfill the breadth area
2) define a tentative series of courses to be taken by requirement using a full-semester course from
the student. their undergraduate program, following a review
of the course’s content by the Graduate Program
3) define a tentative time schedule. Officer in consultation with the faculty.
A written record of the meeting will be sent to 4.7 COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
the Graduate Program Officer. The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to
demonstrate that candidates have achieved mastery
The committee should meet as a body at least once a in their field and are qualified to undertake the
year to review the status of the student's program of research phase of the Ph.D. program. This requires
study and research. Alternatively, the student can meet that students:
individually (at least once a year) with each
committee member for these purposes. If there is a 1) have substantially completed, with a minimum
substantial change in the student's program of study or grade point average of 3.00, a program of courses
research objective, the committee will meet to discuss approved by their committee. Any courses required
this change, and a written record of this meeting of the student to fulfill deficiencies noted at the
(describing the changes) will be sent to the Graduate candidacy examination must also have been
Program Officer. completed.
Other Meetings 2) have spent at least two semesters in a twelve-
The committee will also meet to review the thesis month period as a registered student during which
proposal, to administer the comprehensive exam, time they were engaged in full-time academic work
and to conduct the final oral exam. at the University Park Campus.
4. 6 BREADTH REQUIREMENT 3) have completed the department’s Ph.D.
All AE doctoral students, prior to scheduling the program breadth requirement (see 4.6).
comprehensive examination, are required to show a
basic level of understanding in at least two of the The comprehensive exam will consist of a written
three AE undergraduate options which lie outside and oral thesis proposal, followed by a question and
their primary area of specialization. This breadth answer session on the thesis subject areas and topics
requirement in a particular area can be met by from the student’s major field of study (and minor
fulfilling one of the following. field, if applicable). The written document, oral
presentation, and verbal examination allow the Ph.D.
1. Successfully complete, with a grade of C or committee to evaluate the student’s mastery of the
better, one or more designated exams major (and minor) area(s), as well as the student’s
12preparedness to move on to the dissertation phase of formal oral presentation to his/her doctoral
the doctoral program. A student must receive a committee and other guests on the thesis problem
favorable vote of at least two- thirds of the members and the proposed approach to its solution at the
of the doctoral committee to pass the comprehensive comprehensive exam.
exam.
Following the proposal presentation and general
The oral comprehensive exam is scheduled by the questions from the audience, the committee will
Graduate School upon request by the Graduate meet privately with the student to conduct an oral
Program Officer. The oral thesis proposal presentation examination on topics related to both the thesis
will be open to the public, to be immediately followed proposal and the student’s major (and minor)
by a private oral examination of the student by the field(s). The student should expect questions
Ph.D. committee. To schedule the oral exam, the related to topics covering the full range of their
student must submit the “Doctoral Comprehensive coursework, as the committee investigates the
Exam Request” form in the Appendix to the Graduate student’s depth of knowledge and understanding in
Program Officer at least two weeks prior to the exam. these areas, and his/her ability to apply it to
The student must have completed the written thesis research and general engineering practice.
proposal for distribution to the Ph.D. committee at this
time. See the Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin for At the conclusion of the exam, the committee will
rules pertaining to physical presence at the oral exam. evaluate the student’s performance on the
All committee members must participate in the oral comprehensive exam separate from approval of the
component of the exam. The student must be thesis proposal. The committee may elect to pass the
registered on the comprehensive examination date. student on the comprehensive exam while still
Copies of all transactions between the Ph.D. committee requiring revisions or modifications to the thesis
chairperson and the Graduate School shall be proposal. In addition to the Graduate School’s
forwarded to the Graduate Program Officer. Comprehensive Examination form, the AE
Department requires a student to submit a Thesis
1. Written Requirements. The comprehensive exam is Proposal Approval Form that is signed by all
based on the student’s development and presentation committee members. If changes or revisions to the
of a comprehensive thesis proposal. The written thesis written proposal are requested by the committee
proposal, at minimum, shall consist of the following: prior to approval, the thesis proposal form may be
• Introduction submitted at a later date.
• Literature review
• Research goal or hypothesis 4.8 DOCTORAL FINAL ORAL
• Proposed research methodology EXAMINATION AND THESIS DEFENSE
• Tools necessary to undertake the The purpose of this examination is for students to
proposed research defend their Ph.D. dissertation. In the interim
• Expected contributions between successful completion of the
• Anticipated schedule comprehensive examination and the final oral
examination, the following regulations apply:
The objectives of this proposal are to:
• Clearly demonstrate that a candidate has 1. A request for scheduling the oral examination is
identified and sufficiently narrowed the thesis made to the Dean of the Graduate School by the
research topic through a concise statement of the Graduate Program Officer. To make this request,
thesis goal or hypothesis. the student must submit the “Doctoral Final Oral
• Clearly demonstrate that the candidate is Exam Request” form in the Appendix to the
familiar with related work reported in the Graduate Program Officer at least two weeks prior
literature. to the exam.
• Clearly demonstrate that the candidate is 2. A candidate must be registered and maintain
applying an appropriate analytical/experimental student status until passing the final oral
approach that should lead to a successful research examination and the thesis is accepted by his/her
project. Ph.D. Committee. This may be satisfied by
• Provide a basis upon which to evaluate the registering (at least two semesters per calendar year)
final thesis research. for AE 601 and AE 611, which are for Ph.D. thesis
preparation and are non-credit.
• Provide a basis for comment and
committee approval of the proposed work. 3. When a period of more than five years has
elapsed between passing of the comprehensive
2. Oral Requirements: The candidate will make a examination and the completion of the program, the
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