Graduate Program Handbook

If Ocean Engineering represents the major of your PhD study, you must take at least 5 200- series courses in the core and recommended lists, which must include ME 240A, ME 240B and two from ME 241A, ME 241B, ME 245. Undergraduate backgroung equivalent to at least two courses of ME 164, 165 and 168 is assumed. Selection of other courses not listed can be done with the approval of the Major Field Advisor and the Vice Chair for Graduate Study. You should prepare a written justification of your selection. If Ocean Engineering represents a minor of your PhD study, you must take at least 2 courses in the core list, which should include ME 240A, ME 240B or ME 241A or ME 241B. You may not double-count courses towards both the major and the minor requirements.

Core Courses in Ocean Engineering

• Mech Eng 292K – Advanced Special Topics
• Mech Eng 164 – Marine Statics and Structures
• Mech Eng 165 – Ocean-Environment Mechanics
• Mech Eng 168 – Mechanics of Offshore Systems
• Mech Eng 240A/B – Advanced Marine Structures I / Advanced Marine Structures II
• Mech Eng 241A/B – Marine Hydrodynamics I / Marine Hydrodynamics II
• Mech Eng 243 – Advanced Methods in Free-Surface Flows
• Mech Eng 245 – Oceanic and Atmospheric Waves
• Mech Eng 263 – Turbulence
• Mech Eng 274 – Random Oscillations of Mechanical Systems

Courses in Ocean Engineering with Design and Optimization Emphasis

• Mech Eng 228 – Computer-Aided, Optimal Mechanical Design
• Mech Eng 229 – Design of Basic Electro-Mechanical Devices
• Math 170 – Mathematical Methods for Optimization
• IEOR 162 – Linear Programming
• IEOR 262A – Mathematical Programming I
• IEOR 262B – Mathematical Programming II
• IEOR 264 – Computational Optimization

Courses in Ocean Engineering with Dynamics and Structures

• Mech Eng 280A – Introduction to the Finite Element Method
• Mech Eng 274 – Random Oscillations of Mechanical Systems
• Mech Eng 277 – Oscillations in Nonlinear Systems
• Civ Eng 193 – Engineering Risk Analysis
• Civ Eng 220 – Structural Analysis Theory and Applications
• Civ Eng 225 – Dynamics of Structures
• Civ Eng 226 – Stochastic Structural Dynamics

Courses in Ocean Engineering with Mathematics and Statistics Emphasis

• Math 220 – Introduction to Probabilistic Methods in Mathematics and the Sciences
• Math 224A/B – Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences
• Math 228A/B – Numerical Solution of Differential Equations
• Eng 230 – Methods of Applied Mathematics
• Eng 231 – Mathematical Methods in Engineering
• Eng C233/Comp Sci C267 – Applications of Parallel Computers
• Stat 200A/B – Introduction to Probability and Statistics at an Advanced Level

Courses in Ocean Engineering with Materials and Fabrication Emphasis

• Mech Eng C217 / Int Bio C217 / Bio Eng C217 – Biomimetic Engineering — Engineering from Biology
• Mec Eng C218 / Electrical Eng C245 – Introduction to MEMS Design
• Mech Eng 220 – Precision Manufacturing
• Mech Eng 222 – Advanced Manufacturing Processes
• Mech Eng C225/Mat Sci C212 – Deformation and Fracture of Engineering Materials
• Mech Eng 227 – Mechanical Behavior of Composite Materials

Courses in Ocean Engineering with Robotics and Control Emphasis

• Mech Eng C134 / Electrical Eng C128 – Feedback Control Systems
• Mech Eng C219 / Electrical Eng C246 – Parametric and Optimal Design of MEMS
• Mech Eng 229 – Design of Basic Electro-Mechanical Devices
• Mech Eng 230 – Real-Time Applications of Mini and Micro Computers
• Mech Eng C231A – Experiential Advanced Control Design I
• Mech Eng C232 / El Eng C220A – Advanced Control Systems I
• Mech Eng 234 – Multivariable Control System Design
• Mech Eng C236 – Control and Optimization of Distributed Parameters Systems
• Mech Eng 237 – Control of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems
• Mech Eng 239 – Advanced Design and Automation

This timeline lists the ideal times in your career in which you will reach important milestones. This is based on our 5 Year MS/PhD normative time.

