Ph.D. Course Work
Units Required
Ph.D. candidates must complete a minimum of 135 units. Ph.D. candidates who received their MS from Stanford may count up to 45 MS units towards the total 135 units. Similarly, students who received MS degrees from other institutions may apply to transfer up to 45 units towards the total unit requirement.
Approved Courses Requirement
Out of the 135 unit total, a student must complete a minimum of 27 units of approved courses in advanced study (excluding research, directed study and seminars) beyond the MS degree. Students should work with their program advisor to obtain approval of the course work. These 27 units of coursework must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, all Ph.D. candidates must participate in their group’s research seminar each quarter.
Breadth Requirement
The Mechanical Engineering Department also has a breadth requirement for the Ph.D. program. This may be satisfied either by a minor in another department, or by at least 9 units of coursework covering physical principals or methodologies outside the primary area of research. Candidates with primarily experimental projects should include at least three units on experimental techniques. (If suitable courses have already been taken at the MS level, this requirement may be waived.)
Obtaining Required Paperwork
Please see the staff at the Student Services Office to obtain the paperwork necessary for the 27 unit plan and breadth requirement. This paperwork is usually submitted along with the candidacy and reading committee paperwork.