Graduate Academic Support

UWM Graduate School Forms and Downloads

Please complete Part 1 of the Transfer Credit Evaluation Form, then have your faculty advisor complete Part 3. The form along with a copy of your transcript (can be unofficial) then needs to be returned to the Graduate Program Office for processing.

Please complete the Registration Change Form down to the two boxes at the bottom. You will need a signature in the box on the lower right-hand side from: 

• Your advisor, if you need permission to enroll in the class (you are a graduate student wanting to enroll in an undergraduate course), or 
• The instructor, when you are requesting to enroll in a closed class. 

The form then needs to be returned to the Graduate Program Office for processing.

• Use the Request for Exception Form (PDF) to make changes to your schedule (swap, drop, change sections), when you no longer have access to make changes in PAWS. Important: if you want to change your schedule, you need to include a Change in Registration form (below) as well.
• When you took a cross-listed class as an EE class, but you want it to count toward your concentration in CE.
• To request permission to continue when you have an academic hold due to a low GPA. This must include a plan as to how you will increase your GPA.

Please complete Section I (the entire 1st page), then your advisor must complete section II, and include a supporting statement. The form then needs to be returned to the Graduate Program Office for processing.

All Request for Exception and Change in Registration forms need to be submitted to the Graduate Program Office for processing. We make sure everything is complete on the form, then send it to the correct staff person in the Graduate School for further decision making and processing. 

Download form here.

Download form here.

Download form here.

Download form here.

Download form here.

Download form here.

To be enrolled:

1. Please write a Proposal and have it signed by your advisor/instructor.
   • See the registration form for the areas that the proposal needs to contain.
2. Complete the CompSci 995 Registration Form and have it signed by your advisor/instructor.
3. Return both signed documents to the Graduate Programs Office for further processing.

To be enrolled:

1. Please write a Proposal and have it signed by your advisor/instructor.
   • See the registration form for the areas that the proposal needs to contain.
2. Complete the CompSci 999 Registration Form and have it signed by your advisor/instructor.
3. Return both signed documents to the Graduate Programs Office for further processing.

Anyone wishing to complete an Independent Study must complete the registration form found on this page, design a proposal, obtain your major advisor signature on both and submit to the Graduate Programs Office for processing.

For enrollment management and class scheduling purposes, a written Program of Study, developed in conjunction with your major advisor is required to be submitted to the Graduate Programs Office during your first year of study.

MS Program of Study Form

MS Program of Study Guidelines

MS AI and Machine Learning Program of Study Form

Change of Graduate Advisor Form

For enrollment management and class scheduling purposes, the student, in consultation with the major professor, should develop a proposed program of studies during the first year of enrollment. This program of study must be approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and must meet the distribution requirement listed below. For subsequent changes, the student must file a revised program of study for approval. Learn more.

Guidelines in Developing the Program of Study

Program of Study Form

Mathematics/Quantitative Methods Requirement

The following courses are acceptable for the Mathematics/Quantitative Methods Requirement in the doctoral program.  Other courses may also be accepted if appropriate (Submit documentation, i.e. course description, for courses proposed to meet this requirement). 

