PhD Qualifying Exams

Students wanting to continue graduate study toward their PhD degree in the Department of Mechanical Engineering must take the PhD qualifying examination. The written portion of the exam is offered before the start of each spring and fall semester. The objectives of this exam are to:

  • Ensure a standard of excellence associated with the degree of PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Ensure that you have basic competency in the technical material related to your intended research program.
  • Offer a growth experience, i.e., an opportunity to synthesize knowledge across a broader range than generally done in any class.
  • More information about the qualifying exams and the required process, can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook under “Qualifying for the PhD Program.”

Practice exams for study purposes can be found here.