Objectives of the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
The objective of the Qualifying Exam (QE) in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSEN) is to test the candidate’s intellectual maturity and fundamental knowledge and understanding of materials science and engineering.
The QE will serve as an indicator of the candidate’s ability to continue the Ph.D. dissertation work and carry out research independently in a chosen field of study. An important component of the examination is evaluating the capability for critical and creative thinking, the ability to summarize and critically assess a large body of the literature and the ability to propose cutting-edge research to fill gaps in knowledge related to the selected topic.
Doctoral students who are in the two-semester Qualifying Exam process are called Qualifying Exam Candidates.
General requirements for Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
All MSEN students pursuing the Ph.D. degree, with or without a prior master’s degree, are required to pass the QE to be eligible to continue their Ph.D. work. Students should take QE for the first time by the end of their third 15-week semester (spring or fall semesters) in the MSEN Ph.D. program. The qualifying exam is offered during fall and spring semesters only.
Three or more of the following courses must be completed: MSEN 601, MSEN 603, MSEN 640, MSEN 620, and/or MSEN 602.
Students who are on probation by the MSEN QE request submission deadline (established through the MSEN Graduate Program) are not eligible to take the QE.
Format of the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
The MSEN qualifying exam consists of:
(1) Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Paper - a written focused literature review with critical analysis of a specific topic, not directly connected to the candidate's Ph.D. thesis topic (for more details see Section 9.1 in handout);
(2) Oral Ph.D. Qualifying Exam consisting of a presentation and defense of the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Report (for more details see Section 9.2 in handout). Students must demonstrate basic knowledge of fundamental materials science and engineering concepts related to the written report.
Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Report and Oral Ph.D. Qualifying Exam are evaluated by the Ph.D. Examination Committee appointed by the chair of the MSEN Ph.D. Examination Committee for each candidate. (See Section 6 of handout for more details).
Timelines of Ph.D. Qualifying Exams
| Action Items | Timeline Requirements |
|---|---|
| MSEN QE Informational | Mininum 10 weeks before exams |
| Students submit application request for QE eligibility to MSEN Advising. | Minimum 10 weeks before exams |
| Dr. Xie appoints Examination Committee for each student (informs faculty & students). | Minimum 7 weeks before exams |
| Students communicate with QE Committee to determine an examination date, time and location (Zoom, Hybrid or In-Person). | Minimum 1 week to schedule 2 hour exam |
| Oral Ph.D. Qualifying Exam Window | Exams must be completed during the first 4 weeks of classes |
| Students send calendar invite to Assigned Committee, Dr. Xie and MSEN Advising. Must follow QE Procedures Section 9 |
Minimum 6 weeks before classes |
| Dr. Xie releases topics to students. | Six weeks before scheduled exam |
| Students confirm selected topic by "Replying All" to Dr. Xie's Topic distribution email. | Minimum 5 weeks before exam date |
| Students may submit draft report only once for MSEN Advising to run through the Turnitin Plagiarism Checker. | Two weeks before scheduled exam |
| Students submit Final Draft of Written QE Report by "Replying All" to Dr. Xie's Topic distribution email. | One week before scheduled exam |
Request for Qualifying Exam
To register for QE, students provide the MSEN Graduate Advisor with an electronic version of a completed application form by the designated date listed in the timeline above for that semester. The application form includes the following:
- name of your chair (faculty advisor)
- current thesis topic
- abstract of dissertation research
- abstract of the master’s degree thesis, if applicable
- degrees received
In addition to the application, please provide:
- Unofficial Texas A&M University transcript
- CV
- Degree Plan, if filed and approved, include degree plan.
