Mechanical engineering is concerned with the responsible development of products, processes, and power, whether at the molecular scale or at the scale of large, complex systems. Mechanical engineering principles and skills are needed at some stage during the conception, design, development, and manufacture of every human-made object with moving parts. Many innovations crucial to our future will have their roots in the world of mass, motion, forces, and energy—the world of mechanical engineers.
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest and most versatile of the engineering professions. This is reflected in the portfolio of current activities in the department, one that has widened rapidly in the past decade. Today, our faculty are involved in projects ranging from, for example, the use of nanoparticles to tailor the properties of polymers, to the use of nonlinear dynamics to control unsteady flow separation; from the design and fabrication of low-cost radio-frequency identification chips, to the development of efficient methods for robust design; from the development of unmanned underwater vehicles, to the creation of optimization methods that autonomously generate decision-making strategies; from the invention of cost-effective photovoltaic cells, to the prevention of material degradation in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells; from the use of acoustics to explore the ocean of one of Jupiter's moons, to the biomimetics of swimming fish; from the development of physiological models for the human liver, to the development of novel ways for detecting precancerous events; and from the use of nanoscale antennas for manipulating large molecules, to the fabrication of 3-D nanostructures out of 2-D substrates.
The department carries out its mission with a focus on the seven areas of excellence described below. Our education and research agendas are informed by these areas, and these are the areas in which we seek to impassion the best undergraduate and graduate students.
Area 1: Mechanics: Modeling, Experimentation, and Computation (MMEC). At the heart of mechanical engineering lies the ability to measure, describe, and model the physical world of materials and mechanisms. The MMEC area focuses on teaching the fundamental principles, essential skills, and scientific tools to be able to predict and understand thermo-mechanical phenomena and use such knowledge in rational engineering design. We provide students with the foundations in experimental, modeling, and computational skills needed to understand, exploit, and enhance the thermo-physical behavior of advanced engineering devices and systems, and to make lifelong creative contributions at the forefront of the mechanical sciences and beyond. Research in the MMEC area focuses on four key thrusts:
The fundamental engineering principles embodied in these topics can be applied over a vast range of force, time, and length scales, and applications of interest in the MMEC area span the spectrum from the nano/micro world to the geophysical domain. A Course 2-A track is offered in this area.
Area 2: Design, Manufacturing, and Product Development. Product realization is the complete set of activities needed to bring innovative new devices, technologies, and services to the marketplace. These activities extend across the entire product life cycle, from identification of a market opportunity, through product design, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-life disposal. In a broad sense, product realization encompasses all of engineering. However, our activities are centered on synthesis—how creative engineering is used to produce new things to serve a practical purpose. The product realization group links new engineering methodologies, techniques, and processes with engineering activities in product development and manufacturing. Product realization requires deep disciplinary knowledge of mechanical engineering. For products to be competitive technically, they must incorporate appropriate new technologies and be refined using leading-edge modeling, simulation, and experimental methods. For products to be commercially competitive, they must be innovative, appropriate, elegantly designed, and manufactured in a globally competitive fashion. Many students come to MIT and mechanical engineering because they want to create new products. Having a group of faculty organized around product realization provides them with strong and coherent educational programs that will develop broad, deep, and versatile professionals and researchers in this area. A Course 2-A track in product development is offered.
Area 3: Controls, Instrumentation, and Robotics. The mission in this area is to promote research and education for automating, monitoring, and manipulating systems. The focus is on system-level behavior that emerges primarily from interactions and cannot be explained from individual component behavior alone. We seek to identify fundamental principles and methodologies that enable systems to exhibit intelligent, goal-oriented behavior, and develop innovative instruments to monitor, manipulate, and control systems. The core competencies in which we seek to excel are:
We seek to apply our core competencies to diverse areas of social, national, and global needs. These include health care, security, education, space and ocean exploration, and autonomous systems in air, land, and underwater. We also offer a Course 2-A track in this area.
