School of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering Department

Minking Chyu, PhD, Chair

Web site:http://www.engrng.pitt.edu/~mewww/

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh offers graduate studies in core areas, as well as an opportunity to carry out research in many highly interdisciplinary fields. The curriculum is an integrated program of study with applications to fluid mechanics, solidmechanics, thermal systems, and dynamic systems and control. The graduate faculty is committed to high-quality research and teaching, and to maintaining sophisticated experimental and computation facilities. Research areas include fluid mechanics (non-Newtonian fluids, rheology, biofluids), heat transfer, applied mechanics (computational mechanics, fracture mechanics, biomechanics, composites), smart materials and structures, acoustics and vibrations, bioengineering, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMs), rehabilitation engineering and strip handling and metals processing.

Departmental Regulations

A detailed and updated list of rules for graduate study in Mechanical Engineering is stated in the department's Graduate Handbook, which is distributed to all graduate students. Students should consult the handbook for current and specific departmental regulations.

Admissions

An application for either the MS in Mechanical Engineering or PhD program is judged on the student's prior academic record, GRE scores (required for PhD applicants), the accreditation of the prior degree granting school, and the capability of the department to match the applicant's interest with the program. Students with a Bachelor of Science degree in another engineering field, mathematics, or physics will also be considered for the graduate program with the possibility that prerequisite courses may be required.

A part-time program is available for students who are employed in local industries. Part-time students usually carry from three to six credits per term in either day or evening classes.

Master of Science Program

Upon entering the MSME program, the student plans a program of study with the aid of the faculty advisor. The course requirements can be met by either the thesis option or non-thesis option as detailed below:

1. Thesis option (Research MS): 24 course credits (includes three credits for ME 2997) and six thesis credits (ME 2999); or the
2. Non-thesis option (Professional MS): 30 course credits

In either case, students seeking the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering must take at least one of the mathematics courses, ME 2001 or ME 2002, and must take Mechanical Engineering courses from at least two different subject course lists (see below). Up to nine credits from other engineering, mathematics, or physics departments may be used in fulfilling the remaining course requirements.

Subject Course Lists

MS students must take courses from at least two of the subject course lists in dynamic systems, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, or thermal systems:

Dynamic Systems

ME 2020 Mechanical Vibrations

ME 2027 Advanced Dynamics

ME 2045 Linear Control Systems

ME 2046 Digital Control Systems

Fluid Mechanics

ME 2003 Introduction to Continuum Mechanics

ME 2055 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer

ME 2074 Advanced Fluid Mechanics 1

ME 2075 Advanced Fluid Mechanics 2

Solid Mechanics Area

ME 2003 Introduction to Continuum Mechanics

ME 2004 Elasticity

ME 2022 Applied Solid Mechanics

ME 2033 Fracture Mechanics

ME 2047 Finite Element Analysis

Thermal Systems

ME 2050 Thermodynamics

ME 2053 Advanced Heat Transfer

ME 2074 Advanced Fluid Mechanics 1

Doctor of Philosophy Program

An applicant is officially classified as a PhD student if he or she has been accepted into the PhD program and has satisfied one of the following requirements:

1. has received an accredited MS or equivalent degree; or
2. has completed eight courses at the MS level in good academic standing and has been granted permission to bypass the additional course work required for the MS degree.

During the first term in the doctoral program the student must submit a program of study for approval by the department. Minimum course requirements (beyond MS or equivalent degree) include:

= 72 Total Credits

Seminar

PhD students are required to give one seminar each year, usually as part of the departmental seminar series. The seminar topic should be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor.

Preliminary Examination for PhD (Qualifying Exam)

The PhD preliminary examination is administered once per year. The purpose of this written and oral examination is to assess students' potential to complete the PhD program.

Comprehensive Examination for PhD

The comprehensive examination is administered by the student's advisor. This exam is given after the student has passed the preliminary examination and has completed all course requirements for the doctorate with a cumulative QPA of at least 3.30.

PhD Dissertation Proposal

In this examination, the student presents and defends a proposal for dissertation research to a doctoral committee consisting of at least four graduate faculty, one of whom must be outside the Mechanical Engineering department. If the dissertation proposal is accepted by the doctoral committee, the student is formally admitted to Candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree.

PhD Dissertation and Final Defense

This is the final examination of the PhD program, conducted by the doctoral committee, in which the student defends the validity of and the contributions made by the dissertation research.

Graduate Mechanical Engineering Courses