Written Preliminary Exam
The written preliminary examination is the first step for students wishing to pursue their doctorate in AEM. This exam cannot be taken after the second year of study. Students are given two attempts to pass, provided they take the exam for the first time during their first year. Students who take the exam for the first time their second year of study are only given one opportunity to pass.
The exam is held during spring semester each year on a Friday evening and Saturday morning, typically the first weekend in April. Five exam subjects are planned. Original problems are written by AEM faculty each year. Students pre-select two of the five subjects in which they'll answer the questions and complete one subject per day. Subjects must include at least one subject from fluid mechanics, continuum mechanics, or dynamics. Separate questions on computational mechanics and controls are also offered.
Students are allowed a calculator and one notebook containing their notes on the subject for each session. The notes can be typed and contained in a 3-ring binder. The questions will be open-ended and will require creative application of the subject matter.
In evaluation, faculty will consider the student's overall performance including the WPE results, plus other information such as performance in course work, etc., in determining whether a student has passed or failed the exam.
Practice exams are provided for students' preparation. However, solved problems from previous exams cannot be included in the notebook during the exam.
Sample Written Preliminary Exams
| Fluid Mechanics | Computational Fluid Mechanics |
| 2012 | 2012 |
| 2011 | 2011 |
| 2010 | 2010 |
| 2009 | 2009 |
| 2008 | 2008 |
| 2007 | 2007 |
| 2006 | 2006 |
| 2005 | 2005 |
| 2004 | 2004 |
| 2003 | 2003 |
| 2002 | 2002 |
| 2001 | 2001 |
| 2000 | 2000 |
| 1999 | 1999 |
| 1998 | 1997 |
| 1997 | 1996 |
| 1996 | 1995 |
| 1994 | 1994 |
| 1993 | 1993 |
| 1992 | 1992 |
| Misc. 1 | |
| Dynamics | Controls |
| 2012 | 2012 |
| 2011 | 2011 |
| 2010 | 2010 |
| 2009 | 2009 |
| 2008 | 2008 |
| 2007 | 2007 |
| 2006 | 2006 |
| 2005 | 2005 |
| 2004 | 2004 |
| 2003 | 2003 |
| 2002 | 2002 |
| 2001 | 2001 |
| 2000 | 2000 |
| 1999 | 1999 |
| 1998 | 1998 |
| 1997 | 1996 |
| 1994 | 1992 |
| 1992 | Misc. 1 |
| Misc. 1 | Misc. 2 |
| Continuum/Solids | |
| 2012 | |
| 2011 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2009 | |
| 2008 | |
| 2007 | |
| 2006 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2004 | |
| 2002 | |
| 2001 | |
| 2000 | |
| 1999 | |
| 1998 | |
| 1997 | |
| 1996 | |
| 1994 | |
| 1993 | |
| 1992 | |
| Misc. 1 | |
| Misc. 2 | |
| Misc. 3 | |
| Graduate School Thesis Guidelines Doctoral Thesis Masters Thesis |
| Graduate School Degree Completion |
Last Modified: 2013-05-10 at 12:14:10 -- this is in International Standard Date and Time Notation
