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Overview of the Graduate Program

Graduate study and research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania led to the Master of Science in Engineering and to the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Areas of research include biophysics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, design, manufacturing, robotics, thermal sciences, and energy conversion.

Graduate programs at Penn are organized around Graduate Groups rather than traditional departmental divisions. MEAM Graduate Group is a vibrant, multi-disciplinary group. It consists of faculty from several departments in School of Engineering and Applied Science, Medical School, and Wharton Business School. All faculty in the MEAM Graduate Group have an interest in one or more aspects of Mechanical Engineering.

Welcome from the Graduate Group Chair

Established in 1872, the Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics program continues its tradition of excellence in research and education. Our graduate program offers MSE and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics and emphasizes fundamental concepts and their use in applications. The program is managed by a Graduate Group. In addition to Mechanical Engineering faculty, the graduate group consists of prominent faculty members from diverse disciplines such as Material Science, Bio Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and the Wharton School. The graduate group structure provides an ideal environment for interdisciplinary research and education tailored to meet the complex technological challenges of this millennium.

The research in the department focuses on Mechanical Systems (Robotics, Manufacturing, Micro-Mechatronics, and Micro Electro Mechanical System), Mechanics of Materials, Fluid Mechanics (Buoyancy Induced Flow, Flow Control, Combustion, Multi-Phase Flows, Micro Fluid Mechanics, and various Industrial Problems) and Heat Transfer (Phase Change, Crystal Growth, and Micro Heat Exchangers). Many of the research theses of our students are co-advised by faculty drawn from diverse disciplines. After their graduation, many of our students have assumed leadership roles in industry and academia.

Pedro Ponte Castañeda
Professor and Graduate Group Chair
Department of Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics
School of Engineering & Applied Science
University of Pennsylvania