<p>Hi there,
I have been admitted to usf in Fall 2014 in mechanical engineering. Does anyone have some information about studying there? Is it required to pass the qualifying exam before starting the dissertation? How many courses should students take before starting the dissertation ?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance. </p>
<p>I don’t know anything about USF’s program, but I am willing to bet my next paycheck that both of your questions are answered on the website, particularly in the doctoral student handbook.</p>
<p>And indeed it is - if you click on “Graduate Programs”, the handbook link is in the sidebar.</p>
<p>This degree requires a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, of which there must be a minimum of 36 hours of coursework at the 6000 level without counting Independent Study or Special Topics courses and a minimum of 20 hours of dissertation</p>
<p>36 hours. Most graduate courses are 3 hours, which means roughly 12 courses. Could be more or less depending on departmental rules. 36 hours isn’t really out of the ordinary for doctoral programs.</p>
<p>A qualifying examination must be passed before admission to doctoral candidacy.</p>
<p>“Doctoral candidacy” is the official term for ABD in most doctoral programs, regardless of field. In virtually all programs there are some sort of qualifying or comprehensive exams that you have to pass before you can begin work on the dissertation. </p>