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PhD in Mechanical Engineering

The graduate student in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics becomes a member of a scholarly community devoted to the discovery and transmittal of new knowledge in several of the major subdisciplines of our field including: biomechanics, bio-computation, design, energy engineering, fluid mechanics, mechanics of materials, micro and nano science and engineering, robotics, and thermal science.

While our curriculum is geared towards giving the students a firm grasp on fundamentals in traditional subjects of mechanical engineering, our research is carried out in cutting-edge areas such as cellular biomechanics, computational nanoscience, MEMS, advanced material modeling theories, micro-manufacturing, computational biology - just to name a few.

A distinguished and diverse faculty of 12 full-time members joined by colleagues from allied departments in the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), Medical School, and Wharton Business School, offer fundamental and advanced courses which extend and deepen knowledge gained in traditional undergraduate engineering programs. These prepare the graduate student both for research at the doctoral level and for high level professional employment in challenging and stimulating work environments.

All of the faculty are engaged in active research, and opportunities exist for student participation in funded programs as Research Fellows receiving full tuition remission plus an annual stipend and health insurance.  The level of funding of research programs exceeds $1.5 million per year on the average. Additional fellowship opportunities are available through special endowments and student scholarships through federal agencies such as National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, and National Institutes of Health. The population of full-time graduate students numbers about 85 and there are about 20 part-time students. This small and select student body makes it possible to give careful attention to program selection and fosters opportunities for informal and intellectual interaction with the faculty. This is an outstanding feature of our program, which is reflected in the fact that many of our PhD students have gone for successful academic careers.

The graduate program is overseen by the Graduate Group in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics led by the committee Chair, who holds administrative responsibility for all aspects of the program. Each student's course of study is selected with the help of his or her advisor and is approved by the Graduate Group Chair. Thesis research is guided by the research advisor with advice from a small committee of faculty chosen for their interest and competence in areas related to the thesis work.

The informal dimensions of the graduate experience include weekly seminars with guest speakers and our own PhD students. Social, cultural and athletic activities are sponsored by the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Association (MEGA) and these provide opportunities for relaxation and fellowship and for informal discussion of a wide range of subjects with the faculty.

The department welcomes applications from students with superior scholastic achievement who will enjoy and contribute to our effort to gain a deeper understanding of the workings of the mechanical universe and who have the motivation and tenacity to meet the standards which we have set for ourselves in pursuing our goals.