Degree Program Assessment Reports

6.1. Assessment at Admission Level:

PhD Degree Entry Requirements:  Admission to the graduate program in Mechanical Engineering depends on MS Degree performance, TOEFL, and GRE scores, letters of reference, any program course deficiencies, and the applicant’s Statement of Objectives.  To be accepted by the Graduate Division, applicants must have the equivalent of a B average at the University of Hawaii (determined by Graduate Division).  Foreign students from universities that do not teach in English must pass the TOEFL examination with minimum scores of 550, or 600 (Paper-based, or an equivalent on a Computer or Internet based) for teaching assistants.  All students must submit a record of their GRE scores.  Students with above-average scores normally are accepted into the PhD program.  TOEFL and GRE scores as well as course transcripts are useful in evaluating skills needed to pursue a PhD degree.  Letters of recommendation generally must be positive.  Applicants from Mechanical Engineering programs at some universities and from fields other than Mechanical Engineering might not have a sufficient background to pursue an PhD degree in the chosen area of concentration.  The Graduate Chair bases acceptance on an acceptable number of deficiency courses.  For those applicants who are accepted, the Graduate Chair has an initial advising session with the applicant to make a final determination of any deficiency courses that must be taken in addition to the course requirements for the PhD degree.  An applicant’s Statement of Objectives is helpful in determining if the applicant’s career goals can be met by the Department’s programs and available resources.

6.2. Assessment at Program Level:

PhD Level:

Course Requirement (SLO 1):  There is a minimum GPA to maintain in course work via grade-based written and, occasionally, oral exams.  Written exams in courses are used to assess mastery of subjects pertinent to a student’s area of concentration for PhD programs.  The assessments for the Courses, to comply with the program requirements, is also done by the Graduate Chair

Qualifying Exam (SLOs 2&3):  Students submit a Qualifying Report and give an Oral Presentation to the Qualifying Committee, which is composed of three ME Faculty who make the assessment of the students’ capabilities in being able to conduct independent research and present them in a professional manner, for the student to continue in the program or drop out of the program.

Comprehensive Exam (SLOs 1&2):  The Comprehensive Exam will be conducted after the course work is complete.  Students submit a Comprehensive Report and give an Oral Presentation to the Comprehensive Committee, which is composed of four ME Faculty and one outside of the discipline faculty member who make the assessments of the students’ fundamental knowledge and mastery on topics related to the dissertation acquired through the course work as well as research quality and capability for the student to advance as a PhD candidate (All-But-Dissertation: ABD) towards the completion of the Dissertation.

Dissertation Document (SLOs 1, 2, & 3):  The doctoral dissertation is expected to be a scholarly, original contribution to knowledge resulting from independent research and should be suitable for publication.  Students must demonstrate a novel contribution made to their areas of concentration.  The students submit their dissertation document to the Dissertation Committee (which is the same as the Comprehensive Committee, in most cases) and is composed of four ME Faculty and one outside of the discipline faculty member who make the assessment of the students’ research accomplishments in developing an independent research capability and contributing uniquely to the field of study by judging the students’ Dissertation Document.

Final Examination based on the Student’s Dissertation (SLOs 1 thru 4):  Students must demonstrate a novel contribution made to their areas of concentration.  The students present their dissertation research as an Oral Examination for the Dissertation Committee members who make assessments of the students accomplishments for SLOs 1 through 4.

Seminar Requirement (SLOs 2 & 4):  To ensure that our students are able to communicate orally and in writing at a high level of proficiency and are able to perform in their field of study at a professional level, the students submit 15 reports over the course of their PhD studies in our Department and give a presentation on their research topics and achievements during their last semester prior to graduation.  The faculty in charge of the Seminar makes the assessment and recommends improvements.

PhD Level:

Currently, the number of courses offered at graduate level is not sufficient (as also voiced by the graduate students), due to recent retirements (two faculty) and resignation (one faculty).  We have received these three positions back due to severity of the faculty shortage in DME.  Although, the Dean’s office is committed to give the ME Department additional two positions; however, due to the economic down-turn, these positions are contingent to the availability of funds.  The PhD students write an average of two conference and/or two journal papers at the completion of their degree.   Also, the Department Graduate Handbook should be updated.