The department offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering degrees. Both graduate degrees are also offered to off-campus students through the distance option.
The department has active research programs in the areas of Dynamic Systems & Control (DSC), ThermoFluids Science (TFS), and Materials Processing & Manufacturing (MPM). Faculty teach graduate-level courses and conduct research in thrust areas that include: automotive systems, robotics and human systems, automation and mechatronic systems, energy and building efficiency, internal combustion engines, manufacturing systems, additive manufacturing, and materials processing and modeling. Graduate courses in these areas, in addition to the general core graduate courses, provide the foundation for earning a Master of Science (MSME) or Doctoral (PhD) degree in mechanical engineering.
Students and faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering have access to state of the art computational facilities and capabilities. On-campus assets include numerous commercially available computational modeling software packages through the College of Engineering server. In addition, high performance computing capabilities are accessible through the University of Alabama’s Office of Information Technology. High performance computing facilities are also available to UA students and faculty through the Alabama Supercomputer Authority.
Programs
The MSME degree can be pursued by taking one of two approaches. One plan is based on both coursework and research and the presentation and submission of a thesis (Plan I). The other plan is based on coursework and the completion of a comprehensive exam (Plan II). The Plan II option is available via distance to off-campus students residing within the borders of the United States or serving on a U.S. military installation. For more information on online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering see UA Online Degree Programs. We are confident that distance education students will have a great opportunity to obtain their degrees with minimal travel or job disruption. For on-campus students, there is also an option to pursue the MSME while simultaneously pursuing a business degree.
The PhD degree is based on coursework as well as a heavy research component. This degree provides graduates with the background needed to become experts in their selected area of specialization. This program is also offered via the distance option. For more information on online PhD in Mechanical Engineering see UA Online Degree Programs. We are confident that distance education students will have a great opportunity to obtain their degrees with minimal travel or job disruption. Applicants interested in the distance approach are encouraged to contact faculty members in the area of research interest to inquire about the formulation of a research project that is suitable for completion via distance. Note that the distance option is restricted to students residing within the borders of the United States or serving on a U.S. military installation.\
During the first semester, a student enrolled in any graduate program should identify a primary faculty advisor and become familiar with all the required forms and deadlines associated with their respective program.
Both of the programs described above and linked below are available to The University of Alabama Mechanical Engineering students interested in starting their graduate program early. The Accelerated Master's Program allows qualified BSME students to double-count a limited amount of graduate course credit toward their undergraduate degree. Additional information is available in the links below as well as on specific UA web pages related to this program.
Research
In pursuing a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, many MSME students and all PhD students conduct research in an area of interest and under the direction of a faculty member advisor. That research enables students to use novel solution techniques and state-of-the-art experimental instrumentation, depending on the particular topic of research that the student and faculty member decide to pursue. Students are able to solve unanswered problems, develop new analysis, computational, or experimental methods, and test their hypotheses as they become the expert on their chosen research topic. As part of developing, writing, and defending a dissertation, students receive feedback and advice from both their faculty advisor as well as their dissertation committee. This approach allows students to receive guidance that helps them look at a novel problem from various perspectives. While conducting their research, students have access to a range of computational and/or experimental facilities and are able to work alongside other students conducting research in related areas. On-campus students typically conduct their research while receiving some sort of assistantship or fellowship. That support provides tuition, health insurance, and a monthly stipend. Students are encouraged to communicate directly with potential faculty to learn about possible research opportunities in their laboratories, open research positions, as well as internal fellowship opportunities. Given the nature of students participating in the distance program, applicants to that program are encouraged to contact faculty members in their area of research interest to learn about projects that are suitable to conduct from a location remote to campus. Prior to enrolling, all applicants are welcome to schedule a campus visit through our graduate program director. Such a visit provides a means to meet graduate students and faculty while simultaneously learning about various research opportunities. While touring, applicants also see the College of Engineering campus, a beautiful modern multi-building complex with easy access to the central part of campus and transportation facilities. All on-campus PhD students are provided access to these facilities along with dedicated office space.
Faculty
Department Head
- Shepard, W. Steve
Director of Graduate Programs
- Srinivasan, Kalyan
Professors
- Agrawal, Ajay K.
- Balasubramanian, Bharat
- Krishnan, Sundar Rajan
- Shen, Xiangrong
- Shepard Jr., W. Steve
- Srinivasan, Kalyan Kumar
Associate professors
- Amini, Shahriar (Sean)
- Bittle, Joshua A.
- Fonseca, Daniel J.
- Khandelwal, Bhupendra
- Mahmoodi, S. Nima
- Momeni, Kasra
- Puzinauskas, Paulius V.
- Todd, Beth Ann
- Vikas, Vishesh
- Volkov, Alexey
- Williams, Keith A.
- Yoon, Hwan-Sik
Assistant professors
- Beck, Sadie
- Carpenter, Joseph
- Davami, Keivan
- Kasemer, Matthew
- Kim, Hyun Jin
- Koutahzadeh, Negin
- Pakniyat, Ali
- Patiballa, Sree Kalyan
- Samadi, Forooza
- Shah, Krishna
- Vaseghi, Majid
- Zhang, Qiang
Instructors/Research Engineers
- Hill, Lawrence
- Scott, Radley
Adjunct Faculty
- Brewer, Luke
- Daniewicz, Steve
- Rasoulzadeh, Mojdeh
Professors Emeriti
- Kavanaugh, Steve
- Midkiff, Clark
- Parker, Joey K.
- Taylor, Robert P.
- Woodbury, Keith A.
Courses
This course is designed to provide the graduate students with fundamental concepts of advanced mathematical analysis of continuous and discrete mechanical engineering systems. The course includes intensive discussion of ordinary differential equations, Fourier analysis, and advanced vector calculus with applications to dynamic systems, heat transfer as well as fluid and solid mechanics.
Thermal power systems; components, process analysis and modeling, fuels, combustion, environmental aspects, and availability analysis in steam and gas turbine plants. Examination of recent trends such as cogeneration and combined cycles.