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Guide for Graduate Studies

Welcome to the Graduate Program in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Houston!

This page provides essential guidance to help you navigate your graduate studies in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Houston.

Useful information for new graduate students can be found on our departmental web page and in the latest edition of University of Houston Graduate Catalog. Students are also encouraged to consult the relevant Cullen College of Engineering policies and procedures.

Current course offerings are listed in the UH academic schedule, found here, which is updated twice each year. 

For any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Director of Graduate Admissions, the Director of Graduate Studies, or the Department Chair—we are here to support your academic journey.

This page contains information on the following topics:

 

Thesis/Dissertation C​ommittee

Timely formation of thesis and dissertation committees

  • MS students should form their committees by ORD — the official reporting date or 12th day of class of the semester of their defense, which is their graduating semester.
  • PhD students should form their dissertation committee two weeks prior to their proposal defense. For departments who do not have a proposal defense it will be the same time frame as MS students listed above.

Thesis/Dissertation Committee

  • The thesis/dissertation committee (also called advisory committee) advises the student on research and writing of the thesis /dissertation, conducts the final oral examination (as required by the program) and approves the final version of the thesis/dissertation. A thesis committee should include at least three members (five for dissertation). The thesis/dissertation committee must have members from the student’s graduate program/academic unit. It may have additional members that are serving as an external committee member. The majority of members must be currently active in the scholarship of the field.
  • One committee member will serve as the chair of the thesis/dissertation committee. In some cases, two committee members may be appointed as co-chairs and will share the chair responsibilities.
  • If a student’s thesis/dissertation chair is a faculty member whose primary appointment is not in the graduate program offering the degree, then they must receive approval from the graduate program director/department chair to serve as a co-chair with a faculty member from the program also serving as co-chair. If the academic unit/graduate program has specified departmental or college policies regarding thesis/dissertation committee members, the student will follow the specified procedures of the graduate program/academic unit as long as they do not conflict with the policy outlined here.
  • The thesis/dissertation chair (or co-chairs) is (are) the student’s mentor(s) and guide(s) through the degree program. Students should consult the departmental policy regarding the appropriate number of thesis/dissertation committee members, the process for the selection of the committee members and the process to request changes in the committee membership. If the chair of a student’s dissertation committee leaves the University and the student is near completion of the degree and wants the chair to continue to serve in this role, the student, in consultation with the graduate program director and committee members, should ask a current member of the University of Houston faculty to serve as the co-chair of the committee.
  • A prospective committee member who is not a member of the University of Houston faculty may receive approval to serve on a thesis/dissertation committee by the chair of the committee. The chair has the responsibility of confirming that the prospective committee member has the requisite qualifications (typically, a terminal degree, subject matter expertise, and active in the field) to serve on the committee. When the committee chair approves a non-UH committee member to serve on the committee, they should provide a CV/resume from that member as part of the committee composition record.
  • Changes to the Thesis/Dissertation Committee require the approval of the student, new committee members, and the graduate program director. The graduate director (and department chair) will have the authority to make changes in case of a disagreement over the committee composition. In case a dispute goes beyond the department, the associate dean for graduate studies (and dean) will have this authority to appoint committee members and/or appoint an external thesis/dissertation chair to oversee the proceedings. Exceptions to this process may be granted by petition to the Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School.
  • All thesis/dissertation committee members should be entered into the student information system when the committee is formed to facilitate accurate academic records. Exception: At this time, committee members not employed by the University of Houston cannot be entered into the student information system.
  • A graduate program may have stricter requirements with respect to the final exam/defense and these requirements should be clearly articulated in the written policies and procedures or catalog entry for the graduate program.

