Mechanical Engineering, PHD
Chairperson: John Borg, Ph.D., P.E.
Mechanical Engineering Graduate Programs website
Degree Offered
Doctor of Philosophy
Mission Statement
We immerse individuals in an active environment to cultivate broadly educated mechanical engineers who balance theory with practice for advancing knowledge, solving problems and serving society.
Program Description
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers two master’s programs and a doctoral program. Course work and research in the department's programs may involve the broad fundamentals of mechanical engineering or may concentrate on one or more of the following fields: energy systems, manufacturing and materials systems, and mechanical systems. In these fields, engineering principles are applied not only to traditional equipment and methods but also to modern and emerging technologies. Typically, the engineering course work and research are augmented by laboratory studies. Although the study of advanced engineering mathematics and, often, basic science is necessary in all programs of study, the selection of subjects may vary depending upon the field of specialization and the student’s professional objectives.
Mechanical Engineering Doctorate
Specializations: Energy Systems, Manufacturing and Materials Systems, Mechanical Systems
A doctoral student must complete a program of study prepared in collaboration with their permanent adviser. This program of study is outlined on an approved Doctoral Program Planning Form which must be submitted within the first year of the student’s doctoral studies. The program requires the following:
- 48 credit hours of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree.
- 12 credit hours of dissertation work.
- At least 6 credit hours of an approved MEEN math course or equivalent. An equivalent math requirement from another department must be approved by the student's adviser and the director of graduate studies.
- Continuous participation in the department graduate seminar series (MEEN 6960 Seminar in Mechanical Engineering).
- At least one half of the total course work must be at the 6000 level.
- At least one-half of the total course work must be taken from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. No more than 24 credit hours may be taken outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering and these courses must be approved by the student's adviser and the director of graduate studies.
- Completion of all university Graduate School requirements.
- Full-time enrollment.
- A maximum of 3 credit hours of an Independent Study course may be included in the course work total.
- A maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate-level credit from other accredited institutions may be accepted toward the requirement of the degree as long as requirements are met, and prior approval must be received from the student's adviser and director of graduate studies.
In cases in which the student enters the program with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field, the student may request (in writing) that the department and the Graduate School allow credits from the master’s degree to satisfy up to 24 credit hours of the required course work.
A doctoral student must complete a departmental written proficiency exam prior to completion of the Marquette University doctoral residency requirement. This exam is comprised of two components. One component assesses proficiency in engineering mathematics and the other assesses proficiency in the student’s declared area of specialization: energy systems, manufacturing and materials systems, or mechanical systems. This examination is based upon material presented in the advanced undergraduate and master’s degree level course work (approved math courses are MEEN 6101 Advanced Engineering Analysis 1, MEEN 6102 Advanced Engineering Analysis 2, MEEN 6103 Approximate Methods in Engineering Analysis and EECE 6010 Advanced Engineering Mathematics).
A student must pass a doctoral qualifying examination (DQE) administered by their doctoral committee within one academic year after completing course work requirements. This exam must be passed at least one year prior to the submission and successful public defense of the dissertation. The dissertation must represent an original research contribution and demonstrate both high scholarly achievement and the ability to conduct independent research.
Specialization Requirements
Energy Systems
A specialization in energy systems typically entails advanced study of (a) thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer and combustion; (b) the application of these principles to phenomena and devices which constitute energy-conversion systems; and (c) the analysis, simulation and design of such systems as well as plants; e.g., chemical, metallurgical, food, etc., which are energy-intensive. Current research topics include: plant optimization, cogeneration systems, fluid mechanics and heat transfer in surface mount technology, engine emissions/process effluents and jet engine propulsion systems, energy dispersive materials, combustion and soot modeling.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required math courses: | ||
MEEN 6101 | Advanced Engineering Analysis 1 | 3 |
MEEN 6102 | Advanced Engineering Analysis 2 | 3 |
or MEEN 6103 | Approximate Methods in Engineering Analysis | |
or EECE 6010 | Advanced Engineering Mathematics | |
Required specialization courses: | ||
MEEN 5325 | Intermediate Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
MEEN 5360 | Intermediate Thermodynamics | 3 |
Additional requirements: | ||
MEEN 6960 | Seminar in Mechanical Engineering (taken every term) | 0 |
MEEN 8999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 12 |
Additional course work chosen from the following: | 36 | |
Introduction to Continuum Mechanics | ||
Intermediate Finite Element Methods | ||
Combustion: Thermochemistry, Kinetics and Applications | ||
Internal Combustion Engines | ||
Transport Phenomena | ||
Experimental Design | ||
Topics in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Advanced Engineering Analysis 2 | ||
Approximate Methods in Engineering Analysis | ||
Multiscale Material Modeling | ||
Advanced Fluid Mechanics | ||
Turbulence | ||
Statistical Thermodynamics | ||
Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer | ||
Multicomponent Mass Transfer | ||
Convective Heat and Mass Transfer | ||
Computational Fluid Mechanics | ||
Computational Methods in Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow | ||
Combustion Chemistry and Mechanisms | ||
Turbulent Combustion | ||
Topics in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Additional courses as approved by adviser. | ||
Total Credit Hours: | 60 |
