The Doctor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering is designed to enable engineering and technology professionals to better apply the evolving engineering skills required for achieving and maintaining a competitive advantage in a fast-paced global economy.
Students will complete a minimum of 48 semester credit hours (SCHs) for the Doctor of Engineering (D.E.) beyond their Master of Science degree. For students who wish to emphasize engineering practice, the coursework will consist of 12 SCHs of engineering and scientific theory, 12 SCHs of electives in a specialized engineering practice, and 12 SCHs of engineering management, offered by the Lyle School of Engineering. For students who wish to emphasize applied science, the coursework will consist of 15 SCHs of engineering and scientific theory, 15 SCHs of electives in a specialized engineering practice, and 6 SCHs of engineering management, offered by the Lyle School of Engineering. The last 12 SCHs for all students in the D.E. program are earned by successfully proposing and completing an applied, use-inspired praxis.
Upon completion of the first full semester, the student and his/her advisor will devise an individual Graduate Degree Plan, in consultation with the student’s Academic Supervisory Committee. Each student’s plan will be unique, designed to meet the needs of his/her individual background and interests. The Academic Supervisory Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the Graduate Degree Plan. All students are required to have an approved degree plan in order to graduate.
The Graduate Degree Plan serves as a contract between the student, the student’s Academic Supervisory Committee, and the Lyle School of Engineering. This plan is a blueprint for successful completion of a student’s degree requirements. The approved plan must adhere to the policies of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) and the Lyle School of Engineering (SoE). Students are strongly encouraged to have an approved degree plan on file by the end of their first semester.
The Academic Supervisory Committee will consist of five members, including a committee chair who is a tenured or tenure-track ME professor, a praxis advisor who is a full-time ME faculty member, and a minimum of two other SoE professors with knowledge in the student’s area of study. A fifth member may be a qualified expert from outside ME or from industry. This committee approves the degree plan and administers the Praxis Defense. The Mechanical Engineering Department’s Graduate Committee establishes and administers the preliminary and qualifying examinations.