The MME Department offers three graduate degrees and one graduate certificate: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME), Master of Science in Materials Science (MSMSE), PhD in Mechanical Engineering, and the Semiconductor Materials and Manufacturing Graduate Certificate (SMMGC). Each program is designed to help students achieve career goals, meeting industry, or research interests.
Master’s students who plan to work or who are currently working in industry have the ability to earn a master's degree by completing coursework and foregoing research, while students seeking research opportunities or advancement to a PhD program have the option to perform research with a variety of faculty members, and complete either a thesis or project. PhD students are required to conduct research and complete a dissertation.
Focus areas, research possibilities, faculty and lab information can be found here: Graduate Focus Areas.
Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering
The PhD program in Mechanical Engineering aims to educate technical experts and researchers to fill leadership roles in industry, research and education. The program culminates in a written dissertation representing an original contribution to knowledge in the field. Research areas for the degree include, but are not limited to, bioengineering, building science and energy systems, controls and dynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, materials science, and mechanical design. Candidates for the PhD must meet the University requirements for the degree in addition to the requirements listed below.
In addition to the University doctoral degree requirements, the program requirements include a minimum of 27 credit hours of Mechanical Engineering coursework, a comprehensive examination, prospectus defense, 27 credit hours of dissertation (ME 603) and final dissertation defense. The 27 credit hours of Mechanical Engineering coursework must consist of a minimum of 8 credits of 600-level courses, which can include up to 3 credits of ME 607 seminar. For further information on admission and degree requirements, current course schedule, and research opportunities, students should refer to the Department web site: https://www.pdx.edu/mechanical-materials-engineering/.