Application
Application Process
Applicants interested in being considered for GAANN Fellowships should complete the GAANN Interest Form. GAANN Interest Form. Fellowship recipients must be Citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States and qualify for financial need.
Interested students should apply to a home department (CEE, ChE, ECE, or MIE) in the graduate school and select "interdisciplinary PhD" on the application form. Students who have a BS degree with the intention of continuing to the PhD should denote that on the application. There is no need to commit to research projects or individual faculty prior to beginning the SIDR doctoral program. Students are encouraged to spend time with several different participating faculty prior to making a research topic selection.
Applicants are asked to include the following materials:
- An essay that highlights desire to be considered by the SIDR program and to pursue interdisciplinary research related to structural systems
- A current resume
- Reference letters that highlight the applicant's ability to work in a multidisciplinary research environment
Funding opportunities are available in the form of Fellowships supported by the Department of Education GAANN program, Research Assistantships are offered by individual faculty members, and Teaching Assistantships are offered by the College of Engineering. See Funding.
Admissions Procedures
Applicants should apply to the engineering program (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Chemical) most closely related to existing background and education, denote interdisciplinary SIDR PhD in the application materials, and include a personal statement that describes interdisciplinary research interests in the area of sensing, identification, diagnostics, and rehabilitation. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact lead faculty regarding research opportunities and admissions. Applications will be reviewed in January and February of each year. Students who demonstrate outstanding academic abilities, the ability to perform original and independent research, and the potential to flourish in an interdisciplinary environment will be admitted into the program. The course work and advising structure is designed to integrate disciplines and the program does not favor one application background over another.