The goal of this research-intensive degree is to educate future leaders in industry and academia in the field of Mechanical Engineering. This doctoral program allows students to work closely with faculty experts in the field studying topics such as adaptive systems and intelligent structures, nano-heat transfer, energy systems, robotics, advanced composite materials, and computational fluid mechanics. Student may also benefit from a broad range of collaborations and partnerships, including but not limited to: Center for Bioengineering Innovation, Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications, Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, and local businesses such as W.L. Gore and Associates, Lowell Observatory, and the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer. In this program, each student chooses their own courses and completes an original research project. Research work makes use of state-of-the-art facilities and culminates in a dissertation and oral defense.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering provides advanced training in research through advanced topics coursework and research experience, using an integrative and comprehensive disciplinary approach. Students develop expertise in engineering modeling, experimentation and analysis at a level appropriate for positions in industrial research and development, national laboratories, or academia. The knowledge gained during this program, will prepare you to provide solutions to complex engineering problems.
This is a terminal degree.
To receive a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses, from one or more disciplines, ranging from at least 60 - 109 units of graduate-level courses. Most plans require research, a dissertation, and comprehensive exams. All plans have residency requirements regarding time spent on the Flagstaff campus engaged in full-time study.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 60 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Required |
| Dissertation | Dissertation is required. |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam is required. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense is required. |
| Research | Individualized research is required. |
Purpose Statement
The Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering trains students to carry out research, to apply high-level content and research methods and tools to find solutions to complex mechanical and interdisciplinary engineering problems. The program will train students to tackle problems in advanced fluid mechanics, continuum mechanics, adaptive structures and intelligent systems, nano-heat transfer and energy systems, as well as in other emerging areas in which our faculty will continue to develop expertise. The program focuses on training students on the application of analytical, computational and experimental tools to solve engineering problems, in one or more of the areas listed above. The scope of the program is to provide students with technical agility in the research areas indicated above, as well as the ability to cross disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to solve increasingly interdisciplinary and complex engineering problems.
Students will also be trained to critically evaluate problems and identify the best tools, methods, approaches to be deployed for identifying optimal solutions for them. Training will occur through a combination of traditional lectures, research, and personalized mentoring by faculty advisors. Opportunities for employment of Mechanical Engineering Ph.D.’s are common in a broad range of industries, including but not limited to aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, biomedical, etc., as well as in national laboratories and academia. ME Ph.D.’s can take on positions in training, marketing, sales, software development, and technical support.
This program is designed for students with strong preparation in the engineering sciences, including a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or in a related field, and research interests aligned with faculty in the program. Moreover, we aim to reach out to diverse students and we want to become the flagship program for recruiting and graduating native students from the broader South West region.
Student Learning Outcomes
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Students will be required to identify an advisor within their first semester in the program. This allows students to begin research quickly. Students may elect to have two advisors, should they have interdisciplinary interests or a project that is collaborative.
This Doctoral degree requires 60 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 60 units:
Mechanical Engineering Coursework (21 units)
Applied Mathematics (3 units)
Engineering Computations (3 units)
Electives (15 units)
Mechanical Engineering Seminar (3 units)
Dissertation (15 units)
In addition to course requirements, students will have a publication requirement for this degree. In order to complete a PhD in ME at NAU, students must have at least one paper in which they are the lead author accepted for publication in a reviewer-blind peer-reviewed journal with an impact factor of at least 0.5.
ME 608 is encouraged so that students obtain an internship with a local or regional industrial partner as part of their graduate training. However, no more than 3 units of 608 may be used towards the degree.
In accordance with standards across the U.S. for ME PhD programs, there are three major exams required for this degree:
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.