Degree Requirements - PhD
Program of Study. After the BSME degree or its equivalent, the student's program of study must include
w 48 hours of graded coursework, of which
- at least 30 hours is at the 5000 level or higher
- at least 12 hours is acceptable mathematics
- no more than 3 hours of MEEG 590V - Research or MEEG 591V - Special Problems. New courses in development taught as MEEG 591V before they are assigned a course number do not apply to this total.
w 30 hours of MEEG 700V - Dissertation. Six hours of MEEG 600V - Master's Thesis may be applied to this requirement.
w No more than 6 hours of 4000 level courses. Does not include 3000 level math courses that meet the math requirement.
All 4000 level and higher ME courses in the Graduate Catalog, except those required in the BSME curriculum, may be used for graduate credit. Certain 3000 level math courses may be used for graduate credit, but these may comprise no more than 20% of the graded coursework in one's program of study. All of the following courses are acceptable for fulfilling mathematics requirements, but at least 6 of the required 12 hours must be taken in the Mathematics Department:
MATH 3423 Advanced Applied Math
MATH 3443 Complex Variable for Application
MATH 4353 Numerical Linear Algebra
MATH 4363 Numerical Analysis
MATH 4503 Differential Geometry and Vector Calculus
MATH 4513 Advanced Calculus I
MATH 4523 Advanced Calculus II
MATH 5303 Ordinary Differential Equations
MATH 5313 Partial Differential Equations
MEEG 4703 Math Methods in Engineering
MEEG 4733 Numerical Methods II
MEEG 5033 Continuum Mechanics
PHYS 5073 Math Methods of Physics I
PHYS 5083 Math Methods of Physics II
STAT 5103 Theory of Statistics
Receiving graduate credit for MATH 3423 and/or MATH 3443 requires completion of the Graduate Credit for 3000 Level Math Course form. This form must be signed by the instructor and submitted to the ME Department during the first week of class.
A student who has earned a MS degree may petition the MEGSC to apply up to 30 hours from his/her MS degree program of study to the coursework requirements. If courses from another institution are included in the proposed program, sufficient information, such as textbook and syllabi used, typical quizzes, typical problems, etc., may be required so that the courses may be evaluated by the MEGSC.
Qualifying Examination. The purpose of the qualifying examination is to determine the ability to understand fundamental mechanical engineering principles and apply them to the solution of problems.
w When do you take the take examination?
- Those who enter the PhD program with a BS degree take the exam at first opportunity after the 1st year anniversary of entering the program. This allows those who fail to complete requirements for an MSME degree.
- Those who enter the PhD program with a MS degree take the exam in the 2nd semester after entering the PhD program.
- Those who fail all or parts of the exam may request to take the failed part(s) a second time.
w Examination Content and Format
- Three written exams, each 2 hr long, in subject areas chosen by student. Each is followed by a ½ hr oral exam.
- The student must choose exams from a list of traditional ME areas and special/emerging/interdisciplinary areas. At least 2 of the 3 areas must be traditional.
- The exams are closed book/note on material through first year graduate level.
- The areas are:
#Traditional
- Mechanical Design
- Statics, Dynamics, Vibrations
- Mechanics of Materials
- Thermodynamics
- Fluid Mechanics
- Heat Transfer
- System Dynamics/Control
#Special/Emerging/Interdisciplinary
- Tribology
- Nano/Micro Engineering
- Materials
- Bioengineering
- Finite Element Analysis
Candidacy Examination. The student prepares a proposal for his/her dissertation research. Submission and presentation of the proposal and a subsequent oral exam serve as the candidacy examination
