mechanical engineering student with equipment

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy

Tomorrow's advances call for researchers with the imagination to achieve them.

Our advanced labs are home to projects in robotics and machine vision, gas turbine engines, engineered materials, biomechanics, and unmanned aerial vehicles. If you're considering teaching at the college level or participating in research, explore this Ph.D. program.

Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
90

Why earn a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Feb. 1* | Aug. 1
Spring:
Oct. 1* | Dec. 1
Summer:
Feb. 1* | May 1

*Priority deadline

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

UND's Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering is designed to foster innovation that benefits society tomorrow and our community today. UND students contribute to the regional economy, inspire youth and promote the profession.

As a Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. student at UND, you'll:

  • Work in world-class facilities
  • Conduct cutting-edge research
  • Collaborate with talented, experienced faculty

Together we'll tailor a program to your interests that combines traditional mechanical engineering study, complementary multidisciplinary studies, strong interaction between fellow engineering students and high-quality research.

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Requirements

As a Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. candidate, you'll complete:

  • Two consecutive semesters in residence during your first two years at UND's Mechanical Engineering program
  • Take four qualifying examinations
  • Complete oral progress reports detailing your research
  • Complete a preliminary exam before you graduate
  • Complete and defend a dissertation

UND's Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

  • More than two-thirds of students in the Mechanical Engineering program receive financial support.

  • Weekly seminar gives Ph.D. candidates a chance to share research during various stages of development, and to gain exposure to a diverse range of other work.

  • Collaborate on real-world projects. In recent years, graduate research sponsors have included NASA, the National Science Foundation, LM Windpower and others.

  • Access leading-edge research facilities on campus, including the Advanced Engineered Materials Center, the Institute for Energy Studies, and others.

  • Enhance your professional skills at 60+ free workshops offered through the UND School of Graduate Studies. Our goal is to provide you with the workforce skills and job search strategies to succeed.

  • Study at a Carnegie Doctoral Research Institution ranked #151 by the NSF. Students are an integral part of UND research.

What can you do with a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering?

100k

Median annual salary for mechanical engineers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

11%

Projected job outlook for mechanical engineers through 2033

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Mechanical engineering is one of the most versatile engineering disciplines. You'll find opportunities in a broad spectrum of industries, including:

  • Airlines
  • Alternative Energy
  • Construction
  • Consumer Products
  • Defense Industries
  • Higher education
  • Medical
  • Petroleum
  • Research and development companies
  • Transportation

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Courses

ME 428. Advanced Manufacturing Processes. 3 Credits.

Individual projects involving the manufacturing economics and flow charts for selected products and basic technical principles of manufacturing processes. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: ME 418. On demand.

ME 542. Thermodynamics of Materials. 3 Credits.

Foundations of materials behavior in terms of energy and statistics. Topics will include entropy, free energy, phase equilibrium, ideal versus real solutions and diffusion. Prerequisite: ME 301 and ME 341, or consent of instructor.

ME 524. Deformation and Fracture. 3 Credits.

Aspects of elasticity theory, continuum mechanics and fracture mechanics. Fundamental relationships between material structure and engineering properties. Principles and properties of composite materials. Prerequisite: ME 301 or consent of instructor.

ME 576. Convective Heat Transfer. 3 Credits.

Advanced study of convective heat transfer, involving developing an understanding of boundary layers, flow in pipes, and convective heat transfer processes. Topics include the concepts of boundary layers, laminar and turbulent flow on surfaces and inside of pipes, and turbulence models. Analytical tools introduced are useful for estimating or bounding heat transfer rates when correlations are not available. Prerequisite: ME 474.

ME 595. Design Projects. 3-6 Credits.

A three to six credit course of engineering design experience involving individual effort and formal written report. Prerequisite: Restricted to Master of Engineering students and subject to approval by the student's advisor.

ME 575. Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer. 3 Credits.

Advanced study of conduction and radiation heat transfer. Solution methodologies to classical heat conduction problems will be introduced. Topics include: multidimensional steady conduction via separation of variables and principle of superposition; transient conduction with time-dependent boundary conditions via method of complex temperatures; numerical solutions to heat conduction problems; spectral dependence of radiation; blackbody and gray surface radiation; radiation exchange between surfaces; radiation shield. Prerequisite: ME 474 or consent of instructor.

Explore More Options

Check out the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

Department Contact
Djedje-Kossu Zahui
Graduate Director
P 701.777.3716
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