Postgraduate Diploma: Chapter 2

Clause 22: Admission Requirements

Graduates holding a bachelor's degree in engineering from Egyptian universities or an equivalent institution may be accepted. The department of the relevant specialization must approve the applicant. The number of accepted applicants is determined based on the department's capabilities. Applicants who graduated more than ten years ago are not eligible.

Clause 23: Study Plan for the Postgraduate Diploma

A. Students must complete 10 courses at the 7000 level, each worth 3 accredited hours, totaling 30 accredited hours. B. The duration of the postgraduate diploma study is a minimum of one academic year and a maximum of two academic years. C. If a student completes all the required courses in a specific specialization, they are awarded the postgraduate diploma in that specialization.

Clause 24: Other Specialized Diplomas

The department may propose the establishment of new postgraduate diploma programs in other specializations not mentioned in this regulation, subject to the approval of the faculty council and the university council. The study plan and courses for these new diploma programs must be approved by both the faculty council and the university council before the commencement of the program.

Clause 25: Joint Diplomas

Joint postgraduate diploma programs can be established between different specializations with the approval of the faculty council and the university council. The study plan and courses for these new joint diploma programs must be approved by both the faculty council and the university council before the commencement of the program. The number of accepted applicants is determined based on the department's capabilities. Applicants who graduated more than ten years ago are not eligible.

Chapter Three: Master's Degree in Engineering Sciences

Clause 26: Conditions for Enrollment

A. The applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a minimum overall grade of "Good" from an Egyptian university or an equivalent recognized institution. Additionally, the applicant must have achieved a minimum grade of "Good" in the relevant specialization courses. If the applicant holds a postgraduate diploma in one of the specializations, they must have attained a minimum overall grade of "Good" in the diploma courses.

B. Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in engineering from a recognized institution other than Egyptian universities may be accepted. The department must approve the applicant after passing the required qualifying exams. The courses taken will be counted towards the required credit hours for the Master's degree.

C. The department must approve the enrollment of applicants holding a bachelor’s degree in engineering from recognized foreign universities with a minimum overall grade of "Good."

D. The applicant must meet the general conditions for enrollment (Article 5) and must pass a qualifying study determined by the department in the fields of mechanical engineering, physics, and mathematics, with a minimum of 30 accredited hours and a GPA of no less than 2.

Clause 27: Duration of Study

The duration of study for obtaining a Master's degree is a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years from the date of enrollment. The department and the faculty council may extend the enrollment period, considering the circumstances, with the approval of the supervisor.

Clause 28: Study Plan for the Master's Degree

A. Students must complete 18 credited hours of coursework at the 8000 level. They can include up to 6 hours of courses outside the department, but these must be approved by the faculty council and the supervisor. Students must also prepare a scientific thesis equivalent to 18 accredited hours. B. The department may allow students to take some courses at the Bachelor's or postgraduate diploma level, provided they do not exceed 6 accredited hours. The courses must be approved by the supervisor and comply with the academic regulations. C. Students must pass an English proficiency exam (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 500 before starting their thesis preparation.

D. Students must submit a research proposal approved by the supervisor and the department council before the end of the first academic year. The proposal must be approved by the faculty council and the university council. Students must complete a minimum of 12 accredited hours of research, with a minimum GPA of 2.0, before registering their thesis.

E. The department may propose changes to the thesis title with the approval of the supervisor and the faculty council. If the changes are significant, the proposal must be approved by the university council.

Clause 29: Conditions for Awarding the Master's Degree

The department, with the approval of the faculty council, recommends awarding the Master's degree in Engineering Sciences if the following conditions are met:

A. The student must have successfully completed all required courses with a minimum GPA of 2.

B. The thesis must be approved by the examination committee after the defense.

C. The student must publish at least one research paper from the Master's thesis in a specialized, refereed journal.

D. At least two years must have passed since the start of enrollment.

Chapter Four: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Sciences

Clause 32: Conditions for Enrollment

Applicants must hold a Master's degree in Engineering Sciences in the same specialization from an Egyptian university or an equivalent recognized institution.

Clause 33: Duration of Study

The duration of study for obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy degree is a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years from the date of enrollment. The department and the faculty council may extend the enrollment period, considering the circumstances, with the approval of the supervisor.

Clause 34: Joint Supervision

Joint supervision can be established between Benha University and recognized foreign universities. The joint supervision committee must include at least four members, with at least one member from outside the department.

Clause 35: Study Plan for the Doctorate

A. Students must complete 40 accredited hours of coursework at the 8111 and 9111 levels. The courses are determined by the department, with the approval of the faculty council and the supervisor.

B. Students must pass an English proficiency exam (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 before starting their thesis preparation.

C. Students must submit a research proposal approved by the supervisor and the department council before the end of the first academic year. The proposal must be approved by the faculty council and the university council. Students must complete a minimum of 12 accredited hours of research, with a minimum GPA of 2.0, before registering their thesis. The department may propose changes to the thesis title with the approval of the supervisor and the faculty council. If the changes are significant, the proposal must be approved by the university council.

D. The department may propose changes to the thesis title with the approval of the supervisor and the faculty council. If the changes are significant, the proposal must be approved by the university council. The supervisor may approve changes to the research field once, provided the changes do not exceed six accredited hours. The department may also propose additional courses if necessary

Clause 36: Course Equivalency

The department, with the approval of the faculty council, may accept previous coursework completed by the student at recognized institutions, provided the student achieved a minimum grade of "C" and the courses were completed within the last five years. The accepted courses must not exceed 6 accredited hours.

Clause 37: Comprehensive Qualifying Exam

A. The comprehensive qualifying exam is held to assess the student's knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts in their field of study. The exam evaluates the student's ability to analyze, synthesize, and apply knowledge. The comprehensive exam must be conducted within 18 months from the date of enrollment. The student must complete at least 6 accredited hours of doctoral courses (at the 9000 level) before taking the exam.

 B. The comprehensive qualifying exam committee is formed by the department council with the approval of the faculty council. The committee consists of at least four members, including professors and assistant professors in the field, with at least one member from outside the department. The supervisor may be added to the committee.

C. The comprehensive qualifying exam includes both written and oral components. The student must pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%. If the student fails, they may retake the exam once. The results are announced by the examination committee.

 Clause 38: Conditions for Awarding the Degree

The department, with the approval of the faculty council, recommends awarding the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering Sciences if the following conditions are met:

A. The student must have successfully completed 12 accredited hours of required courses with a minimum GPA of 2 and completed 30 accredited hours for the thesis.

B. The student must have passed the comprehensive exam with a minimum GPA of 2.

C. The thesis must be approved by the examination committee after the defense.

D. The student must publish at least one research paper from the Doctoral thesis in a specialized, refereed journal.