Mechanical engineers create the physical systems and devices that define modern society — everything from automobiles to air conditioning, robotic parts to power plants, people movers to artificial limbs, and rocket engines to satellites. At the Tandon School of Engineering, we groom our students to become the inventors and innovators of tomorrow. Our PhD in Mechanical Engineering program offers a balanced curriculum that emphasizes the principles behind these designs and approaches. To apply these principles in the field, we make computational and research experience an integral component of our students' studies.
We offer students the freedom to choose from 5 distinct areas of specialization:
Aerospace Engineering
Controls and Dynamic Systems
Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Systems
Materials Engineering
Mechanics and Structural Systems
The high faculty-to-student ratio of our program ensures students develop close ties to their instructors and fellow students. This fosters lifelong relationships and a rigorous intellectual community of scholars.
Many of our graduates enter such fields as computer engineering, nanotechnology, software development, and financial engineering. They also occupy positions in bioengineering, manufacturing, astronautics, systems engineering, corporate management, and law.
Urban Science Doctoral Track
The optional Urban Science Doctoral Track is specifically designed for students who want to focus on urban science through a cohesive array of in-class and experiential learning activities, while pursuing their PhD at NYU Tandon. Doctoral track students will engage with CUSP’s urban science faculty, experts in methodological aspects pertaining to complexity (dynamical systems, multi-agent systems, network science, and risk engineering), informatics (AI, machine learning, and robotics), and sensing (Internet of Things, smart infrastructure, wireless).
Admission to this program requires an MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or other closely related engineering field or applied sciences. Applicants are expected to have earned a GPA of 3.5 or better in their MS degree. If a student is admitted, but their background appears to be lacking in some areas, the student will be advised to supplement their background knowledge based on the requirements for Tandon's MS degree in Mechanical Engineering. Those with a BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and a GPA of 3.5 or higher, may apply directly to the PhD program without an MS degree.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 75 credits, comprised of the courses below. See Policies for policies that apply to this program.
PhD Dissertation in Mechanical Engineering (repeated, for a total of 21 credits)
21
Total Credits
75
The Qualifying Exam
The qualifying exam (QE) is a written and oral exam required to proceed to dissertation research. Students are expected to take the QE within the first two times it is offered. The QE must be taken and passed no later than 2 academic years after the student begins their PhD studies. The academic year starts at the beginning of the fall semester and concludes at the end of the spring semester.
Dissertation Grading
Students are awarded a grade of satisfactory (S) or a grade of unsatisfactory (U) after each semester of dissertation. A dissertation grade of U for two consecutive terms affects whether a student will be permitted to continue doctoral work. Once the dissertation is completed, the S and/or U grades will be converted to a final letter grade (A, A-, B+, B, etc.). The final grade will be awarded for each enrollment of the dissertation course (ME-GY 999X PhD Dissertation in Mechanical Engineering). Students are required to present the progress in their dissertation work to their guidance committees at least once a year. More information about guidance committees will be provided after admission into the PhD program.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
Be provided with computational and research experience in Mechanical Engineering.
Be provided with knowledge to be inventors and innovators in physical systems and devices for the convenience of modern living.
Be trained to advance the state of the art in a chosen specialty subfield of Mechanical Engineering.
Policies
Program Policies
Approved Graduate Courses
Students will select 54 credits of graduate courses, in consultation with their PhD adviser.
Normally, students will receive 30 credits toward this requirement transferred from their MS degree. These credits will appear on students' NYU transcripts as a blanket 30 credits.
Courses cannot be chosen from the School of Professional Studies.
Seminar Requirement
Each student is required to complete 5 semesters of the seminar course.
Qualifying Exam
The qualifying exam (QE) is the prerequisite for dissertation research. Students must pass the QE within 2 academic years from the start of the PhD program.
Dissertation
After passing the QE, students will begin their dissertation research. During this time, students will enroll in at least 3 credits of the dissertation course each fall and spring semester, until graduation. A total of 21 credits of dissertation are required for graduation.