phd proposal sample mechanical engineering

School of Engineering

Guide to writing a research proposal for an engineering phd.

An important part of your PhD application is the research proposal so we want to know what your research interests are so that we may direct your application to potential supervisors. The proposal does not need be long, but the quality should be high and no more than 2-3 pages should be sufficient. Ideally your proposal should address the points below however as long as we get a clear idea of your research interests then we can consider your application.

• Ensure that your research interests match those in the School of Engineering.
• Outline the main objectives of your research, providing details of two or three key aspects.
• State your target audience for this project.
• Explain what the main outcomes of the project are that you would want to see.
• Outline what methods/approaches you intend to use to achieve the aims of your project.
• Indicate your suggested data collection procedures, including sources and any possible difficulties.
• Explain any analytical techniques you intend to use for your research.
• Broad research areas which would be unmanageable as a PhD topic or that have no relevance to the University of Warwick research areas.
• Vague descriptions of your research interests.

• Department of Materials Science and Engineering
• Postgraduate study

Writing a research proposal

The key feature of your PhD is that it is yours - the topic, planning, motivation, and thinking all come from you. It will be the most challenging type of academic work you have ever done, but also the most rewarding.

The Research Proposal – an outline

The research proposal constitutes the main way in which the department evaluates the potential quality of your PhD plans. The proposal should be approximately 1,500 words in length and include:

• A provisional title

Question or hypothesis

Value of the phd, existing literature, methods of work.

The title indicates the ‘headline’ character of the PhD. It should include any key concepts, empirical focus, or lines of inquiry that you aim to pursue. For example: ‘ High entropy alloys (HEAs) for fusion: Exploration of novel processing routes and HEA stability in extreme environments’, or ‘Tailoring the Thermomechanical Properties of High Performance Aerospace & Automotive Composite Materials’.

You can negotiate changes in the title with your supervisor should you be successful, but it's important to devise a title that describes what you aspire to research – and which looks original and exciting.

You need a question or hypothesis to drive the research forward. The question/hypothesis will provide your motivation; to answer the question or prove/disprove the hypothesis.

The question/hypothesis will need to be something that has not been posed before - this may involve looking at something that nobody has looked at before, or taking a fresh approach to an existing topic or issue.

The aims of your research should be a short list of answers to the question - what will the PhD do? So, for example ‘this PhD will explore...’ or ‘by carrying out this research, I will contribute to debates about...’. The aims are broader than the questions/hypotheses; they give a prospective statement about the overall destination of the PhD and its potential impact.

The value of the PhD follows closely from the aims. Think about how the ways it might improve our understanding of materials - a new process or the generation of new materials? To whom might the PhD be interesting - scholars looking at particular challenges, or specific industries?

A short note of key existing literature situates the PhD in existing research. Literature reviews are not simply descriptive mapping exercises at PhD level - you should identify a small number of key texts and say something about how these books are important for your research, and whether they support, extend, or challenge existing work.

The resources you require can vary according to the nature of your research: access to a particular archive, specialist library, visits to specialised equipment and facilities, the use of analytical software, access to databases, training, workshop attendance and so on. It's important to list any of these resources and give a very brief account of how they will enhance the PhD.

The methods of work is a particularly important section - it's where you can discuss how you will answer your question or prove your hypothesis. It's relatively easy to ask a new question; it is more challenging to set out how you might come up with a convincing answer!

The research also needs a  timetable . This should be set out over three years with clear indications of how long you will need to prepare for and carry out research (however defined) and allow time for writing up. Try to be as detailed as you can at this stage.

Each of these criteria helps the Department of Materials Science and Engineering selectors make a good judgement about your proposal. By following these criteria you will have your best chance of getting your proposal accepted.

Three more important points:

• Try to be concise. Don't write too much – be as specific as you can but not wordy. It is a difficult balance to strike.
• Bear in mind that the proposal is a starting point. If you are registered to read for a PhD you will be able to work the proposal through with your supervisor in more detail in the early months.
• Take a look at the department’s staff profiles. Can you identify possible supervisors and intellectual support networks within the department? The better able the department is to support your research, the better it will be for your proposal.

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.

Writing a Competitive Preliminary Research Proposal for an Engineering Ph.D. Degree

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Thesis Proposal

Registration, deadlines and process documentation to initiate defense, committee and defense process.

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Mechanical Engineering

How to Write a Project Proposal

Contents of proposal.

A recommended template for an MS project or thesis proposal is provided at the following link, from which you can make a Google Docs copy or download a Microsoft Word file:

ME 295 and ME 299 Proposal Template

Proposal Approval Process

The project proposal must be written so that it provides a strong evidence of a student’s thorough understanding of the topic and the capabilities to carry out the work successfully. There are three levels of approvals and signatures required to ascertain that the student in fact has the understanding and capabilities to complete the project successfully. First, the proposal is reviewed, evaluated, and signed by the advisory committee. Next, the signed Proposal Evaluation Form  is attached to the proposal, along with the completed Proposal Cover Sheet and submitted to the ME office for approval and signatures of the Graduate Advisor and the Department Chair. Refer to the Projects and Thesis tab for proposal deadline.

See our detailed instructions [pdf] for submitting the project proposal in DocuSign to help guide you through the process. 

Proposal Deadline

The proposal must be approved by the advisory committee, the Graduate Advisor, and the Department Chair prior to the university deadline for adding a course, usually the second week of February for the Spring semester and the second week of September for the Fall semester. The add-code for the first term project is issued by the ME office only after the approved project proposal has been received. Failure to meet the deadlines can delay your graduation.

Sample Proposals

The following are some representative examples of project proposals. Your proposal may have additional requirements depending on your project committee chair.

• Sample 1 (Bicycle brake)
• Sample 2 (Collapsible cup)
• Sample 3 (Object detection)
• Sample 4 (Metamaterial)
• Sample 5 (Battery)

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Engineering > Mechanical Engineering > Theses and Dissertations

Mechanical Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Metachronal Locomotion: Swimming, Scaling, and Schooling , Kuvvat Garayev

A Human-in-the-Loop Robot Grasping System with Grasp Quality Refinement , Tian Tan

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Health Effects of Oil Spills and Dispersal of Oil Droplets and Zooplankton by Langmuir Cells , Sanjib Gurung

Estimating the As-Placed Grout Volume of Auger Cast Piles , Tristen Mee

Hybrid RANS-LES Hemolytic Power Law Modeling of the FDA Blood Pump , Joseph Tarriela

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Dynamic Loading Directed Neural Stem Cell Differentiation , Abdullah Revaha Akdemir

An Investigation of Cross-links on Crystallization and Degradation in a Novel, PhotoCross-linkable Poly (Lactic Acid) System , Nicholas Baksh

A Framework to Aid Decision Making for Smart Manufacturing Technologies in Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises , Purvee Bhatia

Formation of Gas Jets and Vortex Rings from Bursting Bubbles: Visualization, Kinematics, and Fluid Dynamics , Ali A. Dasouqi

Development of Carbon and Silicon Carbide Based Microelectrode Implantable Neural Interfaces , Chenyin Feng

Sulfate Optimization in the Cement-Slag Blended System Based on Calorimetry and Strength Studies , Mustafa Fincan

