Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
Introduction
The PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) consists of two components. The first is the Graduate Core Curriculum (GCC) Exam, which seeks to evaluate the breadth of the student's Mechanical Engineering knowledge and academic abilities in core subjects. The second is the Research Fundamental Exam (RFE), which tests the student's potential to conduct independent research at the doctoral level along with their written and oral communication skills. The GCC Exam must be taken first, followed by the RFE.
1. GCC Exam
Eligibility:
PhD students are eligible for the GCC exam and begin the process upon entry into the program. Master's students are not eligible to take the QE without petition to the Graduate Program Committee. This petition must include a Statement of Purpose and a memo from their research faculty stating that they support the student both intellectually and financially. Once Master's students begin taking the GCC exam, they are under the same time schedule for completing the exam as PhD students. All students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 6.5 to take the QE.
Format and Timeline:
The GCC Exam consists of a series of GCC Course Exams each of which is based on specific ME graduate classes. Students complete three GCC Course Exams in two semesters of studies. Students may take up to four GCC Course Exams during those two semesters (see Retaking below). Exams must be taken in at least three distinct subject areas (see table below for a current list of GCC courses and subject areas). Students need not be enrolled in the course to take a GCC Course Exam (their score is based on the final exam and the supplemental problems). However, they must register for the exam. The GCC course exam will include the regular (2-hour) final exam for that course for all students enrolled in that course, plus one extra hour designed specifically for QE students. All questions on the 3-hour exam are based on the course syllabus.
The following classes are scheduled as part of the Graduate Core Curriculum (GCC) classes for the 2009-2010 academic year:
| FALL | WINTER |
|---|---|
| ME 501 (Mathematics) | MSE 520 (Materials) |
| ME 511 (Solid Mechanics) | ME 535 (Thermodynamics and Combustion) |
| ME 520 (Fluid Mechanics) | ME 541 (Dynamics & Vibrations) |
| ME 530 (Heat Transfer) | ME 553 (Nanoscience) |
| ME 540 (Dynamics and Vibrations) | ME 555 (Design) |
| ME 552 (Design) | ME 561 (Controls) |
| ME 564 (Mathematics) -Counts only as a MATH subject area | ME 599.003 (Biosystem) Title: Molecular and Cellular Biosystem |
| ME 586 (Manufacturing) | ME 599.002 (Manufacturing) Title: Nanomanufacturing |
| ME 587 (Manufacturing) | |
| ME 599.002 (Nanoscience) Title: Quantum Mechanics & Solid State Physics |
*Courses are subject to change and based upon the availability of an instructor.
Registration:
At the beginning of each Fall and Winter semester, students planning to take the GCC Exam must register and identify the GCC Course Exams they plan to take (students will be informed of the deadlines and procedure via email). This process will be the same for students enrolled in the GCC course for the term in question as for those who are taking the exam without being enrolled in that class for that semester.
Examiners:
Two faculty examiners will oversee each GCC Course Exam. The primary examiner will be the course instructor, the secondary examiner - appointed by the Graduate Program Committee - will prepare the questions/problems for the extra hour of the exam specifically for QE students. For ME classes taught by non-ME faculty, a slightly different format may be used.
Grading:
Each GCC Course Exam is graded on a scale of 4-3-2-1 (excellent-good-fair-poor). A minimum of 10 points, collectively from the three exams in three distinct subject areas is required to pass the GCC component of the QE.
Communication of Results:
Examiners send a written evaluation of each GCC Course Exam to the Graduate Program, where the record of exams is held. The Graduate Program will notify students of results from each GCC Course Exam. Once the GCC Exam is completed, students will be informed on how to proceed with the Research Fundamentals Exam.
Substitution:
If the student's field of study is substantially different from ME, or their proposed research is such that there does not exist three GCC courses relevant to their RFE and future research direction, the student may petition the Graduate Program Committee to substitute one GCC course exam with an exam from an area outside of ME. The petition must be received by the application deadline announced (see Registration above).
If an area does not have a core course, the faculty in that area can give a written substitute exam in place of the GCC course exam. Consistent with the GCC course exam, the substitute will cover graduate level material and will be given by two faculty chosen by the Graduate Program Committee. The exam will be three hours in length and must be based on a well-defined syllabus.
Retaking of One Exam:
Should the student score lower than 10 points on their GCC exam, students may, upon successful petition to the Graduate Program Committee, retake up to one exam. Hence, the maximum number of terms to complete the GCC course exams is four. In addition, students who are allowed to retake one exam may petition the Graduate Program Committee to take the Research Fundamental Exam in an intervening semester, even though they have yet to successfully complete the GCC Exam.
2. RFE (Research Fundamental Exam)
Eligibility:
Students who have passed the GCC exam or who have successfully petitioned the Graduate Program Committee are eligible to apply for the RFE. The student must also supply the Graduate Program Committee with the following (1) written documentation from at least one faculty member who is willing to intellectually support the student's future research, (2) written justification to the Graduate Program Committee of how the GCC Course Exams match the RFE area.
Format and timeline:
Students who pass the GCC exam must take the exam by the following Fall semester. The RFE has three primary objectives: (1) assess the depth of knowledge in the area of research specialization and the ability to relate this to research, (2) test ingenuity, creativity, and problem solving skills, and (3) assess written and oral communication skills and the ability to respond to questions. It will include a verbal and written part, and may take on a variety of formats that will be at least 45 minutes long. The RFE is organized by thematic research areas (as listed on the Doctoral Degree website). Each thematic research area determines the specific format of the exam. The following are a few format examples:
- Before the RFE, the student submits an extended abstract describing their research and results. The RFE consists of a 15-minute oral presentation followed by a 30- minute examination of the report work and fundamentals related to the research area.
- Student gives a 45-minute oral synthesis exam based on the courses taken in the area plus a written report on the same.
- Student submits a written report on three research papers selected by the RFE examiners and gives a 15-minute oral presentation on the topics. Student is examined for 30 minutes on the report and fundamentals in the related area.
Registration:
Eligible students must register their intent to take the RFE to the Graduate Program Office according deadlines communicated by the Graduate Program.
Examiners:
For each RFE thematic area, two faculty are selected by the Graduate Program Committee to act as examiners. If the student's research mentor is one of the RFE examiners, the Graduate Program Committee will appoint an alternate. The research mentor is not allowed to be present during the exam.
Grading:
The two examiners will produce a written report indicating if the student has passed or failed the RFE with specific reasons for their decision.
Communication of Results:
Written evaluation of each RFE is sent to the Graduate Program. As with GCC grades, RFE information is documented and the result is communicated to the student.
Retaking the RFE:
A student who fails the RFE must petition the Graduate Program Committee to repeat the RFE. Petitions submitted by the student and signed by the student's mentor will be automatically approved. Only one repeat is permitted and must be taken no later than one term after the original RFE. If the student does not receive support from their current mentor, the student may choose a new mentor who agrees to intellectually support the student. In such a special situation, the student will be in contact with the Graduate Program who will inform as to timelines according each individual.