CIVIL ENGINEERING & MECHANICS	COMPUTER SCIENCE
CIV-725 Finite Element Methods in Engineering	CS-417 Theory of Computation
CIV-726 Mechanical Vibrations	CS-535 Algorithms Design and Analysis
CIV-761 Advanced Structural Analysis	CS-704 Analysis of Algorithms
CIV-801 Applied Elasticity	CS-708 Scientific Computing
	CS-711 Machine Learning
	CS-712 Image Processing
	CS-714 Computational Geometry
	CS-720 Computational Models for Decision Making
	CS-755 Information and Coding Theory
	CS-759 Data Security
	CS-760 Computer Systems Performance Evaluation
	CS-762 Fault-Tolerant Computing
	CS-805 Randomized Algorithms
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING	MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
EE-701 Advanced Linear System Analysis	ME-701 Advanced Linear Systems Analysis
EE-711 Pattern Recognition	ME-706 Continuum Mechanics
EE-712 Image Processing	ME-711 Thermal Radiation and Conduction
EE-718 Nonlinear Control Systems	ME-715 Numerical Methods in Engineering
EE-721 Digital Communications	ME-718 Nonlinear Control Systems
EE-741 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves	ME-723 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
EE-742 Electromagnetic Wave	ME-726 Mechanical Vibrations
EE-755 Information and Coding Theory	ME-765 Mechanical Reliability and Probabilistic Design
EE-760 Computer Systems Performance Evaluation	ME-773 Advanced Dynamics
EE-762 Fault-Tolerant Computing	ME-785 Optimization Methods in Engineering
EE-765 Fourier Optics & Optical Signal Prcs	ME-816 Optimal Control Theory
EE-771 Advanced Electric Power Systems Theory
EE-781 Advanced Synchronous Machinery	MATERIALS
EE-810 Advanced Digital Signal Processing	MAT-410(G) Mechanical Behavior of Materials
EE-816 Optimal Control Theory	MAT-702 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics
EE-819 Adaptive Control Theory	MAT-710 Advanced Mechanical Behavior of Materials
EE-872 Computer Analysis of Electric Power Systems	MAT-720 Kinetic Processes in Materials
	MAT-731 Deformation Processing
INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING	MATHEMATICS
IND-455 Operations Research I	MATH-413 Introduction to Numerical Analysis
IND-465 Operations Research II	MATH-414 Numerical Analysis
IND-571 Quality Control	MATH-416 Computational Linear Analysis
IND-572 Reliability Engineering	MATH-535 Linear Analysis
IND-575 Design of Experiments	MATH-601 Advanced Engineering Mathematics I
IND-716 Engineering Statistical Analysis	MATH-602 Advanced Engineering Mathematics II
IND-717 Operations Research for Engineering Management	MATH-701 Industrial Mathematics I
IND-765 Operations Research Methods and Advanced Programming	MATH-702 Industrial Mathematics II
IND-767 Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists	MATH-767 Statistical Methods for Engineers & Scientists
IND-768 Applied Stochastic Processes	MATH-768 Applied Stochastic Processes
IND-777 Scheduling and Real Time Resource Management	MATH-813 Numerical Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations
	MATH-814 Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations

Independent Study Form

Anyone wishing to complete an Independent Study must complete the registration form, design a proposal, obtain your major advisor signature on both and submit to the Graduate Programs Office for processing.

999 Guidelines and Proposal/ Approval Form for Engineering Graduate Students 

Electrical Engineering PhD Program of Study Form

Independent Study

Anyone wishing to complete an Independent Study must complete the registration form, design a proposal, obtain your major advisor signature on both and submit to the Graduate Programs Office for processing.

999 Guidelines and Proposal/ Approval Form for Engineering Graduate Students 

Change of Graduate Advisor Form

Please contact the Biomedical Engineering Department Chair or Leanne Myers for qualifying exam samples.

Please contact the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department Chair or Leanne Myers for qualifying exam samples.

PhD Qualifying Exam Samples

Please contact the Computer Science Department Chair or Leanne Myers for qualifying exam samples.

Computer Science Program PhD Qualifying Examination Guidelines 
(Revised 1/14/2026) 

The exam is made of two parts; Part I is for four hours and Part II is for two hours. Part I is over Computer Science undergraduate core courses and Part II is over one main sub-area of Computer Science. 

There will be a total of 10 questions in Part I, two questions from each area of Part I, and a student should answer any 8 questions. Passing score for Part I exam is 70%. 

Each student should select one area of Part II at the time of registration for the exam. There will be a total of 4 questions from the selected area of Part II, and a student should answer any 3 questions. Passing score for Part II exam is 70%. 

