Program Overview

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree

Overview

The mechanical and industrial engineering doctoral program produces graduates with a depth of knowledge in mechanical or industrial engineering while allowing students to engage in cutting-edge, cross-disciplinary research. The flexible mechanical and industrial engineering curriculum encourages students to gain domain-specific knowledge from courses offered throughout the college’s portfolio of engineering programs. The curriculum, coupled with the depth of knowledge in mechanical or industrial engineering disciplines, creates graduates who are ready to tackle the world’s most pressing societal and industrial challenges.

Why Pursue a Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Ph.D. at RIT?

• STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
• AWARE-AI Research Opportunity: Provides hands-on experience in responsible AI research, guided by expert faculty, and enhanced by career-focused mentorship and development opportunities.
• Future-Focused Curriculum: Provides a dynamic program designed by academic and industry leaders to integrate formal education with state-of-the-art research and best practices from industry.
• Top-Notch Faculty: Work side-by-side with experienced faculty conducting research on contemporary problems.

Research

• AWARE-AI NSF Research Traineeship Program: The AWARE-AI National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program provides a unique opportunity to RIT's graduate students, who are poised to become future research leaders in developing responsible, human-aware AI technologies.
• Research Assistantships: Research assistantships are available to doctoral students.

Faculty

• Dan Phillips: Associate Professor
• Rob Stevens: Associate Professor
• Denis Cormier: Professor

Featured Work and Profiles

• Engineering Self-Healing into 3D Printing to Enhance Sustainability
• Visual and Tactile Perception in Inspection of Machined Surfaces
• Fabricating carbon nanotube arrays for more accessible cancer treatments
• Unlocking the Future of Compressor Maintenance with Condition Monitoring
• Paving the Way for Sustainable Lubrication Solutions in Industry
• Revolutionizing Heat Dissipation for Data Centers

Facilities

• Knorr-Bremse Mechatronics Laboratory
• Machine Shop
• Computational Design, Interfacing, Manufacturing and Education Lab

Curriculum

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ph.D. degree, typical course sequence

• First Year:
  • ENGR-701: Inter-disciplinary Research Methods
  • ENGR-702: Translating Discovery into Practice
  • MIEP-795: Doctoral Seminar
  • MIEP-892: Graduate Research
  • Engineering Foundation Electives
  • Discipline Concentration
• Second Year:
  • MIEP-795: Doctoral Seminar
  • MIEP-892: Graduate Research
  • Discipline Concentration
  • Focus Area Electives
• Third Year:
  • MIEP-890: Dissertation and Research

Electives

• Engineering Foundation Electives:
  • MECE-707/ENGR-707: Engineering Analysis
  • MECE-709/ENGR-709: Advanced Engineering Mathematics
  • ISEE-601: Systems Modeling and Optimization
  • ISEE-760: Design of Experiments
  • ISEE-771: Engineering of Systems I

Admissions and Financial Aid

• Admit Term(s): Fall
• Application Deadline: December 15 priority deadline, rolling thereafter
• STEM Designated: Yes

Application Details

• Requirements:
  • Baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent)
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Statement of purpose for research
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • GRE required (no minimum requirement)
  • English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic) if required

Cost and Financial Aid

• Tuition: Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will consist of a research assistantship (stipend) or a teaching assistantship (salary).

Resources

• MIE-PHD Student Manual
• MIE-PHD Request for Qualifying Exam
• MIE-PHD Advisory Committee Request Form
• MIE-PhD Request for Candidacy Exam
• MIE-PHD Request for Research Review Meeting Form
• MIE-PHD Request for Dissertation Defense
• MIE-PHD Independent Study Proposal
• Kate Gleason College of Engineering Graduate Student Handbook