Interrelation of Thermal Stimulation with Haptic Perception, Emotion, and Memory , Mehdi Hojatmadani

Modeling the Ambient Conditions of a Manufacturing Environment Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) , Yang Liu

Flow Visualization and Aerosol Characterization of Respiratory Jets Exhaled from a Mannequin Simulator , Sindhu Reddy Mutra

A Constitutive-Based Deep Learning Model for the Identification of Active Contraction Parameters of the Left Ventricular Myocardium , Igor Augusto Paschoalotte Nobrega

Sensible/Latent Hybrid Thermal Energy Storage for the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle , Kelly Osterman

Evaluating the Performance of Devices Engineering to Quantify the FARS Test , Harsh Patel

Event-Triggered Control Architectures for Scheduling Information Exchange in Uncertain and Multiagent Systems , Stefan Ristevski

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Experimental Investigation of Liquid Height Estimation and Simulation Verification of Bolt Tension Quantification Using Surface Acoustic Waves , Hani Alhazmi

Investigation of Navigation Systems for Size, Cost, and Mass Constrained Satellites , Omar Awad

Simulation and Verification of Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage , Marwan Mosubah Belaed

Control of a Human Arm Robotic Unit Using Augmented Reality and Optimized Kinematics , Carlo Canezo

Manipulation and Patterning of Mammalian Cells Using Vibrations and Acoustic Forces , Joel Cooper

Stable Adaptive Control Systems in the Presence of Unmodeled and Actuator Dynamics , Kadriye Merve Dogan

The Design and Development of a Wrist-Hand Orthosis , Amber Gatto

ROBOAT - Rescue Operations Bot Operating in All Terrains , Akshay Gulhane

Mitigation of Electromigration in Metal Interconnects Passivated by Ångstrom-Thin 2D Materials , Yunjo Jeong

Swimming of Pelagic Snails: Kinematics and Fluid Dynamics , Ferhat Karakas

Functional Gait Asymmetries Achieved Through Modeling and Understanding the Interaction of Multiple Gait Modulations , Fatemeh Rasouli

Distributed Control of Multiagent Systems under Heterogeneity , Selahattin Burak Sarsilmaz

Design and Implementation of Intuitive Human-robot Teleoperation Interfaces , Lei Wu

Laser Micropatterning Effects on Corrosion Resistance of Pure Magnesium Surfaces , Yahya Efe Yayoglu

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Disulfide/Conducting Polymer Nanocomposite Materials for Supercapacitor Applications , Turki S. Alamro

Design of Shape-Morphing Structures Consisting of Bistable Compliant Mechanisms , Rami Alfattani

Low Temperature Multi Effects Desalination-Mechanical Vapor Compression Powered by Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle , Eydhah Almatrafi

Experimental Results of a Model Reference Adaptive Control Approach on an Interconnected Uncertain Dynamical System , Kemberly Cespedes

Modeling of Buildings with Electrochromic Windows and Thermochromic Roofs , Hua-Ting Kao

Design and Testing of Experimental Langmuir Turbulence Facilities , Zongze Li

Solar Thermal Geothermal Hybrid System With a Bottoming Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle , Francesca Moloney

Design and Testing of a Reciprocating Wind Harvester , Ahmet Topcuoglu

Distributed Spatiotemporal Control and Dynamic Information Fusion for Multiagent Systems , Dzung Minh Duc Tran

Controlled Wetting Using Ultrasonic Vibration , Matthew A. Trapuzzano

On Distributed Control of Multiagent Systems under Adverse Conditions , Emre Yildirim

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Synthesis and Characterization of Alpha-Hematite Nanomaterials for Water-Splitting Applications , Hussein Alrobei

Control of Uncertain Dynamical Systems with Spatial and Temporal Constraints , Ehsan Arabi

Simulation and Optimization of a Sheathless Size-Based Acoustic Particle Separator , Shivaraman Asoda

Simulation of Radiation Flux from Thermal Fluid in Origami Tubes , Robert R. Bebeau

Toward Verifiable Adaptive Control Systems: High-Performance and Robust Architectures , Benjamin Charles Gruenwald

Developing Motion Platform Dynamics for Studying Biomechanical Responses During Exercise for Human Spaceflight Applications , Kaitlin Lostroscio

Design and Testing of a Linear Compliant Mechanism with Adjustable Force Output , William Niemeier

Investigation of Thermal History in Large Area Projection Sintering, an Additive Manufacturing Technology , Justin Nussbaum

Acoustic Source Localization with a VTOL sUAV Deployable Module , Kory Olney

Defect Detection in Additive Manufacturing Utilizing Long Pulse Thermography , James Pierce

Design and Testing of a Passive Prosthetic Ankle Foot Optimized to Mimic an Able-Bodied Gait , Millicent Schlafly

Simulation of Turbulent Air Jet Impingement for Commercial Cooking Applications , Shantanu S. Shevade

Materials and Methods to Fabricate Porous Structures Using Additive Manufacturing Techniques , Mohsen Ziaee

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Large Area Sintering Test Platform Design and Preliminary Study on Cross Sectional Resolution , Christopher J. Gardiner

Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Remediation of Organics in Water Using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide Nanostructures , Srikanth Gunti

Heat Flux Modeling of Asymmetrically Heated and Cooled Thermal Stimuli , Matthew Hardy

Simulation of Hemiparetic Function Using a Knee Orthosis with Variable Impedance and a Proprioception Interference Apparatus , Christina-Anne Kathleen Lahiff

Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Molybdenum Oxide Nanomaterials , Michael S. McCrory

Effects of Microstructure and Alloy Concentration on the Corrosion and Tribocorrosion Resistance of Al-Mn and WE43 Mg Alloys , Hesham Y. Saleh Mraied

Novel Transducer Calibration and Simulation Verification of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Channels on Acoustic Microfluidic Devices , Scott T. Padilla

Force Compensation and Recreation Accuracy in Humans , Benjamin Rigsby

Experimental Evaluation of Cooling Effectiveness and Water Conservation in a Poultry House Using Flow Blurring ® Atomizers , Rafael M. Rodriguez

Media Velocity Considerations in Pleated Air Filtration , Frederik Carl Schousboe

Orthoplanar Spring Based Compliant Force/Torque Sensor for Robot Force Control , Jerry West

Experimental Study of High-Temperature Range Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage , Chatura Wickramaratne

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Al/Ti Nanostructured Multilayers: from Mechanical, Tribological, to Corrosion Properties , Sina Izadi

Molybdenum Disulfide-Conducting Polymer Composite Structures for Electrochemical Biosensor Applications , Hongxiang Jia

Waterproofing Shape-Changing Mechanisms Using Origami Engineering; Also a Mechanical Property Evaluation Approach for Rapid Prototyping , Andrew Jason Katz

Hydrogen Effects on X80 Steel Mechanical Properties Measured by Tensile and Impact Testing , Xuan Li

Application and Analysis of Asymmetrical Hot and Cold Stimuli , Ahmad Manasrah

Droplet-based Mechanical Actuator Utilizing Electrowetting Effect , Qi Ni

Experimental and Computational Study on Fracture Mechanics of Multilayered Structures , Hai Thanh Tran

Designing the Haptic Interface for Morse Code , Michael Walker

Optimization and Characterization of Integrated Microfluidic Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors and Transducers , Tao Wang

