Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.)

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers studies leading to specialization in the following six concentrations:

• Fluid Dynamics and Thermal science
• Solid Mechanics
• Materials Science
• Design and Manufacturing 
• Dynamic Systems and Control
• Ocean Engineering

Following admission into the Ph.D. program, a temporary research advisor and a guidance committee  including the research advisor are appointed for the student by the graduate coordinator. The student's research advisor assists in outlining the student's course of study and may specify individual coursework requirements.

A student entering with a B.S. degree must successfully complete at least nine  3- or 4-credit courses with four at the 900-level. Students entering with an M.S. degree in engineering are required to take a minimum of five 3- or 4-credit courses with three at the 900-level. All Ph.D. students must complete the department-approved applied mathematics course, IAM 995 IAM Special Topics (Advanced Mathematical Methods for Engineering and Applied Science) .  A “B” average (3.00 GPA) with no grade below “B­-” is required in all the coursework. No more than 12 credit hours from UNH graduate courses (8 credit hours from non­-UNH graduate courses) taken prior to admission to the Graduate School may be applied to the doctoral degree. Further course requirements are identified by the student's area of concentration and by the guidance committee. Students must also successfully pass a single, two-part (one written, one oral) qualifying examination, administered by a departmental committee, in one of the following three disciplines: (1) Fluid Mechanics; (2) Solid Mechanics; or (3) Systems and Controls. The qualifying exam is offered only once per year. 

Upon successful completion of required coursework and the qualifying examination, and having identified a research advisor and research topic, the student may advance to candidacy. A doctoral committee may be appointed once candidacy has been attained. The committee should be composed of a minimum of five members, usually three from a student's major department and two from related departments.  Shortly after advancing to candidacy, the student should prepare a short (approximately 10-page) document and give an oral presentation to their dissertation committee outlining the research to be pursued and placing it within the context of relevant prior work.

Each Ph.D. candidate must conduct research of sufficient originality and significance to warrant the awarding of the Ph.D. degree. The final examination (oral defense) is the defense of the student's dissertation. This will be scheduled in accordance with the Graduate School rules. The candidate will be informed of the results of the defense by the dissertation chair.

• A deep understanding of at least one core area of Mechanical engineering (e.g., solid mechanics and mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics and thermal science, systems and controls, ocean engineering. [MS/PhD]
• A broader understanding of at 1-2 areas of Mechanical Engineering that are different from the area of research of the student's thesis. [MS/PhD]
• Ability to think critically and creatively in defining research questions and to outline strategies of inquiry. [MS/PhD]
• Ability to document research outcomes comprehensively for publication. [MS/PhD]
• Ability to communicate research results to scientific audience in conferences. [PhD]
• Ability to work collaboratively with other peers. [MS/PhD]