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:
    •  Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
    •  Mathematical Methods for Engineers
    •  Applied Math I
    •  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.

Funding Opportunities

The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department strives to provide full financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. The first two years are typically funded through a combination of Research Assistantships (RA) and Teaching Assistantships (TA) plus summer research support. Funding for subsequent years is focused on Research Assistantships (RA). 

Admissions Requirements

All applications are submitted through EngineeringCAS.

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report  - GRE required for:
    1. Computer Engineering, MSE
    2. Electrical Engineering, MSE
    3. All Ph.D. Programs

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated. If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents log on to your application, click on “Program Materials” to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.  

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal. Visit page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications will only be accepted through EngineeringCAS, an application service for graduate engineering programs. All application documents and test scores need to be submitted through EnginneringCAS.

app-fee 2. Application Fee

The application fee is $75.

3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. LOR Letters of Recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to provide three (3). Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. They may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. You will be asked via EngineeringCAS to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process and that an automated request will be sent out to your recommenders. You will be able to track the status of your recommendations and send reminders by logging back into your application.

5. TransTranscripts

Provide a complete transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

You have two options for submitting transcripts:

  1. Self Report your transcript to EngineeringCAS. This will expedite your application review. Self-reported transcripts must correspond to the official transcript. The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if false credentials are provided at the point of application.
  2. Send official transcripts directly to UMass Lowell, either through a secure submission or via mail to:

    University of Massachusetts - Lowell
    Graduate Admissions - GPS Center
    839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
    Lowell, MA 01854-3941

If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

International transcripts must clearly indicate that you have received (or will soon receive) a four-year bachelor's degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Additional information about international transcripts is available on the . *You will need to provide an official copy prior to your first semester on campus. Self-reported transcripts must correspond to the official transcript.* The University reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if false credentials are provided at the point of application.

*UMass Lowell will require You to provide a copy of your Official Transcripts & Scores prior to your first semester.

6. OTSROfficial Test Score Report(s)

The following programs require the GRE for admission consideration:

  • Computer Engineering, MSE
  • Electrical Engineering, MSE
  • All Ph.D. Programs

Please have ETS send your GRE scores directly to EngineeringCAS using school code 4530.

A GRE waiver may be available to qualified master’s degree candidates. Further information can be found at GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver Forms. You may also self-report your GRE scores.*

International Students:

English Proficiency Tests: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores are required. If you have taken the TOEFL, have ETS send your scores to EngineeringCAS (school code: B887). You may also self-report your scores. If you have taken the IELTS you may self-report your scores on the application.*

The requirements for the tests are as follows:

  • TOEFL - 79 or above
  • IELTS  6.5 or above

*UMass Lowell will require you to provide a copy of your Official Transcripts & Scores prior to your first semester.

Get more information about standardized tests.

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Connor Pozzi ’22, ’26
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