Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Overview

A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at С��Ƶ prepares students to become leaders in research, innovation, and advanced engineering practice. Doctoral students collaborate with world-class faculty on cutting-edge projects—from clean energy to biomedical devices—while gaining hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories. Graduates go on to drive discovery in industry, national labs and academia.

For complete program details and course descriptions, please visit the Academic Catalog.

For program-specific questions and to connect with our current students, please contact the Doctoral Graduate Coordinator.

The degree pathway for the Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering. A total of 63 credit hours of graduate level courses are required for the Ph.D. degree.

The Ph.D. degree must involve a traditional research-based dissertation, plus:

A minimum of 30 approved credit hours of graduate-level engineering courses, including associated science and math courses*.
A minimum of 21 credit hours of doctoral dissertation.
The balance of the remaining 12 credits can be a mix of graduate-level engineering courses including associated science and math coursework and dissertation credits at the discretion of the department, faculty advisor and dissertation committee.
At least two semesters of the 0 credit research seminar MECH.5010

Required Graduate Level Engineering Courses (30 credits)
Course Number	Course Name	Credits
IENG.XXXX	Graduate level engineering course including associated science and math courses	3
MECH.XXXX	Graduate level engineering course including associated science and math courses	3
XXXX.XXXX	Graduate level engineering course including associated science and math courses	3
Total		30

Dissertation Courses (21 credits)
Course Number	Course Name	Credits
MECH.XXXX OR	Doctoral Dissertation
IENG.XXXX OR	Doctoral Dissertation
XXXX.XXXX	Doctoral Dissertation
Total		21

Remaining Elective Credits (12 credits)
Course Number	Course Name	Credits
IENG.XXXX	Graduate-level engineering course including associated math and science coursework OR dissertation credits*	0-12
MECH.XXXX	Graduate-level engineering course including associated math and science coursework OR dissertation credits	0-12
XXXX.XXXX	Graduate-level engineering course including associated math and science coursework OR dissertation credits	0-12
Total		12

Research Seminar (0 credits)
Course Number	Course Name	Credits
MECH.5010	Research Seminar, must be taken for at least two semesters	0
Total		0

*Concerning graduate-level STEM courses, the Ph.D. candidate must take the following:

One Course in advanced mathematics:
- Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
- Mathematical Methods for Engineers
- Applied Math I
- Partial Differential Equations
- Or another advanced mathematics approved by the doctoral dissertation advisor

Total credits required for the degree = 63

Updated 9/17/24

Faculty Research

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty conduct research that impacts the following national needs: Energy and Sustainability, Defense and Security, Manufacturing and Industry and Engineering Education. Explore our faculty-led Research Centers and Research Labs below to learn more.

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty are actively engaged and lead several University Centers which encourage interdisciplinary research collaborations on projects that advance technology innovations.

Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Center

A collaboration between the С��Ƶ, University of Connecticut, and Georgia Institute of Technology to create a National Science Foundation I/UCRC focused on 3D printing.
Baseball Research Center

The Center is concentrating on dynamic baseball bat performance and durability using high-speed air cannons, modal techniques, finite element modeling, high-speed photography and a wide variety of other tools.
Center for Wind Energy

The center consists of 13 interdisciplinary faculty members whose research focuses on wind turbine manufacturing, reliability, energy storage, and design.
HEROES

A unique collaborative research and development center between С��Ƶ and the U.S. Army Natick MA Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC).
Nanomanufacturing Center

We leverage a strong plastics heritage along with industrial scale equipment to develop advanced nanomanufacturing processes, in a safe, reproducible and controlled environment.
С��Ƶ NERVE Center

The С��Ƶ NERVE Center is an interdisciplinary robotics testing, research, and training facility that evaluates robotic capabilities, human performance, and human-robot interaction.
WindSTAR

National Science Foundation supported industry-university collaboration driving down the cost of wind power.

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty remain dedicated to conducting research that impacts national needs. Our 11 faculty-run research labs provide students with the opportunity to work with state of the art equipment to advance energy and sustainability, security and defense, and manufacturing and industry, while furthering their engineering education.

Advanced Composite Materials and Textile Research Lab

We are involved in the active integration of analytical modeling, experimentation, and numerical simulation to understand the behavior of fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix composites.
Applying solid mechanics principles to various applications such as wind energy, composite manufacturing, flexible electronics, and textile manufacturing to improve performance, predictions, and design.
Dynamic Mechanics of Materials Lab

We study the mechanics and physics of materials, including polymers, composites, metals, and metamaterials under varied dynamic loadings and extreme environments.
We are exploring a variety of topics ranging from alternative fuels, novel thermodynamic cycles, and combustion-assisted material synthesis.
Electrochemical Energy Lab

Our primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
Electrochemical Energy Systems and Transport Lab

We have an overarching goal to advance the science and engineering of flow assisted electrochemical energy systems, particularly redox flow batteries.
iComp2 Lab

We develop ICME approaches for the analysis and optimization of advanced composites from manufacturing to failure.
The MINI Lab conducts experimental and modelling work to generate fundamental understandings of manufacturing processes.
Re-Engineered Energy Lab

We're researching how to use solar energy and electricity to develop new types of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems Lab

The main thrust of the SDASL is to develop, employ and improve techniques to solve these problems using analytical approaches that are verified through experimental techniques.

Funding Opportunities

С��Ƶ strives to provide financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. This includes funding through Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and summer research support. Assistantships are contingent upon availability and may be subject to change.

Admissions

Application:
Application Fee: $75
Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (max 2 pages)
Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required.
Test Scores: Please send test scores to EngineeringCAS using school code 4530. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all Doctor of Philosophy programs and for the Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. It is accepted but not required for other master's applicants.

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add documents before review, log in and select “Program Materials.”

International Applicants

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
Duolingo: 115+
ASC English: Level 6+
Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53+

For the TOEFL, please send your scores to EngineeringCAS using the school code B887.

Take the Next Step

Start your online application today!

Apply

Meet Our Students

Stephen Johnson '21

Mechanical Engineering

After 35 years at General Electric, Stephen Johnson earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, where he developed a software tool that shows wind turbine blade manufacturers whether automation can save time and money.

The lifelong learning approach keeps you mentally on top of things.

Request More Information

Find Graduate Resources

Take a Virtual Tour of С��Ƶ

Explore С��Ƶ from anywhere in the world. See the spaces where our students study, create, learn and live through a self-guided, interactive tour.

С��Ƶ

At a Glance