Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree

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With RIT’s mechanical and industrial engineering Ph.D., you’ll gain knowledge in mechanical and industrial engineering while engaging in cutting-edge research.

Overview for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D.

Why Pursue a Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D. at RIT?

  • STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
  • AWARE-AI Research Opportunity: Provides hands-on experience in responsible AI research, guided by expert faculty, and enhanced by career-focused mentorship and development opportunities.
  • Future-Focused Curriculum: Provides a dynamic program designed by academic and industry leaders to integrate formal education with state-of-the-art research and best practices from industry.
  • Top-Notch Faculty: Work side-by-side with experienced faculty conducting research on contemporary problems.

The mechanical and industrial engineering doctoral program produces graduates with a depth of knowledge in mechanical or industrial engineering while allowing students to engage in cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary research. The flexible mechanical and industrial engineering curriculum encourages students to gain domain-specific knowledge from courses offered throughout the college’s portfolio of engineering programs. The curriculum, coupled with the depth of knowledge in mechanical or industrial engineering disciplines, creates graduates who are ready to tackle the world’s most pressing societal and industrial challenges. The Ph.D. in mechanical and industrial engineering develops world-class researchers who can capitalize on the most promising discoveries and innovations to develop interdisciplinary solutions for real-world challenges.

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Research

Visit the research profiles on the industrial and systems engineering department and mechanical engineering department websites for an overview of research opportunities and to learn about our faculty members as well as research advisors in the program. For assistance in identifying faculty working in your intended area of research, please contact the program director.

AWARE-AI NSF Research Traineeship Program

The AWARE-AI National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program provides a unique opportunity to RIT's graduate students, who are poised to become future research leaders in developing responsible, human-aware AI technologies.

Students in the mechanical and industrial engineering doctorate program are eligible to apply for traineeships in the AWARE-AI NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program. Trainees experience convergent AI research guided by accomplished RIT faculty who work in cross-disciplinary research tracks. In addition to high-touch mentoring, students also engage in curated, career-advancement activities. Learn more about the benefits of the trainee program, including training opportunities, application requirements, and deadlines.

Research Assistantships

Research assistantships are available to doctoral students. Learn more about the college's research assistantship opportunities and how you can apply.

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Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D.

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

View Printable Curriculum

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ph.D. degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
ENGR-701
Inter-disciplinary Research Methods
 3
This course emphasizes collaboration in modern research environment and consists of five modules. Students will introduced to the concepts of inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research conducted from both a scientific and an engineering perspective. Students will learn how to write a dissertation proposal, statement of work, timeline for their program of study and the elements of an effective literature review. Students will develop skills related to reviewing and annotating technical papers, conducting a literature search and proper citation. Students will demonstrate an understanding of (a) ethics as it relates to the responsible conduct of research, (b) ethical responsibility in the context of the engineering professions, (c) ethics as it relates to authorship and plagiarism, (d) basic criteria for ethical decision making and (e) identify professional standards and code of ethics relevant to their discipline. Students demonstrate an ability to identify and explain the potential benefits of their research discoveries to a range of stakeholders, including policy makers and the general public. Lecture 3 (Fall).
ENGR-702
Translating Discovery into Practice
 3
This course provides graduate students with the professional skills needed by PhD graduates within their major research focus area to move the results of their research from the lab into practice. Students will demonstrate a strong contextual understanding for their research efforts. Students will learn professional skills related to Teamwork; Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization; Research Management; Policy and Societal Context; and Technical Writing. (This class is restricted to degree-seeking graduate students or those with permission from instructor.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
MIEP-795
Doctoral Seminar*
 2
This seminar course presents topics of contemporary interest to graduate students enrolled in the program. Presentations include off campus speakers, and assistance with progressing on your research. Selected students and faculty may make presentations on current research under way in the department. (This course is available to RIT degree-seeking graduate students.) Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring).
MIEP-892
Graduate Research
 3
Doctoral-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor. Students may count a maximum of 9 credits towards degree requirements. If the student enrolls cumulatively in more than 9 credits, the additional credits above 9 will not be counted towards the degree. Research 40 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
 
Engineering Foundation Electives
 6
 
Discipline Concentration †
 6
Second Year
MIEP-795
Doctoral Seminar*
 1
This seminar course presents topics of contemporary interest to graduate students enrolled in the program. Presentations include off campus speakers, and assistance with progressing on your research. Selected students and faculty may make presentations on current research under way in the department. (This course is available to RIT degree-seeking graduate students.) Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring).
MIEP-892
Graduate Research
 6
Doctoral-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor. Students may count a maximum of 9 credits towards degree requirements. If the student enrolls cumulatively in more than 9 credits, the additional credits above 9 will not be counted towards the degree. Research 40 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
 
Discipline Concentration †
 3
 
Focus Area Electives ‡
 12
Third Year
MIEP-890
Dissertation and Research
 21
Doctoral-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor. Students may count a maximum of 9 credits towards degree requirements. If the student enrolls cumulatively in more than 9 credits, the additional credits above 9 will not be counted towards the degree. Research (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Total Semester Credit Hours
66

* Doctoral Seminar (MIEP-795) is taken three times, twice in the first year and once in the second year.

