Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

The Doctorate of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering program is a 53-credit-hour plus dissertation degree program.

The curriculum for The Catholic University of America's Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering program is designed to provide a thorough grounding in mechanical engineering principles along with advanced specialized knowledge.

1. Coursework:
   • Total Credits: A minimum of 53 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree.
   • Core Areas: Courses in key areas such as acoustics and wave propagation, advanced and nonlinear dynamics, aerospace engineering, clean energy production and use, computational methods (FEM and CFD), electronic packaging, HVAC and refrigeration, MEMS/NEMS, microfluidics and biofabrication, multiphase flow and heat transfer, optical measurements, robotics and mechatronics, smart materials and systems, and vibration.
2. Comprehensive Examination:
   • After completing the required coursework, students must pass a comprehensive examination to advance to candidacy. This exam assesses the student’s knowledge and preparation for doctoral research.
3. Dissertation:
   • Proposal: Students must submit and present a dissertation proposal for approval.
   • Research: Conduct original research that contributes new knowledge to the field of mechanical engineering.
   • Defense: The dissertation must be successfully defended in an oral examination before a committee.
4. Research Opportunities:
   • The program includes opportunities for interdisciplinary research, often involving collaboration with faculty on cutting-edge projects in various specialized areas.

$1,850 / credit hour

More information about this degree is available on the School website or by request from our Admissions team.