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Robotics Graduate Program Manual
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ROBOTICS GRADUATE PROGRAM MANUAL

robotics.umich.edu        Updated 1.21.26

1.  Introduction        4

2.  Admission        4

Change of Program        5

Dual Degree        6

3.  General Academic Policies        7

English Proficiency        7

Enrollment Status        7

Graduation        9

Honor Code        9

International Students        9

Funding        10

4.  Master’s Degree Requirements        11

Grades and GPA Requirement        11

MS Core Class (ROB 501 and ROB 550) Retake Policy        12

Master’s Degree Credit Distribution/Coursework        13

ROB 590 Directed Study        15

ROB 690 Master’s Advanced Research        16

Directed Study (ROB 590/690) Proposal Form        17

MS Degree Worksheet        17

Time Limit for Completing Master’s Degree        17

Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (SUGS)        19

Transfer of Credit        21

5. PhD Degree Requirements        22

Advisor/Co-Advisor        22

Relevant Master’s Degree        22

Embedded Master’s Degree        22

Cognate Course Requirement        22

PhD Degree Credit Distribution/Coursework        23

Grades and GPA Requirement        25

Course Equivalency        26

Annual Progress Report/Financial Support        26

Leave of Absence        27

Change of Advisor        27

Academic Probation        28

PhD Degree Timelines        30

Comprehensive Qualification Examination (CQE)        34

Advancing to Candidacy        37

Course Enrollment during Candidacy        39

Dissertation Committee Formation        39

Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE)        41

Final Oral Defense        42

6.  Student Handbooks and Internet Resources        43

1.  Introduction

Michigan Robotics offers Master’s and PhD degrees. Both programs are built on a common set of course requirements, with PhD students also completing research published in leading journals in the field of robotics. Introduction

The Michigan Robotics program consists of three main technical areas, which converge as students produce functioning robots:

Our students come to the field with a variety of backgrounds, particularly in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. They learn to work in teams to accomplish the many tasks necessary to build and operate an autonomous system, including mechanical design, electronics, programming and integrating all the parts. Students graduate the program as independent researchers and engineers, and many will go on to become leaders in robotics research, in academia, industry and government.

2.  Admission
 

Admission to the Robotics Graduate programs is through the Rackham Graduate School. Information regarding applying can be found on Rackham’s website.  

It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure the Robotics Graduate Program receives the completed application form and all additional required materials by the specified deadlines.  

 

An engineering background is recommended but not required for the Robotics Program, although we have found that the lack of an engineering background puts students at a disadvantage as they begin their graduate studies. In general, our Admissions Committee is most interested in undergraduate and graduate academic performance, research experience, letters of recommendation (with particular attention to letters coming from faculty in relevant fields) and the academic statement of purpose. 

PhD students admitted without a master’s degree may complete the master’s requirements as they progress through the PhD Program and earn an embedded master’s degree.

Application requirements and deadlines can be found on the Admissions page of our website.

Change of Program

Students seeking a change of program to the Robotics Department must submit the full Rackham application which will include the following:

Additional requirements:

Students do not need to submit GRE, TOEFL (if applicable) and transcripts.

Deadlines:

The Robotics Department admits Change of Program students for the Fall semesters only.


Dual Degree

The Robotics Department Graduate Program Committee will not admit dual degree applicants whose primary program offers a Robotics option (e.g. ECE and MECHENG).

Admission Requirements:

  1. Have completed ROB 501 and ROB 550 with at least a B+
  2. A minimum cumulative Rackham GPA of at least 3.5 is required in order to apply for a dual degree in Robotics.
  3. Upload the completed and signed Pre-Approval Form for Dual Admission in the online application. You must meet with your current program advisor or graduate coordinator to complete this form prior to submitting the application for dual admission.
  4. Complete and submit the Rackham Dual Admission application. The required $10 application fee is payable via Visa or MasterCard.

Deadlines:
The application deadline is January 15. Robotics only accepts applications for Fall term.

Current Robotics Students Applying to Other Programs

Current Robotics Students interested in applying to a dual degree in other programs should first meet with the program of interest to learn their requirements. After completing section A of the Pre-Approval Form for Dual Admission please submit the form to the Robotics Graduate Coordinator who will route the form to the Robotics Grad Chair (the Authorized Signer) for review.

3.  General Academic Policies

English Proficiency

 

Based on English language proficiency test scores (such as the TOEFL), some students will be encouraged by the Rackham Graduate School to take specific academic writing or speaking courses offered by the English Language Institute (ELI) to support their studies. The ELI courses are typically 1 to 3 credits, and will help students gain capability and confidence in English. Only some ELI courses may count as electives toward the Robotics MS and PhD degrees.

 

A student's English proficiency is also evaluated as the PhD student participates in the oral Comprehensive Qualifying Exam and Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE) . If the faculty considers the student to otherwise be qualified for the Robotics PhD program, it may be recommended that the student take English courses. Students with major deficiencies in English will be found Not Qualified for the Robotics PhD Program.

Enrollment Status

 

Full time enrollment is 8 credit hours. Full time for tuition starts at 9 credits (see below).

For GSI/GSRA, full time enrollment is 6 credit hours.

 

ELI courses do count towards enrollment status.

 

Visit/Audit of a class does not count towards enrollment status.

PhD students are required to register every Fall and Winter term unless on an approved Leave of Absence. More information on Rackham's registration requirements can be found in the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies..

Courses dropped after the 3rd week registration period will receive a “W” on transcript and cannot be removed from a student’s transcript. Term specific deadline dates are posted on the Registrar’s Office website.