Final Exam/Defense

  • The thesis/dissertation committee will conduct a final exam/defense as specified in the degree requirements. The final exam/defense should be scheduled such that the thesis/dissertation is available in nearly final form so that the committee has adequate time to review the document prior to the final exam/defense. While the final exam/defense may broadly cover the disciplinary field of the candidate’s training, the primary questioning should be related to the thesis/dissertation. A positive evaluation by the thesis/dissertation committee — with at most one dissension — is required for a student to pass. The dissenting member should indicate their dissent on the approval form. At the discretion of the thesis/dissertation committee and per the graduate program rules, a student may be given one opportunity to repeat a final exam/defense for the master’s/doctoral degree. The repeat exam/defense must be held no later than the end of the next fall/spring semester (summer terms excluded). A graduate program may have stricter requirements with respect to the final exam/defense and these requirements should be clearly articulated in the written policies and procedures or catalog entry for the graduate program.

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PhD qualification exam (DQE)

If you are a Ph.D. student, you will be required to pass a qualifying examination which will be administered by the department. The qualifying exam can be oral. After you have passed the qualifying exam, make sure that a copy of the letter or memo certifying that you passed is placed in your departmental student folder. The letter should cite the date on which the qualifying exam was passed.

This oral examination determines whether a student has mastered, and can integrate and apply, the knowledge gained in courses. The student should set aside a period of time to prepare for the examination by reviewing course material and reflecting on how this information can be integrated to solve problems.

To stand for the Ph.D. comprehensive examination, a student must have a grade point average of 3.40 or higher in a minimum of 12 MECE graduate hours (4 classes) and no more than the first 21 MECE graduate hours (7 classes) after being admitted to the Ph.D. program.

The examination should be scheduled as soon the accumulation of relevant course work allows. For a student with an M.S. from another university, the exam should be attempted no later than 18 months after study towards the Ph.D. begins. For students who complete the M.S. here and for students who petition into the direct-admit program, the exam should be attempted within 12 months of the change of program.

The examination committee is set by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Mechanical Engineering core research groups (Controls, Materials, Mechanics, Thermo-Fluids) and the dissertation advisor. Click here for more information about the general and transitional qualifying exam guidelines. Some qualifying exam guidelines will vary by group. Please review the table below for more information about each group's specific core courses. Please click the group name for more information about their respective exam guidelines.

Core Courses of Research Groups

Research Group

      

Controls

MECE 6384: Methods of Applied Mathematics

MECE 6367: Control Systems Analysis and Design

MECE 6666: Machine Learning

MECE 6388 Optimal Control Theory

MECE 7361 System Identification

Materials

MECE 6361: Mechanical Behavior of Materials

MECE 6363: Physical Metallurgy

MECE 6364: Phase Transform in Materials

Mechanics

MECE 6384: Methods of Applied Mathematics

MECE 6377: Continuum Mechanics I

MECE 7397: Continuum Mechanics II

Thermo-Fluids

MECE 6384: Methods of Applied Mathematics

MECE 6334: Convection Heat Transfer

MECE 6345 Fluid Dynamics 1

The committee is composed of a minimum of three voting members and the dissertation advisor who serves as a nonvoting member. One of the voting members is responsible for examining the student regarding the content in the mathematics requirement described above. The committee can be composed entirely of MECE faculty; however, members from outside the department may be approved if the nature of the student’s program warrants such involvement. Judgment of the examination is by vote; two or more negative votes results in failure of the examination. In the case of failure, the commit-tee shall decide whether or not the student should be invited to take the examination a second time.

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Graduate Tuition Fellowship (GTF)

The Graduate Tuition Fellowship is a competitive award program which provides funding to assist in defraying cost of in-state tuition of up to 9 credit hours per semester and 6 credit hours in the summer (if required to enroll) for qualified PhD students, who are in good academic standing. Guidelines for UH Cullen College of Engineering GTFs is as follows:

