GUIDE TO GRADUATE STUDY AND DEGREE PROGRAMS

IN

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70803
(225) 578-5828

This handbook is for the graduate students and faculty of the MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. Policy changes may occur at any time. Students
are responsible for checking with the ME Graduate office and/or Graduate
Advisor for updates. Mechanical Engineering Departmental Policies have been
worked out by the graduate studies committee and approved by the graduate
faculty of the Department.

Revised … April 2011

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. General Description
ME Graduate Programs........................................................1

ME Graduate Faculty ...........................................................2

Research Facilities ...............................................................3

Financial Aid ........................................................................6

Graduate Courses Offered....................................................7

II. Specific Program Guidelines

Advanced degrees in
Mechanical Engineering/ME as Minor ..........................11

M.S. Degree (Thesis Option) .............................................12

M.S. Degree (Non-Thesis Option) .....................................14

Doctoral (Ph.D.) Degree ....................................................15

General Instructions ...........................................................19

First Year Instructions to all ME Graduate Students .........21

Requirements and Checklist for ME Ph.D. Graduate

Candidates………………………………………………..22
Fulfilling Doctoral Degree Requirements ..........................24
Checklist for Students who Plan to Graduate ....................25
Requirements for Thesis/Dissertation ................................26

Plan of Study and Change in Plan of Study Instructions

M.S. Thesis Option ............................................................27
M.S. Non-Thesis Option ....................................................28
Doctoral (Ph.D.) .................................................................29
Doctoral Program of Study (Grad School) – Guidelines ...30
ME Graduate Student Forms ..................................... 32 - 44

Many LSU Graduate School forms are available on the Graduate School’s website @ http://gradschool.lsu.edu
and the Graduate student ME Dept. forms are available on the ME website @ www.me.lsu.edu

1
General Description
The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) is one of seven engineering departments at LSU, six of which are
within the College of Engineering. Currently, there are 24 full-time faculty members within the department, including ten
(10) professors, nine (10) associate professors, four (4) assistant professors, and one (1) Engineer in Resident. Two of
ME’s Faculty Members are half-time employed with LSU with the other half-time employment at another local
university, Southern University, Baton Rouge. The department is supported by an administrative staff and by laboratory
and machine shop technicians. The undergraduate enrollment of about 300 students, comprised mainly of Louisiana
residents, is among the largest in the College of Engineering. Graduate student enrollment, including both mechanical
engineering and engineering science students supervised by the ME faculty, is about 100, nearly half of whom are in the
Ph.D. program.

Mechanical engineering faculty members are very active in the areas of teaching, research, and service. The department
has a very strong undergraduate degree program, culminating in a two-semester capstone design course, for which design,
construction, and testing of a prototype are required. Many of these design projects have received honors and some have
received patents. Over the past 20 years, the passing rate of our students in the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.)
Examination has been more than 90 percent, which is among the highest in the college and the nation. Some of the
outstanding graduates are now entering our graduate program in larger numbers than usual, mainly through the 3-2
combined BS-MS program.

Service activities within the department are very broad. Faculty members serve as committee members within the
department, college, and the university. Externally, many faculty members have served as conference organizers,
chairpersons for technical sessions, and editors/associate editors/editorial board members for refereed journals, etc. Many
also hold important positions and responsibilities within the many engineering societies. Some may serve as expert
witnesses to the legal profession and as consultants to industry and government. Some faculty members serve as faculty
advisers to student chapters of professional societies. Chapters of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), The
Materials Society (TMS) - American Society for Metals (ASM), and National Association of Corrosion Engineers
(NACE) are active in the department, and some mechanical engineering students belong to the college chapters of the
Society of Black Engineers (SBE) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

The research program in the department has experienced significant growth. Mechanical Engineering faculty
members, with extensive scholarly and professional engineering experience, offer a consistently high level of research,
graduate study, and student guidance. Most graduate students are supported through research assistantships, teaching
assistantships, or fellowships. Current annual expenditures on externally funded research are about $3.2 million.
Mechanical engineering faculty members are primarily involved in four research areas−mechanical systems (design &
control), thermal-fluid science and combustion, materials science and engineering, and microsystems (design and
fabrication). Research is funded through grants from federal agencies (NSF, NASA, DoD, DoE, etc.), state government
(Louisiana Board of Regents), national laboratories, and various industries.

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The ME Graduate Faculty
By Appointment Rank:
Associate Assistant
Full Professors Professors Professors
Acharya, Sumanta de Queiroz, Marcio Schoegl, Ingmar
Charalampopoulos, Tryfon Devireddy, Ram Martin, Michael
Khonsari, Michael Gonthier, Keith Wang, Ying
Meng, Wen Jin Guo, Shengmin Park, Sunggook
Murphy, Michael Li, Guoqiang #
Nikitopoulos, Dimitris Moldovan, Dorel
Pang, Su-Seng Waggenspack, Warren
Ram, Yitshak Wahab, M
Raman, Aravamudhan . Engineer in Resident
Sinclair, G. B.
Wang, Wanjun Helms, Jack
Woldesenbet, Eyassu #
Wong, Harris
# Half-time appointment at LSU-ME
By Research Area:
Mechanical Systems
Khonsari, Michael* de Queiroz, Marcio Wang, Wanjun
Li, Guoqiang Ram, Yitshak Woldesenbet, Eyassu **
Murphy, Michael Sinclair, G. B.
Pang, Su-Seng Waggenspack, Warren
Park, Sunggook ** Wahab, Muhammad

Thermal Fluids
Acharya, Sumanta Gonthier, Keith Martin, Michael
Charlamapopoulos, Tryfon Guo, Shengmin Nikitopoulos, Dimitris
Devireddy, Ram Khonsari, Michael* Schoegl, Ingmar
Wong, Harris***

Materials Science and Engineering

Meng, Wen Jin Wang, Ying
Moldovan, Dorel Woldesenbet, Eyassu **
Park, Sunggook ** Wong, Harris***
Raman, Aravamudhan

* with expertise in both Mechanical Systems and Thermal Fluids

**with expertise in both Mechanical Systems, and Materials Science and Engineering
***with expertise in both Thermal Fluids, and Materials Science and Engineering

Faculty members in the mechanical systems group’s research involves geometric design, geometric modeling, controls, actuators
and sensors, designing with composite materials and composite piping systems, pressure vessel analysis, bearing and tribology, etc.
The thermal-fluid science group is actively involved with studies of combustion, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. Specific areas of
current interest include combustion diagnostics, two-phase flow, macro- and micro-scale heat transfer, hazardous waste incineration,
electronics cooling, gas turbine blade cooling, heat exchangers, optical shear measurement, and rocket plumes. The research efforts of
the materials science and engineering group are concerned with understanding material behavior and characteristics, and the
application of materials to solve engineering problems. Current research includes corrosion, surface modification and coatings, non-
equilibrium processing of materials, high temperature materials, nanomaterials, composites, phase transformation, and other materials
science topics. The microsystems group (MEMS) concentrates on mechanical elements with lateral and vertical dimensions ranging
from a few micrometers to a few hundred micrometers. The University Community has access to the Center for Advanced
Microstructures and Devices (CAMD) that houses many state-of-the-art equipment items, including a synchrotron facility, optimized
for deep-etch X-ray lithography. Faculty members are focusing on high aspect ratio microstructures in microsystems. Research topics
range from fundamental fabrication issues to novel applications of microsystems, devices and components.

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Research Facilities
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has developed the following state-of-the-art facilities to perform
research in the fields of fluid and thermal sciences, mechanical systems engineering/computer-aided design,
materials science and engineering, and high aspect ratio microelectromechanical systems.

Heat Transfer Laboratory

Three low-speed wind tunnels are available in this laboratory to permit heat transfer experiments. A water tunnel is also
available for flow visualization. The laboratory is equipped with two laser Doppler velocimetry systems, a constant
temperature/ constant current anemometer system, and other instrumentation for heat transfer, velocity, and pressure
measurements.

Two-Phase Flow Research Laboratory

Two-phase, gas-liquid duct flow, and sub-merged jet experimentation facilities, as well as a spray-nozzle characterization
facility, are available in this laboratory. The laboratory is equipped with a Phase-Doppler velocimetry and particle
analysis system with phase discrimination capabilities, a video imaging and image processing system, and computer-
driven data acquisition systems.

Rotating Mass/Heat Transfer and Flow Research Laboratory

This laboratory houses a facility for experimentation in rotating channels closely modeling those used for the internal
cooling of gas turbine blades, with high Reynolds and Rosby number capabilities. It is equipped for highly resolved
mass/heat transfer measurements using the naphthalene sublimation technique and for local velocity and temperature
measurements using hot-wire anemometry. The equipment available also includes a high accuracy and resolution
profilometer, and a computer data acquisition system.

Spray Combustion Research Laboratory

A full scale, gas-turbine spray-combustion model with high pressure and flow capabilities is available in this laboratory. It
can operate with a variety of liquid fuels and is designed to allow active (acoustic) and passive forcing of the nozzle flows
and the use of nonintrusive flow and combustion diagnostics. State-of-the-art planar laser induced fluorescence, phase
Doppler velocimetry, and particle analysis systems are installed. A smaller scale model gas turbine combustor is also
available for atmospheric pressure tests. A cold-flow facility is available for fluid dynamic studies of noncircular coaxial
nozzles.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

The CFD Lab houses several workstations (Digital ALFA/SGI) and Pentium PCs, and is dedicated to the development
and application of CFD software. Codes developed in-house include Reynolds-averaged-Navier Stokes solvers, direct
numerical simulation codes, and large eddy simulation codes. Applications of interest include turbine blade cooling,
stirred tank reactors, gas turbine combustors, and heat exchangers.

Turbine Heat Transfer Laboratory

The Turbine Heat Transfer Lab houses several state-of-the art facilities for heat transfer measurements of turbine
components. The lab has a high temperature, high-pressure combustion facility for hot engine condition measurements,
and ambient temperature. High speed flow four blade cascade, transient liquid crystal imaging system for detailed heat
transfer measurements, and a 32-point digital pressure measurement system are some of the other available facilities.
Several experimental rigs for internal heat transfer and film cooling measurements have also been established.

Microscale Heat Transfer Laboratory

This lab consists of: A high temperature Ellipsometer system equipped with light sources and detectors covering the deep
UV - VIS and IR part of the spectrum; and Reflectometer systems for studies of absorptance, reflectance and
transmittance of materials. Several lasers are used in this lab for optical diagnostics.

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Subsonic Wind Tunnel
A subsonic wind tunnel is available in the department for research in low-speed aerodynamics. The wind tunnel has a test
section of 2' x 2' x 8' and is capable of velocities from 5 to 60 m/s. This facility is equipped with a variety of
instrumentation including a laser Doppler velocimetry system, a particle imaging velocimetry system, and a laser-based
flow visualization system.

