provisional graduate handbook for mechanical engineering€¦ · provisional me graduate handbook...

Provisional

Graduate Handbook

for

Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Swanson School of Engineering

University of Pittsburgh

Revised August 29, 2018

Provisional ME Graduate Handbook 8/29/18

Contents

1 Mechanical Engineering 2

2 Doctor of Philosophy Program 22.1 Admission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.2 Plan of Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2.2.1 Course requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.2.2 QPA requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2.3 Doctoral Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.4 Course of Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.4.1 Preliminary Examination (Qualifier) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.4.2 Comprehensive Examination & Dissertation Proposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.4.3 PhD Candidacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.4.4 Final Oral Examination (Dissertation Defense) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.5 PhD Dissertation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.5.1 Dissertation Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3 Master of Science Program 63.1 Research MS Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.1.1 Admissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.1.2 Plan of Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.1.3 Course requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63.1.4 QPA requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3.2 Master’s Thesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.2.1 Thesis Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3.3 Professional MS Track . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.3.1 Admissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.3.2 Plan of Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.3.3 Course requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.3.4 QPA requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4 Academic Integrity 84.1 Student Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

1


1 Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering program offers broad-based educational and research opportunitiesthat apply the fundamentals mechanical engineering to the solution of real-world engineering prob-lems. The program offers education and research at the cutting edge of thermal-fluid science,engineering simulation and computation, solid mechanics, biomechanics, manufacturing, dynamicsystems and control. Each graduate student’s program is developed individually within very broadlimits and is carefully designed to focus on his or her individual interests and chosen field of spe-cialization.

The range of research programs in the department reflects the broad spectrum of faculty interest.Importantly, the fundamentals of mechanical engineering is a unifying thread. Department researchinvestigates basic phenomena and develops fundamental tools to address the hardest technologicaland social challenges.

Contact

ME Graduate Director: Qing-Ming Wang, PhD636 Benedum Hall412-624-4885E-mail: [email protected]

MEMS Graduate Administrator: Carolyn Chuha636D Benedum Hall412-624-9722E-mail: [email protected]

2 Doctor of Philosophy Program

The aim of the doctoral program is to develop individuals to be independent researchers and toprepare them for careers in research. The program is flexible. Its primary emphasis is on innovativeand distinctive research at the forefront of engineering, science, and technology. Students wishing topursue the PhD should have an outstanding academic background and a desire and ability to carryout original research. As the studies progress, students develop an understanding at the highestlevel in their area of specialization that must lead to an original contribution to the field in thePhD dissertation. PhD students here are given independence and responsibility. They are not onlyencouraged, but are expected to, develop research ideas, which they propose and defend. Theywork closely with their faculty research advisors and participate in research addressing relevantengineering problems. To supplement their research, students take advanced courses in areas relatedto their research work. Candidates for the PhD achieve a high level of proficiency through thisadvanced course work and individual study in their research and related areas.

The goal of the Doctor of Philosophy program is to develop the student to be an independentresearcher and to prepare them for a career of engineering research. Students learn how to conductresearch at development to solve cutting-edge technology problems. This work requires a strongbackground in the fundamentals of engineering with a focus on a specialty area of interest to thestudent.

2

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


2.1 Admission

A bachelor’s or master’s degree holder applying to the program must have a QPA equal to orhigher than 3.3 (B+) or equivalent. Students who do not meet this requirement may be able toenter the program based on experience demonstrating their excellence, as evaluated by the GraduateCommittee.

In some cases, depending on previous background and QPA, students may be admitted initiallyon a provisional basis. This usually requires students to secure grades of 3.3 (B+) or betterin courses that are required to obtain a better background courses as deemed necessary by theGraduate Admissions Committee.

The PhD student is expected to attend full time. It is possible, however, to seek candidacyas a part-time student provided the PhD students spends at least one full-time academic year oncampus.

2.2 Plan of Study

During the first term in the doctoral program the student must submit a plan of study for approvalby the Graduate Committee. This plan of study should be prepared under the guidance of thestudent’s major advisor.

