Mechanical Engineering (DE)
Description
The Mechanical Engineering graduate program is student-centered, providing high-quality instruction in both theory and the latest engineering developments. Graduate faculty members hold doctorates in engineering, and most bring significant industrial experience to the classroom. For the working person, our graduate classes are held in the late afternoon and evening. Many of our full-time graduate students obtain paid internships in local industry for one or two terms during their course of study.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering specializes in the following four focal areas:
- Manufacturing Systems
- Mechatronics Systems
- Thermal/Fluid Systems and Alternative Energy Conversion
- Vehicle Systems
Students may choose to concentrate several courses in one focal area or may select a variety of courses across multiple focal areas.
Two graduate degrees are offered:
- Master of Mechanical Engineering (for information on the Master degree, click here)
- Doctor of Engineering with a major in Mechanical Engineering
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Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Students may apply to the Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering program upon completion of either a baccalaureate or a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field. Typical minimum requirements include an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a graduate GPA of 3.5 (if relevant). Students who have taken relevant graduate level courses elsewhere (possibly as part of earning a master’s degree) may transfer up to 30 credit hours from their master’s program. Although the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required, a strong score on the GRE will strengthen the application. In addition, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable, while not required as part of the application, is encouraged because its results can be useful in facilitating the admission process.
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Degree Requirements (81 credit hours)
The Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering requires that students complete the doctoral core courses, discipline specific courses, and 30 credit hours of dissertation. The Doctoral program is divided into three parts: Coursework, Dissertation and Examination.
Coursework
Coursework consists of 51 post-baccalaureate course credits at the graduate level. Up to 30 graduate credit hours can be transferred and at least 21 graduate credits must be earned at Detroit Mercy. Coursework is divided into:- Doctoral Core courses
- Discipline Specific courses
- Electives
There are two Doctoral Core courses (or equivalent): ENGR 5020 Design of Experiments; and ENGR 5300 Advanced Engineering Mathematics. Discipline Specific courses are those Mechanical Engineering courses that pertain most closely to the student’s dissertation topic. The required Discipline Specific courses must be agreed upon by the student’s advisor and the Department. Electives are selected (with written approval of the student's advisor) from MENG, ENGR, ELEE, AEV, MTH, ENT and CSSE courses (courses from additional departments may be permissible with written approval of the advisor).
Dissertation
Dissertation credits consist of research credits accrued under the guidance of a Doctoral Dissertation committee headed by a faculty member who acts as the supervisor. Although doctoral research is independent, novel and advances the state of the art, the committee members can provide guidance, advice and technical expertise. A minimum of 30 dissertation credits is required for the Doctor of Engineering degree.Examination
Examinations comprise three stages: Qualifying, Dissertation Topic and Final.The Qualifying Examination is administered and interpreted by the college-level Engineering & Science Graduate Council. The exam consists of two parts: Mathematics and Discipline Specific (in this case, Mechanical Engineering topics relevant to the individual examinee that may include computer based topics). The Qualifying Examination must be taken as soon as possible after the student has completed the Doctoral Core courses. Students passing the Qualifying Examination are allowed to advance in the Doctoral program. Students may not register for dissertation credits until they have passed both parts of the Qualifying Examination. Students can repeat each part of the qualifying exam once. Students failing the Qualifying Examination for the second time are dismissed from the Doctoral program.
The Dissertation Topic Examination consists of the formal presentation of the dissertation topic to the supervisory committee. The committee provides feedback to the student regarding scope, depth and relevancy of the topic. With approval of the committee, the student can proceed with the research and subsequent accrual of dissertation credits.
The Final Examination consists of the formal and public presentation of the dissertation results. The written dissertation must also be approved and accepted by the supervisory committee and the Dean of the College. The Final Examination, in concert with submission of the approved version of the written dissertation, constitutes the last step in completion of the Doctor of Engineering degree.
Information about the Mathematics Qualifying Exam can be found here. Masters and Doctoral Thesis guidelines can be found on the Engineering & Science website.
Program Contact Information
Chairperson: Dr. Nassif Rayess
Engineering 214
Telephone:
Website