Aeromechanical Laboratory
The laboratory specializes in aeronautical, hydraulics, and fluid mechanics research. It is equipped with a high-pressure
air supply system that includes a 150 HP compressor providing 475 CFM air at 290 PSIG. After passing through a drier,
the air is stored in a 2,650-gallon tank with a maximum pressure capacity of 350 PSI. An electric heater is available to
provide heated air of 500 oF at a flow rate of 2,250 lb/hr. Two programmable controllers provide precise control of flow
rates. The facility includes a 26x17x15 anechoic chamber for aero-acoustic measurements and a separate control room.
Microphones and flow diagnostic systems are used to study supersonic and subsonic jets mixing and noise. A supersonic
tunnel will be available in the near future. A simulator of a hydraulic system of oil well drilling is available for detailed
studies of flow, pressure, and erosion patterns during drilling operations. An automated computer−controlled system
allows precise measurements of water jets. The facility is also equipped for experimentation of flow-structures
interactions, aerodynamics of high-angle-of-attack flight, and vortex dynamics.

Interactive Modeling Research Laboratory

This is a specialized research facility for computer-aided design (CAD) and interactive modeling research. The activities
focus on the application of high performance computing and graphics workstations to a variety of engineering problems,
including fundamental geometric modeling, biomedical modeling/imaging, and scientific visualization.

Biomechanics Laboratory
Facilities have been installed to support research on knee joint biomechanics. A six-axis ultrasound scanner with a real-
time control system is available for mapping articular surface geometry and cartilage thickness. Two graphics
workstations are available for visualization of data and computation. A micro-probe test station for cartilage evaluation
will be added in the near future.

Surface Modification and Materials Synthesis Laboratory

This laboratory houses a dual deposition/plasma processing system, capable of plasma and ion beam assisted deposition
and processing (e.g., nitriding), for the development of thin film coatings and composite surface layers. A separate thin-
film deposition system is also available.

Corrosion Laboratory
Computer-controlled potentiostat/galvanostat units (EG&G models) are available for corrosion measurements. A wear-
corrosion set-up is also available for conducting corrosion experiments under various sliding-wear conditions. This
laboratory also houses a slow strain-rate system (CorTest) for stress corrosion cracking tests and a laser caustics set-up for
crack tip studies. Facilities are also available for salt fog testing, immersion and forced flow erosion, and general
corrosion testing.

Wear and Friction Laboratory

A computer-controlled tribometer equipped with the appropriate software and environmental cell is installed in this
laboratory for wear and friction testing, as well as for determination of coefficient of friction in air and in aqueous
environments.

High Temperature Materials Laboratory

Mechanical properties of materials can be studied using a servo hydraulic testing facility equipped with suitable furnaces
and control systems. A system computer analyzes the data. A basic tester is available for creep studies at high
temperatures. Also equipment is available for thermal expansion studies. Some of these facilities are located at Southern
University nearby.

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Research Facilities
Composite Materials and Composite Piping Laboratory
The composite materials and piping laboratory within LSU and Southern University has various research facilities. An
Instron MTS 810 machine is available for mechanical property characterizations of composite materials. The lab also has
a TestStarII software package and an environmental chamber to conduct tests automatically under various environmental
conditions. An available Instron Dynatup Model 8250 HV drop weight impact tester can automatically conduct low to
medium velocity impact tests. A Nicolet digital oscilloscope and personal computers with analog/digital conversion
boards are available. In addition to the hardware, several software packages with advanced numerical analysis capabilities,
including COSMOS/M finite element analysis package, are also available. There is also a Hopkinson Bar facility for
undertaking high strain rate testing. The investigators have access to EDO Specialty Plastics, located in Baton Rouge,
with a manufacturing area of more than 60,000 square feet and an additional 100,000 square feet for storage and
fabrication. This plant also has the capability of manufacturing various composite structures and various testing
equipment for the composite pipe and many state-of-the-art composites piping software.

Laboratory for Processing of Non-equilibrium Materials

This laboratory houses a SPEX ball mill for processing of nanocrystalline and amorphous metallic alloy powders, a hot
furnace pressing system (Thermal Technology, 10 ton capacity, up to 1700° C, with ambient control) for consolidation of
powders into bulk samples, and a differential scanning calorimeter (Perkin Elmer DSC-7) for studies of phase
transformations and thermodynamic properties of metastable materials produced.

Materials Characterization Center

This centralized multi-user facility is open to the entire university, and dedicated to the characterization of materials using
modern analytical instrumentation. Major instruments housed within the facility include a variable-pressure scanning
electron microscope (Hitachi S-3600N), a 200kV analytical transmission electron microscope (JEOL JEM2010) equipped
with an X-ray spectrometer (EDAX Genesis), a combined X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy/Auger electron spectroscopy
system with ion-beam depth profiling and scanning capabilities (Kratos AXIS165), a depth-sensing optical interference
microscope (Wyko NT1000). Other analytical instruments include an X-ray diffractometer and a differential scanning
calorimeter. Standard specimen preparation tools available include an ion miller (Gatan 691PIPS) and a dimple grinder
(Gatan 656), as well as other sectioning and polishing equipment and optical microscopes. In association with LSU Center
for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD), an atomic force microscope (Digital Instruments Dimension 3100)
and a nano-indentation/nano-scratch device (Hysitron Triboscope) are available, as well as various X-ray spectroscopy
measurements, such as Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure
(XANES) spectroscopy.

Microstystems Engineering Laboratory

The Microsystems Engineering Team (µSET) Laboratory is an 800 square foot facility that allows students in mechanical
engineering to perform many of the processes associated with high aspect ratio micromachining and microfabrication.
These processes include electroplating, bonding of photoresist to conductive substrates, evaporation of metal on to
substrates and/or resist, development of resist layers, and characterization. The laboratory includes two electroplating
stations, a source of DI water, an 8-ft. fume hood, a class 10,000 clean tent, profilometer, a Nikon M, 11 microscopes with
video output to a computer, chemical storage, a resist press, and other support equipment. In the near future, additional
equipment, including a workstation for FEM analysis and a programmable furnace, will be installed.

Atomistic Materials Modeling and Simulation Laboratory

This laboratory is equipped with five Linux (3.0 GHz, 1GB) workstations and a 32 nodes Beowulf cluster with Gigabit
Ethernet for parallel computing. Molecular Dynamics, Monte Carlo and mesoscopic simulations are used in various
materials modeling studies such as: grain growth, thermal stability and deformation in nanocrystalline metals and
ceramics; thin film growth and coarsening, and in simulations of small molecules permeation across phospholipid
membranes.

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Financial Aid
Financial aid in the form of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and/or fellowships, is available to qualified
students. Availability of funding varies from year to year. International students must successfully complete ENGL 1051,
spoken English, at LSU to hold a teaching assistantship beyond the first year.

Research Assistantships
Research assistants take active part in research activities and projects as directed by relevant faculty members advising the
assistants. Research assistantships are negotiated and eventually offered through direct discussions between the student
and faculty members. Consult the "Faculty" section for current faculty research areas and contact the appropriate faculty
member to discuss research assistantship possibilities. All faculty members are contacted by e-mail or by writing the
specific individual in care of:
Louisiana State University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Room 2508 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-6413 USA
Phone - 225/578-5792

The department chairman rarely becomes involved in offers of research assistantships. For e-mail addresses of the faculty
members, consult the section on our faculty and thesis research projects and/or publication sections.

Teaching Assistantships
Teaching assistants are engaged in grading of homework and other assignments, to help students enrolled in specific
undergraduate classes, hold recitation and/or help sessions, and handle laboratory classes as instructors. The latter
activities are permitted after the student gets certified to teach from the English Department at LSU. A teaching
assistantship may be available from the department; however, students should indicate their interest and/or need early.
There is no need to apply for a teaching assistantship along with the application for admission. Once the department
receives all application materials from the Graduate School, consideration is given to all qualified applicants on a merit
basis. The Departmental Graduate Studies Committee evaluates the materials to select applicants for teaching
assistantships. The committee awards teaching assistantships on a competitive basis considering current departmental
needs, the student's previous experience, the department's availability of funds, the student's grade-point average, scores
on the Graduate Record Examination, and other useful information. Continuation of awarded assistantships depends on
the student satisfactorily meeting all the requirements set by the department, the university and the departmental faculty.

Stipends

Total stipends for research and teaching assistantships vary from year to year. Assistantships at LSU are competitive with
those at other large state universities. Graduate students on any assistantship will not be assessed university non-resident
tuition. Also, graduate assistants on full-time (20 hours per week) are exempt from the required in-state tuition fees.
Students are responsible for paying the required university fees. For information on current tuition and fee schedules
visit: http://www.bgtplan.lsu.edu/fees.htm Students are allowed to hold a maximum of a full-time (50%/20 hrs. per week)
and a minimum of an assistantship at 25% (10 hrs per week) equivalent assistantship during the academic year, i.e., in the
fall and spring semesters, but may be paid during the summer months on a different type of payroll, depending on the
approval of their major professor. LSU offers students who are on a full-time (50%/20 hrs. per wk.) graduate assistantship
and who enroll in one of LSU’s three student health insurance plans, an insurance benefit of $350 per semester (fall and
spring). This includes summer coverage.

Fellowships
The University and the Mechanical Engineering department make available other financial opportunities to outstanding
students in the form of fellowships awarded on a competitive basis. Generally, prospective students will be notified of
these opportunities on a case–by−case basis.

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Graduate Courses Offered
4143 Mechanical Vibrations (3) Prereq.: CE 3400, MATH 2070, ME 3143, and 4133; or equivalent. Basic principles
of oscillating mechanical systems; single and multiple degrees of freedom; dynamic balancing; applications to
mechanical systems; continuous systems vibrations.

4153 Kinematics Synthesis of Mechanisms (3) S Prereq.: ME 4133 or equivalent. Three-dimensional mechanisms;
emphasis on computer solution methods.

4163 Intermediate Dynamics (3) F Prereq.: MATH 2070 and ME 3133. Rotating reference frames, rigid body kinetics
in three dimensions, central force motion, variable mass problems, and Lagrange's equations.

4253 Introduction to Bearing Design and Lubrication (3) Prereq.: ME 4433 or equivalent. Analysis and design of
tribological components, particularly hydrodynamic bearings; computational modeling and other modern developments
in the field.

4353 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics (3) S Prereq.: ME 2334 or equivalent. Postulational treatment of laws
of thermodynamics; equilibrium and maximum entropy postulates; development of formal relationships; principles and
application to general systems.

4383 Thermal System Design (3) Prereq.: ECON 2030, ME 2334, and ME 4433. Principles and practices concerning
the design and optimization of thermal systems.

4443 Introduction to Combustion (3) Prereq.: ME 4433. Basic principles of combustion and their application in
solving engineering problems.

4453 Laser Methods in Engineering (3) Prereq.: Senior standing in the College of Engineering. Basic principles of
lasers and their application to engineering problems.

4533 Engineering Use of Electronic Computers (3) F Prereq.: ME 2533 or equivalent; or graduate standing. General
rules of programming; construction of programs to solve mathematical problems common to all engineers; numerical
methods including solutions to linear and nonlinear differential equations, least-squares approximation, interpolations,
and integration.

4573 Interactive Computer Graphics (3) Prereq.: Experience in math and computer programming. Also offered as
CSC 4356, Analytical treatment of graphics using the digital computer; graphical display and input devices; computer
graphics systems and standards; two–and three−dimensional transformations; geometric modeling; interactive
techniques; basic data structures; realism in 3-D graphics; future trends.

4583 Applied Interactive Graphics and Computer-Aided Design (3) F Prereq.: ME 4573 or equivalent; also, offered
as CSC 4357. Application of interactive graphics techniques to solve specific problems in engineering design and data
retrieval.