Per the Rackham Academic Policies: “Some graduate programs, other University policies, or U.S. government agencies, such as the Veterans Administration and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, may require a student to be enrolled for a minimum number of credit hours to be considered a full-time student. International students must be enrolled full-time under requirements set by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and on

F-1 or J-1 visas should consult the International Center with any questions concerning enrollment, course registration, and visa status. International students who wish to be registered less than full-time must obtain permission in advance from the International Center or risk compromising their visa status.

 

Regarding tuition:

For 1-8 credits, a master’s and pre-candidate student’s account is charged an amount for each credit hour.

 

For 9+ credits, a master’s and pre-candidate student’s account is charged a single amount for all the credits.

To calculate tuition, visit the Tuition and Fees page of the U-M Registrar's Office. Select the appropriate Academic Year, School/College (College of Engineering), Full or Half Term, and Level of Study. The tuition amount for Robotics students is listed in the “Rackham Tuition” table.

Candidates are charged at the Candidacy tuition rate as they will register for 8 credit hours of 995 each Fall and Winter term (and Spring/Summer full term if defending and/or completing the doctoral degree requirements during Spring/Summer term).

Graduation

 

Graduation for the Master’s or PhD degree does not occur automatically. Students who have completed all degree requirements are required to apply for graduation in the term they finish their Robotics degree requirements. Failure to do so will result in prohibition from further enrollment.

The application deadline for graduation in the current semester is the last day of classes, not during the final exam period.

It is recommended that international students pay close attention to related deadlines such as for OPT and connect with the International Center for any additional questions or clarification.

Honor Code

 

All engineering programs at the U-M follow the College of Engineering Honor Code outlining certain standards of ethical conduct.  The Honor Council investigates reported violations of the Honor Code.

International Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 Students

The Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC) handles CPT for the College of Engineering.

 

Students interested in enrolling in CPT should go to the Student Services page of the Robotics website for Robotics Department procedures.

Credit for CPT (ENGR  998) may not be counted toward any ROB degree requirements.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students

Students interested in applying for OPT should go to the Student Services page of the Robotics website for Robotics Department procedures.

Visit the International Center’s website for details and updated application timelines.

Funding

Master’s funding

Students admitted to the Master’s program are expected to secure their own financial support. A student may fund their education through personal funds, loans, financial aid, or a combination of these options.

Regarding fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships: unfortunately, there are more Master’s students than opportunities. While a position might be available, you should expect to at least pay for all of your first year of study. While in your first year, you can look for financial support, but no guarantees can be provided.

Our website features a curated list of fellowship opportunities available to Robotics graduate students, submitted by U-M faculty and departments. We encourage regular review, as new opportunities are frequently added.

The University of Michigan establishes standard student budgets each year to help students plan how they will pay for their graduate program.

PhD funding

Students admitted to the PhD program will be offered a full funding package.

The offer usually entails five years of funding for students that enter the program after receiving a bachelor’s degree or four years of funding for students that come into the program with a master’s degree in a relevant area of study.

Financial support includes a stipend, tuition and registration fees, as well as health and dental benefits. Support is offered in the form of a fellowship, Graduate Student Research Assistantship (GSRA), or Graduate Student Instructorship (GSI).

Fellowships

Fellowships for which students are nominated by the department are available exclusively to students who are enrolled in the Robotics Department’s graduate programs. Students from other departments or programs are not eligible for departmental nomination to these fellowships.

Periodically, the department nominates students for a variety of fellowship opportunities. Students should regularly check emails from the Student Services Office, faculty, the College of Engineering, Rackham, and other university offices for announcements about fellowships, including nomination deadlines and application procedures.

Additional funding resources—including information about fellowships and graduate student appointments—can be found on the Funding for Graduate Students page of our website.

Also, our website features a curated list of fellowship opportunities available to Robotics graduate students, submitted by U-M faculty and departments. We encourage regular review, as new opportunities are frequently added.

Reduced Course Load (RCL) for F-1 Students

Students interested in applying for a RCL should go to the Student Services page of the Robotics website for Robotics Department procedures.

 

Please note that students are eligible for RCL only if they have not yet completed their degree requirements.  Due to Federal regulations, students must apply for their degree in the semester in which they complete their degree requirements.  If a student wants to remain in the country after completing their requirements, they must apply for OPT.

Visit the International Center’s website for details and updated application timelines.

4.  Master’s Degree Requirements

To receive a Robotics MS degree, a student must satisfy the Robotics Graduate Program requirements outlined below as well as the Rackham School of Graduate Studies General Master’s Degree Requirements as stated in the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies and the College of Engineering Regulations as specified in the College of Engineering Bulletin.

Grades and GPA Requirement

 

All grades are on the Rackham Graduate School scale:

 

A+  4.3           B+           3.3           C+           2.3           D+           1.3

A    4.0            B              3.0           C              2.0            D              1.0

A-   3.7           B-            2.7            C-            1.7            D-            0.7

 

Course grade must be B- or better for the credit hours to be counted toward any MS degree requirement.

 

The grade point average (GPA) must be at least 3.0, based on Rackham’s 4.0 scale.  A cumulative GPA below a 3.0 will cause the student to lose “satisfactory academic standing”. (The Academic Probation rules in this document apply to PhD students only. MS students follow Rackham's academic standing guidelines.)

 

A student must have a minimum cumulative Rackham GPA of 3.0 (B) to be granted a Robotics MS degree.