Corrosion Characteristics of Magnesium under Varying Surface Roughness Conditions , Yahya Efe Yayoglu

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Emissions, Human Energy, and Cultural Perceptions Associated with Traditional and Improved Methods of Shea Butter Processing in Ghana, West Africa , Emily Adams

Experimental Investigation of Encapsulated Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage , Tanvir E. Alam

Design Of Shape Morphing Structures Using Bistable Elements , Ahmad Alqasimi

Heat Transfer Analysis of Slot Jet Impingement onto Roughened Surfaces , Rashid Ali Alshatti

Systems Approach to Producing Electrospun Polyvinylidene Difluoride Fiber Webs with Controlled Fiber Structure and Functionality , Brian D. Bell

Self-Assembly Kinetics of Microscale Components: A Parametric Evaluation , Jose Miguel Carballo

Measuring Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Mechanical Properties Using Flat Punch Nanoindentation Focusing on Obtaining Full Contact , Federico De Paoli

A Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Flow Induced Noise In Hydraulic Counterbalance Valves , Mutasim Mohamed Elsheikh

An Experimental Study on Passive Dynamic Walking , Philip Andrew Hatzitheodorou

Use of Anaerobic Adhesive for Prevailing Torque Locking Feature on Threaded Product , Alan Hernandez

Viability of Bismuth as a Green Substitute for Lead in Jacketed .357 Magnum Revolver Bullets , Joel A. Jenkins

A Planar Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model for Cantilevers Experiencing Combined Endpoint Forces and Uniformly Distributed Loads Acting in Parallel , Philip James Logan

Kinematic Control of Redundant Mobile Manipulators , Mustafa Mashali

Passive Symmetry in Dynamic Systems and Walking , Haris Muratagic

Mechanical Properties of Laser-Sintered-Nylon Diamond Lattices , Clayton Neff

Design, Fabrication and Analysis of a Paver Machine Push Bar Mechanism , Mahendra Palnati

Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Properties of Polyaniline Thin Films , Soukaina Rami

A Technical and Economic Comparative Analysis of Sensible and Latent Heat Packed Bed Storage Systems for Concentrating Solar Thermal Power Plants , Jamie Trahan

Use of FDM Components for Ion Beam and Vacuum Applications , Eric Miguel Tridas

The Development of an Adaptive Driving Simulator , Sarah Marie Tudor

Dual 7-Degree-of-Freedom Robotic Arm Remote Teleoperation Using Haptic Devices , Yu-Cheng Wang

Ductility and Use of Titanium Alloy and Stainless Steel Aerospace Fasteners , Jarrod Talbott Whittaker

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George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

Objective of qualifying exam format.

Starting in the Fall of 2021 the Woodruff School is using a new qualifying exam format that applies to students seeking a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Students seeking a Ph.D. in nuclear and radiological engineering and medical physics will use this format through the 2021-22 school year. 

Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives provided the foundation for how the new exam format was viewed to fit within the broader context of the School’s Ph.D. program, based on an  excellent paper on the topic 1 . The relationship between Bloom’s taxonomy and the main elements of our Ph.D. program is shown in Figure 1.

This relationship can be explained further as:

Coursework : Knowledge, Comprehension, Application (levels 1-3 in Bloom’s  taxonomy), somewhat into Analysis in general and specialized fields.

PhD Qualifying Exams : Analysis, Level 4. (Breaking down material into its  constituent parts to identify elements, detecting the relationships among the parts, and  recognizing the organizational principles or arrangement of the structure). Ex: Apply to  some papers in the field of research.

PhD Proposal : Synthesis, Level 5. Synthesize general and specialized knowledge and  research methodology to develop the student’s own research plan.

PhD Dissertation : Evaluation, Level 6. Perform the research plan, evaluate results,  evaluate research methods.

1   TO Loughead, “The doctoral comprehensive examination: Fine-tuning the process,” Counselor Education and  Supervision , 37(2):140-148, 1997.

A student should be able to read research literature (e.g., journal papers) and analyze it based on knowledge of the domain and based on research methodology. That is, students should demonstrate competence at Level 4 – Analysis, which requires full comprehension of the research material in terms of its structure and its content. Based on this foundation, the qualifying exam objective is based on the idea of research preparation :

"To support, develop, and assess a student’s subject knowledge that will allow them to be successful in conducting graduate research."

Mechanical Engineering Qualifying Exam Format

Ph.d. qualifying exam objective.

To support, develop, and assess a student’s subject knowledge that will allow them to be  successful in conducting graduate research.

Format Summary

The Exam shall consist of one oral exam of the student’s subject knowledge, lasting a maximum  of one hour, based on three technical publications selected by the exam committee from  preapproved list. During the Exam, each committee member will ask questions based on the  selected technical publication(s). The committee will evaluate the student’s performance based  on a standard rubric. Results will be conveyed to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies  (immediately) and to the student (after approval).

Identification of Student’s Subject Area and Topic

The semester before taking the qualifying exam, the student will fill out the Qualifying Exam  Profile Form (see attached) and submit it to the graduate office. This form intended to identify  the student’s research area, describe the various disciplines and sub-disciplines of relevance to  the research, and provide info on the students coursework background. The student, in  consultation with his/her adviser, selects the primary RAG to administer the exam and provides a  list of up to 5 GWW faculty members who should serve on the committee. These faculty  members should be good candidates to serve on the student’s Ph.D. Reading Committee, but  need not all be from the same RAG. The student shall submit this form to the Graduate Office  before the semester’s end.

Exam Committee

The RAG that is identified as the administering RAG in the student’s summary will propose an  examination committee, in consultation with the adviser, that consists of 3 tenure track faculty  members with an appointment in the Woodruff School. The PhD adviser cannot be part of the  committee. The committee members do not have to be from the same RAG. The RAG will  assign one of the 3 committee members as the Committee Chair, who will be responsible for  overseeing the exam preparation and communicating with the student. It is expected that the  exam committee will have an overlap with the student’s proposal and dissertation reading  committees. The qualifying exam committee will then be responsible for selecting the three  papers and arranging the exam.

Research Areas

The research areas in which students will be examined consist of the Research Area Groups in  the School. At present, these are:

Acoustic & Dynamics Automation, Robotics, & Controls Bioengineering Computer-Aided Engineering & Design Fluid Mechanics Heat Transfer, Combustion & Energy Systems Manufacturing Mechanics of Materials Micro & Nano Engineering Tribology

Technical Publications

Each RAG will maintain a list of publications within a database (typically between 20 and 50)  that will be collected and maintained by the School, called the School repository. It is expected  that each RAG will review and possibly update their identified publications annually. The paper  collection will not be publicized to the students.

The committee will select 3 publications from the School’s repository and ensure that the  publications selected are consistent with the student’s research area. None of the selected papers  may be authored by a member of the exam committee or the student’s adviser. The selected  papers shall be communicated to the student two weeks before the scheduled exam.

Exam Administration

The student can prepare a written response to the three papers that is no longer than 3 pages and  share it with the exam committee. The response should summarize the papers and address the evaluation criteria articulated in the exam rubric. The student may also bring the hardcopy of the assigned papers. The three page written summary can be shared with the committee but is not taken into consideration as part of the assessment.

