The Ph.D. degree provides an opportunity for students to pursue a program of research in a specialized area and to develop a dissertation that embodies the results of original research and gives evidence of high scholarship. The procedures for satisfying the requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering at UCR will consist of four (4) principal parts, each of which is discussed in greater detail in subsequent sections, Successful completion of an approved program of course work<br>Passing of a written and oral preliminary examination<br>Oral defense of a dissertation proposal written and submitted by the candidate<br>Defense and approval of the dissertation<br>The first two requirements are administered by the Graduate Examination Committee. The third requirement will be overseen by the Ph.D. Qualifying Committee and the fourth requirement is supervised by the student's Ph.D. Dissertation Committee. In addition to these requirements, students must meet the minimum residency requirement of six quarters in the University of California, three of which must be spent in continuous residence at UCR. A student must maintain continuous registration until all degree requirements have been fulfilled. If such registration is not possible, the student must secure an approved leave of absence from the department and the Graduate Division.