4633 Internal Combustion Engines (3) S Prereq.: ME 2334 or 3333 or equivalent. Classification of internal
combustion engines, gas turbines, cycles with different components, spark-ignition gasoline engines, detonation,
carburetion, compression-ignition engines, combustion and diesel knock, fuel atomization and atomizers, combustion
chambers, two- and four-stroke cycle engines, and supercharging.

7
4643 Thermal Environmental Engineering (3) F Prereq.: ME 2334 and credit or registration in ME 4433; or
equivalent. Design of thermal environment for humans, animals, processes, and inanimate objects; the means of control.

4663 Power Plant Engineering (3) F Prereq.: ME 2334 and 4433; or equivalent. Power plants for industrial and
central-station use; emphasis on cycles, design, capabilities, and economics of the plant as a whole; components used in
various types of plants.

4673 Introduction to Modern Control Theory (3) S Prereq.: ME 4183 or equivalent. State space modeling,
controllability, observability and stability, pole placement, optimal control laws via minimum principle and dynamic
programming.

4683 Sensors and Actuators (3) V Prereq.: EE 3950, ME 3143. Basic knowledge and operational principles of various
transduction (sensing and actuation) methods, especially electromechanical sensors and actuators; actual designing,
building and testing transducers.

4723 Advanced Materials Analysis (3) F Prereq.: ME 2733, 3701 or equivalent. 1 hr. Lecture; 6 hrs. Lab. Concepts
and operation of modern analytical instruments using photon or electron beams and X-rays; macroscopic and
microscopic examination of materials coupled with separate and combined testing of mechanical, tribological, and
corrosion properties.

4733 Deformation and Fracture of Engineering Materials (3) F Prereq.: CE 3400 and ME 2733 or equivalent.
Effect of temperature, strain rate, corrosion, and microstructure on stress-strain behavior and fracture of engineering
materials, including metals, ceramics, and plastics.

4743 Kinetics in Materials Processes (3) S Prereq.: ME 2334, ME 2733 or equivalent. Applications of the principles
of diffusion, phase transformation, and thermodynamics to describe the kinetics of microstructural evolution in
engineering materials

4763 Fundamentals of Corrosion Science and Engineering (3) F Prereq.: ME 2733 or equivalent, and any first
course in thermodynamics. Corrosion principles; polarization, passivation, inhibition, and other phenomena; principal
methods used in corrosion prevention

4783 Composite Materials: Manufacturing, Properties, and Design (3) Prereq.: ME 2733 and CE 3400 or
equivalent. Constituent materials, micro- and macromechanics, mechanical behavior, fracture, manufacturing and design
of components made of composite materials, including polymer, ceramic, and metal matrix materials.

4843 Gas Dynamics (3) F Prereq.: MATH 2070 and ME 2334; or equivalent. Derivation and review of basic equations
of compressible fluid flow; reduction of the general problem to 1-D flow; 1-D flow in nozzles with and without friction;
1-D flow with heat addition; normal shock wave, Prandtl-Myer turn, and oblique shock waves.

4853 Turbomachinery (3) Prereq: ME 2334, 3834, and 4433. Preliminary design of axial- and radial-flow pumps,
compressors, and turbines; determination of optimum flow angles and dimensions, blade design, blade selection, and
performance prediction.

4933 Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering, (3) May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary.
Two sections may be taken concurrently.

4943 Special Problems in Aerospace Engineering (3) Prereq.: Senior standing in mechanical engineering or related
discipline. May be taken for a max. of 12 sem. hrs. of credit when topics vary. Aerodynamic problems of special
interest in the analysis and design of water, land, air, and space transportation systems.

7153 Advanced Vibrations (3) Prereq.: ME 4143 or equivalent. Modeling and response of continuous vibratory
systems; inverse problems in vibration; active vibration control; dynamic absorption; wave propagation and reflection;
numerical methods for continuous systems.

8
Graduate Courses Offered
7233 Advanced Machine Design (3) S Prereq.: ME 4244 or equivalent. Design analysis and principles applicable to
mechanical and thermal systems at an advanced level.

7243 Bearing Design and Lubrication (3) S Prereq.: Consent of Instructor. Derivation of fluid flow in bearings;
principles of hydrodynamics lubrication and application to journal and thrust bearings; effect of environment on type of
lubrication systems and lubricants; heat generation in bearing and heat transfer; compressible fluid and solid lubricants.

7263 Computer-Aided Geometric Modeling (3) S Prereq.: ME 4573 or equivalent. Mathematical elements of
modeling complex free-form geometry in two and three dimensions for design, analysis, and display; wireframe,
surface, and solid geometric modeling; computer graphics and algebraic, computational, and projective geometry.

7433 Advanced Heat Transfer I (3) F Prereq.: MATH 4038 or equivalent. Steady and transient heat conduction.

7443 Advanced Heat Transfer II (3) F Prereq.: ME 7843 or equivalent. Convection heat transfer.

7453 Advanced Heat Transfer III (3) S Prereq.: consent of instructor. Radiation heat transfer and advanced topics.

7533 Numerical Methods in Applied Mechanics (3) V Prereq.: ME 4533 or equivalent. Computer methods used to
solve engine problems; advanced numerical methods.

7603 Advanced Experimental Methods (3) S Prereq.: Consent of Instructor. 2 hrs. Lecture; 3 hrs. Lab. Applied
course in contemporary analog and digital laboratory tools and techniques.

7633 Advanced Engineering System Dynamics (3) Prereq.: ME 4183 or equivalent. Dynamic system modeling;
bond graphs; state-determined systems; simulation; controllability/observability.

7643 Advanced System Modeling (3) Prereq.: ME 7633 or equivalent Mathematical models and dynamic behaviors
of engineering systems in multi-energy domains; bond-graph modeling methods, simulations using contemporary
software.

7673 Advanced Mechanical Systems Control (3) F Prereq.: ME 4183 or equivalent. Analysis and design of
distributed parameter feedback control systems; observability, controllability, and stability of distributed parameter
systems; state estimation and optimal control of distributed systems; parameter identification and adaptive control
techniques.

7723 Materials Characterization Using Electron Beam Methods (3) Prereq.: ME 2733. 2 hrs. Lecture; 3 hrs. lab.
Theory and principles of electron optics, electron microscopy, and spectroscopy; preparation, observation, and
characterization of materials by electron beams.

7733 Flow and Fracture in Solids (3) S Prereq.: CE 4440 or equivalent. Plastic deformation of single crystals and
polycrystalline aggregates; theories of ductile and brittle fracture; internal friction; fatigue, creep, and stress rupture;
residual stresses; plastic forming of metals.
7743 Defects, Diffusion, and Transformation in Solids (3) F Prereq.: ME 2733 or equivalent.. Defects and atomistic
mechanisms, dislocation theory, quantitative description of diffusion process and phase transformations in materials.

7753 Thermodynamics of Solid Materials (3) Prereq.: ME 2733 and any first level course in Thermodynamics.
Review of first and second laws of thermodynamics; material property relationaships; chemical equilibrium in reactions;
solid solutions and phase diagram enunciations; reaction kinetics and non-equilibrium therodynamics.

9
7763 Advanced Corrosion Science and Engineering (3) S Prereq.: ME 4763 or equivalent. Advanced topics in
corrosion; stress corrosion, high temperature corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, etc.; thermodynamics of surfaces and
corrosion.

7813 Computation of Boundary Layer Flows and Heat Transfer (3) F Prereq.: ME 3834 and 4433 or equivalent,
and ME 4533 or equivalent. Finite-difference methods for the solution of parabolic or boundary layer equations; use of a
computer program for two−dimensional boundary layers; wall boundary layers, jets and wakes, flows in pipes, annuli,
nozzles, and diffusers.

7823 Computation of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer (3) S Prereq.: ME 3834, 4433, and ME 4533; or equivalent.
Finite-difference methods for solving equations of fluid motions and energy; computer program used to solve complex
problems involving fluid flow, heat transfer, and chemical reaction; mathematical models for turbulence, radiation, and
combustion; their computing implications; applications of prediction procedures for practical situations.

7833 Inviscid Fluid Flow (3) S Prereq.: ME 7863 or equivalent. Potential flow theory and gas dynamics;
multidimensional compressible flow; computational gas dynamics

7843 Viscous Fluid Flow (3) S Prereq.: ME 7863 or equivalent. Navier-Stokes equations; Stokes and Oseen
approximations for low Reynolds number flows; incompressible laminar boundary layer theory; transition; turbulent
boundary layers, compressibility effects, and numerical methods.

7853 Advanced Boundary Layer Theory (3) S Prereq.: ME 7843 or equivalent. Non-Newtonian and turbulent fluid
mechanics.

7863 Fluid Dynamics (3) F Prereq.: Credit or registration in MATH 4038 or equivalent. Fluid dynamics as continuum
mechanics; potential flow using complex variables in two dimensions and superposition in three dimensions; viscous
flow and Navier-Stokes equations; compressible flow, including mach waves, shocks, and linearized aerodynamics.

7901 Seminar (1) Graduate students are required to attend this course every semester; only 1 sem. hr. of credit in this
course allowed toward degree. Pass-fail grading

7903 Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering (3) May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit. Directed
independent study for graduate students

7933, 7943 Mechanical Engineering Problems (3, 3) Advanced problems of special interest in mechanical engineering
being developed and offered by faculty

7953 Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3) May be taken for a max. of 6 hrs. of credit when topics vary,
with consent of department. Mechanical engineering treatment of various areas of interest

8000 Thesis Research (1-12 hrs. per semester) “S” / “U” grading; 6 hrs counted toward M.S. (ME) degree

9000 Dissertation Research (1-12 hrs. per semester) “S” / “U” grading; 12 hrs counted toward Ph.D. (ME) degree

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Each faculty member is assigned a separate section for the research courses ME 8000 and ME 9000.
Section numbers could change each semester - always double check that you are enrolled in the correct
section for your Major Professor.

10
Advanced Degrees in Mechanical Engineering (ME)
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers programs leading to:
• Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Doctor of Philosophy
In addition, the department participates in the college's interdisciplinary Engineering Science degree programs (see
below). To pursue an advanced degree offered by this department, the student must hold a B.S. degree from an
engineering department accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), or the equivalent.
Special programs can be developed if the degree is from another discipline. The graduate faculty of the department must
approve these special programs.

As a potential graduate student, one must meet the minimum requirements for admission to LSU’s Graduate School
before being considered for admission into the Mechanical Engineering graduate program. The admission requirements of
the department are in addition to those of the Graduate School and are generally more restrictive. Typically, a minimum
undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 (“A” = 4.0) and a GRE (verbal + quantitative) score of 1200 are required. For
foreign applicants a minimum TOEFL score of 230 (computer-based), 550 (paper-based), or 79-80 (internet based – iB)
would be expected. As deciding on admissions and assistantships as well as taking care of visa formalities take
considerable time, potential students are advised to apply sufficiently early, say six to nine months in advance of the
semester in which they wish to enroll.

