Students must form their dissertation committee within one semester of passing the preliminary exam. Each dissertation committee must consist of at least four individuals:
- Student's major professor
- A Mechanical Engineering faculty member in student's major area
- A Mechanical Engineering faculty member from outside student's major area
- A tenured university faculty member from outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
All four primary committee members must be tenure-track faculty, with Graduate Faculty Status (GFS), holding the rank of Professor, Associate Professor or Assistant Professor. Assistant professors are not eligible to serve as the Outside University Representative. Research scholars/scientists, adjunct professors and faculty from outside the university may not serve as primary members of your dissertation committee. However, they may serve as additional members with the approval of the Department Chair and the Graduate Faculty. No committee member may serve more than one role on the committee.
Committee Forms
Non-University Committee Members
Non-University faculty may serve on your dissertation committee but they must have a courtesy appointment with the university prior to serving on the committee. To complete the courtesy appointment the prospective committee member must submit the following items to the Department:
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Copy of their Social Security Card
- Employment Application (FAMU | FSU)
Once the courtesy appointment has been approved the Department will request Co-Doctoral Directive Status (CDDS) for prospective committee members. The approval process involves several different university offices (Dean's Office, Graduate Studies, Dean of Faculties, etc.) and can take up to 3-4 weeks to process so please plan accordingly.