TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Mechanical Engineering
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering Department
Administration
Andreas A. Polycarpou
Department Head
Meinhard J. Kotzebue ’14/Professor
Office: 100 MEOB
Email: apolycarpou@tamu.edu
Arun Srinivasa
Associate Department Head
Holdredge/Paul Professor
Office: 505 & 202 MEOB
Email: asrinivasa@tamu.edu
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Mechanical Engineering Department
Graduate Program Office
Dr. Daniel McAdams
Graduate Director/Assoc Professor
Office: 212 & 411 MEOB
Email: dmcadams@tamu.edu
Research: http://gta.tamu.edu/
Tandilyn Phillips
Senior Graduate Advisor
Office: 210 MEOB
Email: tphillips@tamu.edu
Sandra Havens
Graduate Program Coordinator
Office: MEOB 211
Email: shavens@tamu.edu
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Graduate Advising Office
Services Provided:
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Orientation
Assistantships & Fellowship opportunities.
Qualifying, Preliminary, and Final Examinations
Program Assistance (degree progress, academic forms
etc.)
Interface with the Office of Graduate & Professional
Studies (OGAPS)
Graduate Seminar Series
Social Events/ Social Media Networking
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Graduate Advising Office
Questions which can be directed towards this office:
– Qualifying, Prelim, and Final Exam Registration/Details
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Degree Requirements & Degree Plan Submission
Registration (i.e. Dropping or Adding classes, Q-drops)
Transferring & Substitution Coursework
Academic Enrollment Verification Letters
MEEN 681 Seminar Course/Submit make-up for Seminar
Join Graduate Email list & Facebook Group
How do I apply for a Teaching Assistantship and/or Fellowship
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Graduate Mechanical Engineering Degrees
1. Master of Science (MS) (32 credit hrs. with thesis)
http://engineering.tamu.edu/mechanical/academics/degre
es/graduate/ms
2. Master of Engineering (MEng) (30 credit hrs. nonthesis)
http://engineering.tamu.edu/mechanical/academics/degre
es/graduate/meng
3. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (64 credit hrs./96
credit hrs. without a Master’s Degree)
http://engineering.tamu.edu/mechanical/academics/degre
es/graduate/phd
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Doctor of Philosophy Requirements
The Direct Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree requires a minimum of 96
semester credit hours beyond a baccalaureate degree. (For students who
do not hold a master’s degree)
http://engineering.tamu.edu/mechanical/academics/degrees/graduate/phd
Courses
Graduate –Level MATH courses
Graduate Courses (*Must include 2
core courses- see list)
MEEN 681- Seminar
MEEN 691- Research
TOTAL
Number of Courses
Semester Credit Hours
2
6
11 min/14 max
33 minimum/42 max
3
variable
3
51 minimum
96
Graded 600 level Courses + Seminar + Research credit hours = 96 credit hours
Example: A typical Direct Ph.D. plan of study would be:
33 hrs. of courses+ 3 hrs. of MEEN 681 Seminar + 60 hrs. of Research = 96 credit hours.
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Core and Suggested Mathematics CoursesDirect Ph.D. Students (96 hour)
Required to take 2 of the following designated core courses:
MEEN 603– Theory of Elasticity
MEEN 607– Polymer Physical Properties, or MEEN 635– Flow and Fracture of Polymeric Solids
MEEN 608– Continuum Mechanics
MEEN 613– Engineering Dynamics
MEEN 615– Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics
MEEN 617– Mechanical Vibrations
MEEN 621– Fluid Mechanics
MEEN 630– Intermediate Heat Transfer
MEEN 651– Control System Design
MSEN 601– Fundamental Materials Science Engineering
Suggested Math Courses (Required to take 2):
MATH 601 – Methods of Applied Mathematics I
MATH 603 – Methods of Applied Mathematics II
STAT 601 – Statistical Analysis
MEEN 602– Modeling & Analysis of Mechanical Systems
or another graduate Mathematics or Statistics course with the approval of the student’s dissertation
committee chair.
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Doctor of Philosophy Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree requires a minimum of 64 semester credit
hours for those who already have a Master’s Degree
http://engineering.tamu.edu/mechanical/academics/degrees/graduate/phd
Courses
Graduate –Level MATH courses
Number of Courses
Semester Credit Hours
1
3
5
15
2
variable
2
44
64
Graduate Courses *
MEEN 681- Seminar
MEEN 691- Research
TOTAL
Graded 600 level Courses + Seminar + Research credit hours = 64 credit hours
* Graduate Courses: These course may not include undergraduate courses or 2 core
courses that you already took for a Master’s degree. You cannot double count.
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Core and Suggested Mathematics Courses- for 64 hr. Ph.D.