Interdisciplinary Programs

The College of Engineering offers programs leading to two interdisciplinary graduate degrees:
• Master of Science in Engineering Science
• Doctor of Philosophy
These programs provide a mechanism for one to pursue advanced study in interdisciplinary fields, not covered by the
graduate programs administered by the departments of the college, such as Materials Science, Environmental Science, etc.
The Associate Dean for research and graduate activities of the College of Engineering administers these programs by
keeping records of all students enrolled in interdisciplinary studies and by acting as coordinator for admissions decisions
and as Program chairman of record on all documentation.

To participate in any of these programs, contact the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Activities of the
College of Engineering, as well as appropriate faculty within the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In general, these
individuals, along with your advisory committee determine admission requirements, program of study, and examinations.

Mechanical Engineering as Minor

If you are a Ph.D. candidate in another doctoral program and wish to select mechanical engineering as a minor area
the requirements are :
• Take at least nine credit hours of courses acceptable for graduate credit in ME and approved by your advisory
committee

• Take at least three hours of 7000-level ME courses (ME 7903-Independent Study may not be applicable as the only
one in the 7xxx category; one of the major core courses or any other approved general 7xxx level ME course would
be applicable)

• Obtain a “C” or better and achieve an overall average of 3.0 or better in these courses
• Have an ME faculty member on your Ph.D. advisory committee who may administer written and/or oral examinations
as part of the general and final examinations

11
General Information
A full time graduate student at the MS or Ph.D. level is required to take at least nine (9) credit hours of approved
course work and one hour of ME 7901 seminar course every semester. A part time graduate student at the M.S. or Ph.D.
level is required to take the ME 7901 seminar course for one semester only during his or her degree program. International
students are required to be full-time and conform to these regulations to take adequate preparatory courses to demonstrate
proficiency in written and spoken English before being allowed to teach. This is expected of all foreign students within
the first year.

Probationary Status
Full-time students with probationary status upon admission must complete a minimum of nine (9) credit hours of
technical graduate-level courses with at least a 3.00 average in. Students will remain on probation until nine hours of
technical graduate-level courses have been completed with at least a 3.0 average. Failure to attain this average may result
in being dropped from the program.

Part-time students entering on probation and registering for fewer than nine hours may be dropped from the Graduate
School if their semester and/or graduate GPA is less than 3.00 during any semester they are registered.

If probationary status is acquired at the end of any semester, you become ineligible for any assistantship while on
probation. A graduate student placed on academic probation by the Graduate School for failing to make satisfactory
progress may not be appointed or reappointed to a graduate assistantship unless the student’s cumulative/semester GPA is
at least 3.00. Details and additional information regarding eligibility for a graduate assistantship may be found in PS-21,
available in the appendices on the Graduate Bulletin, the Graduate School, and in departmental offices.

Further details can be found in the Graduate Bulletin of LSU.

M.S. Degree (Thesis Option)

To receive a degree from the ME department, you must satisfy the M.S. degree requirements, as specified in the
current General Catalog. The additional departmental requirements listed here provide background in the fundamentals
of mechanical engineering, while allowing you the flexibility to specialize in thermal systems, mechanical systems,
materials science and engineering or micro-systems.

Advisory Committee

Upon entering the program, you need to identify a major professor from the area in which you intend to specialize.
Once you do this, you will meet with the professor and finalize this arrangement with an official binding agreement. In
consultation with your major professor your program advisory committee is named. The major professor and the members
of your Graduate Program Committee constitute your Advisory Committee. While joining the graduate program, you and
the graduate advisor or your major professor will devise an initial plan of study that constitutes the intended courses you
will take for the M.S. degree, which must be approved by your Graduate Advisory Committee. For the remainder of your
degree program, you will follow this plan. Your plan of study can be altered at any time only by approval of your
Advisory Committee; you will need to complete a “Change in Plan of Study” form for any changes made to your course
work.

The Advisory Committee must have a minimum of three faculty members, including two from the Department of
Mechanical Engineering. One member can be from another department. The Advisory Committee must be composed of
members of the Graduate Faculty, including at least one full member of the graduate faculty from the Department of
Mechanical Engineering.

12
M.S. Degree (Thesis Option)
Course Work (24 hrs minimum of lecture courses plus 6 hrs. thesis research)
Course offerings are listed in the LSU Catalog. Also, see pages 7-10 of this booklet. A petition to waive any of the
requirements in this section requires approval of the graduate faculty through your Advisory Committee and the Graduate
Studies Committee (GSC). Equivalency of courses offered as substitutes or transfers will be determined by the last faculty
member to teach the required course. For transfer of courses from a previous university, you need to complete the required
transfer form through Graduate Records. Information on transferring courses is in the General Catalog and on the
Graduate Records Web-site: http://gradschool.lsu.edu

M.S. Course Requirements – Thesis Option

• Declare a primary specialization in one of the following areas:

Thermal Sciences, Mechanical Systems, or Materials Science and Engineering

• Take a minimum of three core courses within your primary area of specialization
• Take one core course outside your primary area of specialization
• The list of approved core courses follows:

Thermal Sciences
4353 Thermodynamics
7433 Heat Transfer I
7443 Heat Transfer II
7843 Viscous Fluid Flow (or 7833 Inviscid Fluid Flow)
7863 Fluid Dynamics
Tentative Core Course list for the Mechanical Systems group:
Mechanical Systems
4163 Intermediate Dynamics
4273 Solid Mechanics I (temporary course number is now 4933)
7273 Solid Mechanics II (temporary course number is now 7953)
--------- or ME 4673 Introduction to Modern Control Theory
7153 Advanced Vibrations
7633 Advanced Engineering System Dynamics

Materials Science and Engineering

4733 Deformation and Fracture
7723 Materials Characterization Using Electron Beam Methods
7743 Defects, Diffusion, and Transformation in Solids *
7753 Solid Thermodynamics *
7763 Advanced Corrosion Science and Engineering
(* Required for all Materials Majors)

• Take one course from the following list of basic Math courses:

Math 4038 Mathematical Methods in Engineering

Math 4340 Partial Differential Equations
Math 4036 Complex Variables

13
Other Course Requirements
• Take one core course from one of the other two ME specialization areas outside your primary area
• Take a minimum of five ME courses
• Take a minimum of nine (9) credit hours of course work at the 7000 level (3 courses)
• Register for ME 7901 (ME Graduate Seminar); required to register every semester except for circumstances as
stated below, “Please Note: ….”
• Please Note: The seminar attendance requirement for part-time students will be for one semester only. The
seminar course (ME 7901) attendance requirement is waived for any student, after the date when he/she has
successfully defended his/her thesis.
• Take a minimum of six hours of ME 8000
• Your major professor and advisory committee must approve all course selections.
• In addition, you are required to present your research results at a departmental forum before graduation, usually
during your final semester in residence. This is done in the departmental, annual Graduate Student Research
Conference (GSRC), prior to graduation.

M.S. Degree (Non-thesis Option)

The non-thesis option is considered to result in a terminal degree in a technical field. It is appropriate for practicing
and/or employed engineers who wish to acquire advanced background and knowledge in chosen subject areas without
having the need to pursue rigorous research. The degree can be earned with a part-time program of study. It is generally
not available to International students under student visa (F1) category.

Requirements (Non-thesis Option)

• A minimum of six courses must be taken from the list of mechanical engineering core courses given earlier under the
thesis option. At least one course must be taken from each of the three areas of specialization: thermal sciences,
mechanical systems, and materials.
• One course in mathematics from the courses listed earlier is required.
• An additional four courses, approved by the advisory committee, to achieve depth in one or more areas are required.
Some of these courses may be from other departments.
• You must complete a three credit-hour project under ME 7903 and present a report approved by your major professor
and advisory committee. This report is used in your final exam as a document to portray your ability to do in-depth
analysis of a Mechanical Engineering topic.
• You must have at least 18 hours at the 7000 level courses.
• You must attain a grade of "B" or above in order for a course to qualify toward the degree requirements.
• The seminar attendance requirement for part-time students will be for one semester only. The seminar course (ME
7901) attendance requirement is waived for any student, after the date when he/she has successfully defended his/her
thesis.
You must declare your intent to join the M.S. non-thesis option before beginning your program of study. If you are in
the non-thesis option, you will not be eligible for any financial aid from the university. If you are currently in the thesis
option and have received financial support from the department, you will not be permitted to switch to the non-thesis
option.

Transfer to Thesis Option

Transfer from non-thesis to the thesis option may be done at any time. However, all of the requirements of the thesis
degree program must be met. This includes the appointment of a new advisory committee and possibly a new major
professor, the formulation of a new plan of study, and the identification of a research area from which a thesis can be
produced. Courses taken in the non-thesis program may be applied to the thesis program only at the discretion of the new
advisory committee.

14
Doctoral (Ph.D.) Degree
For the Ph.D. degree, you must satisfy the general requirements as specified in the Graduate Bulletin of LSU, as well
as the departmental requirements listed below. All decisions regarding your program of study must be made in
consultation with your major professor, your Graduate Advisory Committee, and the Graduate Studies Committee of the
department.

Graduate Advisory Committee

The Graduate School has specifically defined requirements regarding the full advisory committee. The Department of
Mechanical Engineering will follow these regulations:

• Consists initially of three members of the graduate faculty; however, after the research has been clearly established, this
special committee is enlarged to four or more members; this enlargement must take place prior to the general exam.

• Must comprise at least four members of the graduate faculty, including the major professor, who acts as chair and who must
be from the major department

• If either an adjunct or a non-tenure track faculty member is the major professor, a full-time tenured or tenure-track graduate
faculty member must co-chair the committee.

• At least one-half of the graduate faculty on doctoral committees must be full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty at LSU. A
minimum of two of those faculty members must be from the major department at LSU and at least one of whom must be a
full member of the LSU graduate faculty.

• Remaining members may be from the major department or may be from outside the department if pertinent to the student’s
area of concentration, with the proviso that at least one of the remaining members must be a full member of the graduate
faculty so there must be a total of two full members of the graduate faculty on the committee

• In addition, the Dean of the Graduate School appoints a member or members of the graduate faculty to serve on the doctoral
general and final examination committees

• Refer to the LSU Graduate Bulletin on the Graduate School’s Website for more detailed information

Course Work
If you have earned a recognizable M.S. degree with at least 24 hours of graduate-level courses applicable to the
proposed doctoral program, you will require a minimum of 12 hours of course work and 12 hours of dissertation research
(ME 9000) for the Ph.D. degree. Course work must be approved by the major professor and the student’s advisory
committee, as evidenced by the certification of the departmental plan of study form and the Graduate School program of
study forms. Please Note: Independent/Specialty Topics courses (ME 7903) will NOT count towards the 12-Hr course
requirement for Ph.D. students once they have completed a Masters Degree.

Ph.D. Qualifying/Comprehensive Examinations

Qualifying examinations are administered by the department through the graduate studies committee. Passing in a
minimum of three areas including Mathematics is required to qualify.

The areas for examination will be selected in conjunction with your major professor. At least one of the exams will be
required in your major field. If you change your major professor after you have successfully completed the qualifying
examinations, you may be required to retake some or all of the examinations at the discretion of the new major professor.

If you fail in any given qualifying exam, you will be given one more opportunity to pass the subject the next time when an
exam is offered in that subject. Two consecutive failures will lead to your termination from the ME Ph.D. program. You
will, however, be able to continue if you receive a conditional pass on the second exam provided you fulfill the stipulated
conditions. You will not be able to select another subject without the permission from your advisory committee and GSC.
If the advisory committee approves the substitution, it will be considered equivalent to the second attempt on that subject
and failure in that subject will lead to your termination from the ME Ph.D. program.