Area 4: Energy Science and Engineering. Energy is one of the most significant challenges facing humanity and is a central focus of mechanical engineering's contribution to society. Our research focuses on efficient and environmentally friendly energy conversion and utilization from fossil and renewable resources. Programs in the department cover many of the disciplinary and technological aspects of energy, with applications to high performance combustion engines, batteries and fuel cells, thermoelectricity and photovoltaics, wind turbines, and efficient buildings. Work in very-low-temperature thermodynamics includes novel sub-Kelvin refrigeration and superconducting magnets. Efforts in high-temperature thermodynamics and its coupling with transport and chemistry include internal combustion engine analysis, design, and technology; control of combustion dynamics and emissions; thermoelectric energy conversion; low- and high-temperature fuel cells; and novel materials for rechargeable batteries. Work in heat and mass transport covers thermal control of electronics from manufacturing to end use; microscale and nanoscale transport phenomena; high heat flux engineering; and energy-efficient building technology. Work in renewable energy encompasses the design of offshore and floating wind turbines and tidal wave machines; and analysis and manufacturing of photovoltaic and thermophotovoltaic devices. Energy storage, hybrid systems, fuel synthesis, and integration of energy systems are active research areas in the department. We also offer a Course 2-A track in energy.
Area 5: Ocean Science and Engineering. The oceans cover over 70 percent of the planet's surface and constitute a critical element in our quality of life, including the climate and the resources and food that we obtain from the sea. This area's objectives are to support the undergraduate and graduate programs in ocean engineering, including the naval construction program, the MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Applied Oceanography and the Course 2-OE degree in mechanical and ocean engineering. It also serves as the focus point of ocean-related research and education at MIT. Major current research activities include the robotics and navigation of underwater vehicles and smart sensors for ocean mapping and exploration; biomimetics to extract new understanding for the development of novel ocean systems studying marine animals; the study of the mechanics and fluid mechanics of systems for ultradeep ocean gas and oil extraction; ocean wave and offshore wind energy extraction; the free surface hydrodynamics of ocean-going vehicles; the development of advanced naval and commercial ships and submersibles, including the all-electric ship; the mechanics and crashworthiness of ocean ships and structures; ocean transportation systems; and ocean acoustics for communication, detection, and mapping in the ocean. The design of complex ocean systems permeates all these areas and provides the cohesive link for our research and teaching activities.
Area 6: Bioengineering. Engineering analysis, design, and synthesis are needed to understand biological processes and to harness them successfully for human use. Mechanical forces and structures play an essential role in governing the function of cells, tissues, and organs. Our research emphasizes integration of molecular-to-systems–level approaches to probe the behavior of natural biological systems; and to design and build new systems. At the smallest scale, proteins, enzymes, and biological motors are being studied using instrumentation that combines optical tweezers, single-molecule fluorescence, and pulsed spectroscopy. Single molecules are manipulated within complex systems using nanoscale antennas, opening new avenues for therapy and diagnosis. Computational and experimental models are used to describe the networks of molecules in the cytoskeleton, and how they couple with the extracellular matrix to respond to external forces. Emphasis is also placed on creating new physiological models using tools of nano- and microfabrication as well as creation of new biomaterials. Applications include understanding, diagnosing, and treating diseases ranging from atherosclerosis to osteoarthritis to liver failure; new tools for drug discovery and drug development; and tissue-engineered scaffolds and devices for in vivo regeneration of tissues and organs. Work also includes design and fabrication of new devices and tools for rehabilitation of stroke victims, and for robotic surgery. We offer many elective subjects as well as a bioengineering track in Course 2-A.
