Ph.D Resources
Welcome to the UCLA Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering PhD Program page. Here you’ll find everything you need to navigate your doctoral journey, including the PhD Course Study Plan, essential program forms, and the detailed program timeline. We’ve also provided information on graduation requirements, milestone exams such as the Preliminary Written Exam (PWE) and the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) exam, as well as the PhD Program Guide to help you plan each stage of your studies. Whether you’re in your first year reviewing milestones, preparing for exams, or finalizing your degree requirements, this page is designed to support you every step of the way.
For any questions, please contact cbegrad@seas.ucla.edu
Ph.D. Program Forms
Ph.D. Milestones
Year 1: Preliminary Written Examination (PWE)
Graduate students admitted to the CBE Ph.D. program are required to pass the Preliminary Written Examination (PWE) to demonstrate their proficiency in at least Three (3) of the 5 Core Areas selected as the following:
- Transport Phenomena is mandatory for all Ph.D. students
- Students must choose Thermodynamics or Reaction Engineering or both. If students choose only one, then:
- Students must choose Biomolecular Engineering or Engineering Mathematics
The PWE will be offered at the End of the Winter Quarter of each academic year and graded by a faculty committee. Students must take the PWE in their first year. If students fail the PWE in the first attempt, they can retake it for the second time during the following Spring Quarter. Students that fail both PWE attempts will not be allowed to continue in the CBE Ph.D. program.
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Year 2: Advancement to Candidacy (ATC)
- Form Your Committee
- 3 CBE faculty + 1 external faculty
- Complete the committee form and study plan and email to cbegrad@seas.ucla.edu.
- Approval from the Division of Graduate Education (DGE) takes about 2 weeks.
- Schedule Your Exam
- After DGE approval, search for an available conference room, email cbehelp@seas.ucla.edu if you are unable to secure a room.
- Send your exam date, time, and location to cbegrad@seas.ucla.edu.
- Exam Day & Processing
- The department sends your committee a DocuSign ATC form.
- DGE processes final approval in about 2 weeks.
- NRT Waiver Reminder
- If you pay Nonresident Tuition (NRT), complete your ATC by the posted deadline to have it waived the next quarter.
Year 4: Present at the Fourth Year Symposium
- All Ph.D. candidates are strongly encouraged to give an oral presentation at the 4th year symposium.
- This lecture is normally scheduled in their fourth year of academic residence.
- With input from their research adviser, students may petition to postpone this lecture.
- After the presentation at the 4th year symposium, students should complete their dissertation research within the next one to two years
Final Oral Examination: Doctoral Dissertation
Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that “demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study”.
- Students should work closely with their doctoral thesis advisor to ensure satisfactory progress towards the PhD degree is achieved.
- Students should consult the thesis committee members as needed to ensure satisfactory progress towards the PhD degree is achieved.
- Students should be aware of their research progress and that their progress to degree is satisfactory. Examples of non-satisfactory progress include:
- Not attending laboratory meetings, not conducting research in a timely manner (not showing up to lab), not recording research findings in accordance to the lab policy, receiving a U grade for 597C or 599 courses, not reading literature, not analyzing data, …
Dissertation Filing Requirements
When you are ready to schedule your exam search for an available conference room, email cbehelp@seas.ucla.edu if you are unable to secure a room. Send your exam date, time, and location to cbegrad@seas.ucla.edu.
If applicable, please follow the link for the Reconstitution of the Doctoral Committee.