† Discipline Concentration: Any graduate level course offered by the departments of mechanical or industrial and systems engineering, exclusive of capstones.

‡ Focus Area Elective: Any graduate level course offered by the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, exclusive of capstones.

Electives

Engineering Foundation Electives

Course
MECE-707/ENGR-707
Engineering Analysis
This course trains students to utilize mathematical techniques from an engineering perspective, and provides essential background for success in graduate level studies. An intensive review of linear and nonlinear ordinary differential equations and Laplace transforms is provided. Laplace transform methods are extended to boundary-value problems and applications to control theory are discussed. Problem solving efficiency is stressed, and to this end, the utility of various available techniques are contrasted. The frequency response of ordinary differential equations is discussed extensively. Applications of linear algebra are examined, including the use of eigenvalue analysis in the solution of linear systems and in multivariate optimization. An introduction to Fourier analysis is also provided. (Prerequisites: (MATH-241 and MATH-326) or graduate student standing in the MECE-MS or MECE-ME programs.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
MECE-709/ENGR-709
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Advanced Engineering Mathematics provides the foundations for complex functions, vector calculus and advanced linear algebra and its applications in analyzing and solving a variety of mechanical engineering problems especially in the areas of mechanics, continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and vibrations. Topics include: vector algebra, vector calculus, functions of complex variables, ordinary differential equations and local stability, advanced matrix algebra, and partial differential equations. Mechanical engineering applications will be discussed throughout the course. (Prerequisites: MECE-707 or equivalent course or graduate student standing in MECE-MS or MECE-ME.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
ISEE-601
Systems Modeling and Optimization
An introductory course in operations research focusing on modeling and optimization techniques used in solving problems encountered in industrial and service systems. Topics include deterministic and stochastic modeling methodologies (e.g., linear and integer programming, Markov chains, and queuing models) in addition to decision analysis and optimization tools. These techniques will be applied to application areas such as production systems, supply chains, logistics, scheduling, healthcare, and service systems. Note: Students required to take ISEE-301 for credit may not take ISEE-601 for credit. (This course is restricted to students in ISEE-MS, ENGMGT-MS, MIE-PHD, AI-MS, or BIME-BS students with a BIMEISEE-U subplan.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
ISEE-760
Design of Experiments
This course presents an in-depth study of the primary concepts of experimental design. Its applied approach uses theoretical tools acquired in other mathematics and statistics courses. Emphasis is placed on the role of replication and randomization in experimentation. Numerous designs and design strategies are reviewed and implications on data analysis are discussed. Topics include: consideration of type 1 and type 2 errors in experimentation, sample size determination, completely randomized designs, randomized complete block designs, blocking and confounding in experiments, Latin square and Graeco Latin square designs, general factorial designs, the 2k factorial design system, the 3k factorial design system, fractional factorial designs, Taguchi experimentation. (Prerequisites: ISEE-325 or STAT-257 or MATH-252 or MCEE-205 or STAT-205 or equivalent course or students in ISEE-MS, ENGMGT-MS, or MIE-PHD programs.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
ISEE-771
Engineering of Systems I
The engineering of a system is focused on the identification of value and the value chain, requirements management and engineering, understanding the limitations of current systems, the development of the overall concept, and continually improving the robustness of the defined solution. EOS I & II is a 2-semester course sequence focused on the creation of systems that generate value for both the customer and the enterprise. Through systematic analysis and synthesis methods, novel solutions to problems are proposed and selected. This first course in the sequence focuses on the definition of the system requirements by systematic analysis of the existing problems, issues and solutions, to create an improved vision for a new system. Based on this new vision, new high-level solutions will be identified and selected for (hypothetical) further development. The focus is to learn systems engineering through a focus on an actual artifact (This course is restricted to students in ISEE-MS, PRODDEV-MS, MFLEAD-MS, ENGMGT-MS, MIE-PHD, BIME-BS students with a BIMEISEE-U subplan, ISEE-BS students with a ISEEMS-U or ISEEEGMT-U subplan, or those with 5th year standing in ISEE-BS or ISEEDU-BS.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).

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Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

Offered Admit Term(s) Application Deadline STEM Designated
Full‑time Fall December 15 priority deadline, rolling thereafter Yes

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Learn tips to apply for a doctoral program and then complete a graduate application.
  • Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
  • Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
  • Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Submit a statement of purpose for research which will allow the Admissions Committee to learn the most about you as a prospective researcher.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
  • Entrance exam requirements: GRE required. No minimum requirement.
  • Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

TOEFL IELTS PTE Academic
94 7.0 66

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Deaf and hard-of-hearing test takers with significant hearing loss do not need to take the listening and speaking sections for the TOEFL and IELTS. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will consist of a research assistantship (stipend) or a teaching assistantship (salary).

Resources

Access resources for students including student manual and research resources.

Research Resources

Contact

Admissions Contact
  • Laura Watts
  • Senior Associate Director
  • Office of Graduate and Part-Time Enrollment Services
  • Enrollment Management
  • 585‑475‑4901
  • Laura.Watts@rit.edu
Program Contact
  • Risa Robinson
  • Program Director, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D.
  • Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Kate Gleason College of Engineering
  • 585‑475‑6445
  • rjreme@rit.edu