Why does a PhD thesis at Khalifa University need a different approach depending on the department?
Khalifa University’s dissertation requirements differ meaningfully by program, not just by degree level.
Engineering Structure
A PhD in Engineering requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of Ph.D. Research Dissertation under a single full-time faculty advisor from the College of Engineering.
Physics Structure
A PhD in Physics requires the same 36 dissertation hours but under both a main advisor and at least one co-advisor.
Supervision Arrangement
A thesis written without understanding which structure applies risks misrepresenting the supervision arrangement in its acknowledgments and front matter, a small but real credibility issue at the defense stage.
Credit Structures
Physics PhD students complete 60 total credit hours, 24 in coursework and 36 in dissertation, with up to two electives allowed from outside their home department if directly relevant to the dissertation topic, subject to advisor approval. Engineering PhD students can transfer up to 6 credit hours from Master's-level coursework into their PhD elective requirement, but only if those specific courses were not already used to satisfy their own MSc degree.
Registration Requirements
A thesis that misunderstands these structural requirements can create real registration problems well before the writing itself becomes the issue.