Graduate Handbook
Rm. 3138 Learned Hall
1530 W. 15
th
Street
Lawrence, KS 66045-7609
(785) 864-3181
(785) 864-5254 Fax
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FACULTY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EMERITI FACULTY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT GRADUATE PROGRAMS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
MISSION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Application Deadlines
Application Materials
Regular Status
Provisional Status
Minimum English Proficiency Requirements
Visiting Us
ENROLLMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Discontinued Enrollment
Leave of Absence
Reduced Course Load (International)
Seniors and Graduate Study (Co-Enrollment)
Grading
Probation
SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, GTA/GRA POSITIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
Master of Science Degrees ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
OVERVIEW ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
Major
Plan of Study
Final Examination
Program Time Constraints
Credit by Transfer
M.S. DEGREE CHECKLIST ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19
Doctor of Philosophy Degree ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
OVERVIEW ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
Doctoral Qualifying Examination
QUALIFYING EXAM CHECKLIST -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22
Plan of Study
Credit by Transfer
Proficiency in Responsible Scholarship and Research Skill Area
Doctoral Comprehensive Oral Examination
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM CHECKLIST AND RUBRIC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25
Dissertation
Dissertation Format
Dissertation Oral Examination
DISSERTATION CHECKLIST: M.S. DEGREE START ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
DISSERTATION CHECKLIST: B.S. DEGREE START ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 29
DISSERTATION RUBRICS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
Program Time Constraints
Courses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35
NUMBERING SYSTEM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35
CATEGORIES FOR MAJOR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35
APPROVED COURSES IN MATHEMATICS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38
Succinct Flow Charts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
3
Mechanical Engineering Faculty
The Mechanical Engineering Department currently consists of 19 faculty members who have a variety of
interests, knowledge, and expertise. Note: The Graduate Faculty* consists of members of the university
faculty and other persons qualified by training and experience who are duly nominated and appointed.
Only members of the Graduate Faculty may teach courses for graduate credit, supervise master’s
programs and theses, or serve on doctoral committees.
Theodore Bergman*, Charles E. & Mary Jane Spahr Professor (Ph.D., Purdue University)
Heat Transfer, Energy, Thermal Manufacturing
3144B Learned Hall; (785) 864-3181; tlberg[email protected]
Thomas DeAgostino, Associate Professor of the Practice (M.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
Capstone Design, Solid Mechanics
3116 Learned Hall; (785) 864-2254; deagostinot@ku.edu
Christopher Depcik*, Professor (Ph.D., University of Michigan)
Automotive Engineering, Internal Combustion Engines, Alternative Fuels and Energy
3144C Learned Hall; (785) 864-4151; [email protected]
Huazhen Fang*, Associate Professor (Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)
Control Systems, Energy Management, Environmental Monitoring, Mechatronics
3144D Learned Hall; (785) 864-8126; fang@ku.edu
Ken Fischer*, Professor (Ph.D., Stanford University)
Biomechanics, Dynamics, Statics, Mechanics of Materials, Computational Mechanics
1132D Learned Hall; (785) 864-2994; [email protected]
Elizabeth Friis*, Professor, Department Chair (Ph.D., Wichita State University)
Biomaterials, Biomedical Product Design and Testing
3134 Learned Hall; (785) 864-2104; [email protected]
Gibum Kwon*, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Michigan)
Superomniphobic Surfaces, Liquid-liquid Separations, Self-healable Coatings, Patterned Surfaces
3165B Learned Hall; (785) 864-1086; [email protected]u
Xianglin Li*, Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Connecticut)
Proton Exchange Membrane and Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Lithium-Air Batteries, Multi-Species and
Multi-Phase Heat and Mass Transfer, Thermodynamic and Full Fuel Cycle Analysis
3118 Learned Hall; (785) 864-8165; [email protected]
Lin Liu*, Associate Professor (Ph.D., Iowa State University)
Energy Storage, Energy Conversion, Multi-Scale and Multi-Physics Modeling, Mechanics of
Manufacturing Processes, Advanced Manufacturing
3165D Learned Hall; (785) 864-1612; [email protected]
Carl W. Luchies*, Associate Professor (Ph.D., University of Michigan)
Biomechanics, Mechanical Measurements and Experimentation, Advanced Dynamics, Statics
3135B Learned Hall; (785) 864-2993; [email protected]
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
4
Lorin Maletsky*, Professor (Ph.D., Purdue University)
Statics, Dynamics, Strength of Materials, Kinematics, Introduction to Design, Machine Design, Senior
Level Design, Design for Manufacturability, Biomechanics, Project Classes
3114 Learned Hall; (785) 864-2985; maletsky@ku.edu
Steve Soper*, Foundation Distinguished Professor (Ph.D., University of Kansas)
Development of Micro- and Nanofabricated Tools for Biological Discovery and Medical Diagnostics
Room 220C Multidisciplinary Research Building; (785)864-3072; [email protected]du
Robert M. Sorem*, Associate Professor (Ph.D., University of Kansas)
Mechanical Design, Computational Mechanics, Finite Element Formation and Application, Mechanics of
Materials, Composite Material Mechanics
3120 Learned Hall; (785) 864-2983; [email protected]
Paulette Spencer*, Ackers Distinguished Professor and Director of the Institute for Bioengineering
Research (Ph.D., D.D.S., University of Missouri-Kansas City)
Biomaterials, Structure/Property Characterization of Material/Tissue Interface
3111 Learned Hall; (785) 864-8140; [email protected]u
Karan S. Surana*, Deane E. Ackers Distinguished Professor (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin)
Continuum Mechanics, Computational Mathematics, Computational Mechanics, Finite Element Methods
and Software
3124 Learned Hall; (785) 864-2988; kssur[email protected]
Candan Tamerler*, Wesley G. Cramer Professor (Ph.D., Bogazici University)
Molecular Biomimetics, Bio-nanotechnology, Nanotechnology, Bio-enabled Materials Science,
Biomaterials
3132 Learned Hall; (785) 864-2984; ctamerler@ku.edu
Peter W. TenPas*, Associate Professor (Ph.D., Iowa State University)
Computational Fluid Dynamics, Computer Aided Thermal Design
3143 Learned Hall; (785) 864-2986; [email protected]
Sara Wilson*, Associate Professor (Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Control Systems, Biomechanical Systems
3141 Learned Hall; (785) 864-2103; [email protected]
Xinmai Yang*, Associate Professor (Ph.D., Boston University)
Photoacoustic Imaging, Biomedical Ultrasound
5101F Learned Hall; (785) 864-1753; [email protected]u
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
5
Mechanical Engineering Emeriti Faculty
Louis Burmeister, Professor (Ph.D., Purdue University)
Heat Transfer, Convective Transport, Transient Film Boiling, and Numerical Methods for Solution of
Partial Differential Equations
Ronald L. Dougherty, Professor (Ph.D., P.E., Missouri University of Science & Technology)
Radiative Heat Transfer, Two-Phase Heat Transfer, Thermal Fluid Sciences, Laser Scattering, Dynamic
Light Scattering
Terry Faddis, Professor (D.E., University of Kansas)
Mechanical Design, Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
Robert Umholtz, Associate Professor (M.S., University of Kansas)
Kinematics, Dynamics of Machinery, Computer-Aided Design
Bedru Yimer, Professor (Ph.D., University of Dayton)
Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Thermal Dynamics
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
6
Mechanical Engineering Department Graduate Programs
The University of Kansas Department of Mechanical Engineering offers the Master of Science in
Mechanical Engineering degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Areas of study in Mechanical
Engineering include:
1. Biomechanics and Biomaterials: biomechanics of human motion, biomaterials, orthopedic
biomechanics and biomedical product design, transport phenomena, and drug delivery.
2. Computational Mechanics and Mathematics of Computations: computational mechanics, finite
element analysis, finite element methods and software
3. Thermal-Fluid Systems and Heat Transfer: energy and thermal-power system design, heat
transfer and computational fluid dynamics
4. Mechanical Design, Manufacturing, and Microprocessor Applications: computer-aided
mechanical design, continuum mechanics, computer-integrated manufacturing, computational
mechanics, finite element analysis, machine stress analysis, microcomputer applications, and
automatic control systems
Mission
The broad discipline of mechanical engineering enables students to have productive and rewarding
careers, and to develop and improve new technologies in both traditional and emerging fields.
Mechanical engineers apply fundamental principles to develop, design, manufacture, and test machines
and other mechanical devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to power-producing machines,
as well as power-consuming machines. Mechanical engineers are employed in diverse areas including,
but not limited to the energy and power industries, the automotive and aerospace industries, and
industrial manufacturing. Mechanical Engineering graduates also have careers in medicine and medical
device development, patent law, engineering and corporate management, forensic engineering, and
engineering sales. https://catalog.ku.edu/engineering/mechanical-engineering/
The mission of the Mechanical Engineering Department is to provide our students with a high quality
education, to generate and apply knowledge, and to serve both society and the engineering
profession.
Graduates holding the M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering will be able to:
1. Conduct original research in mechanical engineering (for the Master of Science with thesis
option), or complete a substantial project related to mechanical engineering (for the Master of
Science with project option).