MS Core Class (ROB 501 and ROB 550) Retake Policy

MS Students must:

In order to support student success, students who earn a grade requiring them to retake a core class (ROB 501 or 550) will be required to follow the below procedures.

Master’s Degree Credit Distribution/Coursework

 

The Master’s degree requires a minimum of 30 graduate level credit hours with the following distribution:

 

The Robotics Master’s Degree requires a minimum of 30 graduate level credit hours with the following distribution:

The academic topics in ROB 501 and ROB 550 provide a critical foundation for the Robotics curriculum, and students are expected to complete these courses within their first two semesters, if they are offered. If either ROB 501 or ROB 550 is not available in the second semester but is offered in the third semester, students must enroll in the course during their third semester. Failure to do so means that, while future enrollment in ROB 501 and/or ROB 550 will be guaranteed, it may not occur in the desired semester, which could result in a delay in graduation.

Sample Schedule for a student taking ROB 502 Term 1:

Term 1: 7-10 credits*        

        Term 2: 7-10 credits*

        Term 3: 7-10 credits*

Term 4: If necessary: any remaining requirements

Sample Schedule for a student taking ROB 550 Term 1:

Term 1: 7-10 credits*        

        Term 2: 7-10 credits*

        Term 3: 7-10 credits*

Term 4: If necessary: any remaining requirements

Courses that do not count towards master’s degree requirements:

ROB 590 Directed Study

A minimum of 3 credits of ROB 590 is required to fulfill the Robotics MS degree requirements (only a maximum of 6 credits of 590 can count toward the MS degree). A student may register for anywhere from 1-6 credits of ROB 590 during any given term but only a total of 6 credits of ROB 590 may be taken to count toward the ROB MS degree. A ROB 590 directed study project is research supervised by a robotics faculty member (core or affiliate) and the directed study project requirements are up to each individual faculty advisor. You must have your research advisor’s permission (verbal or written) before beginning the ROB 590 or ROB 690 registration process..

The Directed Study (ROB 590/690) Proposal Form must be submitted by the 3rd week of classes.

ROB 590 will be graded S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory).

If seeking ROB 590 credit for MDP, approval is required from the grad committee: please email the Student Services Office (SSO). Please note if doing MDP, all 4 credits (this includes the 1 credit for ENGR 555) will count towards the maximum of 6 ROB 590 credits that can count toward the MS.

You can find ROB 590/690 opportunities by searching the Current Research Projects page, reaching out directly to faculty or PhD students for more information, or watching for emails from them advertising available projects.

ROB 690 Master’s Advanced Research

ROB 690 is faculty-supervised research that culminates in a submitted and graded document. The expectation is that the student will write and submit an original conference style paper based on their advanced research that builds on earlier research completed in three to six credits of ROB 590. Specific expectations are determined by the research advisor. ROB 690 will be letter graded (not S/U). The research advisor should email their approval for the student to register for ROB 690 to robotics-sso@umich.edu. After receiving this approval, the Student Services Office (SSO) will email the student with permission to enroll in the course.

The Directed Study (ROB 590/690) Proposal Form must be submitted by the 3rd week of classes.

Students must enroll in 6 credits of ROB 590 in order to take ROB 690. At least 3 credits of ROB 590 must be completed before enrolling in ROB 690.  However, students have the option to enroll in the remaining 3 credits concurrently with ROB 690. These 2 different registration options for ROB 690 are outlined below:

Option 1:

Term X: register for 3 credits of ROB 590

Term Y: register for 3 credits of ROB 590 AND 3 credits of ROB 690

Option 2:

Term X: 3 credits of ROB 590

Term Y: 3 credits of ROB 590

Term Z: 3 credits of ROB 690

Directed Study (ROB 590/690) Proposal Form

To ensure that the expectations of the 590/690 project are clearly defined and understood by both the student and the advisor the Directed Study (ROB 590/690) Proposal Form  was developed.

The Proposal Form should be submitted by the drop/add deadline of the term in which the student will be registered for ROB 590/690. This form must be completed by MS students and by PhD students at their advisor’s request.

Once the student submits the form it will be sent to the advisor and to the graduate chair for their records. The advisor will then communicate with the student directly to approve or modify the form.

We encourage both the student and the advisor to periodically revisit this agreement. It should be used by both the student and the research advisor to evaluate progress during the semester.


MS Degree Worksheet

The MS Degree Worksheet is a form that maps out which courses satisfy the specific degree requirements. By the end of January or September in the term in which they apply for graduation the student must submit the MS Degree Worksheet to the Student Services Office (SSO). Only the student’s signature is required. Failure to submit this Worksheet timely in the term of graduation will risk that student’s ability to graduate.  

Time Limit for Completing Master’s Degree

The timeline below illustrates a “sample” progression for a Master’s student completing our program in either three or four semesters. Please note that individual experiences may vary, and not all students will follow the same path. All requirements for the Master’s degree must be completed within five years of initial enrollment in the program. Students who need additional time must petition Rackham for an extension; otherwise, they may be withdrawn from the program. Note that students who have completed all degree requirements are required to apply for graduation in the term they finish their Robotics degree requirements. Failure to do so will result in prohibition from further enrollment.

Academic Term

Coursework

Research Activities

(3-6 credits of ROB 590 is required.)

