Ph.D. Program in Wind Science
and Engineering
Daan Liang, Ph.D., P.E.
Associate Professor
Department of Construction Engineering &
Engineering Technology
May 6, 2014
Vision
A comprehensive graduate program designed to
create industry leaders and scientific researchers
who pursue studies and solve problems related to
the detrimental effects of windstorms (hurricanes,
tornadoes, thunderstorms, and others) and to take
advantage of the wind’s beneficial effects (wind
power, natural ventilation, pollution dispersion, etc.)
History
• Wind research at Texas Tech started in 1970s
following a tornado in Lubbock that caused 26
fatalities and $100 million in damage
• The NSF awarded a 9-year, $2.7 million IGERT grant
in 2003 to develop a multidisciplinary program in
wind science and engineering
• In 2007, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
approved Doctor of Philosophy in Wind Science and
Engineering
Curriculum
• 60 hours of course work
– 6 core courses:
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ATMO 5301 Wind Science
CE 5348 Wind Engineering
BA 5310 Domestic and Global Business Conditions
CE 5331 Leadership in Engineering
STAT 5384 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I
STAT 5385 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II
– 6 credit hours of internship
Curriculum (Cont.)
– 36 credit hours of fields of emphasis courses (up to 18
transferred from an earned master degree)
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Engineering
Atmospheric sciences
Economics
Physical sciences
Mathematics
...
• Additional 12 hours of dissertation research under the
guidance of the chair or co-chairs of their advisory committee
from at least two disciplines
Statistics
• 20 were graduated with Ph.D. (14 males and 6
females)
• 4 were graduated with M.S.
• 16 are currently enrolled (13 males and 3 females)
• 3 will start in fall of 2014
• Each one of them receives full assistantship (monthly
stipend and tuition waiver)
Examples of Research Topics
• Remote-sensing applications to windstorm damage
assessment
• Probabilistic damage and loss modeling for metal
roof using artificial neural network
• Risk assessment model for wind-induced fatigue
failure of cantilever traffic signal structures
• Wind power systems in the stable nocturnal
boundary layer
• Design and control of an integrated wind-water
desalination system for an inland municipality
Job Placement
• 100% of PhD graduates are hired within 8 weeks of
graduation commencement
• 13% of graduates work in academia, 75% in private
industry, and 12% in government; 40% work in the
field of wind energy, 60% in wind hazard
• Employers include Polytechnic University of Puerto
Rico, Black & Veatch, ABS Consulting, SwissRe,
Amarillo Office of Emergency Management, National
Hurricane Center, Insurance Institute for Business &
Home Safety, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Opportunity
• Interdisciplinary research is critically needed to
advance the fundamental engineering science base
for our nation’s next generation civil infrastructure
• World-class research facilities provide students with
unique, hands-on experience in field observation and
laboratory experiment
• Extensive networks of alumni and industrial partners
produce plentiful internship and career opportunities
• The program has a strong track record in recruiting
and educating students from underrepresented
groups
Questions?
Please contact
Daan Liang
806-834-0383
daan.liang@ttu.edu