During the exam, the exam committee members ask the student questions about the papers that  can cover the papers’ technical contents, the research methods used, and other aspects as  indicated in the rubric. The committee can choose to cover all three papers, or focus on one or  two of the papers.

Once the papers are assigned to you (student), you are no longer allowed to discuss anything of relevance to these papers, directly or indirectly, with your advisor, lab or class mates, friends, parents, anyone. You are on your own during the 2 weeks of preparation for the exam. You are allowed to read any papers you want, those which are cited in the papers assigned to you or others that are not cited, any books, lecture notes, etc. The only thing that is not allowed is to discuss/consult with others, formally or informally, on any matters that are relevant to your exam preparation.

Note:  Students requiring disability-related accommodations for their doctoral qualifying exams need to contact both their program advisor and the Office of Disability Services no later than 1 month prior to the scheduled exams, but preferably early in the semester in which they are planned. After these meetings, Disability Services will be in touch with the Program Advisor (or designee) to make formal arrangements. You can contact Disability Services at https://disabilityservices.gatech.edu .

A standard rubric will be used for evaluating the exam (see attached). The rubric will be readily  available to students and faculty (e.g., included in the Graduate Handbook). Criteria include  proficiency in summarizing, understanding, and evaluating research literature. Each criterion will  be evaluated as Proficient, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory, with the rubric describing the  performance characteristics for each rating. During or in the discussion following the exam, each  committee member will complete an examination form that contains the rubric as their record of  evaluating the student, with an overall performance result of Pass or Fail. The committee will  convene immediately after the exam session and come to a (2/3) majority consensus on whether  the student passes or fails the exam, then convey their decision and their completed evaluation  forms to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

Students will notify the graduate office of their intent to take the qualifying exam at least 3  weeks prior to the end of the semester preceding when they will take the exam. Exams will be  administered during the Fall and Spring semesters and must be conducted no later than the end of  the second month of the semester. Students who entered the program with an MS must take the  exam no later than the one-year anniversary of their initial enrollment date. Students who entered  the program with a BS must take the exam no later than the two-year anniversary of their initial  enrollment date.

The exam may be retaken one time, at the end of the semester for which the student was first  evaluated and deemed unsatisfactory.

Feedback to Student

After results of the qualifying exam have been approved, the completed evaluation forms will be  released to the student as formal feedback on their subject knowledge. This helps meet the  qualifying exam objective of supporting students and should be used to guide the student’s  research, in consultation with the adviser.

Student Resources for Qualifying Exams

• FAQ for Students                 
• Qualifying Exam Rubric
• Qualifying Exam Example Appendix
• Qualifying Exam Timeline
• Qualifying Exam Gantt Chart
• Qualifying Exam Student Profile
• Qualifying Exam Honor Code

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Do you need help with one of your classes?

If you are struggling in one of your classes and are looking for help, please reach out to the ME ASO staff! We can work with you to discuss options for support, including identifying potential peer tutors who have previously completed the class you are in. 

The goal of the PhD program is to create a culture of scholarship and high impact research that produces articulate researchers who are called upon first to hold leadership positions in society and academia.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree is the highest degree awarded by the Mechanical Engineering Department and is recommended for students who are interested in leadership careers in academia (e.g. as a faculty member of a university), industry, or government.

Sections of this Page:

Milestones to the Ph.D.

Research and coursework, qualifying examinations.

Dissertation Proposal Exam

Dissertation

Ph.d. research at the university of michigan.

Research involves active, student-directed inquiry into an engineering topic. A student’s research experience forms the core of the PhD program. There are two goals for conducting research: 1) to learn the general skills to conduct independent research and 2) to develop new knowledge in mechanical engineering.

Conducting research requires combining knowledge gained in the classroom with the ability to read the scientific literature, identify critical knowledge gaps, structure complex problems, formulate and test hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, and present and discuss technical results. Engineering research also requires significant experimental, computational, and analytical skills. A student learns these core skills as she pursues her research topic.

Many of these skills cannot be learned in the classroom setting, but instead must be developed in the laboratory, library, and conference room as the student actively interacts with faulty, other students, and researchers around the world. Independent, non-classroom based learning and problem solving is a core aspect of the PhD degree. Upon completion of his dissertation the student should be an international expert in a technical area. Dissemination of new knowledge at technical conferences and in peer-reviewed archival publications is an important part of research.

There are three student profiles in the ME PhD program: (1) Direct PhD students that are admitted without a relevant Master’s degree, (2) students who enter the PhD program with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant field, and (3) students who enter the PhD program with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant field from the University of Michigan. The differences in the three tracks toward the PhD vary at the coursework level. Please be mindful of the requirements listed below. A student should always discuss academic plans with his research advisor.

The major ME program milestones all PhD students complete:

• Qualifying Examination (RCC & RFE)
• Advancement to Candidacy
• Dissertation Proposal Examination
• Thesis Dissertation (written) and Defense (oral)

In addition to the academic component of the PhD, students are encouraged to participate in professional development. The Rackham Graduate School has partnered with divisions around campus to develop a central location to promote workshops, training sessions, forums, and talks relevant to graduate students. It is recommended that students visit the Professional and Academic Development  website on a regular basis to stay informed about the activities on campus.

Timeline & Satisfactory Progress

The ME department will adhere to all Rackham policies regarding academic progress, probation, dismissal and appeals as outlined here in the Rackham Academic Policies (Section 3.5).

The timeline for completing these milestones and other program requirements and expectations.

To continue in the Ph.D. Program and remain fully funded, you must maintain satisfactory progress in the following ways:

• Maintain Cum. GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Engage in research with faculty by the end of 1st semester.
• Solidify faculty advisor by the end of 1st semester.
• Identify thesis topic by the end of 2nd semester.
• International students must take and pass the GSI OET by the end of the 3rd semester.
• Pass the RCC by the end of 2nd semester (an extra semester may be granted via petition if necessary, but no more).
• Complete ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success prior to advancement to candidacy (Fall 2021 and later cohorts).
• Demonstrate preliminary results in research by the end of the summer term after the first year (in preparation for the RFE). If you have concerns about your progress, email the Grad Coordinator to schedule a meeting with Grad Chair.
• Pass the RFE by the end of 4th semester. Change-of-Program students pass the RFE within two semesters of beginning the Ph.D. Program. An extra semester may be granted in either case via petition if necessary, but no more.
• Complete Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE) and form dissertation committee within one year of passing the RFE. (For students who take the RFE in their 3rd semester, it is desirable to complete the DPE by the end of the 2nd year in the PhD program.)
• Maintain progress toward publications and dissertation completion with the guidance of advisors. If you have concerns about your progress, email the Grad Coordinator to schedule a meeting with Grad Chair.

You are welcome and encouraged to speak to the Graduate Coordinator and Chair at anytime.  You and your advisor both have opportunities to confirm progress or express concerns regarding your progress via the Annual Progress Update.

Probation : If a student is not making satisfactory progress in one or more of the areas outlined above, the student will be put on probation.  The terms of probation will be individually designed based on the student’s situation and as agreed upon by the Graduate Chair, the faculty advisor, and the student. The ME Graduate Program Committee will also review and approve all probation agreements.  When a the terms of probation are agreed upon, a probation agreement will be completed and enforced by the Graduate Chair.