Milestones

Year 1: Fall

8-9 credits

Search for a research advisor

≥3.0 GPA

Year 1: Winter

8-10 credits

Choose a research advisor for  independent study

≥3.0 GPA

 

Year 1: Sp/Su

 0-3 credits

Independent study or Internship

 ≥3.0 GPA

Year 2: Fall

8-11 credits

Independent study

≥3.0 GPA;

(Apply for graduation)

Year 2: Winter

3-6 credits

Independent study

≥3.0 GPA;

(Apply for graduation)

Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (SUGS)

The Robotics SUGS program makes it possible for admitted students to complete a combined Robotics Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering (BSE) and Master’s of Science (MS) in five years. Students admitted to the Robotics SUGS program have the opportunity to use 9-12 credits taken during their undergraduate degree towards their 30 credit graduate degree.

This leaves 18-21 credits required to complete their Masters, which can be accomplished in one year with two semesters of graduate coursework. SUGS students must complete a minimum of two full semesters (minimum of nine credit hours each term) at the graduate level and must begin their Master’s program immediately after completing their Bachelor’s degree. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Robotics SUGS program, a student must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

Application Timeline

Additional Details

Transfer of Credit

* If you are a student in the Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (SUGS) program, please follow the transfer of credit guidelines provided in the SUGS section above. Policies and limits for SUGS students differ from those outlined below for traditional MS students.

 

Students who want to transfer credits must follow the Rackham Transfer of Credit guidelines:  

 

To transfer credits:

 

Transfer credits must meet the following criteria:

Procedure:

5. PhD Degree Requirements

Advisor/Co-Advisor

A student admitted to the Robotics PhD program is expected to be matched to a faculty with an appointment (0% or greater) in the Robotics Department. Co-advisor arrangements are also acceptable, though at least one of the co-advisors must have an appointment (0% or greater) in the Robotics Department.

Relevant Master’s Degree

 

If a student entering the PhD Program already has a master’s degree, it may be determined at the time of admission that the master’s degree is considered relevant.

Embedded Master’s Degree

Students who enter the PhD Program without a master's degree in Robotics may decide to have a MS degree in Robotics conferred once they have completed the degree requirements. Students should inform the Robotics SSO that they would like the master's degree conferred. The Graduate Coordinator will request that the Registrar’s Office add the MS program to the student’s record. The student is then required to apply for graduation via the Wolverine Access system. The MS Degree Worksheet should be submitted to the Student Services Office (SSO).

Cognate Course Requirement

The Rackham Graduate School requires PhD students to complete 3 credits of cognate coursework. The cognate requirement must be fulfilled by taking either an elective course or a course from the Complete Course Listing with Sensing, Acting, or Reasoning listed under the Requirements column so long as it either has a non-ROB subject code (e.g. EECS 461) or has a ROB-subject code but is crosslisted with another department (e.g. EECS 542). A single course can count toward both the depth or breadth requirement and the cognate requirement (e.g. EECS 542 counting toward both sensing and cognate).

PhD Degree Credit Distribution/Coursework

The academic topics in ROB 501 and ROB 550 provide a critical foundation for the Robotics curriculum, and students are expected to complete these courses within their first two semesters, if they are offered. If ROB 501 and ROB 550 are not taken by the end of the second semester, you will be guaranteed a spot in either course in the future, but you may not be able to enroll in your preferred semester and this could delay your graduation.

1) Without a relevant Master’s degree, a student must complete a minimum of 36 graduate level credit hours with the following distribution:

 

*For Rackham students “a grade of “S” is considered to be a grade of “B” or better”. As a B+ is the required grade for a course to count toward the Robotics PhD requirements, courses graded “S/U”, with the exception of ROB 590 and courses currently in the Robotics Complete Course Listing, cannot count toward the degree requirements.

2) With a relevant Master’s degree, a student must complete a minimum of 18-23 graduate level credit hours with the the following distribution:

*For Rackham students “a grade of “S” is considered to be a grade of “B” or better”. As a B+ is the required grade for a course to count toward the Robotics PhD requirements, courses graded “S/U”, with the exception of ROB 590 and courses currently in the Robotics Complete Course Listing, cannot count toward the degree requirements.

Courses that do not count towards PhD degree requirements:

Grades and GPA Requirement

 

All grades are on the Rackham Graduate School scale:

 

A+  4.3           B+           3.3           C+           2.3           D+           1.3

A    4.0            B              3.0           C              2.0            D              1.0

A-   3.7           B-            2.7            C-            1.7            D-            0.7

 

A student must maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale, A=4.0) and must make a grade of B+ or higher in all courses counted toward the Robotics PhD degree.

A cumulative Rackham GPA below 3.5 at the end of each Winter semester will result in the Graduate Program Committee automatically initiating the probation process under Academic Probation Condition 1: Insufficient Research or Academic Progress.

PhD Core Class (ROB 501 and ROB 550) Retake Policy

To support student success, students who earn a grade requiring them to retake a core class (ROB 501 or 550) will be required to follow the below procedures:

Course Equivalency

If a student has taken a course elsewhere that is “substantially equivalent” to a Robotics course/requirement, it may not be necessary to retake the course/requirement. The student should consult with their academic and/or research advisor at the earliest opportunity to determine whether or not equivalency is appropriate.

 

For course equivalency consideration by the Graduate Program Chair, the student should email the course name and description, syllabus, rationale, and advisor approval to the Student Services Office (SSO).  

Annual Progress Report/Financial Support

 

Continued enrollment and guaranteed financial support is contingent upon satisfactory academic and research progress by the student.

 

Student evaluations are conducted annually at the end of  the Winter semester. The student and their research advisor(s) will complete and electronically sign the Annual Progress Report.  

