University of Pittsburgh

Nov 23, 2024

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2019-2020 Graduate & Professional Studies Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Mechanical Engineering, PhD

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http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/MEMS/Graduate/Graduate_Information/

The goal of the Doctor of Philosophy program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering is to develop the student for the rigorous career demands of engineering research either in the industrial or academic fields. The student is educated at the pioneering edge of technical, management, systems design, and decision-making concepts. This work requires a strong background in mathematics and one of the specialty areas of mechanical engineering. The PhD student is expected to attend full time. It is possible, however, to seek candidacy as a part-time student with the stipulation that the PhD candidate must spend at least one full-time academic year on campus.

A graduate student who has completed eight course courses of the master’s program in good standing can go directly into the PhD program. An applicant who has received the Master of Science in mechanical engineering from a university with an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited mechanical engineering curriculum, or who has substantially equivalent preparation, is eligible to enter the Doctor of Philosophy program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

If deficiencies in engineering preparation are noted, as in the case of science majors from accredited institutions, admission may be granted after the completion of such designated undergraduate courses as may best correct the deficiencies. Only those individuals whose preparation has been judged satisfactory for graduate study in the Department of Mechanical Engineering will be admitted to full graduate status.

Doctoral level courses are numbered in the 3000 series, but courses numbered in the 2000 series may also be appropriate for doctoral study. Courses numbered below 2000 do not meet the minimum requirements for doctoral study, although they may be taken to supplement a doctoral program. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative QPA of 3.30 in courses to be eligible to take the preliminary and comprehensive examinations as well as to graduate.

Plan of Study

A minimum of 72 credits is required for the PhD degree. Of the total 72 credits, a minimum of 36 credits must be completed as coursework at the 2000 or higher levels beyond the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. PhD students must maintain a minimum QPA of 3.3 (B+) in this coursework. Students can transfer up to 30 didactic course credits from an M.S. or equivalent degree, subject to approval by the graduate program committee.

Each student must also have:

At least six (6) credits of ME 3997 (PhD Research);
At least 12 credits of ME 3999 (PhD Dissertation);

Please note that registration for ME 3999 is allowed only after the student has passed the Comprehensive Examination and defended the PhD Proposal, which qualifies the student for the status of PhD Candidacy.

The course requirements described in these guidelines are a minimum requirement. The minimum requirement of 72 credits of graduate work must be satisfied by combinations of research, course work and transfer credits for the award of a PhD degree. Students are allowed to take additional courses with the agreement of their advisors. In some cases, these courses may be suggested by the PhD Committee for better preparation for a given research area. Note that completion of the PhD degree and admission PhD candidacy require a GPA of B+ or better (≥3.3).

Total Credits: 72

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