2. Demonstrate the ability to learn new concepts and build new skills relevant to the discipline of
mechanical engineering.
3. Effectively communicate advanced mechanical engineering concepts, both in writing and orally.
4. Qualified to work at the most prestigious research institutions and universities in the world.
https://catalog.ku.edu/engineering/mechanical-engineering/ms/
Graduates holding the Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering will be able to:
1. Conduct independent, publishable, impactful research on a topic or topics related to mechanical
engineering.
2. Demonstrate the ability to learn new concepts and build new skills relevant to the discipline of
mechanical engineering.
3. Demonstrate expertise in at least one area of mechanical engineering.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
7
4. Effectively communicate advanced mechanical engineering concepts, both in writing and orally,
at a professional level.
https://catalog.ku.edu/engineering/mechanical-engineering/phd/
Admission Requirements
To qualify for graduate study in any of the graduate programs in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering, a student generally must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
mechanical engineering program. However, a student with good preparation in some other engineering
discipline or a related program, such as physics, may qualify by taking appropriate undergraduate
courses specified by the Mechanical Engineering Department Graduate Admissions Committee.
https://catalog.ku.edu/engineering/mechanical-engineering/phd/#admissionstext
Application Deadlines
Fall Priority Deadline: December 15
th
Spring Priority Deadline: September 30
th
Applications may be accepted after the priority deadlines listed above, but those applicants may not be
considered for fellowships and assistantships. All application materials for international students must
be submitted by March 31
st
for fall and September 30
th
for spring to be considered for admission. For
domestic students, these dates are June 1
st
for fall and November 1
st
for spring. See the Graduate
Studies website (http://graduate.ku.edu/) for the application procedure and fees.
Application Materials
• Application
• GRE scores (institution code = 6871; program code = 1502)
• One-page statement of purpose
• Resume or curriculum vitae (optional)
• Official transcript from each institution of higher education attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• TOEFL scores (international students; institution code = 6871; program code = 68)
• Financial statement (international students only if admitted)
Submit all supporting documents and your graduate application online (http://graduate.ku.edu/ku-
graduate-application). Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all applicants and are
used in the evaluation process.
Regular Status
• For admission to regular status in the Master’s program, the student must have an
undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least B (3.0/4.0).
• Students who have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.75/4.0 or 3.5/4.0 with an
M.S. degree are eligible for and will be recommended for direct admission into the Ph.D.
program (“Fast Track”) on a regular admission status.
Provisional Status
• For Master’s applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0/4.0, but no lower than 2.75/4.0,
admission on provisional status will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
8
• For Ph.D. applicants whose M.S. GPA is below 3.5/4.0, admission on provisional status will be
considered on a case-by-case basis.
• For Ph.D. “Fast Track” applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.75/4.0, admission on
provisional status will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• After the equivalent of one semester of full-time study as a provisional graduate student, the
performance of the student is reviewed and will be (1) transferred to regular status, (2) dropped
from the Graduate School, or (3) allowed to continue the equivalent of another semester as a
provisional student. It is ordinarily expected that provisional status will not exceed two
semesters. Provisional students are not eligible for Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) or
Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) appointments, but may be considered for
scholarship/fellowship funding based on need and available funding.
Minimum English Proficiency Requirements
These guidelines are subject to change by official action of the appropriate Graduate School governance
bodies. Visit the full English Proficiency Requirements for Admission to Graduate Study at
http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/english-proficiency-international-students (4/5/2020).
Admission:
KU recognizes several mechanisms by which applicants may demonstrate their English proficiency. The
following are acceptable means of demonstrating English proficiency for purposes of graduate
admission:
1. Graduation with a baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned in residence from a regionally
accredited English-medium U.S. college or university or from a foreign university which conducts
all instruction in English and which maintains substantially equivalent bachelor's, master's, or
doctoral degree requirements
o Degrees earned online may not be used to demonstrate English proficiency.
o Demonstrates Full Proficiency: applicants are not required to complete AEC testing
2. Satisfactory completion of the entire AEC curriculum with a final university designation of
"Proficiency Obtained"
o Demonstrates Full Proficiency: no further English-language testing or coursework is
required
3. Employment as an officer in the U.S. military with documentation of selection or promotion to
the rank of Major or higher (or the equivalent U.S. Navy or Coast Guard rank)
o Demonstrates Full Proficiency: applicants are not required to complete AEC testing
4. Official scores from an English proficiency standardized test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS-Academic, or
PTE), sent by the testing agency to the University of Kansas. Official scores must be less than two
years old at the time that Graduate Admissions processes the application.
o Scores demonstrate Provisional, Admission, or Full Proficiency in accordance with the
table below
5. In exceptional cases, a department, with written support from the appropriate school or college,
may petition the Vice Provost for Graduate studies to consider alternative documentation of
English proficiency. In consultation with the Executive Council of Graduate Faculty and the
Director of the AEC, the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies will determine whether the
alternative documentation demonstrates English proficiency at the level expected for regular
admission to graduate study at KU.
o Demonstrates Provisional, Admission, or Full Proficiency, depending on the
documentation provided
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
9
Documentation
Type
Admission
Proficiency
Provisional Proficiency
TOEFL (paper)
All part scores at
least 53
All part scores 51-52
TOEFL (iBT)
Reading, Listening,
and Writing part
scores at least 20
Reading, Listening, and
Writing part scores 18-
19
IELTS-Academic
Minimum overall
score 6.0 with no
part score below 5.5
Minimum overall score
5.5 with no part score
below 5.0
PTE
Minimum overall
score 55 with no
part score below 50
Minimum overall score
45 with no part score
below 40
AEC
Coursework
N/A
N/A
AEC Testing
Required?
Yes
Yes
Applied English Center Testing:
The Applied English Center (AEC - http://aec.ku.edu/) maintains a testing process for non-native
speakers of English. This process serves to confirm each student's level of English proficiency and
determine whether English courses will be included as a requirement of the student’s academic
program. In order to graduate, students who are required to complete AEC courses must meet KU’s Full
Proficiency standard as demonstrated by their performance in AEC coursework and/or testing.
• Students who are admitted in the Full Proficiency band are not required to complete AEC
testing.
• All other non-native speakers of English who gain admission to campus-based programs are
required to complete AEC testing upon arrival on campus.
GTA and GRA Eligibility:
Graduate teaching and research assistant eligibility requirements are distinct from admission
requirements. Additional information on eligibility for graduate teaching assistants and graduate
research assistants may be found in the GTA, GRA, and GA Appointments: General Guidelines and
Eligibility (http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/GRA-GTA-GA-guidelines-eligibility: 11/27/2017).
The Board of Regents policy on spoken English competency for graduate teaching assistants requires
that non-native speakers of English demonstrate English proficiency by obtaining:
• A minimum score of 50 on the SPEAK test, or
• A 22 on the speaking portion of the TOEFL (iBT) with Reading, Listening, and Writing part scores
at least 20, or
• An 8 on the speaking portion of the IELTS (minimum overall score of 6.0, no part score below
5.5)
In addition, all non-native speakers of English must be interviewed by three institutional representatives,
including at least one student to determine sufficient English proficiency.
More information may be found in the Spoken English Language Competency of Faculty and Graduate
Teaching Assistants, Kansas Board of Regents Policy (https://policy.ku.edu/KBOR/spoken-english-
competency-BOR-policy: 9/8/2016).
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
10
Please consult the Graduate School English Proficiency Score (http://graduate.ku.edu/english-
proficiency-requirements) requirements for admission and GTA/GRA eligibility (Figure 1).
Figure 1. University of Kansas - English Proficiency Scores
Visiting Us
The graduate program staff is happy to work with all prospective students in determining the fit
between the student and the program. In order to determine this, we feel that visiting our campus in
Lawrence is a very important step. In order to facilitate your visit to KU, there are two main options:
• The first, and most preferred, option entails simply applying for admission to the program. All
prospective students are welcome to attend our Open House in early November and some
highly qualified admitted students may be invited to participate in Campus Visit Days in late
February or early March (prior to the fall semester of your intended matriculation). These
organized visitation opportunities will allow you time to gather a great deal of first-hand
information which we hope will help you in making a final decision about whether to attend KU.
• The second option involves arranging to visit us on your own, outside of organized events. With
early notification, we will do our best to work with you to provide information and schedule
appointments with faculty when possible. Please contact us if you feel that this is the best
option for you.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
11
Enrollment
While these are KU’s definitions of full-, part-, and half-time enrollment, financial aid providers may
have different definitions. Be sure to consult with your financial aid provider before making enrollment
decisions. Students with GTA appointments, GRA appointments, GI Bill funding, or dissertation hours are
subject to different definitions of full-time and half-time enrollment. More information is provided on
these definitions at: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/fulltime-enrollment (6/25/2020).
