PhD

Mechanical Engineering

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 72.1 k / Year(s) Deadline: Dec 1, 2024
201–250 place StudyQA ranking:3012 Duration:

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The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers courses and provides facilities for three programs of graduate study and research, leading to the degrees of Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Arts. Within these programs much flexibility is permitted the individual student in organizing a program of study and research. Specific programs must, however, reflect the importance of underlying principles of the physical sciences and mathematical analysis to all phases of modern mechanical engineering. Within the department, specializations are available in Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Energy Conversion, Hydrogen Energy, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science, Solid Mechanics, Internal Combustion Engines, Robotics, Controls and Design. In addition, a specialization is available in the interdisciplinary field of Engineering Management. The interdisciplinary program is administered with the cooperation of the School of Business Administration. It is expected that each graduate student will indicate early in his/her graduate work, the particular area in which he/she intends to concentrate his/her efforts.

The program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy complies in full with the regulations of the Graduate School concerning admission, residence requirements, qualifying and final examinations and the dissertation.  There is no foreign language requirements.  All candidates for the Ph.D. degree are expected to complete an integrated program of studies in mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics and/or chemistry in preparation for the Comprehensive Qualifying Examination.  Such preparation normally requires two academic years after the Bachelor’s degree.  The candidate is also expected to demonstrate his/her competence in certain basic courses appropriate to modern mechanical engineering to the satisfaction of the department. One or two years beyond the Qualifying Examination will usually be found necessary for the completion of an acceptable dissertation, whereupon the student will be required to pass the Final Oral Defense of the Dissertation. The candidate may, if he/she so desires, pursue for his/her dissertation an investigation in connection with any of the research projects in progress in the Mechanical Engineering Department or, in the case of interdisciplinary programs, in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Science or the Medical School.

For students with a M.S. degree in Engineering:

  • Minimum 18 credits of course work + 12 credits of dissertation.

  • Expected duration of the program: 3 years.

For students with only a B.S. degree in Engineering:

  • Minimum 36 credits of course work + 12 credits (or more) of dissertation.

  • At least 12 credits must be at the 700 level.

  • Expected duration of the program is 4 years.

For Ph.D. students with a non-engineering degree:

  • Required credits and the expected duration of the program as specified in the assistantship offer letter.

In order to register for courses and/or dissertation in each semester, students are required to select the courses and/or dissertation credits by consulting their respective dissertation (research) advisors. They must also see the Graduate Advisor of the Department (Chair of the Department) for approval and signature.

Please note that the number of credits to be taken in various semesters is stated in each student’s Ph.D. assistantship offer letter.

For Dissertation Credits

  • Register as MAE 830 before passing both parts of the Qualifying Exam

  • Register as MAE 840 after becoming a PhD candidate (usually after PhD proposal is passed)

  • Register as MAE 850 Research in residence (after completing the required 12 credits of dissertation through MAE 830 and MAE 840).

Qualifying Exam

Ph.D. students are required to pass a 2-part Qualifying Exam.

Part 1 of the Qualifying Exam: 

It consists of a written examination (no oral exam). Each student is required to select three areas, including Methods of Analysis, out of the following six areas:

  • Methods of Analysis (Level of MAE 601) – compulsory for all students

  • Mechanics of Solids (Undergraduate level)

  • Fluid Mechanics (Undergraduate level)

  • Heat Transfer (Undergraduate level)

  • Materials (Undergraduate level)

  • Control and dynamics (Undergraduate level)

A list of topics in each course will be given to the student at least one month before the Exam. All three areas will be covered in one exam of 6-hour duration (2 hours for each of the three areas) with a 30-minute break. It is expected that each student passes Part 1 of Qualifying Exam within the first year. If a student fails in one or more areas, a second chance may be given (within 3 months of the first exam).

Part 2 of the Qualifying Exam: 

It consists of an oral exam before the student’s Dissertation Committee.

  • The student presents a research proposal (in the form of a written report) to the Dissertation Committee after completing some preliminary research work including the Literature Review. 

  • Part 2 of the Qualifying Exam is to be taken within 2 years if the student has a Master’s degree in Engineering and 2.5 years if the student has only a B.S. degree in Engineering

The program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering complies in full with the regulations of the Graduate School concerning admission, residence requirements, qualifying and final examinations and the dissertation.

  1. All candidates for the Ph.D. degree are expected to complete an integrated program of studies in mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics and/or chemistry in preparation for the Qualifying Examination.
  2. A qualifying examination is to be taken by each doctoral degree student within the first year. In the qualifying examination, the student is expected to demonstrate his/her competence in certain basic courses appropriate to modern mechanical engineering to the satisfaction of the department. A Ph.D. student will be admitted to candidacy after passing the qualifying examination as well as the defense of dissertation proposal.
  3. There is no foreign language requirement.
  4. One or two years beyond admittance to candidacy will usually be found necessary for the completion of an acceptable dissertation, whereupon the student will be required to pass the Final Oral Defense of the Dissertation.
  5. The candidate may, if he/she so desires, pursue for his/her dissertation an investigation in connection with any of the research projects in progress in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department or, in the case of interdisciplinary programs, in other Colleges/Schools such as the School of Marine and Atmospheric Science or the Medical School.
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