The exam is closed-book and closed-notes. The use of electronic devices is not allowed. Any information, if necessary, will be provided as part of the exam. 

Part I 

This part tests a student’s knowledge over the following five areas: 

1.  Computer Architecture 
   • CS 458 Computer Architecture 
2. Operating Systems 
   • CS 537 Introduction to Operating Systems 
3. Programming with Data Structures and Algorithms
   • CS 351 Data Structures and Algorithms 
4. Discrete Mathematics 
   • CS 317 Discrete Information Structure 
5. Algorithm Design and Analysis 
   • CS 535 Algorithm Design and Analysis 

Part II 

This part tests a student’s knowledge over any one of the following areas. 

Artificial Intelligence 
CS 422 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence OR CS 710 Artificial Intelligence CS 720 Computational Models of Decision Making CS 711 Introduction to Machine Learning 

Computer Graphics and Image Processing 
CS 459 Fundamentals of Computer Graphics 
CS 718 Advanced Computer Graphics: Modeling and Animation 
EE/CS 712 Image Processing 

Natural Language Processing and Text Retrieval 
CS 423 Introduction to Natural Language Processing OR CS 723 Natural Language Processing CS 444 Introduction to Text Retrieval OR CS 744 Text Retrieval 

Programming Languages and Compilers 
CS 431 Programming Languages Concepts 
CS 654 Introduction to Compilers OR CS 754 Compiler Construction and Theory CS 732 Type Systems for Programming Languages 

Theory and Algorithms 
CS 417 Introduction to the Theory of Computation 
CS 535 Algorithm Design and Analysis 
CS 704 Analysis of Algorithms 

The EE Qualifying Examination is used to ensure that PhD students have sufficient depth and breadth of fundamental electrical engineering concepts. The exam is given twice per year in early Fall and Spring semesters and is graded on a pass/fail basis.

~ If you have graduated with a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Electrical and Computer Engineering, the PhD requirements for the qualifying exam may be waived.

OR

~ If you have passed the Professional Engineer (PE) examination, the PhD requirements for the qualifying exam may be waived.                              

For either of these waiver options, please submit your proof, or supporting documents to the EE department for review. Send to ceas-ee@uwm.edu.  (Effective: Spring 2026)

• Electrical Engineering Doctoral Qualifying Examination Guidelines

Please contact the Industrial Engineering Department Chair or Leanne Myers for qualifying exam samples.

The Materials Science & Engineering PhD Qualifying Examination is used to ensure that PhD students have sufficient depth and breadth of fundamental materials engineering concepts. The exam is given twice per year, early in the Fall and Spring semesters, and is graded on a pass-fail basis. Guidelines are provided below.

• Guidelines for Ph.D. Qualifying Exams – Materials Science and Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering PhD Qualifying Examination is used to ensure that PhD students have sufficient depth and breadth of fundamental mechanical engineering concepts. The exam is graded on a pass-fail basis. Guidelines are provided below.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME)
ME Ph.D. Qualifying Exams Guidelines and Syllabi

(Approved: 08/25/2023, Revised: 08/28/2023)

Students in the ME Ph.D. program must take and pass a Qualifying Examination (QE) to demonstrate that they are qualified for doctoral-level research work in their area of study. For students entering with a bachelor’s degree, this examination may be taken after 18 credits of graduate work have been earned but must be taken before 30 credits of graduate work have been completed. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program after completion of an appropriate Master’s degree must take the QE by the 3rd Semester. QE will be held twice in one academic year, in the Fall and Spring Semesters. 

The student will select any of the two areas listed below for their QE in consultation with their advisor). The research advisor needs to approve the selected areas. The QE will assess the student’s ability to solve advanced undergraduate/entry-level graduate problems. Four hours will be allotted for the open-book exam. A total of eight questions, four per area, will be given in the exam. Students must answer three out of four questions from each area. A sample exam will be provided as part of exam preparation. The passing score is 70% or above. For productive students, a score between 65%-70% can be considered a passing score based on the assessment of documented research performance by the ME Department. 