This report will identify one of three possible outcomes:  

Submission of the annual report is mandatory. Failure to submit the Annual Progress Report may lead to a rating of ‘Unsatisfactory’. If the advisor records an ‘Unsatisfactory’ rating, the Graduate Program Committee will automatically begin the process of convening a probation committee under Academic Probation Condition 1: Insufficient Research or Academic Progress. If the advisor records a ‘Marginal’ rating, the Graduate Coordinator and Graduate Chair will reach out to both the advisor(s) and student to see how the Graduate Program can provide support.

 

Leave of Absence

Per section 2.2.2 of the Rackham Academic Policies “A leave of absence enables a doctoral student to not register during a fall or winter term and remain in compliance with the continuous enrollment requirement. A leave will be granted to students recovering from illness or injury, who are providing care or assistance for family and dependents, who are meeting military service obligations, or for other personal reasons.  Learn more about Rackham’s Leave of Absence policy here.


Change of Advisor

Students may change advisors for various reasons: as they refine their research interests, identify their advising needs, or recognize an incompatibility with their current advisor. In all situations, Robotics Department faculty are committed to assisting students through the transition. The Changing PhD Advisors in Robotics document first outlines the Robotics Department’s guiding principles concerning the advisor change process and then offers best practices to follow.

If a student leaves or loses an advisor before securing a replacement, the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) will automatically begin the process of convening a probation committee under Academic Probation Condition 2: Advisor Transition without Replacement. The student has the primary responsibility for finding a new advisor; however, the GPC will assist the student in this process. The new advisor must sign a funding commitment covering the remainder of the degree before probation can be lifted.

Before pursuing a Change of Advisor, it is advised that every effort is made to avoid this conclusion. This can include consulting with the Robotics Graduate Chair, Department Chair, Rackham, the C.A.R.E. Center, Student Ombuds, or other resources that are identified. To reiterate, the process of Change of Advisor includes Academic Probation, which can result in program dismissal.

Academic Probation

In accordance with Rackham’s Academic Policies, a PhD student may be placed on academic probation. Probation will be initiated for any Robotics PhD student who falls under any of the following four (4) conditions:

1. Insufficient Research or Academic Progress

2. Advisor Transition Without Replacement

3. Delay in Taking or Passing the CQE

4. Delay in Taking or Passing the DPE

The probation period will last for one  term and will be overseen by the Graduate Program Committee. Throughout this probation period, the student’s current advisor is responsible for providing full financial support—including tuition (if applicable), stipend, and health insurance. Failure to satisfy the terms of probation within the fixed probation window could lead to the termination of the guarantee of financial support and to the student’s dismissal from the PhD program.

If a student is placed on probation due to insufficient or unsatisfactory research progress and chooses to leave their advisor mid-semester without having identified a new advisor, they must secure a new advisor by the end of the semester in which they were placed on probation.

Rackham’s Academic Policies state that a student who has been placed on probation may request a leave of absence from Rackham or withdraw. The leave or withdrawal will stop the clock on the probationary period, which resumes when the student returns to active status or is reinstated. Probation will remain in effect until the conditions are remedied or the student is dismissed.

* Beginning with the Fall 2026 cohort

Probation Procedure

Should any of the four outlined conditions be fulfilled, the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) will be convened to deliberate and vote on whether the student should be placed on probation given the criteria above. The GPC operates under a democratic system in which decisions are made by majority vote. Below is a generalized procedural flowchart outlining the probation process.

*Opportunities for Appeal

Students may appeal the Academic Probation or Dismissal decision. In this case, the Graduate Chair will form a new committee with three faculty members, none of which are members of the original Academic Probation Committee. This committee will either confirm or overturn the Dismissal decision by a majority vote. Students may use the Graduate School’s Academic Dispute Resolution process only for procedural issues of fair and equal treatment under the policy of the program, and not to appeal the academic reasons for the decision. The Michigan Engineering C.A.R.E. Center is available to assist Michigan Engineering students with personal, academic, or a combination of these matters pertaining to their experience within the University.

PhD Degree Timelines

The Rackham Graduate School allows up to 7 years from the first term of enrollment. Students who do not complete the PhD degree in 7 years must submit a petition to Rackham requesting an extension. Though Rackham policy allows for 7 years, the Robotics Department expects the majority of students to complete the PhD degree in no more than five years. Financial support is guaranteed for 5 years (or 4 years for students entering with a relevant master’s). Students who take longer than four (4) years (if entering with a relevant master’s) or five (5) years (if entering without a relevant master’s) to complete the PhD degree may lose departmental financial support. Funding beyond this point must be worked out between the student and advisor. Students must complete any remaining credits after achieving Candidacy and prior to their DPE.

Below is the suggested  timeline for PhD students entering without a relevant master’s degree. This timeline is based on 5 years of guaranteed funding. This is the calendar we encourage you to use; however, your advisor may prefer a different option, provided it complies with the requirements set forth in the probation section.  We encourage you to speak with them throughout your time in the program to figure out the optimal timeline for
you.

Academic Term

Coursework

Research Activities

Milestones

Year 1: Fall

(Term 1)

2-3 courses

Directed research (ROB 590)

Departmental and area research seminars,

Faculty/student research meetings

>3.5 GPA

Year 1: Winter

(Term 2)

2-3 courses

Directed research (ROB 590)

 

Departmental and area research seminars,

Faculty/student research meetings

>3.5 GPA

Identify a topic for CQE research project.