2.2.1 Course requirements

Completion of the PhD program requires a total of 72 credits of which

• At least 36 credits must be didactic (classroom based) courses, and• At least 18 credits must be dissertation research consisting of

– ME 3997 RESEARCH, PHD, or– ME 3999 PHD DISSERTATION (after admission to PhD Candidacy)

• At least one of the following mathematics courses:

– ME 2001 DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS– ME 2002 LINEAR AND COMPLEX ANALYSIS– ME/ECE 2646 LINEAR SYSTEM THEORY

2.2.2 QPA requirement

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.30 in courses to be eligible to take thepreliminary and comprehensive examinations and to graduate.

2.3 Doctoral Committee

Before admission to candidacy for the PhD degree, the student’s major advisor will work with thestudent to propose a dissertation committee. This committee must review and approve the proposedresearch project before the student may be admitted to candidacy. This doctoral committee hasthe responsibility to advise the student during the progress of the candidate’s research and hasthe authority to require high quality research and/or the rewriting of any portion or all of thedissertation. It conducts the final oral examination and determines whether the dissertation meetsacceptable standards.

The doctoral committee must consist of a minimum of four current members of the graduatefaculty. At least three of these graduate faculty members, including the major advisor, must be from

3


the Mechanical Engineering Faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and MaterialsScience. At least one graduate faculty member must be from another department. The majorityof the committee, including the major adviser, must be full or adjunct members of the GraduateFaculty. Other graduate and non-graduate faculty members may also serve on the committee.

Meetings of the doctoral candidate and his/her dissertation committee must occur at leastannually from the time the student gains Admission to Doctoral Candidacy. During these meetings,the committee should assess the student’s progress toward degree and discuss objectives for thefollowing year and a timetable for completing degree requirements.

2.4 Course of Study

2.4.1 Preliminary Examination (Qualifier)

The PhD preliminary examination is a diagnostic examination based on Master of Science-levelcourses (or equivalent) to assess student’s potential to complete the PhD program.

2.4.2 Comprehensive Examination & Dissertation Proposal

The Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation Proposal may be separate examinations, butare often combined.

Comprehensive Examination The Comprehensive Examination assesses the student’s masteryof mechanical engineering doctoral study, the student’s acquisition of both depth and breadth inmechanical engineering, and the ability to use the research methods of the discipline.

The timing of the Comprehensive Examination should meet the following guidelines:

• It should be administered at approximately the time of the completion of the formal courserequirements with a cumulative QPA of at least 3.0.

• It should be passed at least one (1) full term after successfully completing the PreliminaryExamination (Qualifier).

• It should be passed at least eight (8) months before the scheduling of the final oral examinationand dissertation defense.

• In no case may the comprehensive examination be taken in the same term in which the studentis graduated.

A copy of the comprehensive exam document, signed by the major advisor, must be submitted tothe ME Graduate Office. Examination results must be reported promptly to the Dean’s office butno later than the last day of the term in which the examination is administered.

Dissertation Research Proposal Each student must prepare a dissertation proposal for pre-sentation to the doctoral committee at a formal dissertation overview or prospectus meeting. Theproposal requires the student to carefully formulate a plan for his or her doctoral research. Theoverview and prospectus meeting lets the doctoral committee members provide guidance in shapingthe conceptualization and methodology of that plan.

The members of the doctoral committee will review the proposal and either reject, suggestrevisions to the plan, or accept the proposed research project. The doctoral committee mustunanimously approve the dissertation research topic, plan, and proposal before the student maybe admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree. Approval of the proposal does not imply eitherthe acceptance of a dissertation prepared in accord with the proposal or the restriction of thedissertation to this original proposal.

4


The student is responsible for ensuring that all appropriate regulatory approvals are obtainedfor the proposed research. For example, if the research proposed in the overview or prospectusinvolves human subjects, that proposed research must be approved by the University InstitutionalReview Board (IRB) before it may be carried out.

The dissertation proposal should be scheduled as soon as the candidate is prepared to presenthis or her proposal, since there must be at least two full terms between its successful completionand the Final Oral Examination (dissertation defense).

