Apr 16, 2024

2022-2023 Graduate Catalog

2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

Please see the Program Policy Document for more information.

Program Educational Goals:

The educational goals of the PhD program in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware are to provide students with a rigorous, multidisciplinary, and research-intensive education and training which will equip them to solve the most compelling scientific and technical challenges of our time. Graduates from the program will be well positioned to pursue careers in industry, academia, and the government.

Graduates of the PhD program in Mechanical Engineering program will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced graduate-level mathematics to the solution of engineering problems in the general areas of solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, dynamics, and heat transfer
Demonstrate the ability to conduct and publish fundamental research in the areas of biomechanical engineering, clean energy and environment, composites and advanced materials, nanotechnology, and robotics and control
Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in education and research
Contribute to scientific knowledge, the profession, and the community through original research, technology development, or service in areas relevant to mechanical engineering
Lead multidisciplinary teams to solve complex mechanical engineering problems related to a variety of technologies shaping the future of our lives

Requirements for the Degree:

Course Requirements:

Five MEEG courses at 600-level or higher:

15 credits.

Core Coursework:

MEEG 690 - Intermediate Engineering Mathematics Credit(s): 3

Four of the following:

Minimum of two courses from the list below.

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

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 PhD qualifying exam is to allow the ME faculty to collectively assess the aptitude of a PhD student in the early stages of the program.

The qualifying exam will consist of two parts:

Course-based part: The course-based part of the exam will be assessed based on the grades received in three courses; one of these courses must be MEEG 690 and the other two are selected by the student from the list of MEEG 610 , MEEG 620 , MEEG 621 , MEEG 630 , MEEG 640 , MEEG 683 . The student must maintain an average GPA of 3.0 in these three courses to be allowed to participate in the oral exam.
Oral exam: The oral part will be based on a short report with a concise description of an advanced problem in the student’s area of research and will include: (i) a short presentation based on the above report before a faculty committee, and (ii) a period of discussion following the student’s presentation.

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)