Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering - Nanotechnology

The program information below was valid for the winter 2022 term (January 1, 2022 - April 30, 2022). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Collaborative
  • Doctoral
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis

• Minimum requirements 
  • A thesis-based Master's degree from a university of recognized standing with a minimum 80% standing with demonstrated research capabilities.
  • In order to be admitted to PhD candidacy, applicants must have demonstrated research capabilities. For this reason, should graduates with a Master's degree obtained without producing a research thesis desire to enter the PhD program, they must satisfy the Department that they are able to carry out independent research.
• Application materials 
  • Résumé
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    at least 2 academic

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Candidates must successfully complete NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 nanotechnology core course, and at least 1 more graduate course (0.50 unit weight) with an overall average of 70% (no more than 1 of the courses used for credit towards the PhD degree may be taught by the candidate's supervisor). The actual program is decided by the student and the supervisor(s), subject to the approval of the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.
• Students who are admitted with an appropriate honours bachelor’s degree or who transfer directly from a master’s program to the PhD program must complete a total of at least 7 courses (0.50 unit weight) including NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 nanotechnology core course and 5 elective courses.
• Nanotechnology  core courses:
  • NANO 601 Characterization of Nanomaterials
  • NANO 602 Structure and Spectroscopy of Nanoscale Materials
  • NANO 603 Nanocomposites
  • NANO 604 Nanomechanics and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
  • NANO 605/SYDE 683 Design of MEMS & NEMS
  • NANO 606/SYDE 682 Advanced MicroElectroMechanical Systems: Physics, Design & Fabrication
• Core courses are designed to provide the base knowledge and skill set required to prepare students for more specialized courses and to conduct interdisciplinary nanoscale research.
• Students who have completed their Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) or MASc degree in Nanotechnology Engineering at the University of Waterloo can not take NANO 600. Instead, they can choose 1 course from the list of nanotechnology core courses.

Link(s) to courses

• Mechanical Engineering (ME) courses
• Nanotechnology (NANO) courses

Graduate Safety Milestone

• The Graduate Safety Milestone must be completed by the end of the student's second registered term.

PhD Research Seminar

• This seminar is a forum for student presentation of research results or proposals. Invited speakers from academia and industry will also present results of research from time to time. The range of topics that will be addressed in the seminar crosses all areas of research in the collaborative program. Each student is required to present at least 1 research seminar. To receive credit, students are expected to attend at least 8 seminars other than their own before completing their program.

PhD Comprehensive Examination

• Students are required to meet the University-level PhD Comprehensive Examination minimum requirements outlined in the “Minimum requirements for the PhD degree” section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar (GSAC), with certain noted differences that are specific to the Faculty of Engineering Comprehensive Examination minimum requirements:
  • Comprehensive examination purpose: Consistent with University-level minimum requirements.
  • Timing: Students must follow the Faculty of Engineering completion timelines whereby students shall complete their comprehensive examination before the end of their 4th term or 6th term in cases where the student is admitted to the PhD program without a completed Master’s degree. 
  • Committee: Students must follow the Faculty of Engineering committee composition guidelines which differ from the University-level minimum requirements in both number of committee members and committee makeup.
  • Who Chairs an examination: Students must follow the Faculty of Engineering Chair guidelines whereby the Chair is normally selected from outside of the student’s home department.
  • Format / Content: Consistent with University-level minimum requirements but with additional information provided in the Faculty of Engineering Comprehensive Examination minimum requirements.
  • Academic integrity: Consistent with University-level minimum requirements.

• In addition to the University-level and Faculty-level PhD Comprehensive Examination minimum requirements, students in the PhD in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering - Nanotechnology program are also required to meet the following requirements:
  • The thesis topic is decided by the student and supervisor(s), in consultation with an Advisory Committee.
  • The Comprehensive Examination Committee, on the advice of the candidate's supervisor(s), should examine:
    • The adequacy of the course of study being undertaken.
    • The student's performance both in the coursework and in the research studies.
    • The proposal for research program as presented by the student.
    • The adequacy of the student's technical background in related areas of knowledge.
  • The main decision to be reached is whether the candidate should proceed with the proposed study or change the emphasis in the research work. Advice about taking additional graduate courses may also be given.

PhD Thesis

• This degree is awarded after candidates have satisfied the Examining Committee that their thesis is a substantial original contribution to knowledge and have also demonstrated a high degree of competence in areas of knowledge related to their specialization.
• Regulations governing the submission and examination of the PhD thesis are found in the Minimum Requirements for the PhD Degree section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.
• The Examining Committee consists of the supervisor(s) and four other members nominated by the supervisor(s) and is approved by the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee. One of the committee members is appointed from outside the University, another from outside the Department (often from Mathematics or Physics).