Academics

PhD Engineering - Mechanics and Materials Emphasis

PhD Engineering - Mechanics and Materials Emphasis

Emphasis Description

Many new technology developments involve new materials with different properties than would be considered "typical." This program provides the student with insight into methods for analyzing new materials and systems, and how they can be used to solve new and pressing issues.

Admission to the Emphasis

Ph.D. requirements

Program of Study

Requirements for the Ph.D. in Engineering with Emphasis in Mechanics and Materials further expand on those of the Ph.D in Engineering. These include a minimum of 72 credit hours in the student’s program of study beyond the B.S. degree. A thesis master's degree from an approved university may be accepted for up to 30 credits hours, in which case a minimum of 42 credit hours of approved course work, research and dissertation beyond the M.S. degree would be required as follows:

  • A minimum of 16 semester hours of coursework, which must include
    • At least 15 hours of 8000- and 9000-level courses in addition to research, dissertation writing, and directed study of which 9 hours must be selected from the Mechanics and Materials Course List (below).
    • 1 hour of Graduate Seminar ENGR 8950*
  • A minimum of 23 Doctoral Research hours (Doctoral research (9000) or Doctoral project-focused research (9010)) for students with an M.S. **
  • The Program of Study must include 3 hours of ENGR 9300 Doctoral Dissertation.

* Only 3 hours of Graduate Seminar may apply on the Ph.D. Program of Study. Students are strongly encouraged to continue regular attendance of speaker series presentations even if not formally registered in the seminar.

** A typical student’s total research hours will exceed these minimums.

As a requirement of the Ph.D. Engineering with an Emphasis in Mechanics and Materials, students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours selected from the Mechanics and Materials Course List below. Students work with their graduate advisor to select the most appropriate coursework to ensure breadth of understanding as well as mastery of knowledge in a specific subject area.  In addition to completing 9 credit hours selected from the list below, students may work with their graduate advisor to develop an interdisciplinary plan of coursework drawing from the extensive graduate course offerings available at UGA.

Mechanics and Materials Course List

  • ENGR 8103 Computational Engineering (Sp)
  • ENGR 8270 Computational Nanomechanics (Sp)
  • CVLE/MCHE 8350 Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (Sp)
  • CVLE/MCHE 8440 Advanced Strength of Materials (Sp)
  • MCHE 8380 Continuum Mechanics (F)
  • CHEM 8880 Nanomaterials: Engineering and Characterization (F)