PhD

The Tufts Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. The Department also participates in two interdisciplinary Joint-PhD programs: One in Materials Science and Engineering and one in Human-Robot Interaction.

In general, the PhD program is for full-time students only, and any deviation from this policy must be approved by vote of the department faculty. Tuition scholarships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships are only available, on a competitive basis, to full-time PhD candidates.

Upon matriculation, graduate students are assigned a faculty advisor who provides advice about registration for courses and program requirements. For PhD students, as progress is made on the degree, suitable thesis topics are discussed between the student and department faculty members. The selection of a thesis advisor should be completed by the end of the second term of full-time study. This advisor then assumes all advising duties for the student.

The interaction between the graduate student and a faculty member is one of the most significant aspects of a graduate student's time at Tufts. PhD students also have a thesis committee that works with the thesis advisor to ensure success. PhD students must successfully complete the PhD qualifying exams before the end of the first year in the program, prior to initiating their research. All candidates for the PhD degree must defend their thesis in an oral examination in an open forum.

For further information, please contact:

Marc Hodes
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Program Director