Interdisciplinary Ph.D.
Student Profile
Mohamed Aboulezz
Ph.D. Candidate in Project Dynamics
Graduation Date: 2006
Hometown: Cairo, Egypt
The usefulness of WPI's system dynamics program isn't limited solely to undergrads whose ways of thinking are still being shaped or to grad students delving further into their chosen field. System Dynamics and interdisciplinary training is also fruitful for mid-career professionals who want to improve their skills. Mohamed Aboulezz is one such professional.
Mohamed came to WPI to pursue a Ph.D. in project dynamics. To this program he brought extensive experience - an undergraduate degree in architectural engineering, a master's in construction project management, and more than 11 years working in design and construction. Despite this experience, he found that his complex projects all had a common difficulty: cost and time overruns. To address this issue, he searched for new tools and approaches, but found that none of them solved these problems.
Until he found project dynamics. With this interdisciplinary training and new tools for addressing problems, Mohamed hopes to be able to reduce cost and time overruns on future projects. Mohamed's degree program in project dynamics combines the computer modeling of system dynamics with other disciplines from both the SSPS Department and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. WPI is one of the few schools that could offer such an unusual and valuable combination of disciplines and techniques to a mid-career professional looking to improve his skills.
The Social Science and Policy Studies Department offers doctoral studies under the WPI interdisciplinary category described below.
New fields of research and study that combine traditional fields in innovative ways are constantly evolving. In response to this, WPI encourages formation of interdisciplinary doctoral programs to meet new professional needs or the special interests of particular students. Such programs are initiated by groups of at least three full-time faculty members who share a common interest in a cross-disciplinary field. A sponsoring group submits to the Committee on Graduate Studies and Research (CGSR) a proposal for an interdisciplinary degree, together with the details of a program of study and the credentials of the members of the sponsoring group. At least one member of the sponsoring group must be from a department or program currently authorized to award the doctorate. Upon approval of the proposal by CGSR, the sponsoring group serves in place of a department in establishing specific degree requirements beyond those of the University, in advising, in preparing and conducting examinations, and in certifying fulfillment of degree requirements.
In addition to the general requirements established by WPI for an interdisciplinary doctoral degree, applicants must pass a qualifying examination. This examination is designed to test the basic knowledge and understanding of the student in the disciplines covered by the research as is normally expected of degree holders in those disciplines. It must be administered within the first 18 credits of registration in the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program. The examination will be administered by a committee of no less than three members, approved by CGSR, representing the disciplines covered by the research. Students are allowed at most two attempts at passing the examination, and may take a maximum of 18 credits prior to the examination.
Doctoral study proposals bridging system dynamics with a pertinent application area are especially encouraged at this time in the Social Science and Policy Studies Department.
For more information on creating an interdisciplinary program of study leading to Ph.D. in SSPS, see these guidelines.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: October 03, 2006 16:24:49