Length of the Probationary Period : The probationary period will be no shorter than two months and, unless otherwise stated, conclude at the end of that term. If a student is placed on probation within two months of the end of the term, the probationary period will extend into the following term for at least two months.

Funding During the Probationary Period : Doctoral students will continue to receive funding during the probationary period.

End of the Probationary Period : At the end of the probationary period the student will either be returned to good academic standing or dismissed from the program.

Appeals Process for Probation and Dismissal : Students may appeal academic probation or dismissal decisions. Appeals pertaining to a students’ academic performance or progress in the program will be overseen by the Graduate Program Committee. The Rackham Graduate School will handle appeals relating to procedural issues of fair and equal treatment by the program.

Finding a Research Advisor:

To select a research advisor, the student should talk to faculty members in potential areas of research interest. If the research topic is of an interdisciplinary nature, the student can choose to have two research advisors as long as at least one advisor is from Mechanical Engineering. 

It is expected that the faculty advisor will have research support or other available funding in order to finance tuition, stipend and benefits costs of the degree.

Recommendations and tips for finding a research advisor:

• Talk to senior graduate students about their advisors. Share your interests and ask them for suggestions about whom you should meet.
• Familiarize yourself with various research groups.
• Make a list of faculty to contact who are involved in research areas that interest you. A list of faculty by research areas can be found here .
• Read about faculty research in journals, conference proceedings, or on their website.
• Visit their labs. A list of labs can be found here .
• Schedule meetings with faculty members. Typically this is done via email which includes an introduction and requests time to meet with them. Be knowledgeable about their work in order to have an active discussion about their previous and ongoing research.
• Sometimes working in their lab for academic reasons only (not as a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) ) will provide you with the opportunity to prove your researching capabilities and may lead to a GSRA with that faculty.
• If possible, enroll in classes being taught by faculty whose work interests you.
• Do well in classes relevant to your research interest and get to know the faculty.
• Consider doing a small project supported intellectually by a faculty member. ME 590 research credits are taken.
• If you are unsuccessful with securing a research advisor, it is recommended that you meet with the Graduate Program Chair immediately to discuss the situation.

Research Requirements

Regardless of whether or not the Ph.D. student has a Master’s prior to attending U-M or not, all students should take at least 6 credits of research ( ME 590 ) in the first two-three terms of the PhD program.  This will help ensure that the student meets Rackham’s requirements to candidacy upon successfully passing of the qualifying exams.  Change of Program students are not required to enroll in addition ME 590 credits after matriculating to Ph.D. as they have already completing the credit requirement for advancing to candidacy.

Students should complete 8 hours of  responsible conduct of research and scholarship  (RCRS) training by the end of their 3rd term of enrollment. 

Once a student has completed 6 credits of ME 590, they should take 8 credits of ME 990 per term.

Once a student reaches Candidacy, 8 credits of ME 995 research credits are taken every term until the student defends their dissertation.

Coursework Requirements

For Direct PhD students (i.e. students admitted without a relevant Master’s degree):

• It is necessary to complete all of the academic requirements for the Master’s degree which includes 30 credits . Please visit the Master’s Degree page for specific degree requirements. This type of Master’s degree is referred to as an “embedded” master’s, a master’s degree awarded “on-the-way” to the PhD. In addition to their MSE degree, direct PhD students must complete:
• At least 6 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990 and ME995.
• (Fall 2021 cohort and later) ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success. This class should ideally be taken in the first year but may also be taken in the second year if needed. This 1 credit course may be counted towards the additional 6 credits of letter graded coursework.

For PhD students entering with a relevant Master’s Degree :

• At least 18 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990, and ME995.
• Of the 18 letter-graded credits, 3  credits must be cognates . The cognate requirement may be satisfied by having completed a UM Master’s degree which included a cognate component.
• (Fall 2021 cohort and later) ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success. This class should ideally be taken in the first year but may also be taken in the second year if needed. This 1 credit course may be counted towards the 18 credits of letter graded coursework.
• A PhD student entering with a relevant Master’s degree that decides to pursue an additional master’s degree at the University of Michigan may apply the 18 credits required for the PhD to the master’s degree in another department. The student’s advisor should approve of the second degree.

For PhD students entering with a Master’s Degree from the UM ME Department (i.e. change of program students) :

• At least 6 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S- Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Courses elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do ME590, ME695, ME990, and ME995.

For students who completed the SUGS program :

• Additional credits of letter-graded graduate coursework equal to or greater than the number of credits double counted in the SUGS program.

The PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) consists of two components: the Research Core Curriculum (RCC) (formerly GCC) and the Research Fundamentals Exam (RFE).

Research Core Curriculum (RCC) Exam

The goal of the RCC is to ensure proficiency in technical topics both within and outside of the student’s primary research area.

Students can submit their RCC plan here.

All PhD students must take four Research Core Curriculum (RCC) courses in the first two semesters. Typically students will enroll in two Research Core Curriculum courses in the first term, however some exceptions exist where students will only enroll in one or will opt to take three. During the second term of study, the remaining Research Core Curriculum courses are taken. Change-of-program students should refer below.

The RCC consists of four 500+ level graduate courses that satisfy the following course distribution requirements:

• At most, three may be in the student’s research area
• At least one must be outside of the student’s research area
• At most, one may be from a department other than Mechanical Engineering. Note: Multiple cross-listed courses in the RCC plan will prompt additional consideration by the Graduate Program Committee (GPC)

In consultation with their research advisor a student should develop and submit a RCC plan . If a student does not have a research advisor, the student should submit a preliminary RCC plan by the Friday before the first day of classes. The ME Graduate Chair will then work with the student (if necessary) to arrive at a satisfactory plan. An RCC Plan is comprised of the following components:

• A list of the four courses on which the RCC will be based (a list of all ME graduate-level courses scheduled for the Fall and Winter terms is located here ).
• A short (3-4) sentence statement that specifies how the courses fit into the student’s current or intended research plan (this can be general if the student does not yet have a research advisor).
• The approval of the student’s research advisor and/or the ME Graduate Chair.

The GPC will review and (if appropriate) approve RCC course plans based on their accordance with the course distribution requirements specified above and their academic rigor. The GPC will monitor the historical record of GPAs for courses selected on the RCC, and may ask a student to revise the student’s RCC plan if the plan is judged to be insufficiently rigorous.

RCC plans may need to change after the start of the semester or between the first and second semester of the RCC. Typical circumstances that may necessitate a revision include course cancellations and a change in the student’s research area and/or research advisor. Revised RCC plans require GPC approval. Requests for modifications to RCC plans should be submitted via the RCC form prior to the add/drop deadline for the term..

GPC approval is required for dropping a course after the above dates and will only be given in rare circumstances. Changes in research area and/or research advisor are not sufficient reasons for dropping an RCC course.

Evaluation of the RCC (for those who entered the PhD program after Winter 2014):  The grades students receive in RCC courses will be averaged to determine an RCC GPA. The GPA is based on Rackham’s new 4.0 scale where A+ = 4.3 , A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, and B+ = 3.3. The RCC GPA will be used to determine the outcome of the RCC and will follow these guidelines:

*Note: A student must demonstrate proficiency by performing very well on the RFE (as judged by the RFE examiners) to pass the PhD qualifying examination. The student has two tries on the RFE to perform very well.

