Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering

UD has a tradition of excellence, from our roots extending back to a small private academy started in 1743, to the research-intensive technologically advanced institution of today. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies UD as a research university with very high research activity — a designation accorded fewer than 3 percent of U.S. colleges and universities.

Many of our Ph.D. graduates are now world-recognized leaders in academia, government and industry. Global, green and engaged. Our job is not finished until our ideas, our expertise and our people make a real and significant difference in the world. Our multidisciplinary research focuses on the most compelling scientific and technical challenges of our age. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of our research, many of our faculty members hold joint or affiliated appointments in other departments.

The following minimum criteria apply:

• A baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering or in a closely allied field of science or mathematics.
• An undergraduate grade point average in engineering, science and mathematics courses of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• International applicants: The TOEFL with a minimum of 100 on the IBT and a speaking score of 20. IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5 with no individual sub-score below 6.0 on the IELTS alternative.
• Three letters of recommendation from former teachers or supervisors.
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Complete the graduate supplemental document

All items should be uploaded into your graduate application. Admission is selective and competitive based on the number of well qualified applicants and the research opportunities available with the faculty. Meeting the stated minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission. The acceptance of applicants who have already received a Master’s degree in engineering will be based on the above minimum criteria and the results of their graduate work.

Financial Aid

Awards of financial assistantships, which includes graduate tuition and a competitive stipend, are made to applicants of the PhD program on the basis of merit. For information on current tuition and fees please visit Student Financial Services.

Application Deadlines

PhD Fall admission:
January 15: Priority consideration for admission and to be considered for departmental funding.
March 1: Final deadline to apply.

I. Course Requirements

a. At least five courses (15 credits) at the 600 or higher level in Mechanical Engineering (MEEG). At least three of these courses shall be selected from the following list:

• MEEG 690 Intermediate Engineering Mathematics
• MEEG 610 Intermediate Solid Mechanics
• MEEG 620 Intermediate Dynamics
• MEEG 630 Intermediate Fluid Mechanics
• MEEG 640 Intermediate Heat Transfer
• MEEG 683 Orthopedic Biomechanics
• MEEG 621 Linear Systems

b. Five graduate level courses (15 credits) in engineering, mathematics, or science of
which at least three courses (9 credits) must be at the 800 level

c. At least one course (3 credits) in mathematics (other than MEEG690).

d. At least three semesters of MEEG 600 Seminar (0 credits). Special arrangements can be made for part-time students to fulfill this requirement.

e. 9 credits of MEEG 969 Doctoral Dissertation.

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 a and c 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).

II. 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.

III. Qualifying Examination

The qualifying exam will consist of two parts: a course-based assessment and an oral examination test.

• The oral examination is intended to test the student’s research aptitude. It consists of a brief (approx. 2 page) written report and an (approx. 30min) oral presentation in front of a committee of three faculty members, outlining a research problem of interest to the student. Following the presentation, there is a Q&A session between student and faculty focusing on the student’s background and understanding of the problem identified.
• The course-based part is intended to test the student’s academic preparation, with the requirement being that the student achieves an average of 3.0 on a set of three graduate courses that includes MEEG 690 and two from the list: MEEG 610, MEEG 620, MEEG 630, MEEG 640, MEEG 621, and MEEG 683.
• Passing the qualifying exam requires satisfactory performance on both parts.

IV. 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.

V. 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.

See official program policy statement for details. For more information about the campus based program, contact me-gradinfo@udel.edu