Year 1

• Prepare to become a California Resident if you are not already (Domestic Students and Permanent Residents only)
• By the end of your first semester: find your Research Advisor
• Prepare for Preliminary Exams (Prelims)
• Beginning of second semester: Take the Prelims if you entered with a Masters Degree
• Second semester: Should begin MS research project

Year 2

• First semester: Should officially be a CA resident (Domestic Students and Permanent Residents only)
• First semester: Take the Prelims if you entered with a Bachelors degree
• First semester: Advance to Candidacy for the Masters Degree
• Second semester: Should begin PhD research project
• End of first semester: File Masters Report

Year 3

• First semester: Prepare for Qualifying Exams (Quals)
• First semester: Take Quals
• Advanced to Candidacy no later than the end of the semester following the Qualifying Examination
• By the end of this year, should be done with coursework

Year 4

• Work on research
• Consider conference paper submissions and presentations
• Second semester: Advance to Candidacy for PhD

Year 5

• Hold PhD Seminar
• Consider conference paper submissions and presentations
• Complete and file PhD Dissertation

The objective of the Preliminary Examination is the early assessment of a student’s potential for satisfactory completion of the doctoral degree.  The exams are entirely closed – no books or notes are allowed.

All students admitted to our doctorate programs are required to take the examination.  Students who have entered with a declared MS degree goal and who wish to add an ME doctorate degree must pass the examination as well.

The examination is given twice a year, during the first week of the Spring and Fall semesters, and must be taken following two semesters of registration as a graduate student at the latest.  Tests cannot be taken before entering the program.

College regulations state that a student studying for a doctoral degree should maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in the major field, at least a 3.0 in the minor fields, and a 3.5 overall.  With this in mind, students are only admitted to the Preliminary Examination with a minimum of cumulative GPA of 3.3, and a 3.5 average in the major field based on work done at Berkeley.  Prior to passing the Preliminary Examination, all courses in the major field, with the exception of ME 299, must be taken for a letter grade.  A maximum of one-third of the total units of course work may be taken S/U.

There are eight (8) examination areas and only two (2) possible exam outcomes:  Pass and Not Pass.  The student must pass in their proposed doctoral major field area.  Students who are planning to change their Major Field Area must take and pass the new Major Field Area as well.  Students may review their solutions along with a typical recommendation solution to the problems with the area Advisor after the exam results are received.

The Preliminary Examination Committee will meet approximately one week after the last exam is given.  This gives the committee an adequate amount of time to gather results and meet to discuss each student’s individual circumstance.  The results will be posted on the College of Engineering Graduate Student Info Web Application, followed by and individual email.  The results of the examinations will be one of the following:

• Pass: Continue in the doctoral program (for change of degree goal candidates admission to doctoral program).  Such students then prepare for the PhD Oral Qualifying Examination.
• Not Pass: The Examination Committee decides whether or not such students retake the examination a second time.
• Fail: If a student fails to pass the examination in two (2) sittings, they will fail the preliminary examinations.  In these cases the student may:
  • Change their degree goal from PhD (or MS/PhD) to MS only and leave with the MS degree at the end of the third semester after completing the applicable requirements.
  • Petition the Preliminary Examination Committee for an additional sitting for a third attempt to pass the examinations.  In such a case, the student must write a request memo to the Preliminary Examination Chair for the committee’s consideration.  Once the committee has met and decided on the request, the student will be notified of the result.  If the petition is not approved within the Normative Time permitted for the MS Degree, students must request to change their degree goal through a CalCentral eForm and leave the graduate program with the MS degree.  If the student has already been awarded an MS degree at another university, they will be asked to leave the program without a degree by the end of the same semester.

Preliminary Examination results are valid for five (5) years from the time you take them.  This is quite important if you leave the program and your tests expire in your absence.  If this becomes the case, you will need to retake the exam prior to the beginning of your first semester.

Please see the FAQ for the latest information.

Full details can be found at http://grad.berkeley.edu/policy/registration-and-exchange-programs-policy/#d2-filing-fee

The Filing Fee is a reduced fee (one-half of the University Registration fee) for doctoral students who have completed all requirements for the degree except for filing the dissertation (Plans A and B) and presenting the Final Defense (Plan A).  It is also available to master’s students with no requirements remaining except for filing the thesis (Plan I) or completing the final report and presentation (Plan II).  The Filing Fee is not a form of registration nor is it equivalent to registration.  If students wish to use university services that are supported by registration fees, they must pay those fees.  Filing Fee is available for the fall and spring semesters only.

Eligibility requirements for the Filing Fee

To use the Filing Fee in a fall semester, the student must have been registered in the previous spring or summer and must be advanced to degree candidacy.  Summer Sessions enrollment must be for a minimum of three units.  To use the Filing Fee in spring, the student must have been registered in the previous fall.  Filing Fee status is not available for Summer Sessions.  However, students are permitted to file a thesis or dissertation while registered for Summer Sessions.  Please note that a letter of support from the Head Graduate Adviser must accompany all Filing Fee applications.

Limitations on Filing Fee status

The Filing Fee may be used only once during a student’s career.

