K.D. Shives is a pursuing a PhD in Microbiology at the University of Colorado. She can be found blogging about microbes on her site kdshives.com and on Twitter at @KDShives. The dreaded written ...

The Comprehensive Exam tests knowledge of graduate-level mathematics. The purpose is to ensure that each student has the necessary knowledge to conduct research in his or her area of concentration.

A mechanical engineering PhD degree requires depth of knowledge in the dissertation/research area, as well as breadth of knowledge across the mechanical engineering curriculum. Consequently, the ...