Students pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Science (DSc) degrees in Electrical Engineering or Systems Science & Mathematics must complete a minimum of 72 units of post-baccalaureate study consistent with the residency and other applicable requirements of the McKelvey School of Engineering. These 72 units must consist of at least 36 units of course work and at least 24 units of research, and they may include work done to satisfy the requirements of a master's degree in a related discipline. Up to 24 units for the PhD and 30 units for the DSc may be transferred to Washington University in St. Louis from another institution.

Below is a list of the steps needed to complete the requirements for a doctoral degree in the Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering. Each candidate for the degree must do the following:

• Complete at least 36 units of post-baccalaureate course work. Students are required to take at lease five courses from the Electrical & Systems Engineering department with a course number of 4000 or higher.
• Complete the qualifying process (which includes a qualifying examination) and match with a research mentor before the second academic year of the program (PhD) or before the end of the third year of study (DSc).
• Pass an oral preliminary research examination, to be completed within two academic years of completing the qualifying process.
• Satisfy the general residency requirement for the McKelvey School of Engineering.
• Satisfy the general teaching requirement as specified by the department. (There is no teaching requirement for the DSc.)
• Write a doctoral dissertation that describes the results of original and creative research in a specialization within electrical engineering or systems science and mathematics.
• Pass a final oral examination in defense of the dissertation research.
• Take ESE 5997 Electrical & Systems Engineering Graduate Seminar each semester (PhD) or during each semester of full-time study (DSc).

Contact Info

As part of their degree requirements, PhD students must complete a program-defined Mentored Experience Requirement (MER) as per these guidelines. The Mentored Experience Implementation Plan (MEIP) is the written articulation of a program-defined degree requirement for PhD students to engage in mentored teaching activities and/or mentored professional activities, collectively referred to as MERs.

Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs)

Philosophy of Teaching

Electrical & Systems Engineering (ESE) comprises a wide range of intellectual topics ranging from quantum and device physics to systems modeling and analysis. Courses in electrical and systems engineering cover this range of topics.  The students in the PhD programs in electrical engineering and systems science and mathematics may pursue teaching opportunities in any subarea. By participating in teaching underlying principles or system integration, the students must learn the related material in more depth than previously required. The process of communicating these ideas to others is a fundamental skill in any professional setting.

Preparatory Engagement

Preparatory Engagement activities are those that represent an introduction to the foundational skills associated with teaching or communication. Pedagogical preparation engagement activities are normally completed before students are permitted to engage in assisting or teaching in a classroom.

Preparatory Engagement experiences are required:

• McKelvey MTE Preparatory Trainings

Note: Students whose native language is not English must take an English communication assessment from the Engineering Communication Center and complete any recommended additional training.

Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs)

Assistant in Instruction (AI)

An Assistant in Instruction (AI) is a PhD student who is directly engaged in the organization, instruction, and/or support of a semester-long course primarily taught by a faculty member. An AI receives mentorship from a faculty member related to best practices in classroom engagement, instruction in the field, interpersonal engagement, and other relevant skills. Students and mentors complete a mentorship plan prior to the start of each AI experience. To complete each AI assignment and to ensure that it applies toward their degree requirements, students must register for the appropriate course number for each semester of engagement. Refer to the "Required Pathways for Completion" section below for course numbers and details.

ESE requires two AI assignments for a total of 10 MER units. Students work with their graduate supervisors on the timing and content of those assignments.

Required Pathways for Completion

Students work with their faculty mentor and their Director of Graduate Studies to plan how and when they will complete their MERs. Students register during the normal registration period for courses in accordance with one of these approved pathways.

• Preparatory Engagement 

UG Spanish Seminar

EGS 8010	Take two times