Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

Advisor: Koorosh Naghshineh
All advising is done by appointment in the Engineering Advising Office located in room E-102 of the CEAS building (Call 269-276-3270).

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering is designed to intensify the knowledge and comprehension of the student in the various disciplines of the subject, with emphasis on original research in a chosen area of specialty.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for a doctoral degree at Western Michigan University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline will be required. Students with a Master of Science in mathematics or in a natural science discipline may also be admitted if they have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. The Master of Science should be from a university recognized and approved by the Graduate Committee of the department. Evidence of scholarship and potential for independent research in mechanical engineering must be presented to the Graduate Committee. The level of achievement in mathematics, physics, and chemistry courses, which are prerequisites for success in doctoral studies in engineering, will also be considered in evaluating the application. The applicant must also submit the results of the general Graduate Record Examination. Prior to being admitted, the student must identify a member of the department’s graduate faculty who has agreed to advise the student’s research.

Program Requirements

The main accomplishment of the Ph.D. student should be an original, high quality research. The program is oriented toward that achievement. The course work and number of credit hours that a student will be required to take depend on the individual qualifications, level of preparation for independent research, and the needs for successful accomplishment of the dissertation.

The doctoral student must acquire through course work and demonstrate in a qualifying examination a broad knowledge and understanding of mathematics and two of the following core areas of mechanical engineering: thermodynamics and heat transfer; fluid mechanics; structural mechanics; materials; control systems; and dynamics and vibrations. Intensive and successful use of a required area of competency in the research work must be approved by the dissertation committee.

A minimum of 45 graduate credit hours beyond the Master of Science is required, including a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work and 15 credit hours of dissertation (ME 7300). At least 18 of the 30 non-dissertation credit hours must be taken from the graduate courses of the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. To ensure adequate preparation for the graduate research subject, enrollment in courses from other programs must be approved by the dissertation faculty advisor. A minimum grade point average of 3.25 is required in the doctoral studies. These graduation requirements complement the general university requirements.

Details of the Ph.D. study process may be obtained from the Department Graduate Advisor or the webpage of the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering located at www.wmich.edu/mae.