Begin preliminary readings and a preliminary problem statement

Year 1: Sp/Su

 Research

   Research

Obtain research results

Year 2: Fall

(Term 3)

2-3 courses

Directed research (ROB 990)

Faculty/student research meetings in area of interest, directed research with research advisor

 Prepare for CQE

>3.5 GPA

Write research paper

Take and pass CQE

Year 2: Winter

(Term 4)

up to 2 remaining required courses

Directed research (ROB 990)

 Continue research

Prepare for CQE

>3.5 GPA

Advance to candidacy (after taking and passing CQE).

Begin research for DPE

Year 2: Sp/Su

Research

 Research

Continue research for DPE

Year 3: Fall

(Term 5)

ROB 995*

Research with research advisor, faculty/student research meetings in other areas of interest

>3.5 GPA

Continue research for DPE

Year 3: Winter

(Term 6)

ROB 995*

Research with research advisor, faculty/student research meetings in other areas of interest

>3.5 GPA

Problem formulation, preliminary readings and derivations for DPE.

Year 3: Sp/Su

Research

 Research

Research

Year 4: Fall

(Term 7)

ROB 995*

Research

>3.5 GPA

Problem statement, refinement, form dissertation committee, take and pass DPE

Year 4: Winter

(Term 8)

ROB 995*

Research

>3.5 GPA

Update dissertation committee on research progress

Year 4: Sp/Su

Research

 Research

Research

Year 5: Fall

(Term 9)

ROB 995*

Research

>3.5 GPA

Update dissertation committee on research progress

Year 5: Winter

(Term 10)

ROB 995*

 

Research

>3.5 GPA

Final Oral Defense

Complete any dissertation revisions & graduate with PhD

*Refer to Course Enrollment during Candidacy for policy

Below is the suggested timeline for PhD students entering with a relevant master’s degree. This timeline is based on 4 years of guaranteed funding.This is the calendar we encourage you to use; however, your advisor may prefer a different option, provided it complies with the requirements set forth in the probation section  We encourage you to speak with them throughout your time in the program to figure out the optimal timeline for you.

Academic Term

Coursework

Research Activities

Milestones

Year 1: Fall

(Term 1)

2-3 courses

Directed research (ROB 590)

Departmental and area research seminars,

Faculty/student research meetings

>3.5 GPA

Identify a topic for CQE research project.

Begin preliminary readings and a preliminary problem statement

Year 1: Winter

(Term 2)

2-3 courses

Directed research (ROB 590)

 

Faculty/student research meetings in area of interest, directed research with research advisor

>3.5 GPA

Write research paper

Take and pass CQE

Year 1: Sp/Su

 Research

   Research

Begin research for DPE

Year 2: Fall

(Term 3)

2-3 courses

Directed research (ROB 990)

 Continue research

Prepare for CQE

>3.5 GPA

Advance to candidacy..

Continue research for DPE

Year 2: Winter

(Term 4)

ROB 995*

Research with research advisor, faculty/student research meetings in other areas of interest

>3.5 GPA

Continue research for DPE

Year 2: Sp/Su

 Research

 Research

Problem formulation, preliminary readings and derivations for DPE

Year 3: Fall

(Term 5)

ROB 995*

Research with research advisor, faculty/student research meetings in other areas of interest

>3.5 GPA

Problem statement, refinement, form dissertation committee, take and pass DPE

Year 3: Winter

(Term 6)

ROB 995*

Research

>3.5 GPA

Update dissertation committee on research progress

Year 3: Sp/Su

Research

 Research

Research

Year 4: Fall

(Term 7)

ROB 995*

Research

>3.5 GPA

Update dissertation committee on research progress

Year 4: Winter

(Term 8)

ROB 995*

Research

>3.5 GPA

Final Oral Defense

Complete any dissertation revisions & graduate with PhD

*Refer to Course Enrollment during Candidacy for policy

Comprehensive Qualification Examination (CQE)

 

A major milestone for PhD students is to pass the Comprehensive Qualifying Exam (CQE). Passing the CQE, along with required coursework completion and all 4 RCRS Workshops, advances the student to PhD candidate status. A PhD student is considered to have adequate performance in coursework if their cumulative grade-point average is 3.5 or above.  

If a student fails to take and pass the CQE by the end of Semester 4 (without relevant MS) or Semester 3 (with relevant MS) the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) will automatically begin the process of convening a probation committee under Academic Probation Condition 3: Delay in Taking or Passing the CQE. Each student is eligible for a maximum of one (1) CQE retake if needed. The qualifying exam is offered twice per year, once in December and once in May. Instructions specific to that semester’s CQE will be sent in September and January.

To qualify to take the CQE a student must have completed Rackham’s Residency Requirement: 18 credit hours (CTPs) of non- 990, non-visit, graded (including courses for which a student receives a “S” Satisfactory) graduate coursework registered as a Rackham student. For Robotics this includes ROB 501, ROB 550, 3-6 credits of ROB 590 and 2 courses from the sensing/acting/reasoning lists (e.g. taking one course from acting and one course from reasoning would fulfill the 2 course requirement), and the cognate course requirement. Any remaining credits required to reach the 18-credit total can be fulfilled through electives.