Areas of Exam:

1. Machine Design
2. Kinematics and Dynamics
3. Control
4. Vibration
5. Fluid Mechanics
6. Heat Transfer
7. Thermodynamics

ME Ph.D. QE Syllabi

1. Machine Design

Topics:

• Basic concepts of stress and strain.
• Deflection analysis, including statically indeterminate problems
• Design of pressure vessels, and buckling of columns.
• Failure theories for steady loads.
• Design to safeguard against fatigue failure
• Design of screws, fasteners, and welded joints.
• Design of springs.
• Design of ball/roller bearings and lubrication bearings.
• Gearing design.
• Shafting design, including keyways and flywheels.
• Design of clutches and brakes.

Suggested Courses: 

• MECHENG 364: Advanced Mechanics of Materials and Design of Machine Elements 1
• MECHENG 368: Design of Machine Elements 2

Suggested Textbooks: 

• Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design, R.G. Budynas, and J.K. Nisbett, 11th ed., 2020.
• Fundamentals of Machine Elements, B. Hamrock, 1999
• Machine Design: An Integrated Approach, R.L. Norton, 5th ed, 2013

2. Kinematics, and Dynamics

Topics:

• Degrees of freedom of linkages
• Displacement, velocity, and acceleration analysis of linkages
• Design of linkages for three positions – function, path, and motion generation
• Static and dynamic force analysis of linkages
• Cams – layout of cam profile
• Follower motion – simple harmonic, cycloidal, and polynomial profiles
• Gearing and gear trains basic calculations
• 2D and 3D kinematics/dynamics equations of motion 
• Euler methods, Cardan methods, Helical Axes
• Methods, Lagrange methods

Suggested Courses: 

• MECHENG 360: Mechanical Design I
• MECHENG 469: Introduction to Biomechanical Engineering

Suggested Textbooks: 

• Design of Machinery, R.L. Norton, 6th ed, 2020.
• Engineering mechanics: dynamics. Hibbeler, R.C., 2004. Pearson Education.

3. Control

Topics:

• Modeling mechanical, electrical, fluid, and combined systems using Newtonian and Lagrangian Mechanics
• ODE, transfer functions
• Linearization
• Block diagram algebra
• Transient response and s-plane
• Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion
• Root locus method
• Dynamic compensation of feedback systems System type
• Steady-state errors
• Controllers: PI, PID controllers Lead/Lag Suggested

Courses: 

• MECHENG 474: Introduction to Control Systems
• MECHENG 302: Introduction to System Dynamics – 

Suggested Textbooks: .

• Modeling and Analysis of Dynamic Systems, Close, Frederick, and Newell, 3rd ed, John Wiley & Sons, 2002.
• Modern Control Engineering, Ogata Katsuhiko. (2010), 5th.ed (Fifth Edition). New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

4. Vibration

Topics

• Basic concepts in vibration and harmonic analysis. 
• Fourier series.
• Free and forced vibrations of single degree of freedom systems.
• Systems response under harmonic, general periodic and non-periodic inputs.
• Free and forced vibrations of multi-degree of freedom systems,
• Vibration isolation and vibration absorbers.
• Modal analysis and decomposition.
• Vibrations of continuous systems such as beams, strings, and rods.

Suggested Courses: 

• MECHENG 475: Vibrations in Mechanical Design  
• MECHENG 726: Mechanical Vibrations Suggested Textbooks: 
• Theory of Vibrations with Applications, W.T. Thomson, 4th edn
• Mechanical Vibrations, S.S. Rao, 3rd edn, 1995

5. Thermodynamics

Topics:

