Program Overview

PhD in Engineering Program

The PhD in Engineering program is designed to help students develop the ability to contribute to modern scientific discourse through independent research. Students will take part in rigorous coursework, utilize cutting-edge technology, and collaborate with peers and instructors in small, participatory classes.

Program Overview

The program encourages students to work toward their own career goals with a multi-disciplinary approach to engineering, developing plans of study from courses such as:

• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Computer engineering
• Computer science
• Nanoscale science and engineering
• Materials science
• Bioengineering

In addition to the stand-alone PhD in Engineering, the university also offers an interdisciplinary PhD program with opportunities for students to develop a plan of study combining engineering and a complementary discipline.

Program Details

• Start Dates: Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer
• Curriculum: 45 credit hours completed in quarter terms for students entering with a master's degree, and 90 credit hours completed in quarter terms for students entering with a bachelor's degree
• Program Length: 4 years for students entering with a master's degree, and 6 years for students entering with a bachelor's degree

Career Advancement

The PhD in Engineering program prepares students to contribute to the advancement of science, engineering, and technology through independent research. Graduates are prepared to go on to teach, research, and work in industry.

Admission Requirements

• Degree and GPA Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.
  • Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits.
• Prerequisites: Students with a master's degree in Engineering or closely related areas may apply for the PhD program in Engineering.
• Other Required Materials: PhD applicants are recommended to contact faculty to find a research advisor before submitting the application.
• English Language Proficiency Test Score Requirements:
  • Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80
  • Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5
  • Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176
  • Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

Courses

• Required Core Courses:
  • ENME 4900 - Graduate Professional Development
  • ENME 4950 - Graduate Assessment
• Mechanical Engineering Core Courses:
  • ENGR 3630 - Finite Element Methods
  • ENGR 4730 - Introduction to Robotics
  • ENME 3545 - Mechanisms
  • ENME 3651 - Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • ENME 4020 - Advanced Finite Element Analysis
  • ENME 4360 - Elasticity
  • ENME 4520 - Intermediate Dynamics
  • ENME 4541 - Advanced Mechanics of Materials
  • ENME 4630 - Viscous Flow
  • ENME 4670 - Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • ENME 4671 - Convective Heat Transfer
  • ENME 4800 - Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: Any 4XXX level ENEE or ENCE course
• Bioengineering Core Courses:
  • ENBI 4500 - Biofluids
  • ENBI 4510 - Biomechanics
  • ENBI 4520 - Introduction to Cardiovascular Engineering
  • ENBI 4800 - Advanced Topics in Bioengineering
• Materials Science Core Courses:
  • ENGR 4200 - Introduction to Nanotechnology
  • ENME 4310 - Computational Methods for Mechanics and Materials
  • ENME 4400 - Fatigue
  • MTSC 4020 - Composite Materials I
  • MTSC 4215 - Composite Materials II
  • MTSC 4450 - Fracture Mechanics
• Advanced Math Courses:
  • ENGR 3621 - Advanced Engineering Mathematics
  • ENGR 4300 - Advanced Numerical Methods
  • ENGR 4350 - Reliability
  • ENGR 4620 - Optimization
  • ENGR 4765 - Robot Control

Funding Opportunities

Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available to help fund the program. While these assistantships are competitive, students are encouraged to apply before the priority admissions deadline.