2.4.3 PhD Candidacy

Admission to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree constitutes a promotion of the studentto the most advanced stage of graduate study and provides formal approval to devote essentiallyexclusive attention to the research and the writing of the dissertation. To qualify for admission tocandidacy, students must meet the following criteria:

• be in full graduate status,• passed the preliminary examination (qualifier),• have completed formal course work with a minimum QPA of 3.00,• have passed the comprehensive examination, and• have received approval of the proposed subject and plan of the dissertation from the doctoral

committee following an overview or prospectus meeting of the committee.

Admission to candidacy is a prerequisite to registration for dissertation credits, ME 3999 PHDDISSERATION.

2.4.4 Final Oral Examination (Dissertation Defense)

This is the final examination of the PhD program, conducted by the doctoral committee, in whichthe student defends the validity of and the contributions made by his or her dissertation researchas well as his or her ability to comprehend, organize, and contribute to the chosen field of research.The examination needs not be confined to materials in and related to the dissertation. One copy ofthe dissertation must be submitted to each member of the doctoral committee at least two weeksbefore the date set for the final oral examination. Other qualified individuals may be invited by thecommittee to participate in the examination. This examination begins with a seminar presentedby the student that is open to all members of the University. Therefore the date, place, and timeof the examination should be published at least a week in advance by submitting the dissertationtitle and abstract to the ME Graduate Office. Only members of the doctoral committee may voteon whether the candidate has passed the examination. The student must be registered in the termin which the degree is granted.

2.5 PhD Dissertation

Each student must prepare a dissertation embodying an extended original, independent investiga-tion of a problem of significance in the student’s field of specialization. The dissertation must addto the general store of knowledge or understanding in that field. After the dissertation has beenprepared and approved by the major advisor, the final oral examination shall be held. Non-nativeEnglish speakers are encouraged to take ENGR 2015 Technical Writing (however this course doesnot count toward graduation).

5


2.5.1 Dissertation Copies

Dissertations should be submitted in accordance with the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation guide-lines: http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/etd. After the final oral examination is successfully com-pleted, the candidate must have their dissertation reviewed by the school before it can be submittedto the graduate school.

The student’s committee should have completed the PhD rubric sheet (sample in the appendix)and returned to the Graduate Administrator.

3 Master of Science Program

The goal of the Master of Science program is for the student to develop an advanced understandingin a specific area of interest. Students can tailor their individual MS program to emphasize differentaspects of science and engineering. The Department offers MS degree programs that have twotracks: a professional track and a research track.

3.1 Research MS Track

The Research MS Track is designed for individuals seeking an in-depth research experience inmechanical engineering. Students will gain a deep understanding of their area of interest throughan extended research project. This option is particular appropriate for students interested in aPhD. Students working under the MS research option are required conduct a thesis project and topresent a thesis that demonstrates marked attainment in some area of the student’s major subject,as well as acquisition of the methods and techniques of scientific investigation.

3.1.1 Admissions

A bachelor’s or master’s degree holder applying to the program must have QPA equal to or higherthan 3.0 (B) or equivalent. Students who do not meet this requirement may be able to enterthe program based on experience demonstrating their excellence, as evaluated by the GraduateCommittee.

In some cases, depending on previous background and QPA, students may be admitted initiallyon a provisional basis. This usually requires students to secure grades of 3.0 (B) or better in coursesthat are required to obtain a better background in materials science and engineering and/or othergraduate-level courses as deemed necessary by the Graduate Admissions Committee.

3.1.2 Plan of Study

During the first term in the master’s program the student must submit a plan of study for approvalby the department. This plan of study should be prepared under the guidance of the student’smajor advisor.


Completion of the MS program requires a total of 30 credits of which

• At least 21 credits must be didactic (classroom based) courses• At least 9 credits must be thesis research consisting of

– ME 2997 RESEARCH, M.S.

6

http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/etd


– ME 2999 M. S. THESIS (at least 6 credits)

• At least one of the following mathematics courses:


• At most 9 graduate credits from other engineering, mathematics, or physics departments.


Students must maintain a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.0.

3.2 Master’s Thesis

Each student must prepare a thesis embodying an extended investigation of a problem of significancein the student’s field of specialization. The thesis must add to the general store of knowledge orunderstanding in that field. After the thesis has been prepared and approved by the major advisor,the final oral examination shall be held. Non-native English speakers are encouraged to take ENGR2015 Technical Writing (however this course does not count toward graduation).