**Note: The student may petition the GPC to take an additional course in the third semester if that course grade could increase the overall GPA (of all five courses) to at least a 3.5 (or a 6.5 via the old Rackham 9.0 scale).

Petitions for a deviation from the above guidelines due to rare and extenuating circumstances can be made to the GPC. There are no course retakes in the RCC.

Change-of-Program Students. The GPC will evaluate the prior courses taken by a change-of-program (i.e. MSE to PhD) student to determine which (if any) courses may be eligible to include in an RCC plan, thus reducing the total number of RCC courses required to be taken after the student enters the PhD program. In some cases, a student’s previously completed coursework may satisfy the RCC entirely; thus, the student would not be required to take any additional coursework.

Research Fundamentals Exam (RFE)

The RFE is an oral examination to test the student’s potential to conduct independent research at the PhD level along with her written and oral communication skills. There are four primary objectives:

• Assess the depth of knowledge in the area of research specialization and the ability to relate this to research, 
• Assess the ability of the student to propose an interesting and relevant problem for PhD research
• Test ingenuity, creativity, and problem-solving skills, and 
• Assess written and oral communication skills and the ability to respond to questions.

Students who have a research advisor and have successfully completed the RCC coursework or who have successfully petitioned are eligible to apply for the RFE. Students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher to take the RFE. If a student does not have this GPA, they are required to submit a petition  form to the graduate chair for consideration to take the RFE.

PhD students who successfully complete the RCC coursework must take the RFE the following semester. Change of Program students must take the RFE within one year. It is not mandatory for Change of Program students to take the RFE in their first semester as a PhD student.

Exams are held in the last two weeks of October and last two weeks of March (winter).   The RFE is an oral exam lasting for 45 minutes which is structured with a 15 minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of question and answer with two faculty members.

Sample RFE Presentation

The RFE is organized by research subject areas as listed below:

Registration. Eligible students must register their intent to take the RFE to the Academic Services Office. The online registration form is announced to students via email in the first two weeks of each Fall and Winter semester. In addition, students are responsible for submitting an electronic document with the following elements:

• Bio-sketch using NSF fellowship application format , 
• Research abstract describing research: the purpose of the research being examined, key related research, research hypotheses, research methodology, and results to date. The abstract should be formatted with 11 point font, single spacing, one-inch margins, and be a maximum of 2 pages. These two pages include title, citations, and bibliography.
• A list of RCC courses with discussion of how the RCC courses match the RFE topic and future research plans (less than 200 words).

If you have an approved testing accommodation or SSD-VISA and would like to have similar accommodations for the RFE, please let us know below. We will work with you and SSD to make sure that appropriate accommodations are made for your RFE.

Examiners. Two faculty are selected by the Graduate Program Committee to act as examiners for each RFE thematic area. A student’s research advisor cannot be an examiner. The research advisor is not allowed to be present during the RFE.

Grading.  Students are evaluated on a scale ranging from excellent to poor in each of the following areas:

• Synthesis of course material in research problem context.
• Input to research project.
• Research conduct and methodology.
• Research outcomes.
• Communication.

A sample grade sheet with more information about grading criteria can be found here .

All areas are considered when determining the student’s examination outcome (pass/fail). The two examiners will produce a written report to the Academic Services Office indicating if the student has passed or failed the RFE with specific reasons for their decision.

Communication of Results. The result of the RFE is communicated by the Academic Services Office to the student by way of individual email. Successfully completing the RFE does not mean a student passes the RCC.

Retaking the RFE. Only one repeat is permitted and must be taken no later than the next offering of the RFE after the original RFE. Students will automatically be sent a registration email for the next available RFE session.

Advancing to Candidacy is a prestigious milestone on the way to the PhD. Rackham stipulates that from the time of initial enrollment, Candidacy should be achieved within 3 years. There is reduced tuition associated with candidacy as well as registration constraints. 

Semester deadlines for completing the requirements to advance to candidacy are found  here .

Requirements to advance to candidacy:

• Pass the Qualifying Examination (RCC and RFE)
• Complete ME 500: Professional Skills for Graduate Student Success
• Completed at least 18 credits of letter-graded (including the grade S – Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student while in residence on the Ann Arbor campus. Credits elected as visit (audit) do not meet this requirement, nor do any ME990 or ME995 credits.
• Of the 18 credits, 3 must be cognates .
• Completed RCRS training requirement.  Workshop Schedule can be found here .

Upon successful completion of the RFE, students will automatically be advanced to candidacy if they have met all of the requirements listed above.  If a student does not wish to advance to candidacy, they should note that on the RFE registration form or notify the Graduate Coordinator in advance ( [email protected] ). 

Rackham’s Free Course Policy:

“Ph.D. candidates register in the fall and winter terms for 995, “Dissertation/candidate,” which consists of 8 credit hours for a full term or 4 credit hours for a half term. No part-time enrollment is possible. A student who defends in the spring/summer term must register for 8 credit hours of 995 for the spring/summer full term.

Candidates who register for a course should seek prior approval from their faculty advisors. Candidates may elect either one course per term or more than one course for a total of no more than four credits without paying additional tuition beyond candidacy tuition. Courses may be taken for credit or as a visit (audit).

A candidate who does not elect a course during a term of 995 enrollment may, in the next term, either register for courses for no more than 8 credits or register for no more than two courses that total more than 8 credits. An additional course may not be taken in anticipation of taking none in a future term of 995 enrollment.

Candidates who choose to take more courses than those for which they are eligible will be assessed additional tuition per credit hour. ” The additional tuition will be charged to the student’s funding source for that term. Students are not to cover any additional tuition charges.  Original Source .

GSI Oral English Test (OET) Requirements for International PhD Students

GSI Oral English Test (OET) is used to review the English proficiency of international students.  Passing the exam is a requirement for international PhD students and is necessary to ensure satisfactory progress while simultaneously confirming the ability of that student to be an effective GSI. All international students must pass the OET by the end of their 3rd academic term after admission (e.g., by the end of F12 for students who entered in F11) in order to be considered making satisfactory progress toward their degree. International students whose undergraduate education was taught exclusively in English may be exempt from the OET. Additional exemption criteria can be found  here .

• Upon successful completion of this requirement, the student will then be eligible to hold a  GSI position  (see the  English Language Proficiency Requirements  section).
• If the student does not hold a GSI position within the next 18 months after passing the exam, the student must check in with the  English Language Institute (ELI)  to extend or renew their exam results. In order to continue making satisfactory progress, a PhD student must maintain valid exam results throughout their academic tenure. Please  contact  the English Language Institute to schedule a renewal interview.
• The ELI will evaluate the student’s English skills and determine if the student is qualified to extend the exam results or is required to retake the exam. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ELI to maintain valid exam results.

Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE)

The DPE is an oral exam that provides an early assessment of the feasibility of a student’s proposed research topic for his/her dissertation. In particular, the exam is intended to assess the suitability of the topic and the student’s academic background for carrying out the proposed research. The exam is administered by a student’s Dissertation Committee. The DPE should be completed within one year of passing the RFE.

