Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

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Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Requirements for the Degree:

Course Requirements:

Five MEEG courses at 600-level or higher:

At least three of these courses shall be selected from the following list:

MEEG 610 - Intermediate Solid Mechanics Credit(s): 3
MEEG 620 - Intermediate Dynamics Credit(s): 3
MEEG 621 - Linear Systems Credit(s): 3
MEEG 630 - Intermediate Fluid Mechanics Credit(s): 3
MEEG 640 - Intermediate Heat Transfer Credit(s): 3
MEEG 683 - Orthopedic Biomechanics Credit(s): 3
MEEG 690 - Intermediate Engineering Mathematics Credit(s): 3

Electives:

These five electives can be in engineering, science or mathematics with at least three (9 credits) being at the 800-level.

Mathematics:

Three credits. MEEG 690 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement. Unless the course is offered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences, electives intended to satisfy this requirement should typically require approval of the Graduate Committee.

Seminar:

At least three semesters of demonstrated attendance of the Department’s Seminar Series are required. Special arrangements can be made for part-time students to fulfill this requirement.

MEEG 600 - Seminar Credit(s): 0

Note:

An individual course can be used to meet more than one of the requirements provided the total number of credits is at least 33. Requirements for the five MEEG courses at the 600-level or higher and for Mathematics may be fully or partially waived for a student who has been awarded a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (up to a maximum of 12 credits). In recognition of graduate degree experience, up to a maximum of 12 credits out of the 33 required credits can be waived for a student who is entering the PhD Program with a previously awarded Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant field.

Dissertation Requirements:

A dissertation is required which demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct independent research. A Dissertation Committee is selected by the advisor and approved by the Department Chairperson. This committee will also serve as the student’s Candidacy Examination Committee. The Committee will be chaired by the research advisor. During the course of the research, the student will periodically review progress with the Committee. Nine credits.

MEEG 969 - Doctoral Dissertation Credit(s): 1-12

Qualifying Examination:

The purpose of the qualifying examination is to assess the aptitude of a doctoral student in the early stages of the program.

The qualifying exam will consist of three parts:

Research aptitude exam based on the student’s research interest area
One math exam (based on the content in MEEG 690 )
One mechanical engineering topic exam (based on undergraduate-level mechanical engineering and the content in one of the core courses: MEEG 610 , MEEG 620 , MEEG 630 , MEEG 640 ).

Candidacy Examination:

The Ph.D. Candidacy Examination must be taken within one and a half years of successful completion of the Qualifying Examination and at least one year prior to the dissertation defense. The student will prepare a comprehensive, written research proposal and defend it orally before the Candidacy Examination Committee. The Candidacy Examination is intended to test the student’s ability to synthesize knowledge in the formulation of an independent research proposal.

Teaching Requirement:

The ability to communicate effectively is an essential skill for all PhD graduates. Therefore, all PhD students are required to fulfill a teaching requirement, which consists of serving as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for one or two semesters, depending on the assignment. Students are expected to continue to be actively involved in their research while serving as a TA.

Embedded Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

Doctoral students can earn a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) while pursuing their doctoral degree. Students who enter the PhD Program are not automatically enrolled in the MSME program. To add the MSME degree, students must complete at least 33 credits of coursework, as required for the PhD degree, and submit an MS checkout form approved and signed by the student’s PhD Dissertation Committee to the GCC no sooner than the beginning of the semester following the completion of the candidacy requirement. Then, the GCC will complete a Change of Classification Form and an Application for an Advanced Degree Form and submit them to the Graduate College. The embedded MSME degree is awarded to recognize the student’s significant progress towards her/his PhD. Thus, in addition to the successful completion of the PhD coursework and candidacy examination, significant research contributions (typically in the form of journal and/or conference publications) will be taken into account when a PhD candidate applies for the MSME degree. Credits towards the MSME degree cannot be counted towards the Embedded MSR degree.

Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

Embedded Master of Science in Robotics (MS)

Doctoral students can earn a Master of Science in Robotics (MSR) while pursuing their doctoral degree. Students who enter the PhD Program are not automattically enrolled in the MSR program. To add the MSR degree, students must complete at least 33 credits of coursework, as required for the PhD-ME degree, while simultaneously meeting the coursework requirements for the Embedded MSR degree.

The embedded MSR degree is awarded to recognize the student’s significan progress towards their PhD. Thus, in addition to the successful completion of the PhD coursework and candidacy examination, significant research contributions (typically in the form of journal and/or conference publications) will be taken into account when a PhD candidate applies for the MSR degree. Credits towards the MSR degree cannot be counted towards the Embedded MSME degree.

Robotics (MS)