3.2.1 Thesis Copies

Theses should be submitted in accordance with the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation guidelines:http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/etd. After the final oral examination is successfully completed,the candidate must have their thesis reviewed by the school before it can be submitted to thegraduate school.

The student’s committee should have completed the MS rubric sheet (sample in the appendix)and returned to the Graduate Administrator.

3.3 Professional MS Track

The Professional MS Track is designed for individuals seeking advanced study in mechanical engi-neering. The professional MS programs are oriented toward full-time students seeking a career inindustry, and part-time students currently working in industry. .

3.3.1 Admissions

A bachelor’s or master’s degree holder applying to the program must have cumulative grade pointaverage (QPA) equal to or higher than 3.0 (B) or equivalent. Students who do not meet thisrequirement may be able to enter the program based on experience demonstrating their excellence,as evaluated by the Graduate Committee.

In some cases, depending on previous background and QPA, students may be admitted initiallyon a provisional basis. This usually requires students to secure grades of 3.0 (B) or better in coursesthat are required to obtain a better background in materials science and engineering and/or othergraduate-level courses as deemed necessary by the Graduate Admissions Committee.

7

http://www.pitt.edu/~graduate/etd


3.3.2 Plan of Study

During the first term in the program the student must submit a plan of study for approval by thedepartment. This plan of study should be prepared under the guidance of the student’s majoradvisor.


Completion of the MS program requires a total of 30 credits of which

• At least 30 credits must be didactic (classroom based) courses• At least one of the following mathematics courses:


• At most 9 graduate credits from other engineering, mathematics, or physics departments.


Students must maintain a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.0.

4 Academic Integrity

Students are expected to read and abide by the Guidelines on Academic Integrity of the Universityof Pittsburgh.

Students have rights under the Guidelines on Academic Integrity. If matters cannot be resolvedbetween the student and professor, the matter will be referred next to the Department Chair,followed by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and ultimately the University, if resolutionsare not met at the lower levels. Sanctions range from receiving zero grade on an assignment todismissal from the University, depending upon the seriousness of the offense.

It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with forms of violations of academicintegrity. Some examples include plagiarism, unauthorized sharing of computer code or other work,receiving or giving unauthorized aid from/to other students.

Students should assume that they are to perform independent work, unless otherwise authorizedby the faculty. If there is any confusion, please consult the faculty for guidance.

4.1 Student Obligations

A student has an obligation to exhibit honesty and to respect the ethical standards of the professionin carrying out his or her academic assignments. Without limiting the application of this principle,a student may be found to have violated this obligation if he or she:

1. Refers during an academic evaluation to materials or sources, or employs devices, not autho-rized by the faculty member.

2. Provides assistance during an academic evaluation to another person in a manner not autho-rized by the faculty member.

3. Receives assistance during an academic evaluation from another person in a manner notauthorized by the faculty member.

8

https://www.provost.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/academic_integrity_guidelines.pdf


4. Engages in unauthorized possession, buying, selling, obtaining, or use of a copy of any mate-rials intended to be used as an instrument of academic evaluation in advance of its adminis-tration.

5. Acts as a substitute for another person in any academic evaluation process.6. Uses a substitute in any academic evaluation proceeding.7. Practices any form of deceit in an academic evaluation proceeding.8. Depends upon the aid of others in a manner expressly prohibited by the faculty member, in the

research, preparation, creation, writing, performing, or publication of work to be submittedfor academic credit or evaluation.

9. Provides aid to another person, knowing such aid is expressly prohibited by the facultymember, in the research, preparation, creation, writing, performing, or publication of workto be submitted for academic credit or evaluation.

10. Presents as one’s own, for academic evaluation, the ideas, representations, or words of anotherperson or persons without customary and proper acknowledgment of sources.

