At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    PhD

PhD in Mechanical Engineering Overview

A Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at UMass Lowell prepares students to become leaders in research, innovation, and advanced engineering practice. Doctoral students collaborate with world-class faculty on cutting-edge projects—from clean energy to biomedical devices—while gaining hands-on experience in state-of-the-art laboratories. Graduates go on to drive discovery in industry, national labs and academia.

For complete program details and course descriptions, please visit the Academic Catalog.

For program-specific questions and to connect with our current students, please contact the Doctoral Graduate Coordinator.

The degree pathway for the Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering. A total of 63 credit hours of graduate level courses are required for the Ph.D. degree.
The Ph.D. degree must involve a traditional research-based dissertation, plus: 
  • A minimum of 30 approved credit hours of graduate-level engineering courses, including associated science and math courses*.
  • A minimum of 21 credit hours of doctoral dissertation. 
  • The balance of the remaining 12 credits can be a mix of graduate-level engineering courses including associated science and math coursework and dissertation credits at the discretion of the department, faculty advisor and dissertation committee.
  • At least two semesters of the 0 credit research seminar MECH.5010
Required Graduate Level Engineering Courses (30 credits)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
IENG.XXXXGraduate level engineering course including associated science and math courses3
MECH.XXXXGraduate level engineering course including associated science and math courses
3
XXXX.XXXXGraduate level engineering course including associated science and math courses3
Total
30

Dissertation Courses (21 credits)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MECH.XXXX ORDoctoral Dissertation
IENG.XXXX ORDoctoral Dissertation
XXXX.XXXXDoctoral Dissertation
Total
21


Remaining Elective Credits (12 credits)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
IENG.XXXXGraduate-level engineering course including associated math and science coursework OR dissertation credits*
0-12
MECH.XXXXGraduate-level engineering course including associated math and science coursework OR dissertation credits0-12
XXXX.XXXXGraduate-level engineering course including associated math and science coursework OR dissertation credits0-12
Total

12


Research Seminar (0 credits)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
MECH.5010Research Seminar, must be taken for at least two semesters0
Total

0

*Concerning graduate-level STEM courses, the Ph.D. candidate must take the following:

  • One Course in advanced mathematics:
    • MECH.5200 Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
    • CHEN.5390 Mathematical Methods for Engineers
    • MATH.5300 Applied Math I
    • MATH.5450 Partial Differential Equations
    • Or another advanced mathematics approved by the doctoral dissertation advisor
Total credits required for the degree = 63
Updated 9/17/24

Faculty Research

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty conduct research that impacts the following national needs: Energy and Sustainability, Defense and Security, Manufacturing and Industry and Engineering Education. Explore our faculty-led Research Centers and Research Labs below to learn more.

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty are actively engaged and lead several University Centers which encourage interdisciplinary research collaborations on projects that advance technology innovations.
  • Stock image related to 3D Printing
    Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Center
    A collaboration between the UMass Lowell, University of Connecticut, and Georgia Institute of Technology to create a National Science Foundation I/UCRC focused on 3D printing.
  • baseball-testing
    Baseball Research Center
    The Center is concentrating on dynamic baseball bat performance and durability using high-speed air cannons, modal techniques, finite element modeling, high-speed photography and a wide variety of other tools.
  • fields-of-wind-turbines
    Center for Wind Energy
    The center consists of 13 interdisciplinary faculty members whose research focuses on wind turbine manufacturing, reliability, energy storage, and design.
  • heroes
    HEROES
    A unique collaborative research and development center between UMass Lowell and the U.S. Army Natick MA Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC).
  • nano-woman
    Nanomanufacturing Center
    We leverage a strong plastics heritage along with industrial scale equipment to develop advanced nanomanufacturing processes, in a safe, reproducible and controlled environment.
  • Human walking on equipment at NERVE Center
    UMass Lowell NERVE Center
    The UMass Lowell NERVE Center is an interdisciplinary robotics testing, research, and training facility that evaluates robotic capabilities, human performance, and human-robot interaction.
  • Sunset Wind Turbines
    WindSTAR
    National Science Foundation supported industry-university collaboration driving down the cost of wind power.

