PhD in Mechanical Engineering
The PhD program in Mechanical Engineering at UMass Amherst allow you to explore collaborative and interdisciplinary research with faculty and peers in best-in-class facilities.
Focus on topics including fluid dynamics and wind energy, bioengineering, dynamics and controls, materials engineering, and manufacturing in 35 active research labs with state-of-the-art equipment in the new Life Sciences Laboratory building.
The program prepares students for research careers in industry, academia, and national laboratories. A dissertation presenting significant new information is the primary requirement of the degree.
To apply to the PhD program, a Master's degree is not required. Prospective students with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant fields can apply directly to a PhD program through an MS/PhD path.
Direct questions to: miegraddepartment [at] umass [dot] edu (miegraddepartment[at]umass[dot]edu)
Benefits list
Research with real-world impacts
Current active research areas within the UMass Mechanical Engineering program include off-shore wind energy, energy conservation, mechanical systems design, bioengineering, distributed decision making, health-care systems, human-factors engineering, intelligent manufacturing, and fluid mechanics.
Cutting-edge facilities
Student spaces include the Exploratorium, which makes possible state-of-the-art teaching and team projects and the Altra Industrial Motion Innovation Shop, which provides students with the latest in machining capabilities including 3D printers, water jet cutters, and 4 axis milling machines.
Featured faculty
Sundar Krishnamurty
Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Ronnie & Eugene M. Isenberg Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Engineering
Design innovation; predictive analytics, advanced design and manufacturing.
Matthew Lackner
Endowed Chair in Renewable Energy, College of Engineering
Director, Wind Energy Center
Director, ELEVATE
Offshore wind energy, with a particular focus on the aerodynamics and structural control of floating offshore wind turbines.
Meghan Huber
Focused on understanding how humans and robots can learn from the physical interactions of one another.
Wen Chen
Additive manufacturing; mechanical behavior of materials; materials design.
Juan Jiménez
Adjunct, Biomedical Engineering
Manning/IALS INNOVATION Fellow
Studying the role of forces, especially those due to fluid flow, in cellular and blood biomolecular pathways relevant to diseases and processes.
Application information & deadlines
The PhD program in Mechanical Engineering has two deadlines that depend on your goals, interests, and timeline. Visit the UMass Amherst Graduate School page for more details.
Spring Deadline
Fall Deadline
Mechanical Engineering
From developing innovative prosthetic limbs to advanced wind turbines, harness your creativity as a UMass Amherst mechanical engineering student.