Mechanical Engineering

Ph.D Degree Requirements and Procedures

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  1. Dissertation Research. Registration for a minimum of 27 credits of dissertation research is required over a period of at least three quarters--and at least two quarters after the General Exam. The student should meet frequently with the Supervisory Committee Chair, and keep all members of the committee informed of ongoing progress.
  2. Reading Committee. The Reading Committee consists of at least three members drawn from the Supervisory Committee. It must include at least two core faculty.1 When the Supervisory Committee Chair determines that the dissertation reflects mastery of research techniques, he or she will recommend the appointment of a Reading Committee through an email to the ME Student Services Office (megrad@u.washington.edu). Note that this must come from the advisor, not the student, and it should indicate that all proposed members have agreed to serve. When the committee has been approved, a message will be sent to the student, and all members of the Reading Committee.
  3. Scheduling the Final Exam. After the Reading Committee is satisfied with the dissertation, the student must schedule the Final Exam with the Graduate School.
    1. A "Request for Final Examination" can be obtained from the Graduate School http://www.grad.washington.edu/forms/forms.htm. This must be signed by all members of the Supervisory Committee, including GSR, and returned to the Graduate School at least three weeks before the proposed exam date. E-mail approvals or faxed signatures are acceptable if stapled to the original request form.
    2. The Final Examination is announced in University Week the Thursday before the examination date. The student should also notify ME Student Services Office so a departmental announcement can go out to ME faculty and students.
    3. The Graduate School evaluates the transcript and prepares the Final Examination warrant, which is then mailed to the ME department. Included will be some forms which should be given to the student to fill out and return with the two copies of the dissertation.
  4. Dissertation Defense Submission to the Graduate School
    1. The Final Exam is a defense of the dissertation, and has two parts: a public presentation, and a closed portion which is open only to faculty members. The Supervisory Committee determines if the student passes and notifies the Graduate School by signing the warrant.
    2. After the examination, the student must submit the signed warrant and two acceptable copies of the dissertation to the Graduate School by the last day of the quarter in which the degree is to be conferred. A copy of the signed warrant and a copy of the dissertation must also be submitted to the ME Student Services Office. Failure to do this may delay graduation.
    3. Each student has a maximum of 60 days in which to submit his or her dissertation to the Graduate School. If this time expires, another Final Examination must be scheduled. Please note: Full or part-time registration is required for the quarter the Final Examination is taken and the degree is awarded. If the student does not submit the dissertation by the last day of the quarter, registration will be required for the following quarter even if the 60 day time period has not yet expired.
    Please note: When completing a degree program, all departmental keys and equipment must be returned by the end of the graduation quarter. A hold may be placed on your degree until this requirement is fulfilled.



    1 Core faculty comprise Mechanical Engineering Faculty in all ranks with tenure or tenure-track appointments, and research, emeritus, and joint appointments. Faculty with adjunct and affiliate ranks are not included.