Oct 10, 2024  
2024-2025 Florida Tech Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Florida Tech Catalog

Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.


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Major Code: 9131 Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy
Delivery Mode(s): Classroom Admission Status: Graduate
Admission Materials: Letters of recommendation, résumé/CV, objectives, transcripts Location(s): Main campus - Melbourne

The doctor of philosophy degree is offered for students who wish to carry out advanced research in any of the five optional areas of specialization listed under the master of science program. Other research areas may or may not correlate well with current faculty interests and laboratory facilities. In such cases, the mechanical engineering department head should be consulted to determine the feasibility of pursuing advanced research topics that are outside the five optional areas listed.

Admission Requirements

A candidate for the doctoral program will normally have completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field and have adequate preparation in areas of science and mathematics fundamental to his or her field of study. In addition, a student enrolled in the master’s program may apply to work directly toward the doctoral degree after completing at least 18 credit hours of graduate coursework at Florida Tech with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.

Doctoral applicants should have superior academic records and provide two letters of recommendation, a statement of objects and a résumé/CV.

General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented under Graduate Academic Information .

Degree Requirements

The doctor of philosophy degree is awarded in recognition of scientific accomplishment and the ability to investigate engineering problems independently. The program consists of advanced studies to prepare the student for research and completion of a research project that leads to a significant contribution to the knowledge of a particular problem. Each student is expected to complete an approved program of study, pass the comprehensive written and oral examinations, present a dissertation proposal acceptable to the student’s dissertation committee, complete significant research to the dissertation committee’s satisfaction and prepare and defend a dissertation detailing the research. The program consists of a minimum of 42 credit hours of study beyond the master’s degree, including a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework and a minimum of 21 credit hours of dissertation.

Curriculum


The doctoral program of study must be approved by the student’s advisor and the department head. Considerable latitude is allowed in course selection, although a representative distribution of advanced courses from the major area and two related areas is expected to form a part of the student’s program. These courses can be selected from course offerings in various academic units including but not limited to mechanical, aerospace, chemical, electrical, civil or ocean engineering; mathematics and computer science.

Coursework and Dissertation Summary


  • Doctoral coursework beyond master’s degree (minimum) credit hours: 15
  • ​Doctoral research and dissertation (minimum) credit hours, 15 of which must be completed after the admission to candidacy: 21

Minimum Credits Required Beyond the Master’s Degree: 42


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