Fall/Spring
Summer
Full-time
• Enrollment in 9 credit hours;
• Enrollment in 6 credit hours plus a GTA, GRA, or
GA appointment, regardless of percentage of
appointment;
• Enrollment in 6 credit hours for active duty
military graduate students;
• Doctoral candidates enrolled in dissertation
hour(s). See: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-
studies/doctoral-candidacy (8/14/2018)
• Enrollment in 6 credit hours;
• Enrollment in 3 credit hours plus a GTA, GRA, or
GA appointment, regardless of percentage of
appointment;
• Enrollment in 3 credit hours for active duty
military graduate students;
• Doctoral candidates enrolled in dissertation
hour(s). See: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-
studies/doctoral-candidacy (8/14/2018)
3/4-time
• Enrollment in 7 credit hours;
• Enrollment in 4.5 credit hours plus a GRA
appointment*, regardless of percentage of
appointment.
• Enrollment in 4.5 credit hours;
• Enrollment in 2 credit hours plus a GRA
appointment*, regardless of percentage of
appointment.
Half-time
• Enrollment in 5 credit hours;
• Enrollment in 3 credit hours plus a GRA,
appointment*, regardless of percentage of
appointment;
• Enrollment in 3 credit hours for active-duty
military graduate students.
• Enrollment in 3 credit hours;
• Enrollment in 1 credit hour plus a GRA
appointment*, regardless of percentage of
appointment;
• Enrollment in 1 credit hour for active-duty
military graduate students.
*Master’s students: In certain master's degree programs, students who are in the final semester may be able to
complete the course and hours requirements for the degree while enrolling in fewer than six hours. Such students
may enroll in fewer than six hours and still retain eligibility to hold a position as a Graduate Research Assistant
(GRA) provided that the student will not be continuing in a doctoral program at the University of Kansas. The
option of enrolling in fewer than six hours during the final semester is available only to master's students with GRA
appointments. It is not available to master's students with GTA or GA appointments:
http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/GRA-appointment-eligibility (6/5/2020).
*Ph.D. candidates: Enrollment and Post Comps: Upon successful completion of the doctoral comprehensive
examination and all other Graduate Studies and departmental requirements for candidacy to the doctoral degree
and upon completion of eighteen post-comprehensive credit hours, the student may enroll in one or more
dissertation, thesis, or equivalent credit hours as approved by the student's department, the student's school or
College, and the Office of Graduate Studies to qualify for a Graduate Research Assistantship/Graduate Teaching
Assistantship/Graduate Assistantship appointment.
http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/GRA-appointment-eligibility (6/25/2020)
https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/GTA-appointment-eligibility (6/25/2020)
https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/GA-appointment-eligibility (6/25/2020)
Students enrolled in fewer hours than defined by half-time enrollment are considered part-time. All
students should check with their graduate degree programs and Graduate Studies’ policies to determine
whether additional enrollment requirements or summer enrollment requirements exist.
Graduate students are not normally permitted to enroll for more than 16 hours a semester or more than
8 hours in summer session: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/enrollment?num2.3 (3/9/2018).
Failure to enroll or delays in enrollment directly impact the student's enrollment status and can cause
the student to incur additional expense. Students not enrolled by the first day of classes will be assessed
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
12
a $100 late fee to enroll in the Fall/Spring and $50 in the Summer. Students not enrolled by the 20
th
of
classes will be automatically discontinued in Enroll & Pay.
https://registrar.ku.edu/comprehensive-fee-schedule
https://policy.ku.edu/comptroller/tuition-and-fee-late-fee-assessment (6/27/2019)
Discontinued Enrollment
A student may voluntarily resign from their program of study by requesting “discontinuance”. Once this
request is granted, the student resigns their place in the program and if they choose to return to their
studies at a later date, they must reapply for admission. Discontinuance is requested through the
Progress to Degree Form: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/discontinued-enrollment (3/9/2018)
Leave of Absence
A Leave of Absence may be granted upon request to the graduate program in advance of leave. A leave
of absence may be granted in extraordinary circumstances (e.g. cases of illness, emergency, financial
hardship, military leave), to pursue family responsibilities, or to pursue full-time activities related to
long-range professional goals. Appropriate documentation related to these extraordinary circumstances
may be requested from the student directly. Evidence of progress towards degree will also be a
determining factor in the decision to grant an exception. The time taken for a leave of absence does not
count against the student’s time to degree. However, if the total time for the leave extends more than
five years, the student will lose the student's place in the program and must reapply for admission. To
request a leave of absence, the program must complete a Progress to Degree form:
http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/leave-of-absence?num2.6 (11/27/2017)
https://engr.ku.edu/sites/engr.ku.edu/files/docs/pdfs/LOA%20Request.pdf
Reduced Course Load (International)
In certain circumstances, an international student in F-1 status may wish to apply for a reduced course
load while remaining full-time. For graduate students, full time is defined for the Fall and Spring
semesters as:
• 9 credit hours
• 6 credit hours plus a GTA, GRA, or GA appointment
• Doctoral candidates who have passed the Doctoral Oral Comprehensive exam and are enrolled
according to Graduate Studies Doctoral Candidacy policy: https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-
studies/doctoral-candidacy (8/14/2018).
Student must obtain permission from an International Student Services Advisor first before dropping
below full-time. A reduced course load based on financial need is NOT a qualifying reason. Students
should review the F-1 Reduced Course Load information: http://iss.ku.edu/f1-reduced-course-load.
Seniors and Graduate Study (Co-Enrollment)
Seniors at KU who will complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree in a given semester, and
who have very strong academic records (grade-point average higher than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), must apply
and be admitted provisionally as degree-seeking students and request the permission of the appropriate
Graduate Division to co-enroll for the final undergraduate semester. Seniors requesting the privilege of
co-enrollment must make formal application through the graduate affairs office of the appropriate
school or college: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/seniors-and-grad-study?num2.8 (12/6/2012)
Note: Undergraduates currently receiving financial aid and/or scholarships should check the specific requirements
of these programs as they may require the student to enroll full-time in their undergraduate program while also
enrolling in their graduate career. Moreover, co-enrolled students are not eligible for School of Engineering
funding (they would be eligible once they enroll exclusively in their graduate program).
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
13
Grading
The basic system is an A, B, C, D, F system, where A designates above-average graduate work; B
designates average graduate work; C designates passing but not average graduate work (C- is not
considered a passing grade); D and F designate failing graduate work. C-, D, and F work does not count
toward fulfilling degree requirements. http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/grading (11/4/2016)
Incomplete (I): The I grade indicates course work that has been of passing quality but which is partially
unfinished for good reason. Use of the I grade is optional in some grading scales but is not permitted by
others.
• Generally, the I grade is an appropriate option for enrollments other than thesis, dissertation,
research, or the first semester of a two-semester sequence course.
• The I grade is not appropriate for enrollment in thesis, dissertation, or research courses and is
not allowed by these grading scales.
A student who has an I posted for a course must make up the work by the date determined by the
instructor, in consultation with the student, which may not exceed one calendar year, or the last day of
the term of graduation, whichever comes first. An I not removed according to this rule shall
automatically convert to a grade of F or U, or the lapse grade assigned by the course instructor, and shall
be indicated on the student's record: http://policy.ku.edu/governance/USRR#ArticleII – 2.2.3.2
(1/30/2020). The student will not be eligible for graduation if they have an incomplete grade on their
record, even if it does not count towards their degree
Research Courses
Departments select one of the two following scales to grade their thesis, dissertation, and approved
thesis- or dissertation-equivalent courses. Other research courses are graded using the A, B, C, D, F, P
scale.
Grading Scale: SP, LP, NP: It evaluates a student's work as demonstrating satisfactory progress (SP),
limited progress (LP), or no progress (NP). It is appropriate only in designated thesis, dissertation, and
approved thesis- and dissertation-equivalent enrollments.
For departments that use this scale, a grade of SP must be assigned for a student's final semester of
enrollment in thesis, dissertation, or approved thesis- or dissertation-equivalent course work. The SP
indicates that the final product was of satisfactory quality to earn the degree.
Overall, students must earn at least a B average (i.e., 3.0 GPA) on course work counted toward any
master's, specialist, or doctoral degree at KU, and grades of C- and below do not count toward fulfilling
degree requirements. The student's graduate GPA calculation will include any degree- or certificate-
seeking graduate course work completed at KU. Courses graded P, S, SP, LP, NP, U, and I are excluded
from the computation of the GPA. The graduate GPA calculation only includes courses 500-level and
above: https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-credit: (4/19/2019).
Probation
Upon failure to maintain a cumulative graduate grade-point average of 3.0, or upon notification by the
department that a student is no longer in good academic standing, the graduate division of the school or
College places the student on academic probation. If, by the end of the next semester of enrollment
following the placement of probation, the student raises the overall graduate GPA to 3.0 and otherwise
demonstrates performance in keeping with departmental standards and timelines, the department or
program may request that the graduate division lift the probation and return the student to good
academic standing. If the student does not rectify the causes for academic probation, the student is not
permitted to re-enroll and will be dismissed unless the graduate division of the school or College acts
favorably on a departmental recommendation for the student to continue study while on academic
probation.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
14
Departmental Note: Students who do not perform at a level consistent with graduate study will be
considered for dismissal based on their class performance, overall Grade Point Average, and/or
circumstances.
