Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree
- RIT /
- Rochester Institute of Technology /
- Academics /
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D.
In the mechanical and industrial engineering doctorate you’ll graduate with a depth of knowledge in mechanical or industrial engineering while engaging in cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary research.
Overview for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D.
The mechanical and industrial engineering doctorate 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 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 program develops world-class researchers who can capitalize on the most promising discoveries and innovations to develop interdisciplinary solutions for real-world challenges.
The mechanical and industrial Ph.D. requires students to address fundamental technical problems of national and global importance for the 21st century. The program finds its roots in tackling global problems in energy, transportation, health care, communications, and manufacturing. The mechanical and industrial engineering departments offer a broad range of technological research strengths including additive and advanced manufacturing, nanotechnology, robotics and mechatronics, heat transfer and thermo-fluids, simulation, modeling and optimization, ergonomics, biomimetic systems, wearable sensors, health care data analytics, prognostics and fault detection, and energy systems. Students collaborate with faculty advisors to build on these technological strengths to solve problems of global significance in order to prepare them, and for careers in both industry and academia.
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.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Unlocking the Future of Compressor Maintenance with Condition Monitoring
This research focuses on improving the efficiency and accuracy of condition monitoring in reciprocating compressors, specifically targeting valve health using advanced data analysis and machine...
Read More about Unlocking the Future of Compressor Maintenance with Condition Monitoring -
Paving the Way for Sustainable Lubrication Solutions in Industry
This research develops sustainable, renewable lubricants to reduce friction, wear, and energy loss in industrial systems.
Read More about Paving the Way for Sustainable Lubrication Solutions in Industry -
Revolutionizing Heat Dissipation for Data Centers
This research introduces a novel boiling chamber design that enhances liquid cooling efficiency for high-performance processors in data centers, improving heat dissipation and maintaining optimal...
Read More about Revolutionizing Heat Dissipation for Data Centers -
Two Researchers Create AR System for Teaching Robots New Skills
Xueting Wang and Dr. Yunbo Zhang Xueting Wang and Dr. Yunbo Zhang have developed an advanced AR system that allows users to teach robots new tasks with just a few demonstrations, making human-robot interactions more intuitive and...
Read More about Two Researchers Create AR System for Teaching Robots New Skills -
Doctoral Student Revamps Machining Training to Boost Workforce
Krzysztof K. Jarosz RIT doctoral student Krzysztof Jarosz, guided by Dr. Rui Liu, is pioneering improvements in machining training programs to address workforce shortages by making training more engaging and effective in...
Read More about Doctoral Student Revamps Machining Training to Boost Workforce -
Advancing Liquid Metal Jetting Additive Manufacturing Through Multi-physics Simulation
Kareem Tawil Automotive, aerospace, biomedical, and numerous other industries are utilizing metal 3D printing to produce complex, high strength, parts. Of all the metal AM technologies, laser powder-bed fusion ...
Read More about Advancing Liquid Metal Jetting Additive Manufacturing Through Multi-physics Simulation
Related News
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November 13, 2024
Ph.D. student finds joy in carbon composite 3D printing
Sai Sri Nidhi Munaganuru, from Hyderabad, India, anticipates completing her Ph.D. this summer from RIT’s mechanical and industrial engineering program. Her work extends the capability of carbon fiber technology through a new manufacturing approach that could eliminate high production costs, waste, and dependence on skilled labor.
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September 3, 2024
Byron Erath joins RIT as mechanical engineering department head
Faculty-researcher brings expertise in using engineering principles to bio-inspired technology solutions
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October 2, 2023
Kate Gleason College of Engineering appoints two new department heads
Brian Landi and Katie McConky have been named department heads of the chemical engineering and industrial and systems engineering programs in the college. Both bring extensive teaching, research, and company experience to the academic leadership positions in the engineering college.
Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D.
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ph.D. degree, typical course sequence
Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
---|---|---|
First Year | ||
ENGR-701 | Inter-disciplinary Research Methods 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). |
3 |
ENGR-702 | Translating Discovery into Practice 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). |
3 |
MIEP-795 | Doctoral Seminar* 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). |
2 |
MIEP-892 | Graduate Research 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). |
3 |
Engineering Foundation Electives |
6 | |
Discipline Concentration † |
6 | |
Second Year | ||
MIEP-795 | Doctoral Seminar* 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). |
1 |
MIEP-892 | Graduate Research 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). |
6 |
Discipline Concentration † |
3 | |
Focus Area Electives ‡ |
12 | |
Third Year | ||
MIEP-890 | Dissertation and Research 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). |
21 |
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. 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.
- MIE-PHD Student Manual
- MIE-PHD Request for Qualifying Exam
- MIE-PHD Advisory Committee Request Form
- MIE-PhD Request for Candidacy Exam
- MIE-PHD Request for Research Review Meeting Form
- MIE-PHD Request for Dissertation Defense
- MIE-PHD Independent Study Proposal
- Kate Gleason College of Engineering Graduate Student Handbook (2024-25)
Research Resources
- RIT Libraries
- RIT Libraries InfoGuides
- Our librarian
- Remote access to publications with RIT Account
Contact
- Laura Watts
- Senior Associate Director
- Office of Graduate and Part-Time Enrollment Services
- Enrollment Management
- 585‑475‑4901
- Laura.Watts@rit.edu
- 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