Doctoral Program in Mechanical Engineering

Admission to the doctoral program is made through the Department Chair in conjunction with the Graduate Committee, and it is based on an assessment of the applicant’s academic background, competence and aptitude for advanced study and research. Applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or better in a master’s program in mechanical engineering or a related field as well as with excellent TOEFL and GRE scores are encouraged to apply for the Ph.D. program in mechanical engineering. Exceptionally well qualified applicants who obtained only a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field will also be considered for direct admission into the Ph.D. program in mechanical engineering. If deemed acceptable, the student will be assigned an Advisor. Then, the student, in conjunction with the Advisor, will select a thesis topic and complete a study plan within three months in the program.

Courses are selected to develop knowledge and skills in a particular area of interest. While this coursework is necessary to develop the knowledge and skills of the student’s profession, the most important aspect of the doctoral program is the student’s original research in a selected topic of interest.

The subject of the doctoral dissertation (ME 960) is open to a wide range of particular choices. The selection of a topic by the doctoral aspirant provides for a sub-specialization within the broad range of mechanical engineering disciplines. The courses selected for the study plan should complement the student’s dissertation subject.

Upon submission of an approved study plan by the student and no later than after one year of enrollment in the program, a Doctoral Committee is appointed for each student by the Department Chair in conjunction with the Advisor as the chairperson. All doctoral students are required to take a qualifying examination (consisting of a Core Competency Test (CCT) and a Research Competency Test (RCT)) at the first offering after one year in the program. Upon failing the qualifying examination, the student may take the examination for a second time at the next offering. Upon failing the examination for the second time, the student will be asked to leave the program. In addition to the qualifying examination, all doctoral students are required to present a Proposal Defense to the Doctoral Committee for its approval at least one year prior to the Dissertation Defense. If the Proposal Defense is deemed unsatisfactory, the doctoral candidate may submit for a second and final chance for a revised Proposal Defense during the following academic semester.

Upon satisfactory completion of the Proposal Defense and all coursework, the student will continue the research which will form the basis of the student’s dissertation. The dissertation must be based upon original investigation in the field of mechanical engineering, approved by the Department Chair and Doctoral Committee, and must be a contribution worthy of publication in the current professional literature. Before receiving the doctoral degree, the student must also satisfy the requirements for residence and publication of the dissertation.

Nanotechnology Concentration

The mechanical engineering doctoral program is an integral part of the institute-wide nanotechnology graduate program. A Ph.D. degree option in mechanical engineering with concentration in nanotechnology is available to students who satisfy the conditions and requirements of the nanotechnology area which are outlined in a separate section of the catalog.

Ph.D. Credit and Defense Requirements

The Ph.D. program in mechanical engineering requires a total of 84 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree in an approved program of study. Up to 30 credits previously obtained in a master’s degree program in mechanical engineering or a related field may be applied towards this requirement. (A minimum of 24 course credits and 24 research credits beyond Master Degree are required. The remaining 6 credits can be either course or research credits approved by the research advisor and thesis committee. PRV 961 and English language requirements should be also satisfied according to the Institute requirement).

In addition, the Ph.D. program in mechanical engineering culminates in a Ph.D. dissertation based on the results of original research carried out under the guidance of a faculty member and defended in a public examination.