If admitted provisionally due to deficiencies in grade point average, a student must earn an overall
graduate GPA of at least 3.0 during the first semester of enrollment to be permitted to re-enroll. By
earning a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0, the student is considered to have achieved good
academic standing. A student admitted provisionally who fails to earn a 3.0 GPA in the first semester of
enrollment may be dismissed immediately. Such a student may remain on provisional status for one
additional semester, if the department or program recommends provisional continuation and the
graduate division of the school or College approves.
Students who have been dismissed from a graduate program may be readmitted for further graduate
study at KU only by petition of the graduate division of the school or College that will accept the
student. The Vice Provost of Graduate Studies must review the petition to determine final action.
http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/academic-probation (6/25/2020)
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
15
Scholarships, Fellowships, and GTA/GRA Positions
Prospective Students: All applicants are considered for scholarships, fellowships, and GTA positions
upon submission of a complete application. It is suggested that applicants complete their applications by
the priority deadlines (December 15 for Fall applicants; September 30 for Spring applicants) to ensure
consideration before positions are filled. GRA positions are dependent on faculty research and
applicants should contact individual faculty members regarding their research openings.
Current Students: All currently enrolled Department of Mechanical Engineering graduate students are
considered for scholarships, fellowships, and GTA positions each semester. GRA positions are dependent
on faculty research and enrolled students should contact individual faculty members regarding their
research openings.
GRAs and GTAs are eligible to have all or some of their tuition paid, including any differential tuition
assessed, according to the provisions as follows: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/benefits-for-
GRAs-GTAs-GAs#payment-tuition (10/4/2018):
GRA: Graduate Research Assistants with an appointment of 40% (0.40 FTE) or more will have their tuition
provided by the same funding source as their salary. The full cost of tuition for graduate research assistants
must be included in all proposals, renewals, and contracts as part of the proposal budget when permissible by
the granting agency or funding source. When not permitted by the funding source, the payment of tuition may
be granted by the Graduate Tuition Assistance Pool: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/GRA-tuition-
assistance-policy (11/3/2015).
GTA: Depending on the level of appointment, the University pays all or some of a GTA’s tuition, including any
course fees for GTAs who are enrolled in schools/programs that charge such fees. If the student is eligible for
staff rates, these will be assessed before applying the tuition waiver. Course fees include all school course fees
and the Edwards Campus Program Fee as listed in section 1.1 of the Comprehensive Fee Schedule published
annually by the Office of the University Registrar.
GTAs with appointments of less than 40% (0.40 FTE) will have a portion of their basic tuition and course fees
paid in accordance with the table that appears in Article 7, Section 3, of the MOA and is reproduced here. For
GTAs, the University pays required campus fees for three credit hours per semester in accordance with the
table and restrictions set forth below.
Table 1. Percentage of tuition and campus fees paid by KU based on level of GTA appointment
Percentage Appointment
Tuition Paid
Campus Fees
40% or more
100%
100% of 3 hours
30% but less than 40%
75%
75% of 3 hours
20% but less than 30%
50%
50% of 3 hours
10% but less than 20%
25%
25% of 3 hours
The GTA is responsible for paying the remainder of the required campus fee assessment, any applicable off-
campus area service fees, (e.g., Edwards Campus construction fee, Union fee, and required fee); mediated
course fees; optional fees; Housing costs; and other specialized fees.
Further information regarding Benefits Available to GRAs, GTAs, and GAs is available here:
http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/benefits-for-GRAs-GTAs-GAs (10/4/2018)
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
16
Master of Science (M.S.) Degrees
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option leading to the
M.S. degree. Both options require a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate work. The thesis option
must include a thesis for six hours of credit (ME 899) and 24 credit hours of coursework. The non-thesis
option must include three-credit hours of independent investigation (ME 860 or ME 899) and 27 credit
hours of coursework. (Faculty Approved: 9/24/2018)
A maximum of 6 hours of mechanical engineering courses numbered between 500 and 699 may be
included in the program. Other courses outside of mechanical engineering (besides mathematics)
between 500 and 699 require approval by the Graduate Director prior to enrolling. Courses either
required or used for the B.S. degree may not be used to fulfill M.S. degree requirements.
https://catalog.ku.edu/engineering/mechanical-engineering/ms/#requirementstext
Major
The major will be selected from the energy and thermal-fluids category, the mechanical design category,
the computational mechanics category, or the biomechanics category. At least half of the graduate level
coursework must be taught by graduate faculty employed full-time by the Department of Mechanical
Engineering.
Plan of Study
The M.S. degree student selects an adviser in the first semester of graduate study. The student and the
student’s advisory committee determine a program of study during the first semester of enrollment. The
program of study must include (1) a minimum of 12 credit hours in a major selected from Mechanical
Engineering courses (excluding credit for mathematics and the independent investigation or thesis) and
(2) no fewer than three credit hours dealing with advanced mathematics from the approved list of
courses. The complete plan of study must be approved by the Advisory Committee and the Graduate
Director before the beginning of the second semester of graduate enrollment and filed electronically
with the Department and the Graduate Division of the School of Engineering. The online Plan of Study
can be found at https://gradplan.engr.ku.edu/accounts/login/.
Thesis Option
A thesis-option student is expected to do original work that would be the basis of a paper suitable
for publication in a refereed journal. After the final oral examination has been passed, and after any
changes required by the examination committee have been made in the thesis, the thesis should be
submitted electronically (http://graduate.ku.edu/submitting) in PDF Format to ProQuest/UMI on or
before the date specified by the Graduate Studies Office (see http://graduate.ku.edu/graduation for
deadlines). Supplementary materials may be added in other formats.
The student is responsible for submitting any bound copies that may be required by the department
and/or advisor. Recommended binding services for personal or departmental copies may be found
at http://graduate.ku.edu/submitting. Formatting requirements for the thesis are presented here:
http://graduate.ku.edu/etd-formatting-and-working-multimedia-files.
Non-Thesis Option
A non-thesis option student must do an analytical or experimental study acceptable to the advisory
committee. An oral presentation of the results of the independent investigation before Mechanical
Engineering graduate students and faculty is required. A typed unbound project report must also be
provided to the advisory committee.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
17
Final Examination
Each Master’s degree candidate must pass a final examination that may be oral, or both written and
oral, as determined by the advisory committee. The examination must be publicized at least one week
before the date of the examination. The examination will cover the field of mechanical engineering for
both the thesis and non-thesis options and emphasize the thesis for the thesis option.
The thesis presentation portion of the examination shall be open. The written portion of the
examination, if required, will be composed and evaluated by the examination committee. The
examination committee, which is normally the advisory committee, must consist of at least three
members of the Graduate Faculty and at least two must be Mechanical Engineering Faculty.
For every scheduled examination, the department will report a grade of honors, satisfactory, or
unsatisfactory as decided upon by the committee.
The request to schedule the examination must be submitted to the Mechanical Engineering
Department at least two weeks prior to the examination date. Unbound or electronic thesis copies
are to be submitted to the examination committee two weeks before the examination.
Note: Master’s Candidates must be enrolled for at least one credit hour during the semester in which
the Master’s final examination is taken, or the semester prior if meeting the early graduation
deadline in a given semester.
Only two attempts to pass the Master’s examination are allowed. If the examination is not passed in two
attempts, the student will be terminated from the program and will not receive the degree.
Program Time Constraints
Normal expectations are that most master’s degrees (excluding some professional terminal degrees)
should be completed in two years of full-time study. However, master’s degree students are allowed
seven years for completion of all degree requirements.
In cases in which compelling reasons or circumstances recommend a one-year extension, the Graduate
Division, on recommendation of the department/committee, has authority to grant the extension. In
cases where more than eight years are requested, the appropriate appeals body of the school considers
petitions for further extensions and, where evidence of continuous progress, currency of knowledge,
and other reasons are compelling, may grant them: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/ma-program-
time-constraints (3/9/2018).
Credit by Transfer
At the discretion of the major department and the Graduate Division, up to nine (9) hours of graduate
credit taken at a regionally-accredited graduate school may be transferred and applied to a KU master’s
degree plan if the credits were taken prior to the final semester of enrollment at KU.
Only work graded B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher may be transferred. KU does not accept transfer credit
for courses that have been graded B- or below. KU also does not accept transfer for institutes, workshops,
or for life/work experience. Credit will not transfer for courses that were previously counted toward the
completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree.
A minimum of 15 credits toward a master’s degree must be earned in KU coursework. As described in the
M.A. & M.S. Degrees policy, a 30-hour master’s degree may be reduced to as few as 24 hours for students
who are “exceptionally well prepared.” If coursework is transferred to KU, the same coursework cannot
also be used to establish a student as “exceptionally well prepared.”
Graduate credit from another institution may not be transferred to a KU graduate certificate program.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
18
The department or program and the Graduate Division retain the discretion to deny a student’s request
to have transfer credit and/or non-degree-seeking credit count toward a degree or certificate:
http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-credit (4/19/2019).
