Preliminary Examination
After passing the Qualifying Coursework requirement, students are encouraged to complete the Preliminary Exam by the end of the 2nd year in the graduate program.
- A student will work with his/her D. Eng. in Mfg. advisor to form his/her dissertation committee, prepare a bio-sketch, Research proposal, PowerPoint presentation List of Qualifying Exam Coursework and a brief report explaining how the Qualifying Exam coursework matches the research proposal topic and future research plans.
- Once the dissertation committee is approved and the required documents are approved by the D. Eng. in Mfg. advisor and Manufacturing Committee, the student will work with his/her D. Eng. in Mfg. advisor to schedule the Preliminary Exam and will inform the Program’s Graduate Coordinator of the scheduled exam.
- In attendance at the exam will be the student and Dissertation Committee. The student will present a 40-50 minute oral presentation regarding the proposed research topic, methodologies and expected contributions, preliminary research results, work plan, and timeline followed by a 30-minute questions and answers.
- All of the following areas will be considered by the Dissertation Committee when determining the outcome of pass/fail (proposed topic and its significance, methodological soundness, preliminary research and progress and the applications, future research plans, communication).
- If the exam is not passed, the student may petition the committee to take one more prelim exam within one year; however the intention is that decisions be final and that second chances should be rare. Once the student passes the Preliminary Exam, the College of Engineering Registrar will submit a request to the College of Engineering for the student to advance to Candidacy.