15
The following graduate faculty approved policies and procedures apply:

I. Type of Examination
Written, or oral, or optionally written and oral examinations should be scheduled in area group and advisory
committee approved fields. The examinations are given in the following fields:

Thermal Science: i) Fluid Mechanics ii) Thermal Science

Mechanical Systems: i) Mechanics (statics/strength/failure)

ii) Mechanics (dynamics/control/vibrations)
iii) Mechanical Design (can be taken in place of one of the written Mechanics exams)

Materials: i) Materials Science ii) Materials Engineering

Mathematics (required to be taken by all Ph.D. students)

Students should select two examinations out of the first three groups after consulting with their major
professors and advisory committee members. Note that at least one examination in the major area is required. Some
groups would require both the examinations to be selected in the major area. In addition, the examination in
Mathematics is compulsory for all students.

II. Qualifying Exam Requirements

The following requirements apply to all written qualifying exams (exceptions are noted below).

Average score ≥ 70% → Pass

60% ≤ average score < 70% → Conditional Pass

Student must take up to 2 courses to correct his/her deficiency, and earn a grade B or better in each course. These
courses will be selected by the committee responsible for the exam, and will not count toward the Ph.D. degree
coursework requirement. A student who gets a conditional pass has the option of retaking and passing the exam the next
time it is offered, in lieu of the additional courses.

Average score < 60% → Fail

With the exception of the Math exam, the student must retake the exam the next time it is offered and pass it. If the
student fails the exam in the second attempt, he/she will be terminated from the Ph.D. program.

In the case of the Math exam, the following will apply. If average score < 50%, the student must retake the exam the
next time it is offered and pass it. If the student fails the exam in the second attempt, he/she will be terminated from the
Ph.D. program.

If 50% ≤ average score < 60%, the student has the following options: Retake the exam the next time it is offered
and pass it. If the student fails the exam in the second attempt, he/she will be terminated from the Ph.D. program. Or, take
up to 3 courses to correct his/her deficiency, and earn a grade B or better in each course. These courses will be selected by
the Math committee, and will not count toward the Ph.D. degree coursework requirement.

16
Doctoral (Ph.D.) Degree
Ph.D. Qualifying/Comprehensive Examination Continued…

III. Scheduling of Examinations

The qualifying examinations in all subjects are given once a year, around the start of the Fall Semester. A potential
Ph.D. candidate must attempt the qualifying examinations according to the following schedule:

A. Persons with an M.S. degree in ME to start with must attempt the examinations within the first full year of
enrollment after being admitted. It is recommended that those with an MS degree from LSU-ME take these at the
time of their entrance into the Ph.D. program.

B. If a student skips the exam when he is supposed to take it, as stated above, he would be assigned an F in that
subject. His belated first attempt would be considered as the second attempt and he should unconditionally pass it
in order to continue in the program.

C. Persons with a BS degree in ME must take these examinations within the first two years. However, they could
schedule one, two or three examinations at the end of the first year and take the balance in the second year. This is
to ease the burden on the direct Ph.D. students.

IV. Conduct of the Examinations

The departmental Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) is responsible for administering the examinations in
consultation with the area group coordinators. Each group generates the examination questions through due solicitation
process. For the sake of convenience, each examination is handled by one designated examiner who seeks the questions
from the faculty concerned, selects the ones for the test in consultation with the group members and sets up the question
paper in the examination area.

The selected questions appearing in the examination must have solutions prepared at the time of inclusion of the
questions in the paper. The examination coordinator must specify the scores needed for Outright Pass, Conditional Pass,
and Failure in the examination. The examination papers with the solutions and other data as specified above are given to
the Graduate Secretary for processing. The dates and times for the various examinations are set and announced by the
graduate secretary well in advance.

The examiner or any other designated member proctors the examination at the time when it is administered.
Students are advised not to write their names on the answer sheets. They sign in and are identified on a master list against
the number of the examination paper given to them. This list is turned over to the graduate secretary at the end of the
examination. The examiner and/or any others designated by the group shall grade the examination papers.

At least two members of the graduate faculty will be involved in grading. It is the responsibility of the examiner
designate and the group leader to ascertain the final average score of the examinees, get the final results approved by the
entire group and turn in the results to the Graduate Program Coordinator for due processing.

The Graduate Secretary will inform the examinees of the results.

17
Direct Admission to Ph.D. from B.S.
If you are deemed eligible by the GSC to enter the Ph.D. program directly from a B.S. degree, you will be required to
take a minimum of 36 hours of course work and 12 hours of dissertation research (ME 9000). The entire course work
must be approved by the major professor and advisory committee, as evidenced by the attestation of the departmental pan
of study form. The form is recommended to be submitted to the department by the end of the first semester for M.S.
degree holders and before the end of the first year for the B.S. graduate (preferably also by the end of the first semester).
The same will constitute the Graduate School’s program of study form that needs to be submitted in appropriate forms.

Minor Requirements for PhD in ME (optional for Ph.D. students)

Minor: If a student chooses to, he/she can complete a minor in an area either within the ME department or outside in
another appropriate department, relevant to the program. Students with a major in mechanical systems or thermal fluids
may choose materials science and engineering within ME as their minor emphasis area, and vice versa. Alternatively, the
minor area could be centered on a program offered in another department at LSU.
For an internal minor, 9 credit hours of graduate level course work in the area is required, of which a minimum of
three (3) credit hours must be in 7XXX level courses. The selection of courses relevant to the minor emphasis program is
left to the student and the minor professor. An overall average of 3.00 or better is required in the courses of the minor
area.

General Examination
Upon completion of essentially all course work (not before the last semester of course work), your graduate advisory
committee will administer the general examinations (including the minor fields). The nature and extent of these
examinations will be at the sole discretion of the advisory committee. In addition to possible oral examinations,
presentation and successful defense of a plan of research is required. Submit your major professor approved research
proposal to the advisory committee administering the general examination at least two weeks before the examination.

Continuous Registration Requirement - Doctoral candidates must maintain continuous registration for a
minimum of three semester hours of credit each regular semester (excluding summer) from the completion of the general
examination to the end of the semester in which an approved dissertation is submitted to the Graduate School.

Research Seminar
Before graduation, you must present a seminar, discussing the major results of your research. This should occur at the
Graduate Student Research Conference scheduled annually. Earning a passing grade in the ME Graduate Seminar Series,
ME 7901, is also required. Full-time graduate students are required to register for ME 7901 (Graduate Seminar) each
semester. Part-time students are required to register for the seminar (ME 7901) course for one semester only. You are not
allowed to have more than two excused absences and one unexcused absence in any semester in the seminar course in
order to pass. Keep track of other departmental seminar and presentation requirements.
 The seminar course (ME 7901) attendance requirement is waived for any student, after the date when he/she has
successfully defended his/her dissertation.

Final Examination
An open, announced, oral presentation of the dissertation and a “defense” examination is required after completion of
writing of the dissertation (three weeks prior to defense). The dissertation must have been scrutinized and approved by
your major professor. The exam part is to be administered by the student’s advisory committee in a closed session for
privacy purposes. The result of this examination will be filed with the Graduate School by the major professor through the
graduate secretary as soon as possible, provided all degree and departmental requirements have been met.

Other Requirements - Check with the Graduate Administrative Coordinator and Graduate School regarding other
requirements regarding electronic submission of dissertation, payment of fees, etc. Also, leave your future contact
addresses with the Graduate Secretary. Keep in touch with your home department and Alma Mater and inform us of your
professional affiliation and growth in career, etc.

18
General Instructions Given to all Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Students Regarding Their Program of Study

 The following are suggested optimal time limits for graduation. Plan and work out your courses and
exam(s) scheduling in such a way that you finish within the suggested time limit.

 M.S. (Thesis option) – 1.5 - 2 yrs. (max. - 4 regular

(fall/spring) semesters &
2 summer terms)

 M.S. (Non-Thesis option) – 6 yrs. (1 course per semester)

3 - 4 yrs. (2 courses per semester)

 Ph.D. (after M.S. in same discipline) – 3 - 3.5 yrs. (3 courses per semester plus
research)

24 hours transferred 4 yrs. (2 courses per semester plus

research, with the approval of the
major professor)

 Ph.D. (after M.S. in same discipline) – 4 yrs. (3 courses per semester plus
research)
24 hours transferred

 Ph.D. (with M.S. from another

Engineering discipline) – 4 - 5 yrs. (3 courses per semester plus
research)

 Ph.D. (direct from B.S.-skipping M.S.) – 5 yrs. (3 courses per semester)

Please Note: The Ph.D. general examination is expected to be concluded within 36 months
from the start of the Ph.D. program. It may be extended by 6-12 more months (1 or 2 more
semesters) for direct entry Ph.D. students who have a B.S. degree.

*** The times extended beyond these suggested limits could cause financial difficulty. So, plan and proceed cautiously in
your graduate program. Since research is an integral part of the graduate program and it takes time to carry out productive
research, it is wise to start your research activities in some fashion right from the beginning. That is, think of what you
can do in research all the time and keep doing research!

19
General Information with Department

Electronic Communication: LSU PAWS ID is an offered means of communication for announcements

concerning LSU activities, important dates, etc.

Mail Box Slot: A mailbox will be assigned to you in 2502 Patrick F. Taylor Hall by the end of
the first or second week of classes, please remember to check daily for
incoming mail

Copy Machine: The copy machine in the Mail/Copy Room (2506 Patrick F. Taylor Hall) is
available only for teacher assistants to request copies for the classroom. A
written request must be submitted at the main office for all work related
copying. The assigned student worker(s) will make all copies for TA’s.

Printer: The network printers in Room 2506 are not available for use. Other printers are
available in P. F. Taylor Hall and on campus in various areas. You can use the
printers in the CAD LAB, adhering to the rules specified. Consult the CAD
LAB helper or TA for this purpose.

Keys: Keys are to be checked in the ME Main Office: 2508 Patrick F. Taylor Hall.
Note: $5.00 cash deposit fee will be charged for each key checked out.

Obtain a key card from the ME Main Office

.
Please Note: You will receive your $5.00 deposit back when you return your
key and at the end of the semester that you graduate, and leave LSU.

20
Mechanical Engineering Checklist and Instructions
1st Year Instructions:

 Attend orientation sessions prior to registration … meet with the graduate administration coordinator in
2505-A Patrick Taylor Hall for documents and information

 Meet with your major professor or with the graduate adviser and select courses for the first semester.

 Finalize your official agreement with your major professor from the area in which you intend to
specialize... also finalize an agreement for the other members to serve on your graduate advisory
committee, in addition to your major professor… Both your major professor and your graduate advisory
committee will be your exam committee. Ph.D. students, please refer to Advisory Committee Requirements
for Ph.D. students on p. 15 of this booklet.

 After identifying your major professor, devise an initial plan of study that constitutes the intended
courses you will take … Requirement of the Department of Mechanical Engineering: Registering for
courses outside of ME is not allowed until after the completion of required course work for your ME Degree
Program, unless authorized by your major professor, your advisory committee, and the departmental
graduate studies committee (GSC).
Exception: Ph.D. Students may enroll for outside classes pertaining to their major or minor (optional) in
the degree program.

