2013–2014 The Bulletin - USS at Tufts - Tufts University

Mechanical Engineering >
Medieval Studies >
Microwave and Wireless Engineering >
Doctor of Philosophy
Applicants to the PhD program are expected to
have an outstanding academic record in mechanical
engineering or a related discipline. All applicants to
the PhD program should outline in writing their
reasons for applying to the doctoral program and
their tentative plan of study. For general information
and admission requirements for the PhD degree,
see the graduate school section of this bulletin.
For admission to doctoral candidacy, the
individual must pass a qualifying examination by
the end of their second academic semester if
entering the program with an MS, or by the end of
their third academic semester if entering the
program with a BS. The student must select four
out of the eight exam areas (Physical Ergonomics,
Cognitive Human Factors, Dynamics, Controls,
Fluid Dynamics, Heat Transfer, Solid Mechanics,
and Materials Processing) for the qualifying
examination.
A PhD candidate is required to complete at
least 5 course credits beyond the 7 MS degree
in-classroom courses at the 100-level or higher.
Doctoral candidates are expected to pursue either
course work in direct support of their research or
course work that addresses the recommendations
made during the qualification period. In the interest
of broadening the educational experience, students
are also expected to take at least one advanced
course 200-level or higher, either within or outside
of the department.
After the successful qualifying exam, PhD
candidates are required to present a thesis prospectus
to a committee composed of the thesis advisor,
other mechanical engineering faculty, and possibly
outside experts. This presentation includes questioning
by the committee and other faculty to assess
whether the candidate has sufficient background to
study the research area. The purpose of the
prospectus is to inform the department in a concise
statement of the candidate’s research program.
PhD candidates must defend their dissertation in
an oral examination, open to the community. The
candidate is examined by a committee of at least
three members, one of whom is an expert from
outside the mechanical engineering department,
and another from outside Tufts University. Recent
doctoral dissertation topics include haptic feedback
in minimally invasive surgery, novel materials
processing approaches with application to ceramics,
metal casting, and biomaterials development,
modeling and experimental characterization of
semiconductor manufacturing processes, development
of optical techniques for microscale measurements,
modeling, design, and fabrication of
microscale sensor arrays for aeroacoustic applications,
computational and experimental cochlear
mechanics, development of method for polymer
synthesis using microfluidic enzymatic cascade, and
electrowetting phenomenon for microsized fluidic
devices.
For more detailed information, please visit the
Mechanical Engineering website:
http://engineering.tufts.edu/me/academics/
graduate/phd.asp.
Medieval Studies
FACULTY COORDINATOR:
Professor Steven Marrone, History
The interdisciplinary minor in medieval studies
presents a multidisciplinary focus on the world of
the Middle Ages. The medieval world introduces us
to the cultural roots of Europe and Islam in a preindustrial
society and to the beginnings of Western
and Middle Eastern languages and literatures.
Five credits with at least one course from each of
the three categories (as stated online) are required
for the minor. In addition to the five credits, a
student is required to complete an appropriate
project, such as a thesis, an oral presentation, or a
performance, which integrates the knowledge and
methodologies of the disciplines involved. (See
Interdisciplinary Minor Program for details.)
Microwave and Wireless
Engineering
FACULTY ADVISOR:
Professor Mohammed Nurul Afsar, Electrical and
Computer Engineering
In today’s changing economy, the microwave and
wireless engineering industry is moving away from
developing traditional military applications and
toward exploration of commercial opportunities.
With the new availability of relatively inexpensive
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