PhD Mechanical Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder

Programme overview

Mechanical engineering PhD students at CU Boulder do research in fluid and solid mechanics, thermal engineering and materials science, using experimental, theoretical and computational approaches. The PhD is open to students entering graduate study for the first time as well as those with a master's degree.

Faculty: College of Engineering and Applied Science | Department: Mechanical Engineering | Duration: 30 course credit hours plus 30 dissertation credit hours; requirements completed within six years | Location: Boulder, CO, United States

What you will study

At least 30 credits of 5000-level or higher coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.25, including 9 credits of mechanical engineering coursework (Methods of Engineering Analysis 1, Introduction to Research and one core course), plus 30 dissertation credits. Focus areas: air quality, biomedical, design, materials, mechanics of materials, micro/nanoscale, robotics and systems design, and thermo fluid sciences. Milestones are a written and oral preliminary exam, a comprehensive exam and a dissertation defense.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Mechanical Engineering PhD admissions (department level): undergraduate degree in engineering, sciences or mathematics from an accredited institution; master's degree not required; no minimum GPA stated, most competitive applicants have undergraduate and graduate GPAs of 3.4 or above; GRE not required and not reviewed; recommended coursework in calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, two semesters of calculus-based physics and two semesters of upper-division engineering or physics. International applicants: TOEFL 80 minimum (91+ preferred), IELTS 6.5 (7+ preferred), Duolingo 115 (125+ preferred), PTE 58, Cambridge 180, unless waived. Fall-term admission for applicants not already at CU Boulder.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applications are submitted online to the Graduate School; the nonrefundable application fee is $60 for domestic applicants and $80 for international applicants. Deadlines are set per programme.

Apply through the official page: https://www.colorado.edu/graduateschool/admissions

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