11. Submits the work of another person in a manner which represents the work to be one’s own.12. Knowingly permits one’s work to be submitted by another person without the faculty mem-

ber’s authorization.13. Attempts to influence or change one’s academic evaluation or record for reasons other than

achievement or merit.14. Indulges, during a class (or examination) session in which one is a student, in conduct which

is so disruptive as to infringe upon the rights of the faculty member or fellow students.15. Fails to cooperate, if called upon, in the investigation or disposition of any allegation of

dishonesty pertaining to a fellow student.16. Violates the canons of ethics of mechanical engineering.

9

Sample

10

Rub

ric

for

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Sample

11

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• Ex

tend

s prio

r kn

owle

dge

to

som

e de

gree

; •

In to

tal i

s a

cont

ribut

ion,

but

co

ntai

ns n

o si

ngle

m

ajor

co

ntrib

utio

n.

• D

emon

stra

tes

orig

inal

ity

• M

akes

som

e co

ntrib

utio

ns

• In

trodu

ces n

ew

met

hodo

logy

or

tech

niqu

es to

fie

ld.

• V

ery

orig

inal

w

ork;

•

At l

east

one

im

porta

nt

cont

ribut

ion

• O

rigin

al a

nd

crea

tive.

•

Nov

el a

nd

impo

rtant

te

chni

cal

cont

ribut

ions

;

Q

ualit

y of

w

ritin

g

• R

equi

res a

pr

ofes

sion

al

edito

r •

Sent

ence

st

ruct

ure,

la

ngua

ge a

nd

styl

e de

ficie

nt

• M

ajor

revi

sion

s re

quire

d fo

r te

chni

cal c

onte

nt

• W

ritin

g is

wea

k •

A n

umbe

r of

typo

s, gr

amm

atic

al a

nd

spel

ling

erro

rs

• A

num

ber o

f te

chni

cal c

hang

es

requ

ired.

• Li

mite

d nu

mbe

r of

typo

s (g

ram

mat

ical

er

rors

and

sp

ellin

g) th

at d

o no

t det

ract

from

w

ork

• So

me

chan

ges

nece

ssar

y Som

e ne

w

tech

nica

l co

ntrib

uti

ons

• V

ery

wel

l writ

ten;

•

Easy

to re

ad a

nd

unde

rsta

nd

• Fe

w c

hang

es o

r ad

ditio

ns re

quire

d.

Sign

ifica

nt t

echn

ical

co

ntrib

uti

ons

• W

ell o

rgan

ized

, re

leva

nt, a

nd

tech

nica

lly

com

plet

e •

Exce

llent

cla

rity

and

use

of

refe

renc

es

• W

ell e

dite

d

Sample

12

A

ttri

bute

V

ery

Def

icie

nt

Som

ewha

t Def

icie

nt

Acc

epta

ble

Ver

y G

ood

Out

stan

ding

D

efen

se

• V

ery

poor

ly

orga

nize

d.

• D

isjo

inte

d pr

esen

tatio

n.

• U

nabl

e to

ans

wer

a

num

ber o

f qu

estio

ns.

• Sl

ides

of v

ery

poor

qua

lity

• N

ot w

ell

orga

nize

d;

• R

ambl

ed; d

wel

t to

o lo

ng o

n le

ss

impo

rtant

asp

ects

•

Had

diff

icul

ty

with

que

stio

ns.

• So

me

slid

es

diff

icul

t to

read

•

Typo

s and

oth

er

erro

rs in

slid

es.

• A

ccep

tabl

e –

slid

es c

lear

•

Goo

d pr

esen

tatio

n sk

ills

• A

ble

to a

nsw

er

mos

t que

stio

ns

• W

ell t

houg

ht o

ut

slid

es.

• Pr

ofes

sion

al

pres

enta

tion

• A

lmos

t all

ques

tions

ad

dres

sed

in a

pr

ofes

sion

al

man

ner

• W

ell o

rgan

ized

, ve

ry p

rofe

ssio

nal,

•

All

ques

tions

ad

dres

sed

in a

kn

owle

dgea

ble

and

resp

ecta

ble

man

ner.

•

Slid

es o

utst

andi

ng.

