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.
The department maintains well-equipped laboratories in large modern buildings. Graduate students conduct their research in these laboratories and students are typically provided dedicated office space. The department also maintains a modularized research area capable of supporting many separate projects, as well as a student machine shop.
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
The department has active research programs in the areas of Dynamic Systems & Control (DSC), ThermoFluids Science (TFS), and Materials Processing & Manufacturing (MPM). Faculty conduct research in thrust areas that include, but are not limited to: 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. Individual faculty members and their research interests are described on the ME Research and Faculty Directory.
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.
The department maintains well-equipped laboratories in large modern buildings. Graduate students conduct their research in these laboratories and students are typically provided dedicated office space. The department also maintains a modularized research area capable of supporting many separate projects, as well as a student machine shop.
Many graduate students conducting research on campus are eligible to receive some sort of assistantship or fellowship in order to help support their academic pursuits. The specific program pages linked above have sections that describe these funding opportunities. Furthermore, the process of obtaining such funding is provided in more detail on those pages. If after reading those pages an applicant has additional questions about the process of obtaining funding, which is separate from the admissions process, the applicant is encouraged to contact the graduate program director.
Faculty
Department Head
- Jalili, Nader
Director of Graduate Programs
- Shepard, W. Steve
Professors
- Agrawal, Ajay K.
- Balasubramanian, Bharat
- Jalili, Nader
- Krishnan, Sundar Rajan
- Shen, Xiangrong
- Shepard Jr., W. Steve
- Srinivasan, Kalyan Kumar
Associate professors
- Amini, Shahriar (Sean)
- Ashford, Marcus
- Bittle, Joshua A.
- Fonseca, Daniel J.
- Khandelwal, Bhupendra
- Mahmoodi, S. Nima
- Momeni, Kasra
- Puzinauskas, Paulius V.
- Todd, Beth Ann
- Volkov, Alexey
- Williams, Keith A.
- Yoon, Hwan-Sik
Assistant professors
- Carpenter, Joseph
- Cousin, Christian
- Davami, Keivan
- Kasemer, Matthew
- Kim, Hyun Jin
- Martelli, Dario
- Pakniyat, Ali
- Patiballa, Sree Kalyan
- Samadi, Forooza
- Shah, Krishna
- Vikas, Vishesh
Instructors/Research Engineers
- Hill, Lawrence
- Koutahzadeh, Negin
- Scott, Radley
Adjunct Faculty
- Daniewicz, Steve
- Rasoulzadeh, Mojdeh
Affiliated Faculty
- Amaro, Robert L.
- O'Neill, Zheng
Professors Emeriti
- Doughty, Julian O.
- Harrisberger, Lee
- 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.