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MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Natural Science
Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering

Process for obtaining a dual PhD

The request must be submitted for approval within one semester of its development and within the first two years of the student's enrollment at Michigan State University.  The process to pursue a dual PhD in CMSE and a second discipline, regardless of whether CMSE is the primary or secondary degree, is as follows:

  1. Carefully read the CMSE dual PhD requirements and the PhD and dual PhD sections  (Sec. 3, 5) of the CMSE graduate handbook.  Find the graduate handbook for the second department and see if that department has requirements or recommendations for a dual PhD (many do). Appendix C of the CMSE graduate handbook has descriptions of prototype dual PhD programs between CMSE and several popular partner departments, which are intended to provide guidance to students and dissertation committees.
  2. Download and read the CMSE dual PhD application form, and make sure you understand how the information required is informed by the CMSE dual PhD requirements.  
  3.  Talk to your dissertation advisor(s) about doing a dual PhD, using your discussion to fill out the CMSE dual PhD form.  In particular, make sure to discuss the following:
    • Does your dissertation work satisfy the requirement that it includes significant research contributions to both CMSE and a second discipline?  (From the CMSE side, this typically implies algorithm development, the usage of existing algorithms to solve problems in a new field, or the extension of existing algorithms/software to include significantly greater computational or scientific capabilities).
    • What courses should you take in both departments to satisfy the dual PhD?  Typically one takes a subset of the required courses in both departments.
    • Who from CMSE and the second department should be on your dissertation committee?
  4. Consult with the CMSE graduate director and the graduate director in the second department.  Show them your draft of the CMSE dual PhD form.
  5. Discuss the dual PhD with your dissertation committee members (either at a committee meeting or one-on-one) and have them sign off on your plan.  Send the completed form to cmsegrad@egr.msu.edu or drop it off in 1501 Engineering Building.
  6. Once your Dual PhD request form is approved by the CMSE graduate director you may start a dual PhD Request in GradPlan.