
Mechanical Engineering, PhD
Mechanical engineering is one of the more general engineering disciplines with mechanical engineers found in nearly every industry, from electric power generation to computer manufacturing, and all levels of engineering and management. With a PhD in mechanical engineering, students have the opportunity to hone their expertise in a chosen field of study to advance knowledge and engage with groundbreaking research.
Program overview
Our mechanical engineering PhD program offers high level research opportunities to students, so they can develop expertise in their field of study. Admission into the program will be granted to students who have demonstrated superior achievement in their engineering backgrounds.
Concentrations
Students pursuing their graduate degree in mechanical engineering have several concentrations to choose from including:
- Applied Mechanics
- Automative Manufacturing Simulation and Design
- Nuclear Space Science and Engineering
- Systems and Control
- Thermal-Fluid Mechanics
Why Study Mechanical Engineering at UT?
Our mechanical engineering graduate program collaborates with national organizations like ORNL and university partners like the world class Reliability and Maintainability Center which is dedicated to improving industrial productivity, efficiency, safety, and profitability. It’s through hands-on research opportunities like this that make the Mechanical Engineering, PhD Program a leading mechanical research graduate program among other public universities.
What can you do with a MS in Biomedical Engineering after graduation?
A PhD in mechanical engineering creates opportunities for careers in a number of industries like academia, industry government, and more. Mechanical engineers with an advanced degree can work in project management, technical consulting, or in quality assurance and control. Naturally, many PhD candidates will continue in academia, pursuing a career as a research or teaching professor or leading research projects as a principal investigator.
Featured Courses
Below are some of the courses that students in our program can choose to take. For a list of all courses in mechanical engineering, visit the Graduate Catalog.
ME 605 Mechatronics II
Introduction to designing microcontroller-based embedded computer systems using assembly and C programs. Examination of Real-time Operating Systems and their impact on performance. A/D and D/A interfacing. Engineering applications will be emphasized.
ME 613 Advanced Radiation Heat Transfer
Radiation heat transfer in absorbing, emitting and scattering media; interaction of thermal radiation with conduction and convection heat transfer.
ME 621 Advanced Topics in Mechanical Systems
Advanced theory and applications in control systems, dynamics, mechanics, strength of materials and vibrations.
ME 686 Human-Robot Systems
Analysis of modern human-robot system concepts: review of current research and literature in telerobotics, human-robot cooperation and interaction, including internet integration, cloud computing, virtual reality and haptic interfaces.
Related Programs
Check out a list of related programs to look into based on your interest in mechanical engineering:
Admissions and Aid
Choosing the right university to pursue an engineering degree is an important decision—and a significant investment. We want to make sure that you have the information you need to both apply and make attending UT affordable.


Ready to Join Us?
See yourself on Rocky Top? We’ve made it easier than ever to apply for admission. Learn more about our admission requirements and the steps to apply to be an Engineering Vol.