 Any changes on your plan of study forms for the remainder of your degree program can only be done by
the approval of your advisory committee. This is done by completing the change of plan of study form,
which can be downloaded from the ME web site under Forms. Any changes in course work require
approval. Generally, you are required to submit the approved change in plan of study the previous semester
before the change takes place. This form requires signatures by your major professor and advisory
committee, the Graduate Advisor, and the Chair of Mechanical Engineering, in that order. Ph.D. Graduate
students will also need to complete a change in program of study forms (two originals) with Graduate
Records, which can be completed on their web site under Forms.

 Complete ALL documents and return to the Graduate Administrator Coordinator in 2505-A Patrick F.
Taylor Hall:

1. Data information form – complete and return as directed

2. Major Professor agreement form – submit with all signatures by requested deadline date
3. Plan of Study form (M.S. Students) – complete and submit before the week of final examinations in the
first semester (Ph.D. students) – (completed M.S.) – complete and submit before the week of final
examinations in the first semester, (if completed B.S. and bypassing M.S.) – due before the first full year
Note: All members of your advisory committee should approve the courses.

 Keep all your records updated with the Graduate Administrator Coordinator such as change of
address, e-mail address, etc. This is important because she may need to direct important information to
you.

21
REQUIREMENTS AND CHECKLIST FOR Ph.D.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Selecting Major Professor
• Select an area in ME for specialization
• Identify a major professor from the area in which you intend to specialize
• Meet with the professor and finalize this arrangement with an official binding agreement
• Complete Major Professor Agreement form

Plan of Study to the Department

• Select courses in consultation with your major professor
• If you have entered Ph.D. Program after completing a Masters Degree – submit Plan of Study – 1st semester at
required deadline date
• If you have entered Ph.D. Program after completing a Bachelor’s Degree –submit Plan of Study – 2nd semester at
required deadline date. However, it is recommended that you try to define your program and submit it by the end
of the first semester, same as M.S. graduates. This will facilitate your timely program development.
• Note that the courses taken in the Master’s Program need to be evaluated with respect to graduate course content
applicability to your overall Ph.D. program and the equivalency to LSU’s 7XXX level courses. The Advisory
Committee undertakes this determination in consultation with the graduate faculty in the department who teach
similar courses in the area at LSU. Transfer courses should be duly certified as stated above.

Program of Study to the Graduate School

• If you already have a Master’s Degree, the Ph.D. Program of Study should be formulated and submitted to the
Graduate School by the deadline date as notated in the semester “academic calendar.”
• If you are bypassing the Master’s Degree (B.S. to Ph.D.) then formulation and submission may be delayed until
the end of the second semester.

Satisfy Full-Time Residence Requirement

• After submission of the Program of Study forms to the Graduate School, and completing one full academic year
of continuous full-time enrollment, you will satisfy full-time residence requirement. The semester in which the
form is submitted will count toward this requirement if it is submitted prior to the Graduate School’s deadline
date.

Grade Point Average

• No grade of ‘D’ will count toward your Ph.D.
• Minimum GPA average of at least a 3.0 every semester unless you are receiving a scholarship or fellowship in
which a higher GPA average will be required (for example, EDA Fellows should maintain a minimum of a 3.5
average)

22
REQUIREMENTS AND CHECKLIST FOR Ph.D.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Course Work Requirements:
MS to PhD ---------- At least 12 credit hours (CrH)
Minimum 9 (CrH) at 7000-level

A maximum of 24 (CrH) can be transferred from prior M.S. institution – eligibility

determined by the student’s major professor and advisory committee

Core 3 CrH
(see list of core courses for MS Degree students)

Tech Elective – selected by the student/major

professor/advisory committee 9 CrH

BS to PhD ------------ At least 36 credit hours (CrH)

Minimum 18 (CrH) at 7000-level

Math 3 CrH
Core 12 CrH
Tech Elective – selected by the student/major
Professor/advisory committee 21 CrH
PLEASE NOTE: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That the 12 units from M.S. to Ph.D. cannot have ME7903 credits, unless
petitioned before hand and approved by major advisor/GSC/Chair.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Requirements:
• complete Ph.D. Qualifying Exams and pass in a minimum of three areas (Mathematics + two (2) topics) to
continue with Ph.D. program (areas will be selected in conjunction with your major professor) – prepare for and
take them by the end of your first year (all three (3) for M.S. degree holders/any number of exams up to three (3)
for B.S. degree holders). Passing of these exams is a prerequisite for taking the General Exam, complete all the
qualifying exam requirements within 2 years (3 years for Direct Ph.D. students) prior to scheduling the general
examination
• take general examination upon completion of essentially all course work (not before the last semester of course
work) with a detailed research proposal
• required to present a seminar before graduation, discussing the major results of your research at a regular meeting
of the ME graduate student seminar and/or in the Graduate Student Research conference(s)
• Final examination (oral “defense” examination) is required after completion of the dissertation.

Graduate Student Seminars:

Before graduation, you are required to present a seminar discussing the major results of your research at a regular meeting
of the ME Graduate Student Seminar Series and/or at the Annual Graduate Student Research Conference. Earning a
passing grade in ME 7901 (Seminar Series) is required. Part-time students are required to register for the seminar (ME
7901) course for one semester only. You are not allowed to have more than two excused absences and one unexcused
absence in any semester in the seminar course in order to pass. Keep track of other departmental seminar and presentation
requirements.

 The seminar course (ME 7901) attendance requirement is waived for any student, after the date when he/she has
successfully defended his/her thesis.

23
FULFILLING DOCTORAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS - CHECKLIST
PH.D. Requirement Milestones for Graduate Students (from the beginning of program)
Procedure
Submit Plan of Study to ME Department (after
Master’s Degree is awarded)
Submit Plan of Study to ME Department (after
Bachelor’s Degree is awarded - student by-
passed Master’s Degree)
Submit Program of Study to the Graduate School
(after Master’s Degree is awarded)
Submit Program of Study to the Graduate School
(after Bachelor’s Degree is awarded - student by-
passed Master’s Degree)
Satisfy Full-Time Residence (Requirement by
Graduate School to complete Ph.D. Program)
Ph.D. Qualifying Exams (Required by ME
Department)
General Examination (Requirement by Graduate
School to complete Ph.D. Program): Continuous
registration for minimum of 3 credit hours each
regular semester (excluding summer) required until
end of semester in which approved dissertation is
submitted to the Graduate School
Present a Seminar, discussing the major results
of your research
Final Examination
(“oral” defense for Dissertation)
Return books, equipment borrowed and
the keys to the labs after the final exam and
before graduation
24
Time Frame of Completion
Preferably 1st Semester upon entering the ME Department for set
deadline date
2nd Semester upon entering the ME Department for set deadline
date (if possible, by the end of first semester for clear definition
and timely progress of the program)
1st Semester before Graduate School’s Deadline Date upon
entering the ME Department
During 2nd Semester before Graduate School’s Deadline Date
After submission of Program of Study to Graduate School, one
full academic year of continuous full-time enrollment will satisfy
full-time residence (fall/spring semesters or spring and fall
semesters)
End of first year of continuous full-time coursework (all 3 for
M.S. degree holders; 1 to 3 for B.S. degree holders). All 3 must
be passed within two years. (max. 3 years for Direct Ph.D.
candidates)
Upon completion of essentially all course work (not before the
last semester of course work) – within three calendar years (36
months) after M.S. or 4 calendar years (48 months) after B.S. of
your classification as doctoral students. All qualifying exams
must have been cleared satisfactorily.
Before Graduation for Doctoral Program, in the Graduate Student
Research Conference
After completion of major professor approved dissertation,
request for the final examination must be submitted four weeks
prior to the proposed examination date, and by the current
semester deadline, if candidate for degree.
The obligation to the department should be fulfilled by the end of
the semester of graduation. Contact the Graduate Secretary for
appropriate instructions, etc.
 Checklist for Students Who Plan to Graduate

 Note suggested time limits in M.S. and Ph.D. programs given under 1st year instructions.

 Check the deadline date to submit your “Application for Degree” to the Graduate School, (early in the spring,
fall, or summer semester) that you plan to graduate

 Submit request for appointment of the examining committee for your oral defense (submission deadline to the
graduate administrative coordinator in ME needs to be at least four weeks in advance) or by the current semester’s
deadline date, if you are a candidate for graduation for the current semester.

 After turning in your “Application for Degree,” if circumstances prevent graduation, then you must complete a
Degree Candidate Deletion Form and submit it to the Graduate School…later, you need to submit an updated
“Application for Degree” form to the Graduate School.

 Programs for master’s and doctoral degrees must be completed within a maximum of two and one half (four for
part-time, non-thesis option) and five years, respectively, from entrance into a degree program.

 Please Note: Credit for individual courses taken at LSU more than five years back for M.S. degree students
before the termination of your program, require revalidation by your advisory committee, usually through an
examination. A memo from the chair of the committee, routed through the Graduate Studies Committee, should be
submitted to Graduate School Records indicating the revalidation and inclusion of the belated course program.

 You are required to pass a comprehensive final examination during the semester in which you plan to graduate.

 Submit copies of written thesis or dissertation to your major professor well before the exam. After revisions,
corrections, etc. and approval from your major professor, submit copies to your exam committee, one copy to each
member including the external member nominated by the Graduate School (for Ph.D. students). This should be done
at least two weeks prior to the exam date.
 Organize and execute your exam as required

 The exam cards indicating your passing the exam will be processed by the graduate administrator coordinator and
dispatched to the Graduate School after you fulfill all obligations to the department (start these processes early so you
don’t run into any last minute deadlocks).

 Return all keys before graduation or leaving the LSU and turn in any books or equipment, checked-out or
borrowed, to the appropriate person in the ME department and/or to the graduate administrative coordinator before
graduating or leaving LSU

 Complete the required check-out procedure with the graduate administrative coordinator before graduation

 PLEASE NOTE: The seminar course (ME 7901) attendance requirement is waived for any student, after the date
when he/she has successfully defended his/her thesis.

25
 Requirements for Thesis/Dissertation
 At least six (6) semester hours of thesis research credit are required for the M.S. Degree (thesis option) and
twelve (12) research credit hours of dissertation research credit are required for the Ph.D. Degree. You may
enroll for more hours, but only this minimum number of hours shall be counted toward your degree (included on your
program of study forms).

 The major professor must be from the Mechanical Engineering Department. He will be designated as chair of
your committee. A minimum of three members (including major professor) of the graduate faculty is required The full
advisory committee must comprise at least four members of the graduate faculty, including the major professor.

 You may also nominate a committee member from another pertinent department to be included in the
committee, but this is not a requirement.

 If there is an external minor, one committee member must be from and represent the minor department. If
you have an internal minor, one member from that area group should be in your committee and coordinate your
studies in the minor. However, a minor is not a requirement for ME Degree.

 Consult the pamphlet, Guidelines for the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations, for additional information.
This is available in the Graduate School, 114 David Boyd Hall, and online at: http://etd.lsu.edu/

NOTE: According to the Graduate School, students must be registered for a minimum of one to three semester
hours of credit during any semester in which they are taking the master’s final examination, doctoral general or final
examination.