Manufacturing and Materials Systems
A specialization in manufacturing and materials systems typically entails advanced study in (a) evaluation of materials and their behavior; (b) processes for changing material shape and properties; (c) approaches to economizing complex systems; (d) material-man-machine interfaces; and (e) analysis of the manufacturing process. Normally, each of these multi-disciplinary areas requires certain core courses along with specialized studies, which may include advanced courses in other engineering disciplines, courses in mathematics and statistics and/or courses in business administration. Current research topics include: cellular manufacturing, polishing and mass finishing processes, flexible assembly, robotic systems, production integration, ergonomics, reliability/quality estimation, human performance and safety evaluation, and materials forming and joining processes.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required math courses: | ||
MEEN 6101 | Advanced Engineering Analysis 1 | 3 |
MEEN 6102 | Advanced Engineering Analysis 2 | 3 |
or MEEN 6103 | Approximate Methods in Engineering Analysis | |
or EECE 6010 | Advanced Engineering Mathematics | |
Required specialization courses: | ||
MEEN 5410 | Experimental Design | 3 |
MEEN 5450 | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
Additional requirements: | ||
MEEN 6960 | Seminar in Mechanical Engineering (taken every term) | 0 |
MEEN 8999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 12 |
Additional course work chosen from the following: | 36 | |
Intermediate Dynamics | ||
Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics | ||
Introduction to Continuum Mechanics | ||
Intermediate Finite Element Methods | ||
Mechatronics | ||
Failure Analysis | ||
Powder Metallurgy | ||
Processing and Forming of Materials | ||
Welding Engineering | ||
Topics in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Advanced Engineering Analysis 2 | ||
Approximate Methods in Engineering Analysis | ||
Industrial Robotics | ||
Multiscale Material Modeling | ||
Computational Methods for Solids and Structures | ||
Statistical Methods in Engineering | ||
Computer Integrated Manufacturing | ||
Metal Forming | ||
Topics in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Additional courses as approved by adviser. | ||
Total Credit Hours: | 60 |
Mechanical Systems
A specialization in mechanical systems typically entails advanced study of (a) mechanical system design and analysis; and (b) modeling, simulation and control. Mechanical design and analysis focuses on the use of physical and mathematical principles to understand the behavior of mechanical systems. It includes computer-aided optimal design, such as the design of multi-body, multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical systems. The modeling, simulation and control area involves the study of theoretical mechanics in conjunction with computational applications including advanced dynamics, kinematics and stress analysis. Other applications include the modeling and control of manufacturing processes, including robotics and automated deformation processing. Current research areas include: composite and polymeric materials, control in automated assembly, design of compliant mechanisms, metal cutting/forming mechanics, finite element methods and multiscale material modeling.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Required math courses: | ||
MEEN 6101 | Advanced Engineering Analysis 1 | 3 |
MEEN 6102 | Advanced Engineering Analysis 2 | 3 |
or MEEN 6103 | Approximate Methods in Engineering Analysis | |
or EECE 6010 | Advanced Engineering Mathematics | |
Required specialization courses: | ||
MEEN 5220 | Intermediate Dynamics | 3 |
MEEN 5230 | Intermediate Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
Additional requirements: | ||
MEEN 6960 | Seminar in Mechanical Engineering (taken every term) | 0 |
MEEN 8999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 12 |
Additional course work chosen from the following: | 36 | |
Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics | ||
Introduction to Continuum Mechanics | ||
Intermediate Finite Element Methods | ||
Physical Systems Modeling | ||
Mechatronics | ||
Experimental Design | ||
Failure Analysis | ||
Mechanical Behavior of Materials | ||
Biomaterials Science and Engineering | ||
Topics in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Advanced Engineering Analysis 2 | ||
Approximate Methods in Engineering Analysis | ||
Advanced Dynamics | ||
Advanced Vibrations | ||
Advanced Mechanics of Materials | ||
Industrial Robotics | ||
Multiscale Material Modeling | ||
Topics in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering | ||
Additional courses as approved by adviser. | ||
Total Credit Hours: | 60 |
Doctoral Learning Outcomes
- Apply knowledge of advanced concepts (i.e., concepts beyond those learned during the master of science program) in engineering mathematics and two out of three areas of specializations offered in the department (mechanical systems, energy systems, manufacturing and materials systems).
- Communicate ideas (specific to an area of specialization) via peer-reviewed, published and/or presented materials.
- Conduct original research in a chosen area of specialization.
University Policies
- Academic Censure - Graduate School
- Academic Integrity
- Academic Misconduct
- Academic Program Definitions
- Accelerated Degree Programs
- Attendance - Graduate School
- Awarding Diplomas and Certificates
- Background Checks, Drug Testing
- Class Rank
- Commencement
- Conferral of Degrees and Certificates
- Course Levels
- Credit Hour
- Credit Load - Graduate School
- Faculty Grading
- Family Education Rights and Privacy Act-FERPA
- Grade Appeals
- Grading System - Graduate School and Graduate School of Management
- Graduation - Graduate School
- Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements
- Last Date of Attendance/Activity
- Military Call to Active Duty or Training
- Registration - Graduate School
- Repeated Courses - Graduate School
- Student Data Use and Privacy
- Transcripts-Official
- Transfer Course Credit - Graduate School
- Withdrawal - Graduate School
Graduate School Policies
- Academic Performance
- Academic Programs Overview
- Advising
- Assistantships and Fellowships
- Certificate Concurrent Enrollment
- Conduct
- Confidentiality of Proprietary Information
- Continuous Enrollment
- Courses and Prerequisites
- Cross-listed Courses
- Deadlines
- Graduate Credit
- Graduate School Policies
- Independent Study
- Intellectual Property
- Research Involving Humans, Animals, Radioisotopes or Recombinant DNA/Transgenic Organisms
- Temporary Withdrawal from Graduate Program
- Time Limitations
- Working with Minors