O

ther

–

expl

ain

(09/

16/2

008)

A

ny a

dditi

onal

com

men

ts a

nd e

xpla

natio

ns fo

r any

per

ceiv

ed d

efic

ienc

ies:

Sample

Rub

ric

for

Eva

luat

ing

Mas

ters

The

sis

(Thi

s pag

e fil

led

out b

y C

omm

ittee

Cha

ir o

r Gra

duat

e D

irec

tor)

St

uden

t ___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

A

dvis

or _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ Th

esis

Titl

e __

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ D

ate

of e

ntry

into

MS

Prog

ram

___

____

____

____

____

_

Stud

ent w

as (c

heck

one

) ___

___

part

time

or

___

___

full

time.

D

ate

of D

efen

se _

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

Tota

l tim

e to

com

plet

e M

S de

gree

(circ

le o

ne):

> 3

6 m

os

3

0-36

mos

24-

30 m

os

18

-24

mos

<18

mos

(Tim

e Sc

ore

1 to

5)

This

stud

ent h

as p

rodu

ced

(fill

in th

e nu

mbe

r):

Scor

ing

Fact

or (S

F):

Raw

Sco

res:

(N

umbe

r × S

F)

____

Acc

epte

d or

pub

lishe

d jo

urna

l arti

cles

2.

5 __

___

____

Add

ition

al su

bmitt

ed jo

urna

l arti

cles

2.

0 __

___

____

Con

fere

nce

publ

icat

ions

1.

5 __

___

____

Nat

iona

l Con

fere

nce

pres

enta

tions

1.

0 __

___

____

Add

ition

al p

oten

tial J

ourn

al p

ublic

atio

ns

0.5

____

_

Tota

l Pub

licat

ion

Perf

orm

ance

Sco

re: _

____

____

_

Com

mitt

ee M

embe

rs (a

nd D

epar

tmen

t):

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ __

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ __

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ __

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

_ __

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

___

• A

t the

con

clus

ion

of th

e de

fens

e, e

ach

com

mitt

ee m

embe

r sho

uld

fill o

ut th

e re

spon

se s

heet

. Fo

r eac

h at

tribu

te w

hich

a c

omm

ittee

mem

ber f

eels

is

som

ewha

t or v

ery

defic

ient

, a sh

ort e

xpla

natio

n sh

ould

be

prov

ided

. •

This

doc

umen

t sho

uld

be c

ompl

eted

, eve

n if

the

com

mitt

ee fe

els t

hat t

he th

esis

is u

nacc

epta

ble.

•

Plea

se a

ttach

a c

opy

of th

e ab

stra

ct a

nd c

oncl

usio

ns to

this

eva

luat

ion

form

. Th

e ad

vise

r sho

uld

also

incl

ude

copi

es o

f any

jour

nal p

ublic

atio

ns o

r re

ferr

ed c

onfe

renc

e pr

ocee

ding

s tha

t hav

e al

read

y re

sulte

d fr

om th

is d

isse

rtatio

n •

Plac

e of

em

ploy

men

t or a

dditi

onal

gra

duat

e st

udy,

if k

now

n __

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

____

__

Sample

MS

The

sis R

espo

nse

Shee

t

(one

for e

ach

com

mitt

ee m

embe

r – c

ircl

e re

spon

se a

nd re

turn

dir

ectly

and

con

fiden

tially

to d

esig

nate

d de

part

men

t adm

inis

trat

ive

staf

f)

Att

ribu

te

Ver

y D

efic

ient

So

mew

hat D

efic

ient

A

ccep

tabl

e V

ery

Goo

d O

utst

andi

ng

Com

men

ts

Q

ualit

y of

th

esis

.

Bar

ely

acce

ptab

le,

amon

g th

e bo

ttom

10%

of

thes

es th

at w

e’ve

re

view

ed

Acc

epta

ble,

but

di

sapp

oint

ing

(10th

to

25th p

erce

ntile

of t

hese

s at

Pitt

.)

Acc

epta

ble

(25t

h to

75t

h pe

rcen

tile

of th

eses

at

Pitt.