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
19
Master of Science Degree Checklist
This checklist has been developed for the student to help keep track of meeting the requirements of the
M.S. degree; they still have to fill out their plan of study at https://gradplan.engr.ku.edu/accounts/login/.
Committee Members (at least 3), Departments, Tenured/Tenure Track (at least 2 ME faculty including chair):
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. A maximum of 6 hours of mechanical engineering courses numbered between 500 and 699 may be included in the
program. Other courses outside of mechanical engineering (besides mathematics) between 500 and 699 require approval by
the Graduate Director prior to enrolling.
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Graduate Director Initials
for Approval of non-ME courses:
Hours Applied (max 6):
2. The program of study must include no fewer than three credit hours dealing with advanced mathematics from the
approved list of courses.
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Of note, if ME 702 is used, students cannot double count it towards their degree,
it either acts as the mathematics course or as an ME course
Hours Applied (min 3):
3. The program of study for the thesis option includes a minimum of six credit hours of thesis (ME 899). The program of
study for the non-thesis option includes a minimum of three credit hours of independent investigation (ME 899).
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Thesis Option ❑
Non-thesis Option ❑
Hours Applied:
4. The program of study must include a minimum of 12 credit hours in a major selected from mechanical engineering courses
(excluding credit for mathematics and the independent investigation or thesis; hence, those courses should not appear
here).
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Of note, the student may apply ME courses in Section 1 above to the ME course
requirement. However, do not double count those hours in this section.
Hours Applied:
Total Hours of ME Courses
(should be 12)
Total Hours of Degree
(should be 30)
❑ Courses either required or used for the student’s B.S. degree are not being used to fulfill M.S. degree requirements.
Date student selected advisor:
Date of final examination:
Date submitted the Plan of Study online:
Date informed grad. program assistant of final
exam:
Date applied for degree:
Date submitted corrected thesis or report:
Date thesis submitted to committee:
Last day to meet all degree requirements:
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
20
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree
A minimum of 72 credit hours of graduate credit beyond the bachelor’s degree is required for a Ph.D.
For students with a 30-credit Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a minimum of an additional 18
credits hours of graduate course work and 24 credit hours of dissertation are required. If a Master’s
degree is not sought, 42 credit hours of graduate course work beyond the bachelor’s degree and 30
credit hours of dissertation credit are required. A minimum of 9 credit hours of the 18 (or 21 of the 42)
must be mechanical engineering courses numbered 700-900 (excluding ME 702, ME 801, ME 899, ME
901, and ME 999). A minimum of 9 credit hours of advanced mathematics beyond the bachelor’s degree
is required from the approved list of courses.
https://catalog.ku.edu/engineering/mechanical-engineering/phd/#requirementstext
Doctoral Qualifying Examination
For a student with a Master’s degree, a qualifying examination will normally be taken in the first
semester of participation in the doctoral program on regular status. It should not be taken later than the
end of the second semester. For a direct admit with a bachelor’s degree, a qualifying examination will
typically be taken after completion of 30 hours of graduate course work.
The Qualifying Examination Committee consists of three or more members of the graduate faculty
within the area of emphasis and are normally expected to be members of the Research and Graduate
Studies Committee of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. A grade of pass or fail will be assigned
and be kept in the departmental records.
Three evaluation criteria for the Qualifying Examination were established by the faculty on August 15,
2008.
CRITERION #1: The student must demonstrate an understanding in a core set of
fundamental undergraduate mechanical engineering knowledge.
CRITERION #2: The student must demonstrate an understanding in a subset of core
advanced mechanical engineering knowledge.
CRITERION #3: The student must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively
through writing, oral presentation, and open questioning.
The faculty from the four areas of study in Mechanical Engineering, as defined by the Graduate Student
Handbook, are responsible for developing separate methods to evaluate the criteria. The areas of study
are: Biomechanics and Biomaterials; Computational Mechanics and Mathematics of Computations;
Thermal-Fluid Systems and Heat Transfer; and Mechanical Design, Manufacturing, and Microprocessor
Applications. The methods for the four areas to assess the three criteria area listed below.
Criteria
Three evaluation criteria for the Qualifying Examination were established by the faculty on August 19,
2019.
Criterion #1
This criterion will be assessed and satisfied with the current policies for entrance to the KUME graduate
program. This includes the current requirements for satisfying deficiencies in the undergraduate
mechanical engineering curriculum. At the time of the Ph.D. qualifying exam, the student must have
satisfied and completed all requirements and conditions specified by the Department of Mechanical
Engineering and the SOE to address deficiencies.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
21
Criterion #2
A) The student will identify three 3-credit mechanical engineering technical elective courses
(excluding courses required for the KU BSME degree, ME 702, ME 801, ME 860, ME 899, and ME
999) and one 3-credit mathematics course from the approved list in the KUME Graduate
Handbook (or approved prior by the Graduate Director). The chosen ME courses should reflect
three specific subjects in the focus area of study. Equivalent graduate courses that are
completed at other institutions may be used to satisfy the requirements. All courses must meet
the approval of the student’s advisor and the Qualifying Examination Committee including a
review by the Graduate Director.
B) OR, DEPENDING ON ADVISOR PREFERENCE, the student will be required to demonstrate an
understanding of three specific ME subjects and mathematics by passing written exams in each
of these four subjects. The series of written exams will be scheduled during one week each fall
and/or spring semester. Each exam will be graded separately on an A to F basis and count
similarly to a 3-credit course towards this assessment. Scheduling and generation of the exams
is the responsibility of the student’s major advisor with other faculty assistance.
In order to pass this criterion, the student must achieve at least a cumulative 3.7 GPA over all four courses
or exams. A conditional pass may be awarded for a 3.5 GPA or greater (up to 3.7 GPA) with the student
required to address said deficiency in the lowest graded course by either (depending on advisor
preference): (1) completing extra coursework in that subject while achieving an A grade, or (2) re-taking
the exam in that subject area and passing with an A grade. The student must address this deficiency before
taking the Ph.D. comprehensive exam.
Criterion #3
The student will give an oral presentation that will last 20 minutes or less, and including questions from
the Qualifying Examination Committee, the overall presentation will last 60 minutes or less. The material
for the presentation will be a summary of one to three pertinent and related papers (with no conflict of
interest) to the student’s Ph.D. topic area given to the student one week prior to the oral presentation
date. These paper(s) will be approved by the advisor and the Qualifying Examination Committee.
Two days before the oral presentation, the student will provide a one-page summary (single-spaced, 12
point font, Times New Roman, 1” margins) to the committee of the material to be presented. No outside
help will be allowed. To receive a passing grade, the student must demonstrate to the committee their
ability to effectively communicate the information. For a student that receives a grade of conditional
pass, the committee will recommend appropriate remedies. If a student receives a grade of fail, a
second and final attempt will be granted.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
22
Qualifying Exam Checklist
Committee Members (at least 3 Mechanical Engineering faculty members)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
❑ For a student with M.S. degree – exam is being completed prior to the third semester of enrollment
❑ For direct admit B.S. student – exam is being completed after 30 hours of graduate course work
Criterion #1. The student must demonstrate an understanding of a core set of fundamental undergraduate
mechanical engineering topics.
❑ The student has satisfied and completed all requirements and conditions specified by the Department of
Mechanical Engineering and the School of Engineering to address deficiencies.
Criterion #2. A student must demonstrate an understanding in a subset of core advanced mechanical
engineering knowledge. The student will identify three 3-credit ME technical elective courses that reflect three
specific subjects in the focus area of study and one 3-credt mathematics course from the approved list, or the
student will be required to pass written exams in each of these four subjects.
Subject #1:
Course:
Semester:
Grade:
Subject #2:
Course:
Semester:
Grade:
Subject #3:
Course:
Semester:
Grade:
Advanced Mathematics
Course:
Semester:
Grade:
Cumulative GPA:
Criterion #3. The student must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through writing, oral
presentation, and open questioning. The material for the presentation will be a summary of one to three
pertinent and related papers (with no conflict of interest) to the student’s Ph.D. topic area.
Options for Each: P-Pass, CP-Conditional Pass (committee needs to recommend remedy), F-Fail
❑ The student has provided the committee a one-page summary of the presentation ahead of the examination
❑ Less than two attempts at passing has been made
Written Communication:
Oral Communication:
Response to Questions:
Committee Recommendation for Criterion #3: ___________
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
23
Plan of Study
On successful completion of the qualifying examination, the student selects a major professor from the
Department to serve as the chairperson of the advisory committee and to direct the research. An
advisory committee of at least five Graduate Faculty members from the School of Engineering with at
least three from the Mechanical Engineering faculty is then selected by the student and their adviser to
assist the student in preparing the plan of study (https://gradplan.engr.ku.edu/accounts/login/), to
conduct the comprehensive examination, and to assist the student in planning research.
Courses completed without an approved program of study filed will not necessarily count toward the
degree. The complete plan of study must be submitted before the end of the first semester and include
the specific courses and all other requirements (research skills, research topic, etc.), and filed
electronically with the Department and the Graduate Division of the School of Engineering.
