Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree in an appropriate scientific discipline, such as engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, or computer science. They must have a GPA of 3.3 in the last 60 credit hours. Applicants whose GPA in the last 50 credit hours is less than 3.5 must have a minimum combined quantitative and verbal score on the GRE of 1000 (out of 1600) and a minimum score o the writing assessment of 4 out of 6. Note: Applicants with a 3.5 or greater GPA on the last 60 hours, are not required to take the GRE. Applicants must possess the prerequisites for their intended area of study. International students have specific, additional requirements that must be met PRIOR to admittance to the program.
If a student receives one ‘C’ in the course-work, the student will be warned that their academic performance is unacceptable, and the Doctoral Affairs Committee (DAC) will suggest corrective action. A student receiving two ‘C’s will be dismissed from the program, pending review by the DAC.
In the week prior to the start of classes, incoming students will undergo a series of entrance exams, or placement interviews, in which the student must demonstrate proficiency in the candidacy areas. The student’s first semester of study will be directed based on the results of these exams/interviews and on the chosen area of interest. A student may be required to take undergraduate courses, which will not count towards his/her degree program, to remedy any deficiencies. Courses numbered at the 4000 level or lower do not count toward graduation credit for doctoral students.
An English Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) will be offered each fall term by the Applied Science Department. This exam will assess the student’s ability to communicate in a written format. Each student must pass this exam to fulfill graduation requirements. The exam must be taken at each opportunity until the student passes. A process-writing laboratory will be offered in the fall semester to prepare students for taking the exam.
Ph.D. students supported by a state-funded graduate assistantship through the Graduate Institute of Technology (GIT) or the UALR Graduate School will perform from one to three research laboratory rotations during the first semester. The purpose of these rotations is to:
1. Enable the student to identify a suitable laboratory for thesis/dissertation research
2. Expose the student to various disciplines within the Applied Science and to techniques that may be useful in the course of the student’s research
3. Enable the student to identify faculty who might be suitable members of the student’s thesis/dissertation committees.
At the end of each rotation, the student and the rotation host will meet and discuss progress of the rotation. The student will present the results, either orally or in the form of a written report, to the rotation host. A summary of each rotation will be made in the student’s Annual Graduate Student Progress Report.
If you are interested in our programs and wish to apply, follow these two steps in order:
- Go to the Graduate School Admission page. Read and carefully follow their directions on the application process. YOU MUST begin this process BEFORE going to Step 2.
- Go to the on-line graduate assistantship application (this is a separate process, and must be done AFTER you have submitted your Graduate School Application in Step 1).