A student automatically qualifies to take the CQE if they received a grade of A- or better in both ROB 501 and ROB 550. A grade of B+ in either ROB 501 or ROB 550 is considered a borderline case and the student must request permission to take the CQE by identifying their core weaknesses and a plan (approved by advisor) to address them (e.g. by taking an independent study or related class, or retaking core class). This proposal will be considered by the Graduate Program Committee. If the student receives a grade below B+ in ROB 501 or ROB 550 they need to retake the course(s). Only one retake per class is allowed. Should a student not receive at least a B+ upon retaking ROB 501 and/or ROB 550 the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) will automatically begin the process of convening a probation committee under Academic Probation Condition 1: Insufficient Research or Academic Progress.

Students may take the Comprehensive Qualifying Exam (CQE) only after receiving approval from their advisor(s), who must confirm this by emailing the Student Services Office (SSO). Advancement to candidacy also requires advisor permission, provided the student has completed all other requirements for candidacy.

The CQE is an oral exam in which the student is examined by at least two faculty/lecturers from the robotics program. Neither examiner will be the student’s advisor or co-advisor. The examiners will be assigned approximately 1 week before the exam period begins. The exam will be scheduled for a 1.5 hour window, structured as a 30 minute presentation with up to 60 minutes of question and answer. Examiners will take turns asking questions and are at liberty to ask questions before, during, and after the presentation.

There are five primary objectives of the CQE: 1) Assess depth of knowledge in the area of research specialization and the ability to relate this to research, (2) Assess ability to propose an interesting and relevant problem for PhD research, (3) Test ingenuity, creativity, and problem-solving skills, (4) Assess written and oral communication skills and the ability to respond to questions, and (5) Assess technical understanding of core course concepts, especially those related to the research area.

The paper you submit for the Comprehensive Qualifying Exam must reflect your role as the first or co-first author. Ensure that both the submitted paper and your presentation topic are based on work where you have significantly contributed as a lead researcher. If this is not the case, consider refining your scope. The paper does not need to have been submitted to a conference, it should clearly demonstrate your leadership in the research it presents. This is a qualifying exam, so each student must demonstrate individual research contributions to pass.

 

Grading:

Students are evaluated on a scale ranging from Disagree to Agree (0-4 point scale) in each of the following areas as described here:

  1. Synthesis of Course Material in Research Problem Context: The student is able to connect his/her research problem to robotics core class concepts and undergrad material from engineering, math, physics, chemistry, biology, etc.

  1. Input to Research Project: Student has read and understands the state of the art, has identified a need for original knowledge development, and understands what technical subjects need to be learned.

  1. Research Conduct and Methodology: The student has presented a valid research objective, can apply a rigorous research process, and can draw appropriate inferences from analysis or data collection. The student shows indications of appropriate problem solving and technical skills applicable to the research problem presented. The work must clearly be that of the student and not the work of others from the research group.

  1. Research Outcomes: The student is able to draw conclusions from the work where appropriate; the student understands the limitations of what s/he has done so far; and the student provides evidence of being able to think about the next steps that should be taken (independent of where the student is in the research process).

  1. Written and oral communication: Content, clarity, ability to answer questions: Student is an effective oral and written communicator of research concepts.

A pass is >14. The final outcome of the CQE for each student will be determined by the following process:  For CQE scoresheets in which either examiner rated the examination with 14 or fewer points, the Graduate Chair will convene a CQE Outcome Committee of both examiners, the advisor(s), and the Graduate Chair. A vote will be taken by the CQE Outcome Committee.  For CQE scoresheets in which both examiners rated the examination with a 15 or above, an automatic pass will be granted.  At a meeting of the full faculty, the results of all examinations will be reviewed and approval sought for the process administered by the Graduate Program Chair.

Communication of Results:
The result of the CQE is communicated by the Graduate Chair to the student through an individual email the day the final decision is made, typically the day after the exam period ends. Students will receive copies of the score sheets submitted by each examiner, though private feedback to the advisor(s) and Grad Program will be redacted.  If the student passes the CQE and has completed all other requirements to Advance to Candidacy, the student’s advisor(s) must inform the Student Services Office (SSO) that they approve of the student advancing to candidacy. The SSO will work with Rackham to have the student advanced.

 

Retaking the CQE:
A student who fails the CQE on the first try must obtain approval from their advisor(s) to retake the exam and must then email the Graduate Chair and the Student Services Office (SSO)  with this confirmation. Only one exam retake is permitted. This exam retake must be completed no later than the next offering of the exam, typically the term after the first exam attempt. A student who does not pass the CQE on their second attempt will be automatically discontinued from the Robotics PhD program.

Advancing to Candidacy         

 

Requirements:

 

1) Complete the 18 credit letter-graded graduate level course requirement as outlined in the requirements to take the CQE.

2) Pass the Comprehensive Qualifying Exam(CQE).

3) Satisfy all Rackham candidacy requirements. Refer to the Cognate Course Requirement for Robotics for details on our program requirements..

4) Complete the College of Engineering’s Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship (RCRS) program. This program consists of 4 distinct workshops, all 4 of which must be completed. For further information and to register for workshops see the CoE RCRS website. In addition to the Rackham required RCRS workshops, the UM Office of Research (UMOR) requires that the online PEERRS RCRS module be taken every 3 years. See the Research Ethics & Compliance website for more details. Registration for these workshops fill up quickly as they are in-person. It is recommended that students are diligent in ensuring their timely registration.

Advancement to candidacy is not automatic. Once a student has completed all Robotics and Rackham requirements and passed the CQE, their advisor(s) must email the Student Services Office (SSO) to approve the student’s advancement. After receiving this approval, the Graduate Coordinator will submit the Recommendation for Candidacy form to Rackham.

