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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest degree offered by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. It requires a commitment to exemplary scholarship and the creation of original knowledge. This page outlines the specific requirements, milestones, and policies for the Ph.D. program.

Admi​ssion requirements

Admission is competitive. To be unconditionally admitted, an applicant must demonstrate the potential to perform at a high level (GPA 3.40+) in graduate research and coursework.

  • Degree Background:

    • Standard Admission: Requires a completed M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

    • Direct-Admit: High-achieving students with a B.S. degree may apply directly to the Ph.D. program.

  • GPA Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate a scholastic record consistent with a grade point average of 3.40 or better in MECE graduate courses.

  • English Proficiency: A minimum score of 79 on the internet-based TOEFL is required for applicants whose native language is not English.

  • Statement of Purpose (SOP): Must be strictly consistent with current Research Areas within the Department. Applicants should use the "Application for Financial Aid and Statement of Purpose" form to specify technical interests and align with potential faculty advisors.

  • Letters of Recommendation: Three letters are required. At least two must be from tenure-track faculty members who have observed the applicant’s academic performance.

 

Degree tracks & R​equirements

The Ph.D. requires a precise mix of coursework and research credits. There are two tracks depending on your entry point.

Track A: Standard Program (Post-M.S.)

For students entering with a recognized Master’s degree.

  • Total Required Hours: Minimum 51 hours beyond the M.S. degree.

  • Coursework (21 Hours / 7 Classes):

    • 3 hrs: MECE 6384 (Methods of Applied Mathematics I).

    • 9 hrs: MECE Core Courses (6000-level or higher).

    • 6 hrs: Breadth Requirement (Two courses outside your research concentration can be from in MECE or suitable courses in the Colleges of Engineering and Natural Sciences).

    • 3 hrs: Approved Elective (Engineering or NSM).

  • Research & Dissertation (30 Hours):

    • 12 hrs: Dissertation (MECE 8399).

    • 18+ hrs: Doctoral Research (MECE 8x98).

Track B: Direct-Admit Program (Post-B.S.)

For students entering with only a Bachelor’s degree.

  • Total Required Hours: Minimum 66 hours beyond the B.S. degree.

  • Coursework (30 Hours / 10 Classes):

    • 3 hrs: MECE 6384 (Methods of Applied Mathematics I).

    • 15 hrs: MECE Core Courses.

    • 6 hrs: Breadth Requirement.

    • 6 hrs: Approved Electives.

  • Research & Dissertation (36 Hours):

    • 12 hrs: Dissertation (MECE 8399).

    • 24+ hrs: Doctoral Research (MECE 8x98).

Note: Students in the M.S. program may petition to transfer into the Direct-Admit Ph.D. if they demonstrate exemplary coursework and research potential.

 

Doctoral Qualifying Examination (DQE)

The DQE is an oral examination that determines if a student has mastered the fundamental knowledge required for doctoral research.

  • Eligibility: Must have a GPA of 3.40 or higher in a minimum of 12 MECE graduate hours (and no more than the first 21 hours).

  • Timeline: Must attempt no later than 3 long semesters after starting the Ph.D.

  • Structure: The committee consists of at least three voting members. One member will explicitly examine the student on Mathematics (MECE 6384). Two or more negative votes result in failure. In the case of failure, the committee shall decide whether or not the student should be invited to take the examination a second time.

  • Core Groups: The exam is based on your specific research group. You must master the core courses listed below for your area:
    The examination committee is set by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Mechanical Engineering core research groups (Controls, Materials, Mechanics, Thermo-Fluids) and the dissertation advisor.  Click here for more information about the general and transitional DQE guidelines.  Some exam guidelines will vary by group.  Please review the table below for more information about each group's specific core courses. Please click the group name for more information about their respective exam guidelines.

Core Courses of Research Groups

Research Group

      

Controls

MECE 6384: Methods of Applied Mathematics

MECE 6367: Control Systems Analysis and Design

MECE 6666: Machine Learning

MECE 6388 Optimal Control Theory

MECE 7361 System Identification

Materials

MECE 6361: Mechanical Behavior of Materials

MECE 6363: Physical Metallurgy

MECE 6364: Phase Transform in Materials

Mechanics

MECE 6384: Methods of Applied Mathematics

MECE 6377: Continuum Mechanics I

MECE 7397: Continuum Mechanics II

Thermo-Fluids

MECE 6384: Methods of Applied Mathematics

MECE 6334: Convection Heat Transfer

MECE 6345 Fluid Dynamics 1

 

 

Dissertation & publications

After passing the DQE, the student focuses on original research.

  • Dissertation Committee: Formed by the advisor during the semester the student passes the DQE.

    • Composition: Five members total. Four from the MECE Department (including advisor) + One External Member (outside the department).

  • Journal Publication Requirement:

    • All Ph.D. candidates must have at least one peer-reviewed (archival) journal paper accepted prior to the dissertation oral defense.

    • This paper must be based on the student's dissertation research at UH.

  • Defense: A public oral defense of the dissertation is required at the end of the program.

 

important administrative policies

Residency Requirement The College requires a minimum of one academic year (two long semesters) of full-time enrollment at the Ph.D. level.

Grading of Research/Dissertation Hours

  • S/U Grading: Doctoral Dissertation and Research hours are assigned a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade while work is in progress.

  • Final Grade: Upon successful defense and submission of the dissertation, the required number of Dissertation hours are converted to a letter grade via a grade change request. Extra hours remain as S/U to avoid grade inflation.

The "99-Hour Rule" (Tuition Warning) Students must be aware of the state cap on doctoral credit hours.

  • The Rule: University regulations require that a student who accumulates more than 99 doctoral hours will be charged out-of-state tuition for any excess hours.

  • Who is affected: This applies to both Texas residents and out-of-state students. Plan your schedule carefully to complete your degree within this limit.