If a student does not complete the final degree requirements (filing the dissertation or thesis, or passing the final comprehensive exam) during the semester for which the Filing Fee is approved, the student must be readmitted and pay regular registration fees during the semester in which the requirements are completed.  Readmission procedures can be found in Section 8.3.

Filing Fee status and academic student appointments

Students with academic appointments for which registration is required are not eligible for Filing Fee status.  To hold an appointment, students must be appropriately registered and enrolled in at least 15 units unless advanced to doctoral candidacy.

Filing Fee status and international students

To avoid visa problems with the U.S.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement, international students must contact the Berkeley International Office well before the beginning of the semester during which they plan to use the Filing Fee.  Filing fee status can satisfy the SEVIS requirement for international students only if the student has obtained the signature of the BIO student adviser (contact the Berkeley International Office (BIO).

Health insurance for students on Filing Fee

U.S. resident students may purchase Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) coverage for the semester they are on approved filing fee status if they have not already purchased SHIP during a period of withdrawal beyond one semester.  UHS allows purchase of SHIP if a student is in a non-registered status for two semesters only, which pertains to both filing fee and withdrawal.  For eligibility information and enrollment details, refer to the UHS website.

Summarization of Key Issues

• Filing may be used once for MS and once for PhD
• Students must be Advanced to Candidacy for either MS or PhD Degree before eligible
• Students may not take classes
• Students lose all UC Berkeley Building Access
• Students must pay for GSHIP, RSF, & library card, if they want to use these resources
• Students may not hold GSR or GSI appointment
• Students are not eligible to receive awards from departmentally restricted funds
• Students are not eligible to hold any university funding.  University funds are any funds that are administered by the University such as contracts and grants, gifts and endowments, state, and federal funds.  Funds at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) are not classified as University funds.
• While on Filing Fee, students may not take the Prelim Exam or Qualifying Exam
• Students may graduate while on filing fee
• Costs one-half of the University Registration Fee

• Apply for the Filing Fee by the deadline.
• Complete and submit the eForm “Special Enrollment Petition“ available in CalCentral under “Student Resources“.
• Print a copy of the form for your personal file.
• Once submitted, the eForm will be routed to the Student Services Staff for approval.

If Filing Fee is approved:

• You will be charged one-half of the University Registration fee through CARS.
• You will be able to see your status on Bear Facts.
• The degree cannot be awarded until the Filing Fee is paid.

To apply for re-enrollment after being on filing fee status or short leave of absence, a student should submit a Re-enrollment Application for the Vice-Chair of Graduate Study’s approval. Students must submit all their required forms to the ME Student Services Office no later than April 15 for the Fall Semester and October 15 for the Spring Semester.

Important: Students who are requesting a re-enrollment in the same degree program after a short period of leave of absence must provide a letter of support from their Research Advisor in addition to the re-enrollment form indicated above.  If the former research advisor is no longer in service, they must find one prior to submitting their application.

It is important for students to note that our department is not obliged to readmit a student who has withdrawn for any reason.  Readmission is recommended at the judgment of the department, which assesses the strength of the student’s academic record in weighing its approval.  Although a student may have left having made satisfactory academic progress, the Department of Mechanical Engineering may weigh petitions for re-enrollment and readmission against the pool of new applicants for admission, who may be stronger candidates.

For tuition purposes, U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are not residents of California may be able to establish California residency to be effective in one year.  Please note that International students cannot become residents unless they become Permanent Residents or U.S.  Citizens.

To become a California resident for tuition purposes you must show that you have lived in California and established the intent to make California your permanent home for more than one (1) year before the first day of classes in the semester for which you seek resident status.  You must begin to document your presence in the state as soon as you arrive.  Be sure to:

• Obtain a driver’s license or a California Identification Card (if you have never had an out-of-state driver’s license) within ten (10) days of settling in California.  You must have a valid California operator’s license to drive a car, motorcycle or moped in the state.  You can obtain a license at any of the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices in nearby Oakland (5300 Claremont Ave.), (800)-777-0133, El Cerrito (6400 Manila Ave., (510) 235-9171.  If you have a driver’s license from another state you will be required to pass a written test of California vehicle laws, pass an eye exam and provide a certified copy of your birth certificate.  A driving test is required if you do not have a valid license from another state or if you plan to operate a motorcycle.  The DMV handbook is located at the following web site: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/pubs.htm.
• Register your vehicle in the state of California within 20 days of settling in California.  Vehicles are registered at the local DMV office.
• Open a local bank account as soon as possible and close all non-California bank accounts.  Retain official documents showing the opening and closing of your accounts.
• Register to vote and vote in California elections.  Voter registration forms are available from the Graduate Division and at voter registration tables on Sproul Plaza or any fire station, public library or DMV office.  The form is postage-paid – just fill it out and mail.  You should receive verification from the County Registrar within four weeks of submitting your application.  If you do not receive confirmation of your voter’s registration you should immediately contact your County’s Registrar of Voters.
• Use your California address as your permanent address.  Do not list your parents or any other out-of-state address as a permanent address on any University form or other legal documents.
• Remain in California when school is not in session.  Some travel allotted for purposes of research, fieldwork or a fellowship may not necessarily jeopardize your resident classification if the absence is part of a regular requirement for your degree program or fellowship.  Contact the Residence Affairs Unit for more information regarding any absences outside California.
• Financial independence is another factor considered when determining your eligibility for classification as a California resident for tuition purposes.  For fall classification, you are presumed by law to be financial independent if you are at least 24 years of age by December 31.  If you will not be 24 years of age by this date, then you must show that you are not claimed as an income tax deduction by your parents or any other individual for the next tax year.
• Financial independence is not a factor in determining residence for graduate students who are employed as Graduate Student Instructors or Graduate Student Researchers for a minimum of 49% time or awarded the equivalent in University-administered funds for the term in which resident classification is sought.
• Your physical presence in California must be demonstrated during nonacademic periods.  You should keep all dated material that proves your presence in the state, including airline tickets; paycheck stubs from work; credit card receipts; and bank and credit card statements showing ATM, credit card and debit card activity.  Students with joint accounts should consult with the Residence Affairs Unit.  The credit card receipts need not be signature copies.  The foregoing items are primary indicators of physical presence and will be weighted heavily in determining your status.  Items such as copies of lease agreements, rent or utility checks etc., are much lesser indicators of physical presence and are not acceptable alone.
• Your intent will be questioned if you are absent from California for more than 21 total days during the period in which you are establishing resident status for tuition purposes.  Graduate students who are planning to travel outside California for more than 21 total days during nonacademic periods should visit the Residency Affairs Unit at 120 Sproul Hall to seek advising prior to filing for classification and leaving the state.

Please Note: This summary is not a complete explanation of the law regarding California residence.  Changes may be made in the residence requirements between this publication date and the relevant residence determination date.

For more details regarding Residency, please click here.

Numerous programs provide ways you can cut the cost of graduate school.  Fellowships, loans, Graduate Student Instructorships, Research Assistantships, Readerships, and even subsidized housing and childcare each can help a great deal.  Some programs are merit-based and administered through the Graduate Division Fellowship Office.  Others are need-based and administered through the Financial Aid Office.  The academic departments also administer additional funding sources.  By tapping these and other resources you can plan a program of financial support.

If you are not a resident of California, you will need to know the current requirements on establishing legal residency.  While all out-of-state students are required to have three years of financial independence in California before being eligible to reclassify for lower registration fees.  In most cases graduate students can qualify for legal residency by their second year of graduate school, thereby significantly reducing their fees.

International students and students who are not US citizens or permanent residents cannot establish California residency and should expect to pay nonresident tuition each semester of their graduate study.  Doctoral candidates will be eligible for a NRT waiver for up to three (3) years after Advancement to Candidacy.

10.2.1 Graduate Student Instructor Appointments

GSIs are appointed to various courses based upon class enrollment. Appointments which are made at the 25%-50% time (10-20 hours per week) will pay your University Registration Fee, Educational Fee and Health Insurance Fee as well as provide a monthly stipend.

GSIs are responsible for various aspects of course instruction. GSIs hold regular office hours and may also be asked to proctor exams, make solution sets and grade homework problems. Larger classes have Readers who help the GSI with grading homework.

GSIs believe that being a teaching assistant is great preparation for the Qualifying Examination as both situations require good English skills and think accurately and spontaneously.

GSIs are paid automatically each month after their appoint has been submitted to the hiring unit.

For more information about applying to a GSI position, please see the GSI/Reader Information section.

10.2.2 Reader Appointments

Appointees to the Reader title are employed to render diverse services as course assistants, which will normally include the grading of student papers and examinations. Subject to assignment by the department, duties might also include attendance at lectures, office hours, consultation with the instructor, and other course-related duties. Readers may not perform teaching duties.

Readers are paid at an hourly rate and must turn in timecards each month to be paid. Time cards are usually due in the Financial Services Office, 6195 Etcheverry Hall by the 25th of each month to receive you paycheck on time the 15th of the following month.

For more information about applying to a Reader position, please see the GSI/Reader Information section.

10.2.3 GSI/Reader Appointment Paperwork

Hiring paperwork for those who have received official GSI/Reader position offers from the Vice-Chair of Instruction can be found under the GSI/Reader Forms section.