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Dec 29, 2025
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2025-2026 Graduate Catalog
Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.
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The Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering provides an in-depth training opportunity with a focus on research requiring independent mastery of the field of study. Graduates are trained to solve complex problems and perform independent research investigations, which leads to career opportunities in research, academia, and advanced technical positions in a broad range of industries. Applicants may enter the Ph.D. program following the completion of an M.S. or directly after the bachelor’s degree.
Major Research Areas
Aerospace, Manufacturing, Robotics, Rehabilitation Engineering, AI/Machine Learning, Controls, Solid Mechanics and Mechanisms, Fluid Dynamics, Micro- and Nano- scale Materials, Biomedical Engineering, and Engineering Education.
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Admission Information
Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below. -
B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field. -
GRE required with minimum percentile rank of 60% on the quantitative portion and a minimum average percentile rank of 60% in verbal and quantitative. -
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00/4.00 for the last two years of coursework from an ABET accredited engineering major for admission. Graduates of non-ABET accredited majors are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. -
A minimum of three recommendation letters is required. -
A one-page Statement of Purpose/Research Interest must also be included in the application package. -
A one-page Resume provided at the time of application. Curriculum Requirements
Total Minimum Hours:
Required courses from the master’s level can be used to meet the requirements in the post-bachelors Ph.D., with approval. 72 credit hours (post-bacc)*
• Shared Core – 6 Credit Hours
• Math Course Requirement – 3 Credit Hours
• Additional Required Courses – 6 Credit Hours
• Electives – 21 Credit Hours
• Dissertation – 20 credit hours minimum
• Additional coursework or dissertation – 16 credit hours *Students entering with a bachelor’s degree may also apply for the master’s degree “along the way” provided they have completed the requirements for the M.S. in Mechanical Engineering as listed in the Graduate Catalog. Students admitted with an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering would need to demonstrate that they meet the course requirements for the USF Master’s degree and then also complete: • Electives – 12 hours
• Dissertation – 20 hours
• Additional coursework or dissertation – 10 Credit Hours Shared Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)
Mathematics Course Requirement (3 Credit Hours)
Additional Required Courses (6 Credit Hours)
- EML 6930 Special Problems I Credit Hours: 1-3
taken as:
- Advanced Materials (3 Credit Hours for this program)
- Advanced Manufacturing (3 Credit Hours for this program)
Electives (21 Credit Hours Minimum)
Minimum of 21 hours of elective coursework at the 5000 level or above without counting Independent Study, Graduate Internship, Directed Research, or Dissertation Hours courses. Or other graduate course approved by the Graduate Director. Qualifying Examination
Successful passage of the Doctoral Qualifying (or Comprehensive) Examination is a requirement for admission to candidacy. The purpose of the exam is to measure the aptitude and capability of the student for productive independent research in mechanical engineering, as well as to demonstrate the student’s in-depth knowledge of their chosen research domain. The exam consists of a written research paper comprising an annotated literature survey in the student’s chosen research area, a discussion and comparison of the prior art in this field, and identification of a promising research area and problem domain(s) of interest to the student and advisor. The research paper is presented in a meeting to a Dissertation Supervisory Committee. No student will be allowed to take the examination if the cumulative GPA of all courses taken at USF is below 3.00, if they have not chosen a major professor and formed a supervisory committee, or if they hold conditional or provisional admission status in the major. Students will be given a maximum of two attempts to pass the qualifying examination. Failure in the second attempt will result in being dismissed from the doctoral program. Dissertation (20 Credit Hours Minimum)
Additional Coursework or Dissertation (16 Credit Hours)
Students will select additional coursework or Dissertation hours to complete the remaining 16 credit hours. |
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