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Mechatronic Systems Engineering Graduates
Mechatronic Systems Engineering students integrates cyber and physical realms, turning theory into practice with hands-on experiences to create technology for social good.
Phd Qualifying Examination
All PhD students in the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering must submit a concise written research proposal, and defend their proposal orally to their supervisory committee within the first 6 terms (2 academic years) of admission or transfer to the PhD program.
Qualifying Examinations are evaluated according to the:
- feasibility and scientific merits of the proposed research,
- sufficient breadth and understanding of the material in the student鈥檚 major area of research, and
- a good preparation to perform the research.
A sound background knowledge associated with senior undergraduate and first year graduate course material is expected.
Timeline
Due within 6 terms (2years) of admission/transfer into the MSE PhD program
PHD CANDIDACY
PhD students need to pass their Qualifying Exam and complete their course requirements to be considered PhD candidates.
PhD Qualifying Exam Guide
1
Formating Guide
File type: PDF
Font: Times New Roman
Font size: 12pt
Line spacing: 1.0 (minimum)
Page format: Single column
Page length: 10 pages maximum (excluding title page, references and appendices)
Proposal consists of the following components (maximum recommended length of each component is given in brackets):
1. TITLE PAGE (1 PAGE)
- Student Name
- Student number
- Proposal title
- Academic Program (Doctor of Philosophy)
- School name (School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering)
- University name (丁香园AV)
2. INTRODUCTION (2 PAGES MAXIMUM)
- Background and motivation
- Review of prior work in the field
- Statement of need for proposed work and specific problem definition
3. RESEARCH PROPOSAL (6 PAGES MAXIMUM)
- Objectives of research and research hypothesis
- Study design
- Brief review of theoretical background
- Research methodology
- Define variables and approach
- Data Analysis
- Anticipated problems and solutions
- Impact of proposed research
4. RESEARCH PLAN (1 PAGE MAXIMUM)
- Clear workplan and schedule (Grantt chart or similar)
5. REFERENCES (NO PAGE LIMIT)
Note: At this stage of the PhD program, students may not have produced any new findings/results, however clear objectives, expected contributions and the research plan/methodology should be presented. Any preliminary results should be summarized.
2
Form the Examining COMMITTEE
- The examining committee will consist of your supervisory committee as it appears on your student file, and one internal examiner who is an 丁香园AV faculty member. The internal examiner can be from Mechatronics or another department.
- The examination will be chaired by your supervisor.
- The Director of the School, the Associate Director of the School and/or the Graduate Program Chair may attend the examination at their discretion but will not vote on the exam outcome.
- Attendance is required for all members of the Qualifying Exam committee. Participation in absentia is not permitted.
Role of the Internal Examiner
- The internal examiner鈥檚 role is to uphold the standard and rigor of the MSE Qualifying Exam process. They will objectively assess the overall readiness of the student to conduct the proposed research, the feasibility, merits and novelty of the proposed work and the student鈥檚 ability to engage in communication.
- The internal examiner is not expected to be an expert in the specific research domain of the student, the supervisory committee members should serve that role.
- The internal examiner for the Qualifying Exam should remain arms-length from the research project and may also be asked to serve as the internal examiner for the thesis defense.
COMPOSITION OF THE QUALIFYING EXAMINATION COMMITTEE
If your supervisory committee members have changed recently, you must notify the University at least 2 weeks prior to submitting your Qualifying Exam request (at least 4 weeks ahead of your exam). For instructions please refer to the Supervisory Committee page.
Qualifying Examinations are chaired by a member of the examining committee (usually the Supervisor) or a faculty member appointed by the Graduate Program Chair. In the event that the examining committee chair is not a member of the supervisory committee, they will be a non-voting member.
3
4
Attend Your Exam
Examinations are open to MSE students and MSE faculty members who wish to attend. Students and faculty members from other departments will not be allowed to attend. In addition to the examination committee members, the Director of the School, the Associate Director, and/or the Graduate Chair may attend the examination without prior notice.
- The oral presentation consists of a brief (15-20 minute) presentation of the research proposal by the student, followed by questions and then a deliberation of the examination committee.
- The duration of the examination should not exceed two (2) hours.
- Each member of the examination committee, starting with the non-senior supervisory member(s), will be given an opportunity to question the student in two rounds of questions.
*Qualifying Examinations are no longer held in camera.
Deliberation
Immediately after the completion of the oral examination, the student will be asked to leave the room. Assessment is performed in two steps. First, before discussion, each examiner identifies their provisional recommendation (pass/marginal/fail) to provide a framework for a full discussion.
Following this, a full discussion takes place. Upon completion of the deliberations, a formal vote shall be taken. The result can be:
- Passed as submitted.
- Marginal: The student will be required to re-submit the research proposal and present it for the second and final time within six months time from the original exam. and/or take more courses.
- Failed: The student will be required to withdraw from the PhD program.
Supervisors should communicate examination results to students immediately after the deliberation.
FAILURE
In case of a failure, a copy of the completed PhD Qualifying Examination Results form should be forwarded to the Associate Director, and, within seven days, each examiner must submit a written assessment of the overall performance of the student to the Graduate Chair and the Associate Director, with a copy to the Graduate Studies office as supporting material for the termination of the student鈥檚 PhD program.
5
After the Exam
Your Supervisor will be assigned a CourSys form to submit your results. No action is required from you as the student.
GPC Approval
- MSE Graduate Program Chair will review and sign the QE results. Students will receive the final version of the form via email.
Grade Entry
- Your MSE 890 grade will be entered into the system at the end of the term by your Graduate Program Assistant.