)

Am

ong

75th

to 9

0th

perc

entil

e of

thes

es a

t Pitt

Am

ong

top

10%

of

thes

es a

t Pitt

C

ontri

butio

ns

• R

equi

res

com

mitt

ee to

st

retc

h to

find

or

igin

ality

•

Clo

ser t

o B

S th

an M

S w

ork

Show

s a li

ttle

orig

inal

ity, b

ut m

ostly

pe

dant

ic a

nd p

lodd

ing

• D

emon

stra

tes

orig

inal

ity

• M

akes

lim

ited

cont

ribut

ions

• O

rigin

al, c

reat

ive

wor

k;

• A

t lea

st o

ne g

ood

cont

ribut

ion

for a

n M

S th

esis

.

• O

rigin

al a

nd

crea

tive.

•

Seve

ral i

mpo

rtant

co

ntrib

utio

ns fo

r an

MS

thes

is.

• N

ovel

tech

nica

l co

ntrib

utio

ns;

coul

d be

the

basi

s of

PhD

wor

k.

Q

ualit

y of

w

ritin

g

• R

equi

res a

pr

ofes

sion

al

edito

r •

Sent

ence

st

ruct

ure,

la

ngua

ge a

nd

styl

e de

ficie

nt

• M

ajor

re

visi

ons

requ

ired

for

tech

nica

l co

nten

t

• W

ritin

g is

wea

k •

A n

umbe

r of t

ypos

, gr

amm

atic

al a

nd

spel

ling

erro

rs

A n

umbe

r of t

echn

ical

ch

ange

s req

uire

d.

• Li

mite

d nu

mbe

r of

typo

s (gr

amm

atic

al

erro

rs a

nd sp

ellin

g)

that

do

not d

etra

ct

from

wor

k •

Som

e ch

ange

s ne

cess

ary

• So

me

new

tech

nica

l co

ntrib

utio

ns

• V

ery

wel

l writ

ten;

•

Easy

to re

ad a

nd

unde

rsta

nd

• Fe

w c

hang

es o

r ad

ditio

ns re

quire

d.

• Si

gnifi

cant

tech

nica

l co

ntrib

utio

ns

• W

ell o

rgan

ized

, re

leva

nt, a

nd

tech

nica

lly

com

plet

e •

Exce

llent

cla

rity

and

use

of

refe

renc

es

• W

ell e

dite

d

Sample

A

ttri

bute

V

ery

Def

icie

nt

Som

ewha

t D

efic

ient

A

ccep

tabl

e V

ery

Goo

d O

utst

andi

ng

Com

men

ts

D

efen

se

• V

ery

poor

ly

orga

nize

d.

• D

isjo

inte

d pr

esen

tatio

n.

• U

nabl

e to

an

swer

a

num

ber o

f qu

estio

ns.

• Sl

ides

of v

ery

poor

qua

lity

• N

ot w

ell o

rgan

ized

; •

Ram

bled

; dw

elt t

oo

long

on

less

im

porta

nt a

spec

ts

• H

ad d

iffic

ulty

with

qu

estio

ns.

• So

me

slid

es

diff

icul

t to

read

•

Typo

s and

oth

er

erro

rs in

slid

es.

• A

ccep

tabl

e –

slid

es

clea

r •

Goo

d pr

esen

tatio

n sk

ills

• A

ble

to a

nsw

er m

ost

ques

tions

• W

ell t

houg

ht o

ut

slid

es.

• Pr

ofes

sion

al

pres

enta

tion

• A

lmos

t all

ques

tions

ad

dres

sed

in a

pr

ofes

sion

al m

anne

r

• W

ell o

rgan

ized

, ve

ry p

rofe

ssio

nal,

•

All

ques

tions

ad

dres

sed

in a

kn

owle

dgea

ble

and

resp

ecta

ble

man

ner.

•

Slid

es o

utst

andi

ng.

St

uden

t has

po

tent

ial f

or

PhD

wor

k

N

o

May

hav

e di

ffic

ulty

co

mpl

etin

g Ph

D a

t Pitt

; sh

ould

con

side

r a le

sser

in

stitu

tion

Y

es

Def

inite

ly a

t Pitt

or a

n as

pira

tion

inst

itutio

n.

With

out a

dou

bt a

t Pitt

or

one

of t

he to

p fiv

e in

stitu

tions

(09/

10/2

008)

–

Any

add

ition

al c

omm

ents

and

exp

lana

tions

for a

ny p

erce

ived

def

icie

ncie

s:

Sample

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