Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
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Program Description
Specific programs of study are developed by the student and their advisory committee, subject to the requirements listed below:
A student is required to take 66-credit hours of graduate courses beyond the Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), including 42-credit hours of coursework and 24-credit hours of dissertation research:
18 credit hours of elective courses with at least 6 credit hours from 500-level courses, as approved by the graduate advisory committee, with a maximum of 6 credit hours of Directed Study (MENG 5081) which must be graded.
3 credit hours of Graduate Seminar (MENG 5085)
24 credit hours minimum of Dissertation Research
Student with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or closely related discipline) must complete the following minimal requirements of 42-credit hours beyond the Master’s degree, including 18-credit hours of coursework and 24-credit hours of dissertation research:
3 credit hours of additional coursework, as approved by the graduate advisory committee, with a maximum of 3 credit hours of Directed Study (MENG 5081) ,which must be graded.
3 credit hours of graduate seminar (MENG 5085)
24 credits minimum of Dissertation Research
Core competency in mechanical engineering fundamentals must be demonstrated. The qualifying exam will also assess a student’s ability to rationally approach novel problems and apply engineering analytical tools. The student will take written exams in three of the following topic areas as selected by the student with approval of the academic advisor.
Exam Topic Areas
Control theory
Dynamics
Thermodynamics
Fluid dynamics
Heat transfer
Mechanics of Materials
Structural analysis
The exam questions will be written and graded by department faculty members. These exams will be used to evaluate the student’s knowledge of mechanical engineering topics at the undergraduate level and their ability to a) apply advanced knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering, b) identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
The exam will be offered the week before the start of each fall and spring semester. The exam must be first taken before the beginning of the 3rd semester and is subject to the following:
Students must take exams from three selected topics at the first exam attempt.
A student who does not pass a topic exam may retake that topic exam (or another topic exam with advisor approval) at the next offering; they do not need to retake exams that they have passed.
A student who has not passed exams in three topics by the completion of their second exam attempt does not advance, and will leave the program. The student will be able to pursue a M.S. or M.E. in Mechanical Engineering subject to those degree requirements.
Written dissertation proposal in New Mexico Tech thesis template format
Presentation of written proposal and oral exam on the proposal and related IES coursework
Must be taken no fewer than 12 months after passing the qualifying exam
Three possible outcomes:
Pass: Student advances to Candidacy
Pass with conditions: Six months window to correct minor deficiencies; student advances to Candidacy only after the Graduate Advisory Committee determines deficiencies have been corrected.
Fail: Student does not advance to Candidacy and will leave the program.
The student must demonstrate dissemination of research results by publishing at least one article in a peer-reviewed science or engineering journal.
Written Dissertation
Oral presentation with public and private (committee only) question and answer discussion time. Defense must take place no fewer than 12 months after passing the Candidacy Examination
Possible Outcomes: Pass with conditions: Student must correct minor deficiencies. Note that the deficiencies should be minor and not require a second defense.
Fail: Student has not satisfactorily presented/defended their dissertation and leaves the program.
If a PhD student would like to earn an MS while completing PhD requirements, they may initiate the process by petitioning the department. The student may complete an MS in Mechanical Engineering with any associated Specialization by completing the MS requirements and Thesis and Thesis defense as stated in the catalog. All coursework may count toward both the MS and PhD degrees. Up to 6 credits of MENG 5095 may be used in lieu of MENG 5091 to complete the MS degree, which may not be double counted toward the PhD degree.