Obsidian/4. Qualifying Exam/1. Managing Stuff/QE Tasks and Details.md

Big Picture

The PhD Qualifying Exam or preliminary evaluation is designed to assess the breadth of the student’s knowledge of the discipline, the student’s achievement during the first year of graduate study, and the potential to apply research methods independently. The evaluation is used to identify those students who may be expected to complete a doctoral program successfully and to reveal areas of weakness in the student's preparation.

The qualifying exam in the mechanical engineering PhD program is a two-component examination that includes the submission of a written research proposal to an examining committee and a formal oral presentation on the proposed research with a period of open questioning by an examining committee. This period of open questioning may include fundamental topics relevant to achieving a PhD degree in the chosen field of study by the examining committee as it evaluates the student’s case toward PhD candidacy. ME_PhD_Qualifying_Exam_Guideline_Fall2024, page 1

Scheduling

Minimum of 12 credits of coursework:

• 3 ME 2045
• 3 ME 2646
• 3 ME 2020
• 3 ME 2027 Advanced Dynamics
• 3 ENGR 2811 Innovating for Public Impact
• 3 NUCE 2103

QPA greater than 3.3:

• Done.

General Information

It will be deemed an honor violation if a student solicits or receives help on any of the specific technical points of the research proposal. ME_PhD_Qualifying_Exam_Guideline_Fall2024, page 2

Any faculty who wants to come can.

Formation of the Examining Committee

Minimum three members, dynamic systems and control track.

Format of the PhD Qualifying Exam

1. A technical report
2. An oral presentation (30 minute presentation, anticipated 90 minute duration)

Topic

Should be in the same general field of PhD research, but not exactly the same as the dissertation topic.

Topic descirption should eb devloped by the student in consultation with their advisor. Maximum 250 words.

Written Research Proposal

• 8 weeks after abstract due
• 10 pages long maximum

Two tries.

Outcomes

Pass or fail baby.

Student Guideline for the Written Research Proposal

Three Major Parts:

1. Project Summary
2. Project Description
3. References

Project Summary

Maximum one page. A concise overview of the project, an explanation of the intellectual merit, and a statement of the broader impacts.

Overview

Intellectual Merit

Broader Impacts

Project Description

A clear statement of the work. Should be a 2-3 year project.

Must have checklist

• Cover Page
  • Title
  • My name
  • PhD advisor name
  • Dynamic Systems and Control
• Main Report
  • 12-pt TNR font
  • 1 inch margins all around
  • letter sized paper
  • Figures and tables must have captions
• Project Summary
  • Maximum one page
• Project Description
  • Maximum 10 pages