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.

CAREER SKILLS REQUIREMENT FOR PH.D. STUDENTS

Marquette University is committed to preparing our students to become exemplary leaders in their chosen academic and professional fields by preparing them for careers in which they find purpose and value by engaging in Ignatian pedagogical reflection and practice. The purpose of the career skills requirement is to ensure all doctoral students have the opportunity to reflect on their desired career and to acquire essential career-related skills needed for them to pursue their chosen path.

Students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in Fall 2024 and beyond at Marquette must complete three career skills requirements. Requirements are satisfied by one or more of approved courses, workshops, or practical experiences in each category, as approved by the Graduate School. Completion of each skill will be noted on the student’s transcript.

CAREER DISCERNMENT

Students will be able to identify and prepare for career pathways that are consistent with their values.

Objectives:

1. Understand realities of academic job market for your discipline, creating space for career imagination and understand potential career paths.
2. Exploration of, and defining student’s own identity/experiences/values/strengths/gifts and how the career pathway fits with those values.
3. Students will learn to identify and attain the skills and experiences necessary to obtain the career pathway they desire.

COMMUNICATION

Students will be able to communicate their ideas and scholarship effectively to audiences beyond those in their discipline.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate the ability to communicate (e.g., research, expertise, experiences) effectively and ethically with disciplinary, cross-disciplinary, and nonacademic audiences.
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and ethically within various contexts, formats, and media.
3. Demonstrate the ability to effectively deliver a presentation and facilitate discussion.

UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Students will understand the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion and how issues of DEI are relevant to their career pathways.

Objectives:

1. Be aware of and able to identify how explicit and implicit bias impacts work life and understand possible strategies to address this bias.
2. Be able to articulate the value of universal design principles and ethical application to area of study.
3. Be able to work and interact effectively with persons from diverse backgrounds with varied values, ideas, and opinions.

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:

• 45 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, 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 6 credit hours of Independent Study courses may be included in the course work total for direct-admit doctoral students and for students completing both their master's and doctoral degree programs at Marquette University. All other students are limited to a maximum of 3 credit hours of Independent Study courses. No more than 3 credits of Independent Study may be taken in a given semester of study.
• 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.

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.

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.

Doctoral Learning Outcomes

1. 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).
2. Communicate ideas (specific to an area of specialization) via peer-reviewed, published and/or presented materials.
3. Conduct original research in a chosen area of specialization.

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