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Power your career in mechanical engineering

Turbocharge your career with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. Students who pursue the Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UCF will be instilled with the professional skills necessary to gain employment in the industry or in academia. As you journey through the program, you will gain a deeper understanding of mechanical systems, aerospace systems or thermofluids. 

Student in Peles Lab

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ranked nationally by U.S. News and World Report
  • UCF is located near major engineering organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Siemens, Northrop Grumman and Mitsubishi Power Systems.
  • Apply with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree
  • Fellowships available
  • Curriculum emphasizes thermofluids, mechanical systems and aerospace systems
  • Prepare for competitive positions in the industry or academia

Curriculum and admissions

The Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering requires completion of 72 credit hours at the graduate level post-bachelor’s degree. Fifty-seven of the credit hours must be comprised of a combination of 5000- and 6000-level classes while 15 credit hours must be devoted to the doctoral dissertation. Students who enter the program with a master’s degree are required to complete 42 credit hours. 

The program is designed for students who:

  • Have an M.S. degree in engineering or mechanical engineering and are seeking a higher level education and research training.
  • Have a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering or a closely related discipline and are seeking the Ph.D. with an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering along the way.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

FALL DEADLINE

JULY 1

SPRING DEADLINE

DECEMBER 1

Student in Cho's lab

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION

While licensure or certification may be available in this field of study, our program does not directly lead to such licensure or certification upon graduation. The professional preparation you receive in our program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a professional engineer and may still assist you in such pursuits; however, the licensing authority and requirements for professional engineers falls under the jurisdiction of the licensing board for the state, territory, or foreign entity in which engineer practices.

If you intend to pursue such credentialing in your state or elsewhere, we strongly advise you to contact the applicable state credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact advising manager Bonnie Esparza with questions in this regard and we will do our best to assist you in your career planning.

BME FACULTY

CONTACT

Jihua “Jan” Gou
Professor and graduate coordinator
Jihua.Gou@ucf.edu

Bonnie Esparza
Manager of academic advising
bonnie.esparza@ucf.edu