• First Law of Thermodynamics (with Applications to Open/Closed Systems, Energy Balance in Steady and Unsteady Systems)
• Second Law of Thermodynamics (with Applications to Open/Closed Systems, Entropy Production Mechanisms in Steady and Unsteady Systems)
• General Thermodynamic Property Relations (Phase Diagrams, Property Tables, Generalized Charts, Equations of State, Maxwell Equations, etc.)
• Homogeneous Non-Reacting Mixtures of Gases and Vapors (Properties of Real and Ideal Gas Mixtures, Psychrometrics, Adiabatic Saturator, etc.)
• Heat Engine Power and Refrigeration Cycles (Analysis of Vapor and Gas power and Refrigeration Cycles such as Rankine, Brayton, Otto, Diesel, vapor-compression refrigeration, etc.)
• Thermodynamics of Combustion (Stoichiometric Equations, Heat of Formation, Heat of Reaction) 

Suggested Courses: 

• MECHENG 301: Basic Engineering Thermodynamics 
• MECHENG 402: Thermo-Fluid Engineering
• MECHENG 702: Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics

Suggested Textbooks: 

• Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics, A. Bejan, John Wiley & Sons, 3rd edition (August 18, 2006)
• Thermodynamics – An Engineering Approach, Cengel and Boles, McGraw-Hill, (January 7, 2014)
• Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Moran and Shapiro, 8th Ed. John Wiley & Sons. • Advanced Thermodynamics for Engineers, Wark, McGraw-Hill.

6. Fluid Mechanics

Topics:

• Fluid Statics
• Bernoulli’s and Euler’s Equations
• Control Volume Analysis
• Differential Forms of Conservation Laws
• Solutions of Navier-Stokes and Energy Equations
• Dimensional Analysis
• Potential Flow (Stream Function, Velocity Potential, Plane Flow solutions)
• Pipe Flow (with Friction Losses
• Boundary Layer Theory
• Flow Over an Immersed Body
• Gas Dynamics (Stagnation State Properties, Converging-Diverging Flows, Flows, Choked Flow, Normal/Oblique Shock Waves, Nozzle and Diffuser Efficiencies, Heat Transfer/Friction, etc.)

Suggested Courses: 

• MECHENG 320: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
• MECHENG 420: Intermediate Fluid Mechanics 
• MECHENG 490: Introduction to Water Engineering 
• MECHENG 722: Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Suggested Textbooks: 

• Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, Munson, Young, Okiishi, Wile
• Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, R.W. Fox and A.T. McDonald, Wiley.
• Fluid Mechanics, Cengel and Cimbala, McGraw-Hill
• Fluid Mechanics, F.M. White, 9th Ed., McGraw-Hill
• Viscous Fluid Flow, F.M. White, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill.

7. Heat Transfer

Topics:

• Conduction (Steady and Unsteady problems, Separation of Variables, Integral (Laplace) transforms, conduction with local heat sources, conduction with phase change
• Forced Convection (Laminar and Turbulent Heat Transfer in Internal and External Flows)
• Free and Mixed Convection
• Radiation (Blackbody Radiation, Non-Black Surfaces, Electro-magnetic Theory and Radiative Properties of Solids, Radiation Energy Interchange between Black, Gray, Diffuse, and Specular Surfaces, etc.)
• Heat Exchangers

Suggested Courses: 

• MECHENG 321: Basic Heat Transfer 
• MECHENG 411: Heat Transfer
• MECHENG 711: Thermal Radiation and Conduction
• MECHENG 712: Convection Heat and Mass Transfer

Suggested Textbooks:

• Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, Bergman, Lavine, Incropera and De Witt, 7th Ed. Wiley.
• Heat Conduction, Ozisik, Wiley, 3rd ed., 2012
• Heat Conduction, 5th edition, by Kakac, Yener and Naveira-Cotta, Taylor & Francis.
• Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer, Siegel and Howell, Hemisphere Publishing.
• Convective Heat and Mass Transfer, Kays and Crawford, McGraw Hill.
• Heat and Mass Transfer, Cengel and Ghajar, McGraw Hill, 6th Edition
• Conduction Heat Transfer, Arpaci, Addison Wesley, 1st Ed.