Course Enrollment during Candidacy

 

Once a student has attained Candidacy status, they will enroll in 8 credits of ROB 995 each term. Tuition reduces to the Candidacy rate. For the current Candidacy tuition rate visit the Tuition and Fees page of the U-M Registrar’s Office. Select the appropriate Academic Year, School/College (College of Engineering), Full or Half Term, and Level of Study. The tuition amount for Robotics students is listed in the “Rackham Tuition” table.

 

In addition to ROB 995, Candidates may elect either one course per term or more than one course for a total of no more than four credits without paying additional tuition beyond candidacy tuition. Courses may be taken for credit or as a visit (audit). A candidate who does not elect a course during a term of 995 enrollment may, in the next term, either register for courses for no more than 8 credits or register for no more than two courses that total more than 8 credits. An additional course may not be taken in anticipation of taking none in a future term of 995 enrollment. Candidates who choose to take more courses than those for which they are eligible will be assessed additional tuition per credit hour. Candidates must receive approval from their advisor(s) to take any additional course(s) that might result in additional tuition charges. For more information please see the Rackham Academic Policies.

 

It is the student's responsibility to cover the tuition costs for any unapproved courses taken in addition to the free course described above, even if the student is being funded through a fellowship, GSI or GSRA position.

Dissertation Committee Formation

At least one month before the Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE) , the student must have their Dissertation Committee approved by both the Robotics Grad Chair and Rackham.

Once you have confirmed that your proposed committee meets the Robotics Department’s Dissertation Committee formation requirements (see details below), please email the completed Dissertation Committee Form to the Student Services Office (SSO). If you are including a committee member who does not meet Rackham’s guidelines, you must also submit the required supporting documentation along with your form. For further details, please refer to Rackham's Guidelines for Dissertation Committee Service .

In collaboration with the Dissertation Chair(s), the student forms a Dissertation Committee following specific guidelines regarding the composition of the Committee.  A Robotics PhD student’s dissertation committee first must satisfy Rackham’s Guidelines for Dissertation Committees.

Robotics Department Dissertation Committee formation rules:

  1. The committee must consist of four or more members; at least two of the members must be affiliated with the Robotics program.
  2. The Research Advisor will serve as Chair of the dissertation committee. The research advisor must be a Core Member of the Robotics Faculty. It is customary for the co-advisor (if applicable) to serve on the dissertation committee.
  3. One of the Committee members must be designated as the "cognate member." Cognate members must be a tenured-track faculty in a Rackham graduate program and be primarily engaged in a research area outside of the candidate’s. The cognate member may or may not be a member of the Robotics faculty, however; per Rackham's guidelines, the cognate member must hold at least a .50 appointment in a Rackham doctoral program, other than the student’s home department/program.
  4. Submit the dissertation committee form to the Student Services Office (SSO). SSO staff will review the form with the Graduate Program Chair, obtain their signature, and submit to Rackham.

Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE)

 

After passing the Comprehensive Qualifying Exam , a student continues to work with their Research Advisor who becomes the Dissertation Committee Chair(s). The student will write a concise Research Thesis Proposal and give a formal oral presentation of the work to the Dissertation Committee approximately 1 year before the Final Oral Defense. The Dissertation Chair(s) primary role is to guide the student toward completion of the PhD and assists the student with forming their Dissertation Committee.

When the student is ready to complete the DPE , the student must complete the following:

  1. Schedule an oral presentation with the Dissertation Committee.
  2. Submit the written thesis proposal to the Dissertation Committee at least two weeks in advance of the oral presentation. The format (length and content) of the written document is up to the discretion of the candidate’s Chair/Committee.

 

During the DPE the student should:

 

  1. Precisely identify and describe the area of research.
  2. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the area including mastery of the literature on the subject area.
  3. Give a general description of the research problem to be addressed.
  4. Provide an outline of the methodology to be utilized.

 

During and after the DPE , the Dissertation Committee will explore the proposed research with the student in order to provide guidance and make an evaluation of its suitability. The committee will determine if the student has or does not have an acceptable proposal.

The Dissertation Proposal Exam (DPE) Form must be completed and returned to the Graduate Coordinator after the DPE. Failure to have an acceptable DPE requires revising the proposal and within 12 months presenting another DPE that is deemed satisfactory by the committee. If the student fails to complete the DPE by this deadline the Graduate Program Committee will automatically begin the process of convening a probation committee under Academic Probation Condition 4: Delay in Taking and Passing the DPE.

Final Oral Defense

 

Each PhD Candidate must prepare a dissertation, giving evidence of their ability to conduct original, advanced research and to present the results of that research in well-written form. The student must also defend the work orally in an open examination called the Final Oral Defense. A final and complete copy of the written dissertation must be given to each member of the Dissertation Committee at least 10 business days before the scheduled date of the Final Oral Defense to allow sufficient time for a written evaluation. The Final Oral Defense will only be held if the committee deems the dissertation acceptable. Once all members of the Dissertation Committee find the dissertation acceptable, the Final Oral Defense is held.

It is very important to follow all of Rackham’s Doctoral Degree Requirements which include a pre-defense review and post-defense submission.

The student must be enrolled in 8 credit hours of ROB 995 the semester they complete the Final Oral Defense and Rackham’s Doctoral Degree Requirements (even if the Final Oral Defense occurs during Spring/Summer term).

Rackham’s Grace Period deadline enables a student to complete the doctoral degree requirements by an extended deadline without needing to register for the new semester.

It is important to closely review Rackham’s Doctoral Degree Deadlines which are based on the intended final term of enrollment.

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