University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Engineering Education, Ph.D.


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The doctor of philosophy degree in engineering education is designed for exceptional students who want to pursue advanced careers in research, teaching, or industry.  Students gain significant research experience and have the opportunity to work closely with our nationally recognized faculty.
Departmental research strengths include:

  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Motivation and identity
  • Engineering teaming
  • Assessment
  • Inter and Multi-disciplinary collaboration

Students in the Ph.D. program develop expertise on a topic within engineering education and conduct original research that contributes to knowledge in the field while fostering equity and inclusion in engineering.

Contact Information


Adam Kirn, Ph.D. Graduate Program Director
Associate Professor of Engineering Education in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering
(775) 682-7567

akirn@ur.edu

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


Students will demonstrate an:

  • ability to apply engineering research and theory to advance the art, science, and practice of the discipline.
  • ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze, interpret, apply, and disseminate the data.
  • understanding of research quality assurance for all methodologies (e.g., quant, qual, and mixed)
  • ability to synthesize relevant theory and conceptual frameworks.
  • ability to conduct a comprehensive assessment at all levels, from student classroom learning to programmatic/intervention evaluation.

Admission Requirements


The University offers a program leading to the doctor of philosophy degree in engineering education. The general university requirements for this advanced degree are listed in the Graduate School section of this catalog.

Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering to gain admission to graduate school. Additionally, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or a recognized equivalent from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Official transcripts from every institution attended for a complete history of your education.
  4. Official GRE test scores from an exam taken within the past 5 years (recommended over 300); TOFEL scores are required for international students (recommended over 600).
  5. Resume or curriculum vitae.
  6. Personal statement that articulates why the student wants to join the field of engineering education and the Engineering Education, Ph.D. program at the University of Nevada, Reno.
  7. Diversity statement that highlights activities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  8. Three letters of recommendation from former professors, supervisors, or mentors indicating the student’s capability for advanced course work and research.

Prospective students can start the application through the Graduate School website, which also provides detailed instructions on the Graduate School’s application and admission requirements. Prospective graduate students should contact the graduate program director for further information. Formal application is completed through the Graduate School.

I. Program Requirements


The following list is a summary of the Engineering Education credit requirements to receive a Ph.D.:

  1. Completion of the Engineering Education Core 25 units (ENGR 710 - ENGR 718)
  2. Completion of at least 24 dissertation units (ENGR 799)
  3. Completion of at least 23 elective units as determined by the student and their dissertation committee.

Prior to teaching in an engineering program, students must have completed 18 graduate level units in an engineering discipline or enroll with a master’s degree from an accredited institution in an engineering discipline.

A. Engineering Education Core (25 units)


B. Dissertation (24 units)


  • ENGR 799 - Dissertation (1 to 24 units) NOT YET PROPOSED

C. Electives (23 units)


  • 23 units in graduate courses approved by the student’s dissertation committee are required.
  • 15 of these units must be at the 700-level.

II. Total Units (72 units)


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