The Mechanical & Industrial Engineering faculty remain dedicated to conducting research that impacts national needs. Our 11 faculty-run research labs provide students with the opportunity to work with state of the art equipment to advance energy and sustainability, security and defense, and manufacturing and industry, while furthering their engineering education.
  • 3D Printer. The ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND TEXTILE RESEARCH LAB is involved in the active integration of analytical modeling, experimentation, and numerical simulation to understand the behavior of fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix composites.
    Advanced Composite Materials and Textile Research Lab

    We are involved in the active integration of analytical modeling, experimentation, and numerical simulation to understand the behavior of fiber-reinforced, polymer matrix composites.
  • 4-D Textiles, printed grids on standard textile. The APPLIED SOLID MECHANICS LAB is Applying solid mechanics principles to various applications such as wind energy, composite manufacturing, flexible electronics, and textile manufacturing to improve performance, predictions, and design.
    Applied Solid Mechanics Lab

    Applying solid mechanics principles to various applications such as wind energy, composite manufacturing, flexible electronics, and textile manufacturing to improve performance, predictions, and design.
  • Low, Ambient, and High Temperature Hopkinson Bars for Polymer Testing
    Dynamic Mechanics of Materials Lab

    We study the mechanics and physics of materials, including polymers, composites, metals, and metamaterials under varied dynamic loadings and extreme environments.
  • Asst. Profs. Hsi-Wu Wong and Hunter Mack examine the reactor used in creating biofuels in the lab.
    Energy & Combustion Research Lab

    We are exploring a variety of topics ranging from alternative fuels, novel thermodynamic cycles, and combustion-assisted material synthesis.
  • An Energy Conversion Experiment. The ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY LAB primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
    Electrochemical Energy Lab

    Our primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
  • Asst. Prof. Ertan Agar conducts an electrochemical energy transport experiment. The ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY LAB's primary research interests are centered on fundamental materials development and new processes in solving one of the most critical issues of our time, affordable and sustainable energy.
    Electrochemical Energy Systems and Transport Lab

    We have an overarching goal to advance the science and engineering of flow assisted electrochemical energy systems, particularly redox flow batteries.
  • An image of a blue green background with blue circles over it.
    iComp2 Lab
    We develop ICME approaches for the analysis and optimization of advanced composites from manufacturing to failure.
  • Manufacturing Innovation and Neural Interface (MINI) Lab
    Manufacturing Innovation and Neural Interface (MINI) Lab
    The MINI Lab conducts experimental and modelling work to generate fundamental understandings of manufacturing processes.
  • Student conducts experiment in Re-Engineered Energy Lab. The RE-ENGINEERED ENERGY LAB is researching how to use solar energy and electricity to develop new types of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
    Re-Engineered Energy Lab

    We're researching how to use solar energy and electricity to develop new types of sustainable fuels and chemicals.
  • Student inspects test wind turbine blade in the research lab. The STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS & ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS LAB's research is related to analytical and experimental problems in the areas of structural and acoustic systems. The main thrust of the SDASL is to develop, employ and improve techniques to solve these problems using analytical approaches that are verified through experimental techniques.
    Structural Dynamics & Acoustic Systems Lab

    The main thrust of the SDASL is to develop, employ and improve techniques to solve these problems using analytical approaches that are verified through experimental techniques.

Funding Opportunities

UMass Lowell strives to provide financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. This includes funding through Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and summer research support. Assistantships are contingent upon availability and may be subject to change.

Admissions

  • Application:
  • Application Fee: $75
  • Statement of Purpose: Outline goals, experience and achievements (max 2 pages)
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) for master's, three (3) for doctoral applicants.
  • Transcripts: You may apply with unofficial transcripts, but if accepted, official transcripts are required.
  • Test Scores: Please send test scores to EngineeringCAS using school code 4530. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all Doctor of Philosophy programs and for the Master of Science in Engineering in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. It is accepted but not required for other master's applicants.

All materials must be received before your application is reviewed. To add documents before review, log in and select “Program Materials.”

International Applicants

English proficiency is required. If English is not your country’s national language, please submit one of the following scores:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 79+
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5+
  • Duolingo: 115+
  • ASC English: Level 6+
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 53+

For the TOEFL, please send your scores to EngineeringCAS using the school code B887.

Take the Next Step

Start your online application today!

Meet Our Students

Kay Wojtowicz uses a split-Hopkinson pressure bar in UMass Lowell's mechanical engineering research lab.
Kay Wojtowicz '25
Mechanical Engineering

Kay Wojtowicz ’25 is carrying on a family legacy at UMass Lowell by pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, focusing on cutting-edge materials research with real-world impact.

I’ve always learned better by teaching other people.
Read More About Kay Wojtowicz 
Connor Pozzi in a lab, shows his device
Connor Pozzi ’22, ’26
Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering Ph.D. student Connor Pozzi is working to help the country’s transition to renewable energy.

The faster we can switch to renewable energy resources, the better chance we have at slowing and possibly stopping irreversible damage to our planet due to climate change.
Read More About Connor Pozzi 
Stephen Johnson at Commencement
Stephen Johnson '21
Mechanical Engineering

After 35 years at General Electric, Stephen Johnson earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, where he developed a software tool that shows wind turbine blade manufacturers whether automation can save time and money.

The lifelong learning approach keeps you mentally on top of things.
Read More About Stephen Johnson 

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