Mechanical Engineering Doctoral Qualifying Exams

Please consider the information presented here and in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Guide before considering information presented on other websites.

Guidelines and Formats

The following is a list of the topics covered for each subject exam and the format for each exam distributed for the Spring 2007 Qualifying exam: Qualifying Exam: Guidelines and Formats.

A Guide to Quals

Grad student Kate Thompson has prepared her own unofficial guide to the qualifying exams.

Life After Quals: The PhD Program

While it may not seem so important right now, take note for later---once you pass your Quals, what's next? Good places to start:

  • PhD Program - Presentation by Professor Dave Hardt (slides)

  • The Graduate Guide (pdf)

Study Material

Sample Previous Quals Exams (MIT certificates required)

Quals Info Sessions

Quals Info Session -- October 17, 2011

Quals Info Session -- March 1, 2011

Quals Info Session -- September 21, 2010

Student Panel Discussion -- March 10, 2010

Student Panel Discussion -- April 7, 2009

Faculty/Student Discussion -- November 18, 2008

Student Panel Discussion -- April 7, 2008

Student Panel Discussion -- April 10, 2007

Faculty/Student Discussion -- November 17, 2006

Faculty/Student Discussion -- November 18, 2005

Faculty/Student Discussion -- April 22, 2004

Faculty/Student Discussion -- May 7, 2003