You may take any graduate MEEN courses or graduate courses within the College
of Engineering and/or College of Science
MEEN 603– Theory of Elasticity
MEEN 607– Polymer Physical Properties, or MEEN 635– Flow and Fracture of Polymeric Solids
MEEN 608– Continuum Mechanics
MEEN 613– Engineering Dynamics
MEEN 615– Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics
MEEN 617– Mechanical Vibrations
MEEN 621– Fluid Mechanics
MEEN 630– Intermediate Heat Transfer
MEEN 651– Control System Design
MSEN 601– Fundamental Materials Science Engineering
Suggested Math Courses (Required to take 1):
MATH 601 – Methods of Applied Mathematics I
MATH 603 – Methods of Applied Mathematics II
STAT 601 – Statistical Analysis
MEEN 602– Modeling & Analysis of Mechanical Systems
or another graduate Mathematics or Statistics course with the approval of the student’s dissertation
committee chair.
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Probation Policy
Students with an overall GPA less than 3.0 are on Academic Probation.
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Full-time students who earn individual semester GPAs below 2.00
twice cannot continue in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate
degree program.
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Full-time students who earn individual semester GPAs below 3.00 in
two successive semesters (fall or spring) cannot continue in the
Mechanical Engineering Graduate degree program.
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Full-time students who earn a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 will
have two following long semesters to raise their GPA above 3.00 to be
able to continue the Mechanical Engineering Graduate degree
program
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Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations
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Ph.D. students are required to make their first attempt to pass the qualifying exams before they have
completed 27 semester credit hours, including MEEN 691.
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In other words, Ph.D. students are required to make their 1st attempt to pass the exams in 2
areas before completing their third long semester of study (not including summer sessions).
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Doctoral students are encouraged to take the qualifier earlier in their course of study if they are prepared.
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Must pass the Qualifying Exams in 2 of 9 areas.
1. Controls
2. Design
3. Fluid Mechanics
4. Heat Transfer
5. Metals/Ceramics
6. Polymers
7. Solid Mechanics
8. Thermo-dynamics
9. Vibrations
A doctoral student is allowed a maximum of two attempts to pass each of the two exams
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Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations
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If a student fails an exam or exams, they must attempt to pass the exam or exams the
next time the qualifying exams are offered.
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On a repeated attempt, a student does not have to take the exam in the same technical area
as the previously failed exam.
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A student who does not pass two qualifying exams in the allowed number of attempts fails
the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam and will not be admitted to Ph.D. candidacy.
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A doctoral student who fails the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam may:
• (a) Switch to a master’s program in Mechanical Engineering (provided that they do not
have a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University)
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(b) Pursue a Ph.D. degree in another department at Texas A&M University or another
institution
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(c) Withdraw from the Ph.D. program
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(d) Appeal to the departmental Graduate Studies Committee.
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Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations
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The Ph.D. Qualifying Exams are administered during the 3rd week of the fall and spring
semesters every year, but not during the summer sessions.
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Students may register for these exams by completing a “Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
Request” form and submitting it to Mrs. Sandra Havens, Graduate Program Coordinator,
in Room 211-MEOB.
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To prepare for an exam, students may obtain a syllabus for the exam and a copy of the two
previous exams in the area from Mrs. Havens at shavens@tamu.edu.
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To pass an exam, a student must score 70% or higher.
A student scoring between 50% and 70% may be asked to take a follow-up oral exam.
A student scoring 50% or lower fails the exam.
An exam committee may choose to give a student a conditional pass for which the student
must satisfy certain requirements by the end of a given period after the exam, specified by
the committee.
A Ph.D. student who fails to pass an exam on his/her 2nd attempt will be given an oral exam
in which the student will have a final attempt to pass the exam.
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Finding a Permanent Faculty Chair
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Take classes from faculty of interest
Search Faculty Research groups/centers on MEEN website
Directly reach out via email/phone/appointment with Faculty
Talk to other Current Graduate Students
Take Core Course(s)
*Graduate students should have a permanent faculty
advisor/chair by the end of their first semester.
If not, please make appointment with Dr. McAdams,
Graduate Program Director.
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Who should be on my Degree Plan Committee?
1 Faculty Chair
3 Faculty Committee Members = Total of 4
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Faculty Chair/Advisor MUST BE from the MEEN Dept.
3 Committee Members:
• A professor from the student’s area of study
• A professor from mechanical engineering outside student’s
area of study
• A professor from outside the Mechanical Engineering
Department
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Degree Plan
Document Processing Submission System
You must submit your degree plan online through:
https://ogsdpss.tamu.edu/
Before the Fall 2016 semester.
Otherwise, you will be blocked from registration for classes.
If you wish to make changes to your degree plan
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Submit MDD petition (Change of major, degree, or department)
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Submit Long form petition (Change of courses, committee
members, waivers etc.)
These forms must be completed and approved online.
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Registration for Fall 2015 Classes
Full-time: 3 classes (9 semester credit hours) during the Fall and Spring
semesters and 6 credit hours in the summer (if applicable).
You must be full-time if you are on an assistantship/fellowship.
With a TA or RA, your tuition will be paid for you, but only up to 9
semester credit hours, and not the fees.
You may register for your classes online through your HOWDY portal.
You should choose classes in your research area of interest or classes that will help you
with your thesis/dissertation research. To satisfy the course requirement for your
graduate degree, most of the courses on your degree plan should be
MEEN courses.
