PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering 

In our Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program, you will learn by doing, gaining hands-on experience with technology and software used by professional engineers. Civil engineers are the backbone of our modern infrastructure. Become a builder, a problem-solver, and a visionary for the future of our roads, bridges, waterways, and more.

Why Mines?

Take advantage of award-winning instructors, small class sizes, and ready access to undergraduate research opportunities, co-ops and internships, and activities and organizations.
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Requirements

Admission Requirements

Requirements

  • 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • GRE Test Scores

Bachelor’s Degree

  • civil engineering
  • environmental engineering
  • closely related engineering field

Application Deadline

Fall / August
February 15
Spring / January
August 15
Admission Requirements

Thesis

The thesis option focuses on graduate coursework and independent research. By the end of the program, you will have a written thesis and an oral presentation that defends your original work and contribution to the field of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Credits

Elective:24 Credits
Research:6 Credits
Program Requirements

Cost

Tuition and Fees

Type

In-Person
Interested in Online

Non-Thesis

The non-thesis option focuses on graduate coursework. There is no requirement for a thesis, project paper, or final exam. Learn the latest in CENE and apply it to your work in the field.

Credits

Elective:24 Credits
Research:6 Credits
Program Requirements

Cost

~$ 14,199
Tuition and Fees

Type

In-Person
Interested in Online

Reach Out to Us

If you're not sure this is the right program for you or you have questions about the admissions requirements, consult with the program coordinator before you apply.
Find Your Admission Counselor
(605) 394-2511
SDadmissions@email.com

Additional Opportunities

Accelerated Masters Program

Accelerated Masters Program

Ph.D. programs

Ph.D. programs

Distinguished Faculty

Faculty & Staff
Prepare to be inspired by the cutting-edge research, practical applications, and visionary thinking that these esteemed professors bring to the field. Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery and advancement as you learn from the pioneers shaping the future of civil engineering.

Christopher Shearer

My research investigates the chemical, physical, mechanical, and durability properties of infrastructure materials. A primary focus is on characterizing and developing innovative, but practical, cement-based and alternative materials for a future sustainable infrastructure that reduces the global footprint of the construction materials industry.

Mengistu Geza Nisrani

My research focuses on improving prediction of hydrologic and contaminant fluxes for better management of water resources using combination of field, laboratory, and modeling approaches.
Faculty & Staff

 

Expand Your Horizons

Career Services
Find jobs in civil engineering, resource management, renewable energy, environmental remediation, and more! Work with a career specialist to explore your options.

Possible Industries

  • Construction
  • Renewable Energy
  • Transportation

Career Outcomes

  • Civil Engineer
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Urban Planner

Average Starting Salary

  • $55k - $78k per year
Career Services
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John Doe
John Doe
Civil Engineering '23, Senior Mechanical Director

Research Labs & Centers

Work with our renowned faculty and collaborate on groundbreaking projects that address real-world challenges. The hands-on experience and expertise you will acquire here will not only contribute to your academic growth but also prepare you for successful careers in academia, industry, or government agencies.
geoscientist

Clean Energy

Researching the Cutting Edge of Geoscience to Revolutionize Clean Energy
geoscientist

Entrepreneurship

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geoscientist

Industry Partners

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Our department's research environment is vibrant and growing, and holds more promise with the recently-formed PhD program in chemical and biological engineering. This program is different from the majority of chemical and biological/biomolecular engineering (i.e., CBE) departments across the country. Generally, CBE departments require PhD students to take the core chemical engineering graduate courses for their degree, and provide elective courses in biology, microbiology, biotechnology, etc., to supplement the training of students focusing on biological-related dissertations. In our program, students are required to take both chemical engineering and biology/biological engineering graduate courses to fulfill their degree requirement. At a minimum, students will take two courses from the following biological engineering topics: biochemical engineering, industrial microbiology and biotechnology, metabolic engineering, biocatalysis, bioseparations, and molecular biology. This structure ensures that graduates have the foundation and skill set to be proficient as both a chemical and biological engineers.

In 2008, the department was awarded status as the lead site for a National Science Foundation Industrial/University Cooperative Research Center (NSF I/UCRC), formally titled the Center for BioEnergy Research and Development (CBERD). Furthermore, the biological-research component of our department has received a significant boost from another NSF/DOE funded center - the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) - in Lead, South Dakota, approximately 50 miles from campus. In the area of polymers and materials, department researchers take advantage of the school's Composite and Polymer Engineering Laboratory (CAPE), a 9,500-plus-square-foot facility for advanced research and development of polymer and composite processing, prototyping, and tooling. Current research activity covers a range of areas, including bioenergy, biofuels, polymers/nanocomposites, combustion synthesis of ceramic and intermetallic powders, biochemical engineering and bioseparations, bioremediation and extremophiles, nano-structured materials, catalysis and reaction engineering, and molecular modeling. Current funding in the department exceeds $1M per year, with an average level of support of more than $200K/faculty.

For more information on the PhD degree, please see the catalog links page.

For questions regarding the South Dakota Mines CBE graduate programs, please contact the graduate program coordinator:

Dr. Travis Walker
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 East Saint Joseph Street
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
(605) 394-2543
Travis.Walker@sdsmt.edu

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