PhD in Mechanical Engineering

The PhD in Mechanical Engineering is a research doctorate within the mechanical engineering and materials science department. Doctoral students are funded in full, with tuition support, health insurance, and a stipend to cover living expenses, as long as they progress satisfactorily. Degree highlights include a minimum grade-point average and a zero-unit seminar that full-time students take every semester. Courses are drawn from 4000-level and graduate engineering offerings, with limits on independent study and lower-level courses, and each course requires thesis advisor approval. Students must pass a qualifying examination, present a thesis proposal, write a thesis, and defend it orally to a faculty panel. Most panel members come from the home department. Prospective applicants can consult the department for current application guidance and research area descriptions.