Coursework Requirements

The graduate school does not impose coursework requirements for a PhD (see: https://gradschool.cornell.edu/academic-progress/requirements/enrolling-in-courses/).

The MAE fields impose require PhD students to register for the department colloquium (MAE 7999) at least twice. (see, e.g., ME field rules here). In addition, all MS and PhD students in MAE are required to register for the first semester seminar (MAE 6949).

Your Special Committee will presumably impose a number of course requirements chosen to equip you to effectively complete your research. Minor committee members may also, if they choose, specify course requirements to satisfy their expectations for study in those minor areas of study.

It is expected that in your first semester, prior to matching with your primary advisor, you will take courses that will help you prepare for your Q exam. The various Q exam guidelines list relevant courses, and you may solicit additional suggestions from your DGS and field faculty.

Enrollment

You must be enrolled each semester until you finish your degree or withdraw from the program.  More information on enrollment is available from the graduate school here: https://gradschool.cornell.edu/academic-progress/requirements/enrollment-in-your-program/

You must also enroll for the summer term if, during the summer, you will receive financial aid, fellowships, loans, assistantships, travel grants, or tuition awards (even if not on campus), or if you use any campus facilities over the summer.  To enroll for summer terms, enroll in the Graduate School’s Graduate Summer Research course, GRAD 9016 (class numbers 1047, 1048, 1049, 1050), through Student Center. Enroll in only one of the class numbers; if it is full, go to the next number. You will not be automatically enrolled by the Graduate School.  Enrollment typically opens in mid-April, and the deadline to enroll for the summer term has historically been around May 20.

Many MAE students do summer internships. If you are on a summer internship (and not planning on coming on campus), you should not enroll for the summer term.  You should discuss all internships with your advisor before committing to them.