Mechanical Engineering Roadmap

All Semesters

  • Enroll in courses and/or research (6-9 graded credits per semester plus research credits)
  • Register for 1 credit Graduate Seminar

YEAR 1

Semester 1: Advisor & Research
  • Enroll in at least 2 ME core courses
  • Discuss research interests with faculty
  • Begin work in research group
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Prepare for qualifying exam
Semester 2: Start Research
  • Pass Qualifying Examination (also known as the general examination).
  • Enroll in research and/or additional courses.
Retake Qualifying Exam if Necessary

(mid May if starting in August)

YEAR 2 & 3

Form an Advisory Committee
Continue to Take Graded Courses Toward Your Degree

https://gradcatalog.uconn.edu/course-descriptions/

Submit Plan of Study to the Graduate School (after 18 credits completed)
Submit Plan of Study to the Graduate School

(after 18 credits completed)

https://grad.uconn.edu/forms/

Start Proposal

Upon Plan of Study approval by Graduate School

YEARS >3:

Complete a Minimum of 21 Credit Hours After the M.S.
  • (excluding requirements for dissertation, language and minor area) and 15 Graded Research Credits
Complete at Least One Accepted and One Submitted Peer-reviewed Journal Paper

Your advisor may require more than the University's minimum requirement

Prospectus Presentation
  • (at least one year before graduation)
Prepare Dissertation

https://registrar.uconn.edu/graduation/doctoral-degrees/

Dissertation Proposal/General Exam
  • Provide a copy of proposal to advisory committee 1 week in advance
  • Defend proposal
  • Submit Proposal Hard Copy, Dissertation
  • Proposal Approval, and General Exam Forms to Graduate School (at least 6 months before final Ph.D. defense)

FINAL DEFENSE

Apply for Graduation in Peoplesoft During Last Semester

https://studentadmin.uconn.edu/

Announce Final Defense 2 Weeks in Advance on UConn and MSE Event Calendars

  • Contact ME department staff for calendar scheduling and announcement. 

Provide Dissertation to Advisory Committee 2 Weeks in Advance of Defense -- https://me.engr.uconn.edu/people/external-advisory-board/

Defend dissertation and obtain signatures of advisory committee -- https://me.engr.uconn.edu/people/external-advisory-board/

Review dissertation submission checklist

Submissions

  • Submit 1 electronic copy of dissertation to Digital Commons
  • Submit completed dissertation checklist, 1 approval page, final exam form, and receipt of earned doctorate survey to Graduate School

Complete IMS clearance form

  • Includes: submitting pdf of thesis, returning keys.