NOTE: International students on F-1 visa are required to be full time students during the fall and spring semesters
according to INS guidelines. Consult ISO for exceptions and permission

 Degree Only Graduates: Students who have completed all degree requirements and who have completed their final
examinations in a previous semester, may register for degree only and pay only the graduation fees. Their approved
theses or dissertations must be submitted to the Graduate School on or before the last day to add courses for credit in
that particular semester. Eligible students must submit an application for degree and inform the Graduate School of
their intent to register for degree only.

 The thesis or dissertation cards and thesis approval forms are directed to the graduate administrative
coordinator after the final examination and after the completed approval of the thesis or dissertation. She will
then direct the forms to the Graduate School.

 Make arrangements with your major professor on submitting to him or her the printed originals of your thesis
or dissertation meeting the requirements of his or her request

26
ME Instructions for M.S. Degree Students during their Tenure of Study
Plan of Study and Change in Plan of Study form instructions attached to Plan of Study forms for Masters
Degree Students:

o A major professor and advisory committee will be devised and all the required forms will be completed and
approved at the beginning of your degree program.

o During the remainder of your degree program, the plan of study can be altered only by the approval of your major
professor, advisory committee, graduate advisor, and chairman of ME:

1. Complete a change of plan of study form (available on ME web site: http://me.lsu.edu) Get approval
from your major professor and advisory committee, then submit it to the Graduate Administrator
Coordinator in 2505-A Patrick F. Taylor Hall

2. The form needs to be submitted in the previous semester before the actual change of the course(s).

o Masters Degree students: For any transfer courses from another university*, complete the form, Request for
Transfer/LSU Extension or Non-Degree Work to be Applied to the Master’s Degree. You can get this form at
Graduate Records, 114 David Boyd Hall.

1. Attach transcripts from the previous university(s) with the syllabus and description of the courses

2. Obtain signatures and approval from your Major Professor and Advisory Committee for the transferring
of these courses. Courses are accepted based on their graduate material content, graduate faculty
equivalent status of the faculty who taught the courses, and the relevancy of the courses to the M.S.
program of the student.

3. The Graduate Advisor and the Chair of the Department need to finalize the transfer of these courses and
the Graduate Dean has to approve the transfer.

o A maximum of 12 credit hours of approved graduate courses taken at US institution(s) including those taken as
non-matriculate student at LSU are allowed

o Courses taken elsewhere cannot be counted within the minimum number of 7xxx courses needed

o No graduate courses taken in a foreign institution can be transferred for credit in the M.S. Program (p. 47
Graduate Bulletin)

o All foreign students in the M.S. Program and those obtaining graduate assistantships or fellowships from the
department are required to be in the M.S. (thesis option) only. M.S. (non-thesis option) is available only for part-
time students who do not seek to do thesis research or any kind of financial support

o The M.S. (Thesis option) can be completed in a span of minimum one and one-half to two (max. two and one
half) years and every effort should be made to finish the program within three semesters or maximum of two
years (four full semesters and two summer terms).

27
ME Instructions for Graduate Students during their tenure of Study
Plan of Study and Change in Plan of Study form instructions attached to Plan of Study forms for Masters
Degree Students (Non-Thesis Option):

Part-time students seeking M.S. degree under the non-thesis option should consult with the graduate advisor first and
make a preliminary plan. Based on their schedule, they should choose the course(s) for the first semester with the consent
of the graduate advisor. Choose a major professor to guide you through your program within the first two months. (In the
absence of the major professor or in lieu of one, the graduate studies committee would nominate a member of the
committee and arrange to steer your program.)

o Select the courses you plan to take conforming to the requirements set by the department; make up your
program in consultation with the chosen major professor or graduate studies committee representative and
complete the plan of study form

o Set up an advisory committee made up of at least three faculty members of whom at least one should be a full
member of the graduate faculty. At least two members of the graduate committee need to be from the ME
department. Have them agree to serve on your committee by signing the plan of study form

o Submit the plan of study form to the ME Graduate office by the end of the first semester

o You may alter the plan of study with the consent of your graduate advisory committee through their
attestation. Use the appropriate form for that purpose, change in plan of study form.

o If you seek to transfer graduate courses taken elsewhere or use courses taken as a non-matriculate student for
credit into your program at LSU, a maximum of 12 hours taken at a U.S. institution may be approved

o Switching over from the non-thesis option to the thesis option, or vise versa, is allowed for part-time students.
However, students will not be allowed to switch over from thesis option to non-thesis option if they have
obtained any kind of financial support from the department.

o The M.S. (non-thesis option) program should be completed within a period of four to six continuous
years.

o Special guidelines apply for changing the major professor. Consult the Graduate Advisor.

o As a part-time student and employee, it is imperative that you keep in touch with your major
professor and graduate secretary all the time to make them aware of your progress and program
development.

28
ME Instructions for Ph.D. Students during their Tenure of Study
Plan of Study and Change in Plan of Study form instructions attached to Plan of Study forms for Doctoral
Degree Students:

o When entering the program, you and your graduate adviser or intended major professor will devise an initial plan
of study that constitutes the intended courses that you will take for your Doctoral degree. Plan your courses in the
first year carefully such that you get prepared to take the qualifying/comprehensive exam in August at the end of
your first year.

o The Ph.D. advisory committee must comprise a minimum of four members of the graduate faculty, at least two of
whom need to be full members of the graduate faculty, and from the ME department. Another faculty member
may be from a relevant department other than ME.

o For the remainder of your degree program, your plan of study can be altered only by the approval of your advisory
committee.

1. Complete a “Change of Plan of Study” form and have it approved by your Major Professor and Advisory
Committee
2. Any course(s) taken prior to verbal and written approval from the Advisory Committee or the major
professor or the graduate advisor may not be allowed for credit in the graduate program.
3. If for some reason, you find necessary to change your major professor, you need the approval of your
current major professor and the advisory committee, and identification of and approval from another
faculty member as your new major professor. Both indicate their approval by signing on the Change of
Major Professor Form. Note that the old advisory committee would be considered as being dissolved and
a new Advisory Committee would need to be constituted. The new committee could, however, be the
same as the old committee, if everyone agrees.

o Submit two originals of the “Program of Study” form preferably by the end of your first semester (for M.S.
degree holders) or within the first two semesters (for direct Ph.D. students from B.S.). It is recommended for all
Ph.D. students to submit both the Departmental Plan of Study and the Graduate Program of Study forms by the
end of the first year.

1. It is recommended to complete the “Program of Study” form for the Graduate School at the same time
you complete the plan of study form for the department and submit them at the required deadline dates.

o List on your plan of study form the graduate courses you completed at a previous university for consideration
toward your Doctoral degree. Such courses should be relevant to your consolidated Ph.D. degree program,
especially to the major area of emphasis.

1. Attach copies of your transcripts from the previous university with a description of the courses taken there
that you would like to be considered toward your Doctoral Degree.
2. Direct the transfer form to your Major Professor and Advisory Committee for their approval
3. Your Major Professor and Advisory Committee need to approve the transfer of these courses based on the
course content at the graduate level and relevance to your proposed Ph.D. Program. Submit the syllabus
for the courses you want to be transferred
4. The graduate advisor and the chair of the ME Department finalize the approval of transferring these
courses

29
 Doctoral Program of Study - Guidelines
The Program of Study is an agreement between the student and his/her department, and outlines the student’s
individualized degree requirements as determined by the student’s major professor and advisory committee. The
Program of Study form must be submitted by the student’s advisory committee through the department Chair for
final approval by the Graduate Dean. These forms are available on the web and from the Office of Graduate
Records. Below are guidelines for completing the forms and avoiding common mistakes. Errors cause the forms to
be returned and delay the approval by the Graduate School. Any questions may be directed to the Office of
Graduate Records at 578-3181.

In completing these forms, pay attention to the following:

Major Fields – must be as listed in the Graduate Bulletin (i.e., no sub-fields or specialties should be listed).
Minor Fields – must be in a curriculum offering a graduate degree; requires a committee member from the minor
program or department and approval of the minor department chair if a minor is chosen (optional in Mechanical
Engineering). List internal minor (if chosen), minor professor, and courses selected that are relevant.
Committee Members – MUST be members of the graduate faculty. The General Catalog and the Departmental
Graduate Advisor are the best sources for information on committee composition and graduate faculty status.
Additional members beyond the minimum can be added at the time of the General Exam. If you are including a
member of the Southern University graduate faculty, please indicate this with (SU) after the person’s typed name.
Special permission is needed from the Graduate Dean to include any faculty from an institution other than LSU.
The major professor seeking the permission to include any external faculty member outside of LSU should make a
petition to the Graduate Dean.
Signatures – all signatures must be original. No one else can sign for a committee member.
Course Work – Programs of Study should have the required number of hours listed for the departmental
requirements, but do not need to list excess hours taken. The department has the right to determine the
acceptability of courses with respect to the age of the courses and applicability to current degree requirements.
No Undergraduate courses should be listed. This includes departmental prerequisites and required English and/or
foreign language requirements.
Courses From Another Institution – must be listed as they appear on the official transcript.

o Official transcripts must be on file from all institutions the student attended and work must have been
evaluated as graduate level (as indicated on the “Credentials Analysis” sent to the department form
Graduate Admissions).

o Course work must have a grade of A, B, P or S or the officially verified equivalent.

o Department should determine that course work applied from foreign institutions is comparable to graduate
courses at LSU in terms of semester hours, quality of instruction’s, and grading. No more than 3 credit hours
can be granted for any graduate course taken elsewhere.

o Quarter hours should be converted to semester hours at the rate of 2/3.

o Courses transferred and included in the program should be relevant to the major field specified. Up to two
courses taken elsewhere may be transferred for credit toward the minor.

Duplication of Courses – is based on the maximum number of hours specified under the number of the course in the
General Catalog.
Departmental Requirements – Should be checked prior to submission to the Office of Graduate Records. Route
through the Graduate Advisor
Doctoral Residence Requirement – The Program of Study must be on file in Graduate Records in order for the
student to begin satisfying the doctoral residence requirement (refer to the Graduate School calendar for semester
deadlines). A minimum of two semester’s continuous full-time residence is required after submission of Program of
Study. Usually this requirement is satisfied prior to the General Exam. Also a minimum of a two-semester gap is
required between the general exam and the final exam.

30
Mechanical Engineering

Graduate Student Forms

31
32
33
34
 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Date: ______________________
Ph. D. PLAN of STUDY
This plan of study is to be completed by the student in consultation with his/her major professor and submitted to the
Graduate Secretary-she will then double check the Plan of Study and direct it to the Graduate Advisor for his approval.
(List only work taken or to be taken in the PhD Program) If you already have an M.S. degree taken elsewhere, attach a list
of courses taken for this degree that you request transferred to your PhD degree.