Credit by Transfer
No graduate credit may be transferred toward a doctoral degree, but departments may take relevant
prior graduate work into consideration in setting up programs of study.
http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-credit (4/19/2019)
Proficiency in Responsible Scholarship and Research Skill Area
All doctoral students must meet the Research Skills requirement before proceeding to comprehensive
exams (http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/research-skills-responsible-scholarship: 10/20/2014). The
requirement must include at least two components:
• Every doctoral student is required to have training in responsible scholarship pertinent to the field of
research.
• Every doctoral student is required to obtain research skills pertinent to the doctoral level of research in
their field(s).
The responsible scholarship requirement may be met by taking ME 801, in addition to all other course
and credit requirements. The Ph.D. student must demonstrate proficiency in at least one research skill
area. Since the needs of students differ, the research skills are determined with the advice and approval
of the advisory committee. Possible areas may include:
1. Foreign Language. The aspirant may demonstrate a reading knowledge in a foreign language in either of
two ways:
a. Receive a score in the language on the Educational Testing Service Graduate School Foreign Language
Test at, or above, the minimal level prescribed by the Graduate Studies Office.
b. Complete a language course approved by the advisory committee with a grade of B or better.
2. Computer Science. To establish competence in computer science, it is necessary to satisfy the advisory
committee by demonstrating proficiency in a commonly used programming language and creating at least
one original program.
3. Laboratory Training. Specific training on research skills relevant to the topic of dissertation by the advisor
in their respective laboratory with the help of senior students.
All research skill and responsible scholarship requirements must be satisfied prior to the comprehensive
examination and reported to the Graduate Division.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
24
Doctoral Comprehensive Oral Examination
When a doctoral aspirant has completed the major portion of the course work at a level satisfactory to
the graduate degree program and school (typically 18 credit hours beyond the Master’s degree, or 42
beyond the Bachelor’s degree) and met all other program, school, and general requirements
prerequisite to the comprehensive oral examination, including the research skills requirement as
appropriately applied and established for the student’s particular program, the degree program must
request the Graduate Division of its school to schedule the comprehensive oral examination. It should
be determined that the student is in good academic standing (3.0 or higher grade-point average) before
scheduling the examination. The examination request (using the Progress to Degree system) must be
submitted in advance of the examination date by at least the period specified by the Graduate Division,
normally a minimum of two weeks. The Graduate Division ascertains whether all pertinent requirements
have been satisfied and if reports of any previously scheduled comprehensive oral examinations have
been properly submitted and recorded: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-oral-exams
(6/5/2020)
The committee for the comprehensive oral examination must consist of at least five members, all of
whom must be members of the Graduate Faculty and at least three of whom must be tenured / tenure
track Mechanical Engineering Faculty including the committee chair. Its members are appointed by the
Graduate Division of the school or college on the basis of nominations submitted by the graduate
degree program. At least one member must be from a department other than the aspirant’s major
department. This member represents Graduate Studies and must be a regular member of the Graduate
Faculty. The Graduate Studies representative is a voting member of the committee and has full right to
participate in the examination. In the case of any unsatisfactory or irregular aspects of the exam or
violation of Graduate Studies policy, the Graduate Studies representative shall provide a written report
to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for consideration of further action. The examination may be
scheduled provided that at least five months have elapsed from the time of the aspirant’s first
enrollment at KU considering the Qualifying Exam has been successfully passed.
The comprehensive oral examination covers the major field and any extra-departmental work for which
the program wishes to hold the aspirant responsible (students should discuss the oral examination
requirements with their advisor and committee). For every scheduled examination, the degree program
reports a grade of Honors, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory. If the aspirant receives a grade of
Unsatisfactory on the comprehensive oral examination, it may be repeated on the recommendation of
the degree program, but under no circumstances may it be taken more than three times. In any case,
the examination may not be repeated until at least 90 days have elapsed since the last unsuccessful
attempt. The schedule for the examination should be announced throughout the Department at least 7
days in advance.
Post-comprehensive Enrollment
Doctoral candidates are required, after passing the comprehensive oral examination, to be continuously
enrolled each fall and spring semester in one or more hours of dissertation or programmatically equivalent
coursework (for example, document hours for DMA students) that both moves the student towards degree
completion and reflects, as accurately as possible, the candidate’s demands on faculty time and university
facilities. During this time, until all requirements for the degree are completed (including the filing of the
dissertation) or until 18 post-comprehensive hours have been completed (whichever comes first), the
candidate must enroll for a minimum of 6 hours a semester.
Post-comprehensive enrollment may include enrollment during the semester or summer session in which the
comprehensive oral examination has been passed. If after 18 hours of post-comprehensive enrollment the
degree is not completed, the candidate must continue to enroll each semester until all degree requirements
have been met. The number of hours of each enrollment must be determined by the candidate’s advisor and
must reflect as accurately as possible the candidate’s demands on faculty time and university facilities.
https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-candidacy (8/14/2018)
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
25
Comprehensive Exam Checklist and Rubric
Students should consult their faculty advisor regarding their own specific requirements for the comprehensive
examination. Dr. Depcik developed this checklist and rubric for his students and they are to develop a document
and PowerPoint presentation addressing the rubric items below.
Committee Members (at least 5), Departments, Tenured/Tenure Track (at least 3 ME faculty including chair):
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Graduate Student Office Representative (can be one of the 5 Committee Members if free from Conflict of Interest):
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
❑ Department has requested a record review from SoE Graduate Division prior (at least two weeks) to exam date
❑ Schedule for examination has been announced by the Department at least seven days in advance
❑ It has been more than 5 months since the qualifying exam was successfully passed (all three criteria)
❑ 18 credit hours have been completed beyond a Master’s degree (or 42 beyond a Bachelor’s degree)
❑ If a prior exam was taken and unsuccessful, at least 90 days has elapsed since this attempt
Rubric items are graded as follows: 1-Unacceptable, 2-Acceptable, 3-Very Good, 4-Outstanding
Introduction of Problem – The student has effectively defined the problem or issue their research will address.
Peer reviewed literature is utilized to illustrate the problem’s significance and to describe prior efforts.
Comments:
Methodology/Approach – Student specifies a detailed plan that they will take (e.g., experimentation and/or
modeling) to address the different pathways to solve the problem. This can be delineated by dissertation
chapters that tackle one (or more) component(s) at a time. Preliminary peer-reviewed research is provided to
document important findings for each pathway.
Comments:
Results/Analysis – Student describes the intended results of the work, what data that will be generated, and
how this information will address the solution of the problem.
Comments:
Publications – Student illustrates what publications (e.g., conference & journal papers) will result from the work,
what these publications will contain, and where these publications will be submitted.
Comments:
Timeline – Student has generated a timeline of the effort that is appropriate and doable. Student has considered
the time taken to run experiments and/or computer simulations.
Comments:
Total Score: ___________ Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: _________
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
26
Dissertation
The doctoral candidate must present a dissertation showing the planning, conduct, and results of
original research and/or scholarly creativity. The purpose of the dissertation is to encourage and ensure
the development of broad intellectual capabilities and to demonstrate an intensive focus on a problem
or research area. The dissertation itself should be an evident product of the candidate’s growth and
attainment of the ability to identify significant problems; organize, analyze, and communicate scholarly
results; and bring to bear on an area of scholarly or scientific interest a variety of research skills and
scholarly or creative processes. The dissertation must show some original accomplishment (sufficient
quality to merit publication(s) in refereed journals and it is anticipated that the student will submit one or
more journal publications prior to their defense), but it should also demonstrate without doubt the
candidate’s potential to make future contributions to knowledge and understanding:
https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-dissertation (9/6/2013)
Furthermore, a candidate for a doctoral degree must satisfy all Graduate School requirements for the
degree: http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-degree-requirements (11/13/2017).
Both the dissertation research and the dissertation itself are to be completed under the guidance and
direction of the committee appointed as described in the Doctoral Student Oral Exam Committee
Composition policy (http://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-student-oral-exam-committee-
composition: 7/13/2020):
1. Doctoral committees are composed of at least five voting members.
2. All committee members must be members of the Graduate Faculty authorized to serve on doctoral
exams.
3. The committee chair must also be authorized to chair doctoral examinations.
4. Except as provided in point 4.1, the majority of committee members must be tenured or tenure-track
faculty in the candidate’s department or program of study. Tenured and tenure-track faculty who are
appointed as courtesy faculty within a program or department are considered to be faculty of that
program or department, for the purposes of committee composition.
a. For approved professional doctorate programs (e.g., Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)), the internal or
departmental majority may include one individual who holds a non-tenure-track faculty
appointment in the student's department or program.
5. One member must meet the requirements for serving as the Graduate Studies Representative. A faculty
member from a different department with a courtesy appointment in the student’s department may
serve as the Graduate Studies Representative or in fulfillment of the committee majority requirement but
cannot serve in both roles at the same time. (For more information on the Graduate Studies
Representative, see https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-studies-representative-on-doctoral-
exam-committees: 7/13/2020); and
6. As long as the majority requirement is met, additional committee members may be, but need not be, a
member of the candidate’s department or program.
As long as the conditions above are met, the committee may include more than five members.
