University of North Texas 
Graduate Advisors
Current students should consult with their Major Professor or the individual faculty representative in the Graduate Program Committee for advice on any academic or career-related question.
Curriculum and Academic Resources
Degree Plans
All undergraduate students should contact their ME engineering advisor for assistance in building their own unique degree plan. Advisors can ensure that each student receives detailed information regarding requirements and expectations for their respective degree and education path. Students can discuss their degree plan with a ME engineering advisor.
Degree / Major Change
If you are an graduate student and need to change your degree/major/major professor, you will need to contact the graduate advisor.
Advising Resources
As a graduate student, there are a multitude of tools to aid in your academic graduate journey. As you move through your career, you will repeatedly utilize the resources found here.
- College of Engineering Graduate Advising
- UNT Graduate Support Services
- Writing Resources
- Thesis & Dissertation Boot Camp
- External Grants & Fellowships
- ME Graduate Handbook (pdf)
- UNT Catalog (select graduate catalog in the dropdown menu at top-right)
Grades & Academic Policy
Please read over the sections on UNT policies. If you have any questions on these you can give us a call at (940) 565-2400 or send an email to us at mechanical@unt.edu
Grade Appeal
Understanding the academic organizational structure and appropriate Chain of Command is important when resolving class-related issues. When you need problems resolved, you must start with your individual faculty member who will then help you navigate the Chain of Command.
(see UNT Policy 06.040 Grade Appeals)
Appropriate Grounds for Appeal
Grades are subject to appeal only when the student believes that the grade was awarded in an inequitable, arbitrary, or erroneous manner. Appropriate grounds for appeal include circumstances where the grade was assigned based on: (see UNT Policy 06.040 Grade Appeals)
a. inequitable treatment that is the result of departure from the instructor's stated standards, and course policies; or
b. a decision based on an error in fact.
If the student believes that the grade was assigned inappropriately due to discrimination or harassment, the case must first be resolved through procedures for such complaints (see UNT Policy 16.004, Prohibition of Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation) Changes in a grade due to violations of academic integrity cannot be appealed through this process.
Disability Accommodation
QUALIFIED STUDENTS UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OR SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973
The College of Engineering cooperates with the Office of Disability Accommodation to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. If you have a disability for which you will require accommodation, please present your written accommodation request by the end of the first week and make an appointment with the instructor to discuss your needs.
Academic Dishonesty
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the University's status as an institution of higher education. In the class setting, students shall follow their instructors' directions and observe all academic standards and requirements published in course syllabi and other course materials. A student is responsible for responding to an academic dishonesty report issued by an instructor or other University authority. If a student fails to respond after a proper attempt at notification, The University may take appropriate academic actions in the absence of the student. (See UNT Policy Student Standards of Academic Integrity)
Cheating
The use of unauthorized assistance in an academic exercise, including but not limited
to the use of any unauthorized assistance to take exams, tests, quizzes or other assessments.
Dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing
papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments. Acquisition,
without permission, of tests, notes or other academic materials belonging to a faculty
or staff member of the University. Dual submission of a paper or project, or re-submission
of a paper or project to a different class without express permission from the instructor.
Any other act designed to give a student an unfair advantage on an academic assignment.
Plagiarism
Use of another's thoughts or words without proper attribution in any academic exercise,
regardless of the student's intent, including but not limited to: the knowing or negligent
use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another
person without full and clear acknowledgment or citation. The knowing or negligent
unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or by an agency engaged
in selling term papers or other academic materials.
Forgery
Altering a score, grade or official academic university record or forging the signature
of an instructor or other student.
Fabrication
Falsifying or inventing any information, data or research as part of an academic exercise.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty
Helping or assisting another in the commission of academic dishonesty.
Sabotage
Acting to prevent others from completing their work or willfully disrupting the academic
work of others.
Available Academic Penalties
The following academic penalties may be assessed at the instructor's discretion upon
determination that academic dishonesty has occurred. Admonitions and educational assignments
are not appealable.
- Admonition
The student may be issued a verbal or written warning. - Assignment of Educational Coursework
The student may be required to perform additional coursework not required of other students in the specific course. - Partial or no credit for an assignment or assessment
The instructor may award partial or no credit for the assignment or assessment on which the student engaged in academic dishonesty, to be calculated into the final course grade. - Course Failure
The instructor may assign a failing grade for the course. Should the procedure for appeal of a case of academic dishonesty extend beyond the date when the instructor submits course grades for the semester, the student will be assigned a grade that reflects the penalty, which shall be adjusted, as appropriate, at the conclusion of any appeal process.
Available Misconduct Sanctions
- Probation extending for up to two long semesters
- Suspension for up to one year
- Expulsion from the University
- Revocation of degree
Graduation
As your final year approaches be sure to check these resources to help you prepare for Graduation.
- Graduation Information & Deadlines
- Masters & PhD Defense Instructions (pdf)
- Order Cap & Gown
- Commencement Procedures
M.S. Advising
M.S. students that choose the thesis option are expected to join a research group no later than the end of their first semester in the program.. (TA/RA recipients are required to choose the thesis option.) Non-thesis students are also encouraged to find their research advisors no later than the end of their first semester in the program.
All M.S. students need to prepare a degree plan based on the department's degree requirements and seek approval from the department and the college no later than the end of their second semester in the program.
Ph.D. Advising
A student in the Ph.D. program will have an advisor from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. A student's graduate program will be constructed with the advice and consent of the advisor.
Ph.D. students must join a research group no later than the end of their first semester in the program, regardless of the source of funding.
Ph.D. students must also prepare a degree plan and seek approval from the department and the college no later than the end of their second semester in the program.
Ph.D. Thesis Committee
For information about the structure of the Ph.D. Thesis Committee, please contact the Graduate Advisor.