**See attached instructions on transferring courses** Entry Semester __________________

Name: ___________________________ LSUID #: __________________ Contact #: _______________

Address: ___________________________________ City: ______________ Zip: ________________

Thesis Topic/Area of Specialization: _____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Anticipated Graduation Date: _________________ (check with suggested time limits for graduation)

Final GPA: __________ (from previous semester at LSU or previous university)

Degrees Previously Received

Degree Major Institution Year

Research Area: □ Thermal Fluids □ Mechanical Systems □ Materials

Major Area: MECANICAL ENGINEERING

Date Taken or Course

to be taken Number Course Title Instructor Credit Hours Grade

Every semester ME 7901 Seminar 1 P or F

ME 9000 Dissertation 12 P or F
35
Departmental Plan of Study Form
Page 2

Minor Area: _______________________(if applicable)

Institution/ Date Course Course Title Credit Hours Grade
Department Taken Number

Electives (courses related to Major Area - Mathematics, Computer Science, etc.)

Institution/ Date Course Course Title Credit Hours Grade
Department Taken Number

Student’s Signature: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Approval From Advisory Committee:

We approve the course work selected.

Advisory Committee Signatures of Advisory

Members (print names) Committee Members Department_

1. ________________________Major Professor (Chair) ____________________________________

2. ________________________Minor Professor (if applicable)_________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________________________

Approved:

___________________________________ __________________________________________
Graduate Advisor for ME Date Department Chair Date

36
 Ph.D. Course Request for Transfer Credit

NAME: _________________________________________ LSUID: ________________________ DATE: _______________

When submitting your program of study forms, complete the table below listing the courses you would like to transfer from the previous institution
toward your Ph.D. degree in ME at LSU. Submit a copy of the previous university’s transcript and description of courses with this form. Discuss with
your Major Professor to determine if the courses are acceptable and related to your ME Degree Program.

Please note: Requirements of course work for Ph.D. Degree:

• B.S. to Ph.D. – minimum 36 credit hrs. of course work with at least 12 credit hrs. of dissertation research (ME 9000) at LSU

• M.S. to Ph.D. - have recognizable MS degree with 24 credit hours – at least 12 credit hrs. of course work with 12 credit hrs.
of dissertation research (ME 9000) at LSU

The transfer courses must relate to your Ph.D. and be approved by your major professor and advisory committee members. Courses that are relevant
to 7XXX level courses at LSU should be certified to be equivalent and approved by the advisory committee and the last faculty
who taught the course in the given subject area at the proposed level.
Comparative
Semester/ Course Credit Course at
Year University Grade Number Hrs. Brief Course Description LSU

______________________________________
Graduate Student’s Signature Date

Approved by: (Advisory Committee Members):

___________________________________________ _______________________________________
Major Professor’s Signature Date
_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________ _______________________________________
Graduate Advisor Date Chairman Date

37
 FORMS GRADUATE SECRETARY USES TO FINALIZE AND CHECK-OUT STUDENTS BEFORE GRADUATION
*One Copy Given to Student*
MASTERS REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST
M.S. (Thesis Option)
Student: ____________________________________
Other Requirements:
LSUID: ____________________________________

Semester Entered LSU: ________________ * 3 Other Relevant Courses _______________

Plan of Study (P.O.S.) Filed: ____ Date: _________ ________________ ________________

Change in Plan of Study: ____ Date: _________ * ME 7901 – Required Each Semester ________
Plan of Study matches courses: ____
________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Major Professor ___________________________ * ME 8000 − 6-Hour Minimum ________ ________

• 3 Core Courses Required from Primary Area
of Concentration/1 core course from any of the
two other areas:
Thermal Science
ME 7863 (Fluid Dynamics) ______
ME 7843 (Viscous Fluid Flow) _______
(OR)
ME 7833 (Inviscid Fluid Flow) _______
ME 4353 (Thermodynamics) _______
ME 7433 (Heat Transfer I) _______
ME 7443 (Heat Transfer II) _______
Materials
ME 7743 (Defects, Diff & Transform in Solids) * ______
ME 7723 (Mat Char-Elect Beam Methods)
ME 7753 (Solid Thermodynamics) *
ME 4733 (Deformation & Fracture)
ME 7763 (Advanced Corrosion & Eng.)
* Required for ALL Materials Majors
Mechanical Systems
________ ________ ________ ________ ________
All courses taken are as given in approved Plan of
Study:
Yes _____; No _____
Total Course Hrs. (24 Required) _________
5 ME Courses (15 hrs. required) _________
7000 (9 hrs. required) _________
Include 6 hrs. ME 8000 _________
No Grade of ‘D’ will count _________
Checklist for Graduates Checking Out:
Room Nos. for keys checked out: ____ ____ ____
______ Keys returned: ____ ____ ____
______
______ Checked out books returned: __ equipment returned: __
______ Thesis submitted to major professor ___
New address or e-mail address: ____________________________
_______________________________________________________
Employment: __________________________________________

4163 (Intermediate Dynamics) _______ _______________________________________________________

4273 (Solid Mechanics I) (temporary course number
is now 4933) _______ Future plans and/or contact number: _______________________
7273 (Solid Mechanics II) (temporary course number
is now 7953) ______ _______________________________________________________
---- (or) - ME 4673 (Introduction to Modern Control _______________________________________________________
Theory) Graduates signature Date
7153 (Advanced Vibrations)
7633 (Advanced Engineering System Dynamics) _______________________________________________________
Graduate Secretary’s signature Date
• 1 Math Course Required For Degree:

Math 4038 (Mathematical Methods in Engr.) _______

Math 4340 (Partial Differential Equations) _______
Math 4036 (Complex Variables) _______

38
 1
MASTERS GRADUATE PLAN OF STUDY
(Thesis Option)
Date: _____________________

Name: _________________________________________________ LSUID: _________________________

Last First Middle Initial

Thesis Topic/Area:_________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Anticipated Graduation Date: _____________ Final GPA __________ (from previous University attended)

Location
_______________________Courses_______________________ of Semester
Title Dept. No2 Credit Credit 3 Taken Grade

Thesis Research ME 8000 6

Graduate Seminar ME 7901 1

Math:

Language: Written Engl. ENGL

(for foreign students) Spoken Engl. ENGL 1051

1) MS Degree (Thesis Option) – turn in by the end of the first semester

2) List course number and title of course
3) Mark LSU or provide name of transfer University for location of courses taken
** Students who do not turn in the Major Professor Agreement form with Advisory Committee Members’ signatures
and the planned program of study or plan of study may not be considered for an assistantship in the 2nd semester.

38
 REQUEST FOR M.S. PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AND PLAN OF STUDY ACCEPTANCE
(Thesis Option)

Name ___________________________________________ Date ___________________

Last First Middle Initial

Advisory Committee Advisory

Members ↓ Committee Members Department Advisory
Area
(Print names) (Signatures) ↓

← Major Professor→

1.

2.

3.

4.

Approved By: __________________________________________

Student Date

__________________________________________
Graduate Secretary Date

__________________________________________
Graduate Advisor Date

__________________________________________
Department Chairman Date

39
 2
MASTERS GRADUATE PLAN OF STUDY
(Non-Thesis)
Date: _______________

Name: ________________________________________________ LSUID: ______________________

Last First Middle Initial

Project: __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Anticipated Graduation Date: ____________ Final GPA __________ (from previous University attended)

Location
_______________________Courses_______________________ of Semester
Title Dept. No2 Credit Credit 3 Taken Grade

Seminar ME 7901 1
(if full-time)

Independent Course/Report ME 7903 3

Math: 3

1) MS Degree (Non-Thesis Option) – turn in by the end of the first semester

2) List course number and title
3) Mark LSU or provide name of transfer university for location of courses taken
** Students who do not turn in the Major Professor Agreement Form with Advisory Committee Members’
signatures and approved plan of study will not be considered as official students in the ME program

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 REQUEST FOR M.S. PROGRAM ADVIORY COMMITTEE
AND PLAN OF STUDY ACCEPTANCE
(Non-Thesis Option)

Name ___________________________________________ Date ___________________

Last First Middle Initial

Advisory Committee Advisory

Members ↓ Committee Members Department Advisory Area
(Print names) (Signatures) ↓

← Major Professor→

1.

2.

3.

4.

_________________________________________
Student Date

Approved By: _________________________________________

Graduate Secretary Date

_________________________________________
Graduate Advisor Date

_________________________________________
Department Chairman Date

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 MASTERS REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST
(Non-Thesis Option)

Student: ____________________________________ Other

LSUID ___________________________________ Keys check out _____

Semester Entered LSU: ________________ Room #’s ________ _________ _________

Major Professor: _____________________________ Initials (________________)

Plan of Study (P.O.S.) Filed: ___________ Books checked out ___________

Change in Plan of Study: ___________ Equipment checked out _____

POS Matches Courses ________________ New Address turned in ______________

____________________________________

1- Math Course Required ____________________________________

Math 4038 (3 hrs) __________
Math 4340 (3 hrs) __________
Math 4036 __________

Minimum of 6 courses from the list of ME core courses given below with at least one course taken from
each of the three disciplines: Thermal Sciences, Mechanical Systems, and Materials.
Thermal Science Mechanical Systems
ME 7863 (Fluid Dynamics) _______ ME 4163 (Intermediate Dynamics) _______
ME 7843 (Fluid Dynamics II) _______ ME 4273 Solid Mechanics I (Temporary
ME 4353 (Thermodynamics) _______ course # is now ME 4933) _______
ME 7433 (Heat Transfer I) _______ ME 7273 Solid Mechanics II (Temporary
ME 7443 (Heat Transfer II) _______ course # is now ME 7953) _______
--------------------or ME 4673 (Introduction to
Modern Control Theory) _______
ME 7153 (Advanced Vibrations) _______
ME 7633 (Adv. System Dynamics) _______
Materials
ME 7743 (Physical Metallurgy) _______ * completed four additional courses, approved by the
ME 7723 (Mat. Characterization) _______ Advisory Committee:
ME 7753 (Solid Thermodynamics) _______
ME 4733 (Deformation & Fracture) _______ __________ __________ __________ __________
ME 7763 (Advanced Corrosion) _______

• Completed:
ME 7903 – Independent Study/Report: ______
36 hrs (Req.) total ______
18 hrs (Req.) at 7000 level ______ * Grades need to be > “B” _______ (in all courses)

Graduate’s Signature ____________________________ Secretary’s Signature ___________________________

Graduate Advisor’s Signature ___________________________

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 MAJOR PROFESSOR AGREEMENT*

Date _____________ Student Name __________________________________________________

Last First MI

LSUID: ___________________

I agree to serve as Major Professor for the ____________ degree program of this student.
MS or PhD

_____________________________ ____________
Faculty Member Date

I (we) agree to serve as the Advisory Committee for the student named above.

___________________________________ ____________________
Faculty Member Date

___________________________________ ____________________
Faculty Member Date

___________________________________ ____________________
Faculty Member Date

___________________________________ ____________________
Faculty Member Date

*Must be submitted by the required deadline set by the department

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 ME 7903: INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

_______________________
SEMESTER/YEAR

STUDENT: _________________________________ LSUID: _____________________

INSTRUCTOR(S): __________________________________

__________________________________

COURSE TOPIC: _____________________________________________________________________________

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

o _____________________________________________________________________________

o _____________________________________________________________________________

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Reports* to be submitted _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

STUDENT: ___________________________________________ DATE: _______________________

MAJOR PROFESSOR: ___________________________________ DATE: ______________________

GRADUATE ADVISOR: ___________________________________ DATE: ______________________

* ME 7903 --- requires one or more extensive written reports. This report is needed in the M.S. (non-thesis)
final examination defense

44