While committees are not required to have a co-chair, the student or the committee members may
decide to select a co-chair.
Substitutions of the committee chair (and/or co-chair) are prohibited after the committee has been
approved by the Graduate Division of the School or College. If a committee chair (and/or co-chair) needs
to be replaced, the revised committee must be approved by the Graduate Division in advance of the
exam.
Substitutions of the committee members are permitted as long as the new committee meets the
requirements above. Additional members can be added after the committee has been approved by the
Graduate Division of the School or College. Additions and substitutions must be approved by the
Graduate Division in advance of the exam.
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
27
Dissertation Format
The candidate should read the KU Graduate Studies Policy in order to obtain more insight into the
Doctoral Dissertation (https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-dissertation: 9/6/2013).
An alternative format option for the dissertation exists and may be discussed with the Graduate Director.
Dissertation Oral Examination
Completion of the dissertation is the final academic phase of a doctoral program, culminating in the final
oral examination and defense of the dissertation. In all but the rarest cases, tentative approval of the
dissertation is followed promptly by the final oral examination. When the completed dissertation has
been accepted by the committee in final draft form, and all other degree requirements have been
satisfied, the chair of the committee requests the Graduate Division to schedule the final oral
examination. This request must be made in advance of the desired examination by at least the period
specified by the Graduate Division (normally three weeks). The submission of the request must allow
sufficient time to publicize the examination so that interested members of the university community
may attend. The final oral examination may be held no earlier than one (1) month after the successful
completion of the comprehensive oral examination. Departments, programs, schools, or the College
may require a longer minimum interval between the oral comprehensive exam and the final dissertation
defense: https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/final-oral-exams (6/25/2020)
The committee for the final oral examination must consist of at least five members (the members of the
dissertation committee plus other members of the Graduate Faculty recommended by the committee
chair and the department and appointed by the Graduate Division). At least one member must be from
a department other than the major department. This member represents Graduate Studies and must be
a regular member of the Graduate Faculty. Before the examination, the Graduate Division provides a list
of responsibilities to the Graduate Studies representative. The Graduate Studies representative is a
voting member of the committee and has full right to participate in the examination. In the case of any
unsatisfactory or irregular aspects of the exam or violation of Graduate Studies policy, the Graduate
Studies representative shall provide a written report to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for
consideration of further action.
The Graduate Division ascertains whether all other degree requirements have been met and if reports of
any previously scheduled final oral examinations have been submitted and recorded. Upon approval of
the request, the final oral examination is scheduled at the time and place designated by the Graduate
Division. This information must be published in a news medium as prescribed by the Graduate Faculty.
Interested members of the university community are encouraged to attend these examinations.
For every scheduled final oral examination, the department reports to the Graduate Division a grade of
Honors, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory for the candidate’s performance. If an Unsatisfactory grade is
reported, the candidate may be allowed to repeat the examination on the recommendation of the
department.
When the candidate has passed the final oral examination and the members of the dissertation
committee have signed the dissertation, a title page and acceptance page with original signatures are to
be delivered to the Graduate Affairs office of the school/college in which the student’s program resides
so that completion of degree requirements may be officially certified. As a requirement of graduation,
the candidate must arrange publication of the dissertation and payment of all applicable fees, through
the electronic submission process (http://graduate.ku.edu/electronic-thesis-and-dissertation).
Moreover, the candidate must provide a bound copy to the student’s major advisor, and one bound
copy to the Mechanical Engineering Department (see http://graduate.ku.edu/submitting for
recommended binding services).
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
28
Dissertation Checklist – M.S. Degree Start
This checklist has been developed to help keep track of meeting the requirements of the Ph.D. degree
starting with an M.S.; students must still fill out their plan of study at https://gradplan.engr.ku.edu/
Committee Members (at least 5), Departments, Tenured/Tenure Track (at least 3 ME faculty including chair):
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Graduate Student Office Representative (can be one of the 5 Committee Members if free from Conflict of Interest):
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
❑ It has been more than 1 month since the comprehensive exam was successfully passed (date: _____________)
❑ The oral examination has been scheduled three weeks in advance
❑ The examination has been publicized at least 7 days prior to the date of the examination
1. For students with a 30-credit Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a minimum of an additional 18 credits of
graduate course work is required. A minimum of 9 credit hours of the 18 must be mechanical engineering courses numbered
700-900 (excluding ME 702, ME 801, ME 899, ME 901, and ME 999).
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
ME Courses Credit:
Total Hours:
2. For students with a 30-credit Master’s degree in ME, 24 hours of dissertation credit (ME 999) are required.
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Total Hours:
3. A minimum of 9 credit hours of advanced mathematics beyond the bachelor’s degree is required. This may include classes
taken as part of the 30-credit M.S. degree, but you cannot double count these M.S. classes for #1 above.
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Total Hours:
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
29
Dissertation Checklist – B.S. Degree Start
This checklist has been developed to help keep track of meeting the requirements of the Ph.D. degree
starting with a B.S.; students must still fill out their plan of study at https://gradplan.engr.ku.edu/
Committee Members (at least 5), Departments, Tenured/Tenure Track (at least 3 ME faculty including chair):
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Graduate Student Office Representative (can be one of the 5 Committee Members if free from Conflict of Interest):
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
❑ It has been more than 1 month since the comprehensive exam was successfully passed (date: _____________)
❑ The oral examination has been scheduled three weeks in advance
❑ The examination has been publicized at least 7 days prior to the date of the examination
1. For students not seeking an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, a minimum of 42 credits of graduate course work is required.
A minimum of 21 credit hours of the 42 must be mechanical engineering courses numbered 700-900 (excluding ME 702, ME
801, ME 899, ME 901, and ME 999).
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
ME Courses Credit:
Total Hours:
2. For students not seeking a Master’s degree in ME, 30 hours of dissertation credit (ME 999) are required.
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Semester:
Credit:
Total Hours:
3. A minimum of 9 credit hours of advanced mathematics beyond the bachelor’s degree is required.
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Course:
Semester:
Credit:
Total Hours:
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
30
Dissertation Rubrics
The committee has the option to evaluate the candidate’s dissertation using the following rubric and upload the
results to http://ku.campuslabs.com/rubrics/uok/DLORME for data collection. The candidate may wish to review
this rubric to help them with their understanding of what is required in a dissertation.
1-Unacceptable
2-Acceptable
3-Very Good
4-Outstanding
Introduction/
Statement of
the Problem
• Poorly written
• Does not define the
problem or approach
• Does not show sufficient
knowledge
• Adequately written
• Does not explain
the problem’s
importance
• Well written
• Provides a good
problem statement
• Exceptionally well written
• Sets up & defines problem
clearly
Grounding in
the Literature
• Inadequate sources
• Does not understand the
literature
• Does not provide context
• Adequate
• Does not put
literature in right
context
• Lacks critical
analysis & synthesis
• Shows understanding
of the literature
• Provides a meaningful
summary of the
literature
• Provides a thorough,
comprehensive and up to
date review
• Uses literature to advance the
field
Methodology/
Approach
• Uses the wrong
methodology or tool
• Methodology is absent or
omitted
• Methodology is
misunderstood
• Understands & uses
theory
appropriately
• Shows basic level of
competence
• Complete & correct
• Builds on existing
theory
• Applies method in
correct ways
• Original
• Integrates theory &
experimental work
• Uses cutting-edge
methodology
Results/
Analysis
• Analysis is wrong,
inappropriate, or
incompetent
• Data are wrong
• Cannot explain results
• Appropriate &
correct
• Produces quality
results
• Appropriate & correct
• Produces high-quality
results
• Results are meaningful and
usable
• Provides plausible
interpretations
• Discusses accuracy, reliability
& limitations
Discussion/
Conclusion
• Inadequate
• Does not understand the
results
• Does not discuss the
implications of the work
• Does not draw conclusions
• Summarizes the
dissertation
• Does not address
the significance or
implications of the
research
• Provides a good
summary
• Identifies possible
implications & some
future directions
• Clear & concise
• Discusses strengths,
weaknesses & limitations
• Puts the study in the larger
context
• Discusses future directions
Overall
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
31
Another rubric that might be helpful for the candidate is this one from the Stevens Institute of
Technology (https://peer.asee.org/a-proposed-doctoral-assessment-procedure-and-rubric-for-science-
and-engineering)
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
32
Program Time Constraints
Minimum Tenure
The student must spend three full academic years, or the bona fide equivalent thereof, in resident
study at this or some other approved university, including the time spent in attaining the master’s
degree. Resident study at less than full time requires a correspondingly longer period, but the
requirement is not measured merely in hours of enrollment. Because a minimum number of hours
for the degree is not prescribed, no transfer of credit is appropriate. However, graduate degree
programs take relevant prior graduate work into consideration in setting up programs of study
leading to the doctorate.
Residence Requirement
Two semesters, which may include one summer session, must be spent in resident study at KU.
