Program of Study
The main emphasis of the Ph.D. program is the successful completion of an original and independent research thesis. The degree requirements are designed around this goal.
Minimum Requirements
- Completion of 36 semester hours of courses with a letter grade
- Passing a comprehensive qualifying exam with written and oral components.
- Successfully conducting, documenting, and defending a piece of original research culminating in a doctoral thesis.
PhD Robotics Degree Requirements - 36 semester hours with a letter grade
| Component | Courses | Hours Required |
|---|---|---|
| Intro to Robotics Research |
A new course CS/AE/ECE/ME 7785, Introduction to Robotics Research. |
3 |
| Foundation Courses |
Three foundation courses, each selected from distinct core areas: Mechanics, Controls, Perception, Artificial Intelligence, and Autonomy. | 9 |
| Elective Courses |
Three targeted elective courses, each selected from the same three core areas used for the foundation courses. |
9 |
| Multidisciplinary Robotics Research |
Two new courses CS/AE/ECE/ME 8750 and CS/AE/ECE/ME 8751, Multidisciplinary Robotics Research I and II. |
6 |
| Courses Outside the Major |
Three courses outside the major area to provide a coherent minor in accordance with Institute policies. |
9 |
| TOTAL |
36
|
|
* A maximum of two classes (6 semester hours) at the 4000 level may be used to satisfy the 36 semester hour requirement.
PhD Candidacy
Prior to completing all of these requirements, Georgia Tech defines the Ph.D Candidate milestones. Admission to candidacy requires that the student:
- Complete all course requirements (except the minor);
- Achieve a satisfactory scholastic record;
- Pass the comprehensive examination;
- Submit and receive approval naming the dissertation topic and delineating the research topic.
(Georgia Institute of Technology 2006-2007 General Catalog, p. 122)
Qualifying Exam
The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to:
- Assess the student's general knowledge of the degree area
- Assess the student's specialized knowledge of the chosen research area
The comprehensive examination provides an early assessment of the student's potential to satisfactorily complete the requirements for the doctoral degree. As such, it requires that fundamental principles be mastered and integrated so that they can be applied to solving problems relevant to robotics.
Procedure
After three regular semesters (Fall or Spring) from entering the Ph.D. program the student must take the comprehensive examination at the next scheduled offering, usually during the fourth regular (i.e. fall or spring) semester. If the comprehensive examination is failed, the student may have one additional opportunity at the next scheduled offering. The examination will be offered at least once every year.
The comprehensive exam is a written and oral examination and is administered by a faculty committee, selected by the thesis advisor in consultation with the student, and approved by the Robotics Program Committee. The committee consists of:
- Three faculty members consistent with the student's graduate coursework and research area.
- The thesis advisor as a non-voting observer.
Ph.D. Thesis
The Ph.D. dissertation describes the results of a research project and demonstrates that the candidate possesses powers of original thought, talent for research, and ability to organize and present findings.
Dissertation Advisory Committee
The student presents and defends a written Ph.D. proposal to a Dissertation Advisory Committee of at least five faculty members approved by the Robotics Program Committee. The Dissertation Advisory Committee consists of five or more members where:
- At least three members must be faculty affiliated with the Robotics Program or from the student's Home School (CoC, AE, BME, ECE, ME).
- At least two members must be from outside of the student’s Home School
Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal
The objective of the Ph.D. Proposal is to allow an early assessment of your chosen topic of research for the satisfactory completion of the doctoral degree. The proposal should delineate your specific area of research by stating the purpose, scope, methodology, overall organization, and limitations of the proposed study area. The proposal must include a review of the relevant literature and indicate the expected contribution of the research.
The proposal should be organized as follows:
- Summary - limited to 200 words.
- Table of Contents
- Project Description - a clear statement of the work to be undertaken. Limited to 15 pages single spaced (30 pages double spaced) and including all graphic elements and tables.
- Bibliography
Pages should be of standard size (8½" x 11"; 21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) with minimum 1" or 2.5 cm margins at the top, bottom, and on each side. The minimum type font size is 10 to 12 points.
Dissertation Defense
The dissertation, when completed, must be publicly defended before an Examination Committee approved by the Graduate Studies office. In most instances the Examination Committee is expected to be the same as the Dissertation Advisory Committee. If a candidate should fail to pass the final oral examination, the Examining Committee may recommend permission for one additional examination. It is expected that the dissertation results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
Details on preparing and submitting a dissertation according to institute guidelines are available on the Graduate Studies office website here.
Residency Requirement
“Doctoral students must spend at least two full-time semesters in residence at the Georgia Institute of Technology and ordinarily must complete research for the dissertation while in residence” (Georgia Tech 2006-2007 General Catalog, p. 129).
