Ph.D. Fundamentals Qualifying Examination

College-Level Graduate Admission Requirements

All graduate engineering applications will be submitted using EngineeringCAS, a centralized application service.

This page outlines the policy and process for administering the Aerospace Engineering Fundamental Qualifying Examination (AFQE) for Ph.D. students in Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University.

1. The AFQE is an examination over aerospace engineering fundamentals in the general, broad areas of:
   (i) Aerodynamics and Propulsion (A&P),
   (ii) Dynamics and Control (D&C),
   (iii) Materials and Structures (M&S), and
   (iv) Systems, Design and Human Integration (SDHI).
   
   These four areas align with the major research thrusts in our department. Students are also required to pass a written examination in Mathematics. There are suggested courses associated with each area to prepare for the AFQE (see 2. below). It must be emphasized that the AFQE is not intended to be another final examination or re-test over the topics covered by the suggested course list; nor is the AFQE restricted to topics covered by these courses alone.  The level of the examination spans from basic undergraduate topics in engineering science, mechanics and mathematics to master’s level topics in these areas (such as those covered by the three courses listed below). 
2. Each student will take the exam in:
   • Major area: this is the research thrust area of the student’s advisor,
   • Minor area: one of A&P, D&C, M&S, SDHI,
   • Mathematics
   The recommended classes to support your preparation for the AFQE are:
   • A&P: AERO 602 - The Theory of Fluid Mechanics,
   • D&C: AERO 622 - Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
   • M&S: AERO 603 - Continuum Mechanics, Mathematics: AERO 689 - Introduction to Graduate Mathematics for Aerospace Engineering
3. Each of the discipline areas will be covered in a separate written examination 3 hours in duration. The written examination will be created, administered and graded by faculty representatives from each exam discipline area (the “Exam Committee”). 
4. Students in the 64-hour program will take the written AFQE exam in the first three offerings of the exam. Students in the 96-hour program will take the written AFQE exam in the first four offerings of the exam. The examination cannot be postponed.
5. To be eligible to take the AFQE exam, the student must be in good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA) during the semester in which the AFQE is taken.
6. It is the responsibility of each doctoral student to register for the AFQE. The Aerospace Engineering Graduate Program Office will email the registration link. The form must be completed indicating major and minor exam choices, and the requested exam date.
7. The AFQE exams will be held twice a year. The January offering will start on the first day of class of Spring semester. The May offering will start on the second Monday following the May Commencement. Specific dates will be sent out to students after they register for the AFQE. For specific commencement dates, review the academic calendar.
8. To pass the AFQE, students must pass all three written examinations. Further, students are expected to show exemplary performance on the exam in their major area (A&P, M&S, D&C, SDHI).
9. The passing grade on the written portions of the AFQE examination will be determined by the Departmental Graduate Committee in consultation with the Exam Committee.  The Exam Committee will provide both a numerical score as well as a brief narrative discussing the performance, strengths and weaknesses of each student on each exam. 
10. The final decision on passing the AFQE and obtaining approval to continue in the departmental Ph.D. program will be made by the Departmental Graduate Committee in consultation with the Department Head. The decision and assessment will be based on integrative consideration of three factors: AFQE written exams, Performance on coursework beyond the BS, and Input from the student’s faculty advisor.
11. Students have two opportunities to pass AFQE. If a student fails the first attempt, the second one must be taken the next following time the AFQE is offered. The subjects of the first and second exam must be the same.
12. A student who does not satisfactorily complete the AFQE examination process as described above will not be permitted to continue in the Ph.D. program in Aerospace Engineering beyond the semester in which the AFQE exam was taken.  Students will have two options: 
    • transfer out of the department, or,
    • change their degree program to a master’s level program in Aerospace Engineering (assuming they have not already earned a Master’s degree from the department). This change to a Master’s program will require approval by the Graduate & Professional School (GPS) and must be completed by the first class day of the fall semester following failure of the AFQE process.  Students who complete a Masters program after not satisfactorily completing the AFQE will not be considered for a doctoral program in Aerospace Engineering.

 Special situations:

1. A graduate student who transfers from another Texas A&M department into the Aerospace Engineering Ph.D. program will be required to complete the usual AFQE process, even if he/she has passed that department’s qualifying examination.
2. A Ph.D. student who transfers from another institution into the Aerospace Engineering Ph.D. program will generally be required to complete the usual AFQE process.  Exceptions may be granted by the Graduate Committee and Department Head in appropriate cases.

AFQE process in simple terms

1. The AFQE committee considers a student's course performance, written exam and advisor input when determining examination results.
2. Students who pass proceed to Prelims.
3. Students who fail are allowed one retake during the next scheduled examination opening. Only one retake is allowed.
4. Students who pass a retake proceed to Prelims. 
5. Students who fail a retake must leave the Aerospace Engineering PhD. program.