During this period, the student must be involved full time in academic or professional pursuits,
which may include an appointment for teaching or research if it is directed specifically toward
degree objectives. Enrollment in approved distance-learning courses offered through KU cannot be
used to meet the doctoral residency requirement. The student must be enrolled in a minimum of 6
credit hours per semester, and the increased research involvement must be fully supported and
documented by the dissertation supervisor as contributing to the student’s dissertation or program
objectives. Research must be performed under the direct supervision of the major adviser if on
campus, or with adequate liaison if off campus.
Maximum Tenure
After being admitted to doctoral programs at KU, students complete all degree requirements in
eight years. In cases in which compelling circumstances recommend a one-year extension, the
Graduate Division has authority to grant the extension on the written advice of the department and
dissertation committee. Students who complete the master’s degree at KU and subsequently begin
doctoral studies have a maximum total enrolled time of 10 years to complete both degrees. Normal
expectations, however, are that most master’s degrees (excluding some professional terminal
degrees) should be completed in two years of full-time study, and both master’s and doctorate in six
years of full-time study. Some graduate degree programs may have more stringent time restrictions.
Students should inquire about the policy in effect in the department in which they plan to study.
A student in any of the above categories may petition the Graduate Division through the
department for a leave of absence during either the pre- or post-comprehensive period to pursue
full-time professional activities related to the doctoral program and long-range professional goals.
Leaves of absence also may be granted because of illness or other emergency. Ordinarily a leave of
absence is granted for one year, with the possibility of extension upon request. After an absence of
five years, however, a doctoral aspirant or candidate loses status as such and must apply for
readmission to the program and the Graduate Division.
https://policy.ku.edu/graduate-studies/doctoral-program-time-contraints (3/9/2018)
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
33
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
34
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
35
Courses
Numbering System
Courses that may give graduate credit are numbered according to the following scheme:
• Courses numbered 500-699 are designed primarily for junior and senior undergraduates, but are
also taken by some graduate students who have fewer than 30 hours of graduate credit.
• Courses numbered 700-799 are designed primarily for graduate students who have fewer than
30 hours of graduate credit and may be considered “Master” level classes, but they are also
taken by some undergraduates.
• Courses numbered 800-899 are designed primarily for graduate students who have fewer than
30 hours of graduate courses and may be considered “Master/PhD” level classes.
• Courses numbered 900-999 are designed primarily for graduate students who have 30 or more
hours of graduate credit and may be considered “PhD” level classes.
No course, regardless of its number, can give graduate credit unless it has been approved for graduate
credit by the Graduate Division or the Graduate School, and is taught by a person holding a current
appointment to the Graduate Faculty.
Categories for Major
For descriptions of the courses, please consult the KU Catalog:
http://catalog.ku.edu/engineering/mechanical-engineering/#courseinventory
Approved Courses in Mechanical Engineering (that are not typically part of KU BSME Curriculum)
Computational Mechanics and Mathematics of Computations
ME 840 Continuum Mechanics I
ME 841 Continuum Mechanics II
ME 861 Theory of the Finite Element Method
ME 862 Finite Element Method for Transient Analysis
ME 864 Mesh Generation and Adaptivity for Finite Element Simulations in Engineering
ME 882 Advanced Control Systems
ME 961 Finite Element Method for Nonlinear Problems in Solid Mechanics
ME 962 p-Approximation, Error Estimation and Other Advanced Topics in the Finite Element
Method
ME 965 Mathematical Modeling and Computational Method in Multi-Scale Processes
Mechanical Design, Manufacturing, and Microprocessor Applications
ME 627 Automotive Design
ME 696 Design for Manufacturability
ME 708 Microcomputer Applications in Mechanical Engineering
ME 720 Advanced Dynamics of Machinery
ME 722 Modeling Dynamics of Mechanical Systems
ME 808 Advanced Microprocessor Applications
ME 882 Advanced Control Systems
ME 961 Finite Element Method for Nonlinear Problems in Solid Mechanics
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
36
Thermal-Fluid Systems and Heat Transfer
ME 636 Internal Combustion Engines
ME 637 Steam Power Plants
ME 639 Alternative Energy Systems
ME 711 Bearings and Bearing Lubrication
ME 712 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics
ME 716 Introduction to Surface and Interface Science
ME 718 Fundamentals of Fuel Cells
ME 733 Gas Dynamics
ME 736 Catalyst Exhaust Aftertreatment Modeling
ME 752 Acoustics
ME 756 Biofluid Dynamics
ME 770 Conductive Heat Transfer
ME 788 Optimal Estimation
ME 789 Energy Storage Systems and Control
ME 797 Materials for Energy Applications
ME 798 Manufacturing for Energy Applications
ME 810 Advanced Fluid Mechanics
ME 831 Convective Heat and Momentum Transfer
ME 832 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
ME 833 Radiative Heat Transfer
ME 836 Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
ME 890 Fundamentals of Numerical Heat & Mass Transfer (AHMT)
ME 890 Model Predictive Control (ACE)
ME 890 Manufacturing for Energy Applications
Qualifying Exam: Criterion #2 - The student must demonstrate an understanding in a subset of core
advanced mechanical engineering knowledge.
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Heat Transfer
ME 636
ME 637
ME 712
ME 716
ME 718
ME 733
ME 788
ME 797
ME 637
ME 711
ME 733
ME 736
ME 756
ME 810
ME 831
ME 637
ME 718
ME 770
ME 789
ME 797
ME 831
ME 833
ME 890 (AHMT)
• Last updated: 9/27/2018
• Note: If a class is indicated under two subject headings, the student may only use it for one of
the subject headings; i.e., it cannot be double counted.
• Classes Not Applicable for Qualifying Exam: ME 639, ME 752, ME 798, ME 836, ME 890 (ACE)
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
37
Biomechanics and Biomaterials
ME 633 Basic Biomechanics
ME 696 Design for Manufacturability
ME 720 Adv. Dynamics of Machinery
ME 750 Biomechanics of Human Motion
ME 751 Experimental Methods of Biomechanics
ME 753 Bone Biomechanics
ME 754 Biomedical Optics
ME 755 Computer Simulation in Biomechanics
ME 757 Biomechanical Systems
ME 758 Physiological System Dynamics
ME 760 Biomedical Product Development
ME 765 Biomaterials
ME 767 Molecular Biomimetics
ME 810 Advanced Fluid Dynamics
ME 831 Convective Heat and Momentum Transfer
ME 854 Continuum Mechanics for Soft Tissues
Useable in any of the first three categories
ME 861 Theory of the Finite Element Method
ME 862 Finite Element Method for Transient Analysis
ME 962 p-Approximation, Error Estimation and Other Advanced Topics in the Finite Element
Method
Other Courses of Interest
ME 790 Special Topics (a faculty member uses this number when they are in the midst of
developing a graduate course for Master’s students)
ME 860 Advanced Mechanical Engineering Problems (An analytical or experimental study of
problems or subjects of immediate interest to a student and faculty member; to be
discussed individually with faculty and is independent of thesis/dissertation work)
NOTE: If a student wishes to take more than one ME 860 courses, then they must submit a
proposal to both the Graduate Director and Department Chair highlighting the work to be
accomplished along with how it is (a) not covered in any other ME graduate course and (b)
would not be considered as thesis/dissertation work (i.e., not suited for ME 899)
ME 890 Special Topics (a faculty member uses this number when they are in the midst of
developing a graduate course for Master/Doctoral students)
ME 899 Independent Investigation (M.S. thesis or project credit hours)
ME 990 Special Topics (a faculty member uses this number when they are in the midst of
developing a graduate course for Doctoral students)
ME 999 Independent Investigation (Ph.D. dissertation credit hours)
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
38
Approved Courses in Mathematics
The following courses may be used to satisfy mathematics requirements for a Mechanical Engineering
graduate degree. If the student wishes to select a different course for satisfying the mathematics
requirement, they must seek approval by the Graduate Director. When seeking approval for a different
course, the student should compare the pre-/co-requisites of a similar class (or classes) in the list below
to aid in the Graduate Director’s analysis. Currently under review.
ME 702 Mechanical Engineering Analysis
PHSX 718 Mathematical Physics
MATH 590 Linear Algebra
MATH 591 Applied Numerical Linear Algebra
MATH 611 Fourier Analysis of Time Series
MATH 624 Discrete Probability
MATH 627 Probability
MATH 628 Mathematical Theory of Statistics
MATH 631 Operations Research
MATH 646 Complex Variable and Applications
MATH 647 Applied Partial Differential Equations
MATH 648 Calculus of Variations and Integral Equations
MATH 715 Sampling Techniques
MATH 717 Nonparametric Statistics
MATH 727 Probability Theory
MATH 728 Statistical Theory
MATH 735 Intro to Optimal Control Theory
MATH 750 Stochastic Adaptive Control
MATH 765 Intro to Theory of Functions I
MATH 766 Intro to Theory of Functions II
MATH 783 Applied Numerical Analysis for Partial Differential Equations
MATH 790 Linear Algebra II
MATH 791 Modern Algebra I
MATH 792 Modern Algebra II
MATH 865 Intro to Stochastic Processes
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
39
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
40
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
41
Department of Mechanical Engineering – Graduate Handbook
Version 2020a Last Edit: 7/28/2020
42