  1. The GTF is intended for Ph.D. students.
  2. The GTF qualifies a student for in-state tuition.
  3. The College requires Ph.D. students to enroll for 9 hours/semester for long semesters. The enrollment requirements for summer semester should be verified from Department/College.
  4. A student receiving the GTF must consult with his/her departmental Director of Graduate Studies regarding enrollment requirements. The department may approve reduced load for the graduating semester.
  5. GTF will be given for courses directly related to PhD program.
  6. GTF will not cover courses taken for a Masters degree at any College in the University.
  7. To be considered for a GTF, the following selection priorities are in place:
    • First priority will be given to Cullen College of Engineering PhD students supported by external grants/contracts from the home department or a Cullen College of Engineering faculty member.
    • Second priority will be given to Ph.D. students who are receiving other departmental support (TA, GA, IA, etc.)
    • Students who are supported outside the Cullen College of Engineering as a TA, IA or GA will be considered next for the GTF.
    • Unsupported students will be considered on case by case bases depending on the availability of GTF funds.
  8. In order to continue GTF, a Ph.D. student must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.00. In addition, GTF recipients must show satisfactory research and timely progress in completing the degree requirements as defined by the enrolling graduate program.
  9. Department Chairs or Graduate Program Directors will submit a proposed list to the Dean or Associate Dean for Graduate Programs based on the above priorities.
  10. After all department lists are received, a Selection Committee, as appointed by the Dean or Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, will review the requests and make a final recommendation to the Dean. The award of GTF is subject to the funds available to the College during a given year.
  11. The Dean or Associate Dean for Graduate Programs will notify the Department Chairs of students selected, and the Department Chair will provide official notification to the student.
  12. The time limit for GTF for a student entering the Ph.D. program at the University of Houston with a Master’s degree is four (4) academic years. Students entering the Ph.D. program directly after a baccalaureate program cannot qualify for the GTF for more than five (5) academic years.

* The Cullen College of Engineering awards Graduate Tuition Fellowships for the exclusive use of students in PhD programs. If a student leaves the PhD program before earning a PhD degree, the student is obligated to repay all tuition and fees for each semester that the student received GTF funds. If the student leaves the PhD program and requests a transcript for the courses they have completed, a transcript will be provided after the student repays the GTF that has been given for each semester that the student receives funds. If the student petitions to receive a Master’s degree and forgoes completing the PhD program, the student is obligated to repay all tuition and fees for each semester that the student received GTF funds.
https://www.egr.uh.edu/academics/graduate-programs-policies/doctoral-student-tuition-fellowships

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Stipends and Payment

Full-time Ph.D. students in our department receive funding at the standard departmental rate. Some students may also receive additional support through competitive scholarships/fellowships.

Differences in take-home pay may arise due to federal and university regulations governing stipends, income taxation, international tax treaties, and deductions for insurance and tax withholding. External fellowships secured by students—such as the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship—typically provide a higher level of support.

Stipends are disbursed at the beginning of each month for the previous month’s work. As a result, new students can expect their first payment on October 1. It is critical to ensure that your Social Security Number is entered into the university payroll system promptly to avoid delays in receiving your stipend.

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Ethical Practices

The Department maintains high and uncompromising standards regarding academic integrity. Violations are taken very seriously and can result in severe consequences. In particular, you must avoid the following actions: unauthorized collaboration on take-home exams, cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data. These offenses can have lasting impacts on your academic and professional future—including the possibility of permanent suspension from the Department and/or the University.

If you are ever unsure about what constitutes appropriate conduct, seek guidance from faculty or advisors. It is always better to ask than to risk a violation.

The University of Houston’s Academic Honesty Policy can be found here:
https://www.uh.edu/provost/students/student-policies/honesty/

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Department Safety

Exercise caution when beginning any experimental or lab-based work. Safety awareness is essential—not only for your well-being but also for the integrity of your research. Begin by consulting experienced members of your research group to learn about specific hazards in your lab or workspace.