The Dissertation Committee

Students will assemble their dissertation committee prior to taking the DPE. The Dissertation Committee oversees the student’s research outcomes. Through the dissertation proposal exam, committee meetings, and the thesis defense, the committee tracks the student’s progress and provides feedback and guidance. At each of these meetings, the student presents his research and responds to the committee members’ questions. The purpose of the committee is to provide an outside perspective on the student’s research, helping the student to structure his/her work and identify opportunities. The committee is responsible for approving the student’s research plan via the DPE and signing off on the final dissertation and defense.

Dissertation Committee Requirements: 

A committee must have a minimum of 4 members:

• The chair or one of the co-chairs should be a member of the faculty in the Mechanical Engineering department.
• Three members must be from a Rackham Doctoral Program and be considered a member of “ The Graduate Faculty “, this generally means a Professor at the University of Michigan.
• Two members must be from the Mechanical Engineering department.
• One member must have a 50% appointment in a Rackham doctoral program, other than the Mechanical Engineering department (except Interdisciplinary programs) – otherwise known as your cognate member.

The committee may include a University faculty member who is not a member of “The Graduate Faculty”, a University staff member, or a qualified individual outside the University who to provide expertise in the candidate’s discipline. Any non-faculty member must be approved by the Graduate Program.  These special members require additional documentation to be submitted, ideally prior to the DPE.

The Rackham Graduate School has also developed a Quick Reference Chart for Eligibility to Serve on Dissertation Committees .

Once the committee is formed, the DPE is scheduled as the first meeting of this committee. The student will prepare a written thesis proposal for the committee to review and give an oral presentation to the committee. The format of the written thesis proposal as well as the timing of the exam is at the discretion of the committee chair.

Upon completion of the DPE, the committee chair prepares a memorandum addressed to the ME Graduate Program Chair. The memo should state the outcome of the DPE and list the dissertation committee members. ( Example memo here ) The signed memo is submitted to the Graduate Coordinator ( [email protected] ). This information will be used to formally process the student’s dissertation committee with the Rackham Graduate School.

After the Graduate Coordinator has submitted the dissertation committee to Rackham Graduate School:

• The student and committee chair will receive automatically generated emails to approve of the committee submission.  
• Rackham will then approve of the dissertation committee ensuring that all requirements are met.
• Once approved by Rackham, the student and the Graduate Coordinator will receive confirmation that it has been approved.  At this time the committee information will be visible in the student’s record in Wolverine Access.

The official guidelines for the dissertation and defense are established by the Rackham Graduate School. In addition, the Rackham Graduate School publishes annual deadlines by which a candidate must defend a dissertation and complete all degree requirements as set forth by Rackham. Doctoral students are expected to complete the degree within 5 years of achieving candidacy, but no more than 7 years from first enrollment.

Dissertation (Written). The dissertation is the most important aspect of the students PhD program experience, since it documents the original contributions made by the candidate as a result of independent research. In advance of graduation, the dissertation must be approved by all the members of the student’s dissertation committee. The student will prepare a rough draft of the dissertation and provide it for all the committee members for their comments before preparing the final draft. Students must provide the rough draft to the committee at least 10 days before the Defense.

Defense (Oral). The defense examination will be given after the thesis has been formally completed. This examination will be a defense of the doctoral thesis and a test of the candidate’s knowledge in the specialized field of research. The format of the examination will be a public seminar presented by the candidate, with an open question period, followed by a private examination by the Dissertation Committee.

Thesis Dissertation and Defense Timeline:

After the dissertation committee gives preliminary approval to the final draft of the dissertation, it must be formatted to meet the standards of Rackham Academic Records and Dissertations (OARD) found here . Support for thesis formatting is available from the Knowledge Navigation Center in the Graduate Library, which offers tutorials, template assistance, guides, and resources for dissertation preparation.

Before the oral defense, students are required to set up a pre-defense meeting with the Rackham Graduate School. In this meeting, students will be instructed on the process and be given Dissertation Evaluation Forms. When the final draft is distributed to the committee members together with Dissertation Evaluation Forms, a defense (oral) is scheduled for a date approximately two weeks later. Dissertation Evaluation Forms must be completed by all Dissertation Committee members at least three working days prior to the oral defense. The defense is public, and a notice is posted on the Rackham Graduate School website, and the Academic Services Office will send an email announcement to the ME students and faculty. After the oral defense, the student or committee chair should submit the Final Oral Examination Report within 48 hours of the defense. The student should then attend the post-defense meeting with the Rackham Graduate School. 

Helpful links related to the dissertation process:

• Rackham Dissertation Handbook – A thorough explanation of the dissertation procedure.
• Dissertation Timeline – Step-by-step timeline of the dissertation and defense.
• Completing the Doctoral Degree Requirements – Important information for before and after the oral defense.
• Doctoral Degree Deadlines – List of deadlines for final term of enrollment, including grace period deadlines.
• Submitting the Dissertation – How to electronically submit your dissertation.

• How we work

55 Engineering Research Paper Topics Worth Your Attention

Stuck with engineering research topics for your proposal? Have a look at ours and get inspired effectively!

Let’s Pick up the Most Exciting Engineering Research Topics

The main feature of engineering topics for research paper and related projects is that they mostly offer practical solutions to a specific problem. Purely theoretical engineering research is less common and is usually done only to challenge existing knowledge, theories & concepts. Which topic to choose is up to you. However, our seasoned experts would like to share some insights on how to write an engineering proposal to help you create papers that will not only earn excellent reviews from your academic advisors but also inspire you to make breakthroughs in your field.

Some Expert Insights on How to Write an Engineering Proposal

The proposal is a paper representing your project from a research angle. It should include as much information about your investigations as possible, including study plans, methods, expected outcomes, etc. Regarding revealing engineering topics, experts from our proposal writing services often recommend focusing on their impact on the current field knowledgebase and practicality if it comes to engineering application solutions development.

Important note! Adding graphics, schemes, images, and any other visuals will be especially beneficial in your engineering research project papers. It helps you reveal more topic details and add value to your PhD research proposal engineering.

How to Reveal Engineering Research Paper Topics With a Paper Structure

Remember also to stick a paper to a given structure:

• Introduction. Review the engineering topic you choose and reveal its importance. Here, you can also give a short overview of what is included in the proposal.
• Qualifications. This section is set to show you have the required skills and capabilities to conduct your research successfully. For example, if it’s a research proposal in mechanical engineering, you may mention some physical aspects of objects you will investigate.
• The background is where you discuss the topic and the problem motivating you to take it. Show how you understand the issue, its impact & causes. If it’s a research proposal for mathematics or another theoretical one, your investigation will probably be based on a theory or concept.
• The schedule section informs paper readers about the time frame you set to complete the work so they understand when to expect the result and what milestones you should go through in revealing your engineering research paper topics.
• The proposal statement is the section where you tell what exactly you are proposing regarding the topic and what you aren’t, giving readers additional information about your work. This is especially valuable if you plan to join engineering research in Princeton University or other prestigious institutions.
• Costs. This paper section shows how many resources your project requires (especially vital if it needs additional funding). The best way to do it is to divide expenses into categories and calculate the totals for each category. E.g., hardware & software, auxiliary tools, etc., if it comes to working on PhD topics in computer science or other application solutions.
• Research methodology. In PhD research proposal mechanical engineering, you present how exactly you will complete the work, discussing steps you take during the working process.
• The results section is aimed at showcasing the proposal’s outcomes. For example, if you work with research proposal topics in mechanical engineering, you can present a concept of an electronic device or offer a problem solution.

