Guidelines on PhD AE Qualifying Exams
Purpose of Qualifying Exams
Prior to being formally admitted to candidacy for the PhD AE degree, the student must demonstrate knowledge of aerospace engineering fundamentals by passing qualifying exams (QE). The purposes of the qualifying exams are:
- To motivate students to review course work learned that lays foundations for PhD research
- To determine the student’s ability to understand fundamental concepts and potential to pursue doctoral research
- To identify areas that need to be strengthened for the student to be successful in PhD research
Subject Areas of Qualifying Exams
The qualifying exams cover core areas of aerospace engineering and fundamentals of mathematics. A student is required to take:
- Qualifying exam in mathematics
- Qualifying exam in a the chosen Area of Concentration
Specifically, the qualifying exams will be offered annually in Mathematics and all three areas of concentration: a.) Aerodynamics and Propulsion, b.) Structures & Materials, and c.) Dynamics & Control
Qualifying subject exam in Mathematics
This exam is composed of required topics and elective topics.
Required Topics
- Mathematics for engineers
- Ordinary differential equations
Elective Topics (select two):
- Partial differential equations
- Numerical analysis
- Optimization
- Linear algebra
Reference Courses for Qualifying Exam Preparation in Mathematics
Ordinary differential equations | MA 345 |
Mathematics for engineers | MA 441 |
Partial differential equations | MA 502 |
Optimization | AE 526 and MA 510 |
Numerical analysis | EP 501 |
Numerical linear algebra | MA 532 |
Qualifying subject exam in Aerodynamics & Propulsion
This exam is based on three graduate core courses in the concentration:
- Advanced Compressible Flow (AE 504)
- Advanced Incompressible Aerodynamics (AE 528)
- Viscous flow (AE 521)
A student is required to select two out of the three topics.
Reference Courses for Qualifying Exam Preparation in Aerodynamics & Propulsion
Compressible flow | AE 504 |
Incompressible aerodynamics | AE 528 |
Viscous Flow | AE 521 |
Qualifying subject exam in Structures & Materials
This exam is based on three graduate core courses in the concentration:
- Introduction to Continuum Mechanics (AE 548)
- Introduction to the Finite Element Method (AE 514)
- Analysis of Aircraft Composite Materials (AE 522)
A student is required to select two out of the three topics.
Reference Courses for Qualifying Exam Preparation in Structures & Materials
Continuum Mechanics | AE 548 |
Finite element method | AE 514 |
Composite materials | AE 522 |
Qualifying subject exam in Dynamics & Control
This exam is based on three graduate core courses in the concentration:
- Linear Systems (AE 523)
- Modern Control Systems (AE 527)
- Analytical Dynamics (AE 544)
A student is required to select two out of the three topics.
Reference Courses for Qualifying Exam Preparation in Dynamics & Control
Linear Systems | AE 523 |
Modern control systems | AE 527 |
Analytical Dynamics | AE 544 |
Qualifying Exam Schedule
The qualifying exams are offered in May, usually the week right after the spring semester’s final exams period. The qualifying exams are offered in two consecutive days with concentration QE on day one and Math QE on day two.
A student must take both Math QE and concentration QE within one year of being admitted to PhD AE program, including those admitted to the program with BS degree.
Exceptional master students may be allowed to take the qualifying exams after one year in the master program, provided that they have taken the GRE test and have the permission of their advisor.
A student who plans to take the qualifying exams must file a request form at least one month before the exams. If a student plans to take a Math QE, he/she must select two topics from the list of Math electives above. The request form must be signed by the student’s dissertation advisor.
Grading of Qualifying Exam
One of the following grades will be assigned to a student for each QE taken:
- Pass
- Pass with conditions
- Fail
If a student fails both the Math QE and the concentration QE, the student will be dismissed from the PhD AE program.
If a student fails either the Math QE or the concentration QE, the student must take and pass the make-up exam in the immediate following August, during the first week of the fall semester. Otherwise, the student will be dismissed from the PhD AE program. Oral exams may be given as part of the make-up exam.
If a student receives “Pass with Conditions” in an exam, the QE committee may decide to put conditions (e.g. taking an additional course) for a passing grade. After the conditions are satisfied, the grade becomes a “Pass”.