StudyQA — PhD: Chemical and Biological Engineering

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Chemical and Biological Engineering at Princeton University offers a comprehensive and rigorous undergraduate program designed to prepare students for careers in industry, research, and academia. The curriculum combines fundamental principles of chemistry, biology, and engineering to equip students with the skills necessary to address complex challenges in energy, health, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. Students are introduced to core topics such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, process design, as well as specialized areas like biotechnology, materials science, and systems biology. The program promotes interdisciplinary thinking through a combination of theoretical coursework, hands-on laboratory experience, and research projects. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, fostering innovation and experimentation. The faculty comprises leading experts whose research spans across molecular engineering, nanotechnology, biomolecular engineering, and sustainable processes. The curriculum is structured to include a strong foundation in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, with advanced courses tailored to individual interests and career goals. Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in research opportunities, internships, and collaborative projects both on campus and in industry partnerships. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills to prepare graduates to become leaders in technological advancement and societal progress. Graduates of Princeton's Chemical and Biological Engineering program are well-positioned to pursue graduate studies, work in high-tech industries, or contribute to innovative solutions in healthcare, energy, and the environment. The program's ethos centers around fostering a collaborative and inclusive academic community that values inquiry, creativity, and societal impact.

Courses:

Satisfactory completion of eleven courses for the core course requirement is required for this degree, including six departmental core courses (CBE 501/MAE 552, CBE 502, 503, 504, 505, and 507) and a research ethics course (EGR 501). Among the remaining four courses, at least three are required to be technical graduate-level courses. Exemptions from certain core courses may be granted for students who have completed a similar course at another institution; exemptions should be sought in writing from the director of graduate studies.

General Exam:

The general examination has two components. The first component is mastery of graduate-level chemical engineering material, which will be considered to have been demonstrated by a passing grade in the departmental core courses. The second component is the first proposition defense, which is a written document outlining plans for dissertation research, including progress already made. This document is submitted in the fall of the second year of residence and is defended orally before a committee of faculty members. Satisfactory completion of the core course requirements and the first proposition defense is required to achieve post-generals degree candidacy. Both must be passed no later than May of the second year of residence. Deficiencies noted at the first proposition defense may result in a student being required to retake one of the core courses (not for credit), possibly after auditing a relevant undergraduate course.

Qualifying for the M.A.:

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is normally an incidental degree on the way to full Ph.D. candidacy and is earned after a student successfully: (a) passed the written general examination, (b) presented a research seminar approved by the student’s general examination committee, and (c) passed the oral general examination. It may also be awarded to students who, for various reasons, leave the Ph.D. program, provided that these requirements have been met.

Teaching:

Every Ph.D. student is required to serve once (one semester) as an assistant in instruction (teaching assistant), to broaden the student’s experience and expose him or her to the other side of the instructional process. Under special circumstances, to be discussed with the director of graduate studies, this requirement can be lifted. The precise requirement, in University parlance, is that the student serves for “six hours”, which we in Chemical and Biological Engineering consider to be a “full” AI position. Such a position is expected to require 20 hours/week for the semester (not six; the difference is “contact hours” with undergraduates vs. “total hours”, but since many of our AI positions are laboratory-based, the number we focus on is the total workload of 20 hours/week). Students generally serve in their second year of residence, never in their first. Some students may serve more than once, if the student so desires, if AI service is needed to ensure a student’s continued financial support, or if the department cannot fill the AI position otherwise. In addition, some “half” (“three-hour”) AI positions may be available, which should require 10 hours/week; these would normally be filled by students who have already completed their term of “full” AI service.

Dissertation and FPO:

The doctoral dissertation must demonstrate the student’s independent research and mastery of the field and must extend existing knowledge or present a significant new interpretation of known phenomena. The dissertation must be approved by the student’s research adviser and a knowledgeable second reader.

The final public oral examination culminates the student’s graduate studies. A faculty committee examines the student’s technical mastery of the material in the dissertation and the second proposition.