Research Proposal Topics in Electronics Engineering

It’s time to get more specific and actual topic samples. First, we will go with research proposal topics in electronics engineering.

• Understanding Effective Power Electronics Using Circuit Simulation
• Redesign of AC Electrical Motors
• Electric Vehicle Motors and Gearbox
• Benefits of Optimization in Electrical Engineering
• Electric Vehicles – A Solution to Global Pollution
• Effects of Standard Deviation on Time and Frequency Response of Gaussian Filter
• Impact of Surface on Nano-Beam Mechanical Behaviors
• Maximum Power Point Tracking Based on Differential Conductance
• Analyzing Mechanical Property of Electrically Assisted Friction Stir Welding
• High Throughput Droplet Actuation Platform
• Numerical Analysis of Mechanical Characteristics of Joint Structure of Steel Pipe Sheet Pile Foundation
• Implementation of an Improved Automatic DC Motor Speed Control Systems Using Microcontrollers
• Automated Hybrid Smart Door Control System
• Comprehensive Review of Smart Grid Ecosystem
• Solar Simulators’ Trends Overview
• Intelligent Voice Controlled Wheel Chair: Design and Implementation
• Comparative of Field Effect Transistor (FET) and Bipolar Power Transistor Performance in Amplifiers
• Development of a Low-Cost Automatic Internet of Things Extension System
• Mechanical Analysis of Thin-Walled Cylindrical Shells With Cracks

17 Great Research Proposal Topics for Civil Engineering

The civil engineering field focuses on improving infrastructure and environmental sustainability. By discovering new research ideas and presenting unique research proposal topics for civil engineering, civil engineers are able to resolve problems people couldn’t deal with before.

• Studying the Effects of Urbanization on Biodiversity
• Analyzing the Effects of Water Scarcity on Infrastructure and the Environment
• Evaluating the Feasibility of Using Drones in Construction
• Assessing the Feasibility of Using Prefabrication in Construction
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Public Transportation Systems in Reducing Carbon Emissions
• The Impacts of Infrastructure on Local Economies
• Investigating the Use of Big Data in Civil Engineering
• Impact of Ripe and Unripe Plantain Peel Ash on Strength Properties of Concrete
• The Effects of Water Scarcity on Infrastructure and the Environment
• The Effects of Natural Disasters on Transportation Infrastructure
• Evaluating the Feasibility of Using Robots in Construction
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure
• Investigating the Use of Blockchain Technology in Civil Engineering
• Structural Characteristics of Soilcrete Blocks
• The Use of Augmented Reality (AR) In Civil Engineering
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs)
• Analyzing the Effects of Climate Change on Infrastructure Materials

Some Good Research Proposal Topics in Mechanical Engineering

With a solid number of topics for engineering research papers in mechanics, choosing the central theme for your research will be easier. Even if you already know what area to investigate, having several research paper topics for engineering allows you to decide from which angle you will approach the issue.

• Energy and Exergy Analysis of Boiler Systems
• Effect of Delay Period on Performance of Compression Engine Running on Jatropha Fuel
• Optimum Buckling Response Model of Grp Composites
• Experimental Performance Evaluation of Charcoal-Stove
• The Detail Fabrication of a Candle Moulding Machine
• Fabrication of Metal Panel Door
• Electricity Generation Using Propeller Shaft
• The Cavitation Effect in Centrifugal Pumps
• Development of a Gas Propelled Rocket Engine
• Research on Methods for Recycling Spent Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines
• Study of Changes in the Characteristics of the Al-6’1/OCU Alloy after Annealing Process
• The Development of a Pumping Machine for Water Distribution in a High-Rise Building
• 3D Printing in the Construction of Water Supply Systems
• Repair and Rehabilitation of Faulty Air Condition
• Design and Analysis of a Microsatellite Structure in Lowearth Orbit
• A Study of Cavitation in Pumps and Flow Systems
• Design and Construction of a Digital Clock
• Effect of Injector Nozzle Holes on Diesel Engine
• Effect of Vortex in Kaplan Turbine-Using Cfd a Case Study: Rosseries Power Plant

Download Here More Engineering Research Proposal Ideas!

Get help working on engineering topics for research paper.

Working on some engineering research topics may be challenging for students needing a lot of time and effort to present qualitative proposals when they often have many other responsibilities. And this is where hiring qualified proposal writers may save them much effort. Delegating the work on your research topics to an expert makes your student’s life much easier, allowing quality outcomes with minimal time.

Specialists also know what topic information should be added to your paper and how it should be formatted. Just specify your needs and requirements and mention the main purpose for writing engineering proposal. Everything will be done well at the appointed time, so there will be no need to worry about anything. Check the list of our proposal topics and ensure you choose the most interesting one.

Take the experts’ assistance and wait a little for a paper leading to your research project approval!

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Ph.D. Proposal Presentation by Tao Jin

Computer Science Department

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Efficient Rank Elicitation from Pairwise Comparisons

  abstract : .

Rank aggregation is a widely applicable task in various domains, including voting, gaming, and recommendation systems. It involves combining pairwise or listwise comparisons to generate a unified ranking.

This topic has a long history and is still relevant today: it dates back to democratic voting systems in Ancient Greece; it was modeled on psychology experiments in the last century, and it is the cornerstone of reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF) in large language model (LLM) finetuning to produce high quality output aligned with human values. In the era of big data, with an abundance of available data, there is a growing need for efficient and accurate analysis to uncover hidden knowledge.

In the context of the usage and acquisition of data from multiple sources with different levels of quality during rank aggregation, this proposal aims to address the challenges of efficiently and accurately dealing with heterogeneous data sources. Specifically, we focus on two interconnected topics: active ranking and bandit problems.

Active ranking techniques aim to minimize the number of samples needed to generate an aggregated ranking by strategically selecting data based on existing information and rankings. Previous studies have explored methods under different transitivity assumptions, such as Strong Stochastic Transitivity (SST) or Weak Stochastic Transitivity (WST). In this proposal, our main focus is on improving methods based on these two assumptions to incorporate source accuracy to increase data efficiency and estimation accuracy.

In addition, if the objective of the algorithm is both to rank items and to collect rewards, the problem can be formulated as a dueling bandit problem. Previous research has primarily focused on achieving optimal regret when rewards are based on linear functions. However, the behavioral model suggests that the reward function is non-linear, leading to generalized linear models. Unfortunately, existing methods for this class of problems only approximate the confidence interval using a pessimistic estimate that is derived when dealing with linear models. In this study, we specifically investigate a special case within generalized linear models and propose adjusting the size of the confidence interval based on available information. We focus on the logistic link function, which is a subset of the generalized linear model. For this specific model, we show a method that can improve the efficiency and accuracy of determining whether the result falls within the function.

Committee :  

• Cong Shen, Committee Chair  (ECE/SEAS/UVA)
• Farzad Farnoud, Advisor (ECE, CS/SEAS/UVA)
• Chenyu Wei (CS/SEAS/UVA)
• Shangtong Zhang (CS/SEAS/UVA)
• Yen-Ling Kuo (CS/SEAS/UVA)
• Quanquan Gu (CS/ENG/UCLA)