Your degree plan must be approved by your advisor (faculty chair) and other members
of your advisory committee, the graduate program office, and OGAPS.
All Graduate Mechanical Engineering students must take a mathematics/statistics
course or MEEN 602- Modeling & Analysis of Mechanical Systems.
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Payment of Tuition and Fees
Pay the balance of your tuition and fees before the payment deadline.
Spring 2016 Payment in Full Due Date
If you chose to pay your tuition and fees in full: Tuition and fees due in full by 5:00 PM on
February 2, 2016
Spring 2016 Installment Due dates If you enrolled in the installment plan:
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1st payment due by 5:00 PM on February 2, 2016
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2nd payment due by 5:00 PM on February 29, 2016
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3rd payment due by 5:00 PM on March 21, 2016
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4th payment due by 5:00 PM on April 4, 2016
Installment Plans can be added through 5:00 PM on February 10, 2016
Access your statement through the Howdy Portal and pay online!
If you have a TA or RA position, or will receive other financial assistance: After the proper
fellowship/scholarship amount is credited to your payment account and/or non-resident tuition waiver is
entered (could be as late as the 12th class date in some cases), you will receive a refund.
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Office of Graduate and Professional Studies
http://ogs.tamu.edu
Want to know how to…..
•Student forms
•Fulfill degree requirements
•Submit a degree plan
(https://ogsdpss.tamu.edu/)
•Meet requirements/deadlines for
graduation
•Fellowships and grants
•Professional development workshops
•Submit Petitions (https://ogsdpss.tamu.edu/)
•Records processing & degree progress
information
•Get involved on campus
•Confidential advice and problem solving
•Prepare thesis or dissertation
•Thesis preparation support
•Graduate Catalogs
•Address an academic concern regarding policy,
process, or regulation
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Office Graduate Studies Deadlines
All students should be aware of the various deadlines published on the Office
of Graduate Studies calendars
http://ogs.tamu.edu/current-students/dates-and-deadlines/
You are responsible for meeting these
deadlines so that you may complete
your degree in a timely fashion!
• This means you must turn in your forms to
the Graduate Advising Office BEFORE the
OGAPS deadline for processing time!
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How to apply for a research assistant
(GAR) position?
• In order to apply for a RA, a student must contact the
professor in their area of interest.
• The professors handle funding and will be able to inform
students about openings for research positions.
Visit http://ogs.tamu.edu/funding-information/graduateassistantships/
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What does a research assistant (GAR) do?
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Research
Project usually externally funded (federal, industry)
Lab experiments
Data reduction/analysis
Write reports and papers
Attend conferences
Write a thesis (MS) or dissertation (PhD) for a degree
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How to apply for a teaching assistant
(GAT) position?
• About two months prior to a new semester, applications are
distributed to all the graduate students through the
Mechanical Engineering department newsletter.
• In order to apply for a TA, complete the application and
submit it online through the link the office provides.
Visit for more info: http://ogs.tamu.edu/fundinginformation/graduate-assistantships/
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What does a teaching assistant (GAT) do?
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Teach
Teach lab sections
Run experiments
Teach discussion sections
Grade lab reports
Prepare homework solutions
Grade homework
Hold office hours
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International Student TA Requirement
• International students whose native language is not English and
who wish to apply for a TA position must fulfill an English
Proficiency Certification requirement.
• The English Proficiency Certification is required before a graduate
student is eligible to serve as a TA or in any other position
considered to be a teaching position.
• It is best to meet this proficiency requirement early in a student’s
program.
Contact the Data & Research Office at (979) 845-0532, to arrange a
test. Email testing@tamu.edu
Visit http://www.dars.tamu.edu for more information
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Performance Review for TA & RA
As a TA or RA, you must perform your duties
satisfactorily. Your supervisor or thesis/dissertation
advisor will review your performance regularly and
report poor performance in writing to the graduate
program office, which will inform you of the poor
performance reviews and will discuss with you on ways
to improve.
If you do not improve after two of these poor
performance reviews during a semester, and there is
a third poor performance review, you may not
continue as a TA or RA.
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Continuation of Teaching Assistant Appointment
For you to continue to be a TA, you must:
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Perform your duties satisfactorily
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Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above for all
of the courses you take
Pass all of the English Language Proficiency Exams (ELP
Exams) before the end of the Fall 2015 semester (if you are an
international student).
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You should attempt to obtain an RA from one of the professors so that you
may begin your thesis/dissertation research and complete your graduate
study as soon as possible.
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Cheating and Dishonesty
We have a departmental “Zero Tolerance” policy on cheating in graduate
courses, including MEEN 691 Research and MEEN 685 Directed Studies (for
instance, plagiarism in the preparation of a thesis/dissertation or a report).
The Aggie honor code:
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.”
Any student who is caught cheating in a graduate course will receive an F* for the
course.
A second violation could result in the immediate dismissal of the student from the
mechanical engineering graduate program.
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Questions?
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