Comprehensive safety resources are provided by UH Environmental Health & Safety: https://www.uh.edu/ehls/. You are required to complete the Hazardous Material Safety course before conducting any lab work. Depending on your research area, you may also be required to complete:

  • Radiation Safety Training (for work involving radiographic systems or radioactive materials)
  • Laser Safety Training (for Class IIIb or Class IV lasers commonly used in diagnostics or materials processing)
  • Machine Shop Safety Training (mandatory before operating mills, lathes, or other fabrication tools)

Additional safety reminders for MAE research environments:

  • Gas cylinders must be properly secured and checked for leaks, especially when using flammable or toxic gases in combustion or propulsion experiments.
  • High-pressure systems (e.g., compressed air, hydraulics) must be treated with extreme caution—check fittings and regulators before use.
  • Thermal systems (e.g., heat exchangers, furnaces, or flame jets) pose burn and fire hazards. Always use thermal gloves and shielded enclosures where appropriate.
  • Wind tunnels and rotating machinery must be properly guarded. Never bypass interlocks or operate alone if the system poses serious mechanical hazard.
  • Drones and UAVs used in field or indoor testing require both FAA compliance and adherence to university safety procedures. Never conduct flight testing without proper authorization.
  • Ergonomics and computing safety are essential, especially for students involved in simulation-heavy or CAD work. Repetitive strain injuries are common and preventable—maintain good posture, take breaks, and use appropriate input devices.

Always wear eye protection in labs and shops, and know the location of the nearest eyewash station, fire extinguisher, and emergency shut-off switches. Could you find them with your eyes closed?

Finally, remember: safety is a shared responsibility. If you are ever uncertain about a procedure or hazard, ask. It’s always better to pause and seek advice than to risk injury or damage.

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University Holidays

The official holiday schedule for each academic year typically includes: Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Winter Break & New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, , Memorial Day, Emancipation Day and U.S. Independence Day.

Note: A State employee is entitled to observe Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur or Good Friday in lieu of any holiday or holidays on which the employee's agency is required to be open or staffed to conduct public business. Please refer to SAM policy 02.E.03 section 3.8, to review the process for observing. Other absences should be prearranged with the student's advisor. In practice, it is observed that students who are enthusiastic and committed to their studies and their research seem to have more fun, and do better when they get out.

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Graduate Coursework and Seminar Series

Ph.D. students are required to enroll in 9 credit hours each Fall and Spring semester to maintain full-time status.

As part of the doctoral training in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, all Ph.D. students must register for and attend the Graduate Seminar Series every Fall and Spring semester. This weekly seminar features invited speakers from academia, industry, and national laboratories, offering insights into advanced research and professional development.

Seminars are typically held on Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., and are preceded by an informal social with coffee and doughnuts. Attendance is expected as part of the seminar course requirement.

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Enrollment in Classes

The definition of full-time enrollment at the University of Houston may vary depending on University and Federal policies. As a general guideline, Ph.D. students are considered full time with 9 credit hours, while M.S. students may be required to enroll in at least 9 credit hours, depending on their specific program and visa or funding status.

It is important to confirm the full-time enrollment requirement each term with the Graduate Advisor, as requirements may change.

Students receiving any form of financial support—including teaching assistantships (TA), research assistantships (RA), fellowships, or scholarships—are required by the Cullen College of Engineering to maintain full-time enrollment status during the Fall and Spring semesters.

 

GRADUATION

In order to graduate in a given semester, you must apply to graduate one week prior to UH deadline which is published on the UH Academic Calendar.

Before your application for graduation is reviewed, you must have a graduate degree plan approved (in writing) by your departmental Graduate Advisor. The approved graduate degree plan must be filed with the Graduate Admission Assistant in your department.

A computer-generated graduation application will be sent to the college analyst 2 to 4 weeks after the application for graduation deadline. The college analyst reviews the application and returns copies to you and the Graduation Office within 8 to 10 weeks.

You can normally expect to receive a diploma in the mail about 8 to 10 weeks after the end of the semester in which your degree requirements are completed. You must provide a current address for mailing the diploma.

After you first apply for graduation, you must be continuously enrolled if you do not graduate in the semester for which you applied. Your application for graduation must be continually updated in subsequent semesters if you do not graduate in the semester for which you first applied.

Applicants approved for graduation should request a transcript 8 to 10 weeks after the semester ends to be certain that the degree has been posted.