Area 7: Nano/Micro Science and Technology. The miniaturization of devices and systems of ever-increasing complexity has been a fascinating and productive engineering endeavor during the past few decades. Near and long term, this trend will be amplified as physical understanding of the nano world expands, and widespread commercial demand drives the application of manufacturing to micro- and nanosystems. Micro- and nanotechnology can have tremendous impact on a wide range of mechanical systems. Examples include microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices and systems that are already deployed as automobile airbag sensors and for drug delivery; stronger and lighter nanostructured materials now used in automobiles; and nanostructured energy conversion devices that significantly improve the efficiency of macroscale energy systems. Research in this area cuts across mechanical engineering and other disciplines. Examples include sensors and actuators; fluidics, heat transfer, and energy conversion at the micro- and nanoscales; optical and biological micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS); engineered 3-D nanomaterials; ultraprecision engineering; and the application of optics in measurement, sensing, and systems design. Our faculty members have developed and are developing new educational materials in micro and nano science and technology. Students interested in micro/nano technology are encouraged to explore the Course 2-A nanoengineering track.
In order to prepare the mechanical engineers of the future, the department has developed undergraduate and graduate educational programs of the depth and breadth necessary to address the diverse and rapidly changing technological challenges that society faces. Our educational programs combine the rigor of academic study with the excitement and creativity inherent to innovation and research.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers three programs of undergraduate study. The first of these, the traditional program that leads to the bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, is a more structured program that prepares students for a broad range of career choices in the field of mechanical engineering. The second program leads to a bachelor's degree in engineering and is intended for students whose career objectives require greater flexibility. It allows them to combine the essential elements of the traditional mechanical engineering program with study in another, complementary field. The third program, in mechanical and ocean engineering, is also a structured program for students interested in mechanical engineering as it applies to the engineering aspects of ocean science, exploration, and utilization, and of marine transportation.
All of the educational programs in the department prepare students for professional practice in an era of rapidly advancing technology. They combine a strong base in the engineering sciences (mechanics, materials, fluid and thermal sciences, systems and control) with project-based laboratory and design experiences. All strive to develop independence, creative talent, and leadership, as well as the capability for continuing professional growth.
The program in mechanical engineering provides a broad intellectual foundation in the field of mechanical engineering. The program develops the relevant engineering fundamentals, includes various experiences in their application, and introduces the important methods and techniques of engineering practice.
The educational objectives of the program leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering are that: (1) in their careers, graduates will bring to bear a solid foundation in basic mathematical and scientific knowledge and a firm understanding of the fundamental principles and disciplines of mechanical engineering; (2) graduates will use proper engineering principles when they model, measure, analyze, and design mechanical and thermal components and systems; (3) graduates will have the professional skills necessary for formulating and executing design projects, for teamwork, and for effective communication; and (4) graduates will demonstrate the confidence, awareness of societal context, professional ethics, and motivation for lifelong learning that are necessary for them to be leaders in their chosen fields of endeavor.
Students are urged to contact the Undergraduate Office as soon as they have decided to enter mechanical engineering so that an ME faculty advisor may be assigned. Students, together with their faculty advisors, plan a program that best utilizes the departmental electives and the 48 units of unrestricted electives available in the Course 2 degree program.
This curriculum has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology as a mechanical engineering degree. (See accreditation discussion under the School of Engineering.)
Course 2-A is designed for students whose academic and career goals demand greater breadth and flexibility than are allowed under the mechanical engineering program, Course 2. To a large extent, the 2-A program allows students an opportunity to tailor a curriculum to their own needs, starting from a solid mechanical engineering base. The program combines a rigorous grounding in core mechanical engineering subjects with an individualized course of study focused on a second area that the student designs with the help and approval of the 2-A faculty advisor. The program leads to the degree Bachelor of Science in Engineering as recommended by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This degree is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
The educational objectives of the program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering as recommended by the Department of Mechanical Engineering are that: (1) in their careers, graduates will bring to bear a solid foundation in basic mathematical and scientific knowledge and a firm understanding of the basic principles and disciplines of mechanical engineering; (2) graduates will use proper engineering principles when they model, measure, analyze, and design engineering systems, processes, and components; (3) graduates will have the professional skills necessary for formulating and executing design projects, for teamwork, and for effective communication; (4) graduates will demonstrate the confidence, awareness of societal context, professional ethics, and motivation for lifelong learning that are necessary for them to be leaders in their chosen fields of endeavor; and (5) graduates will integrate mechanical engineering technical abilities and knowledge with those of another disciplinary field.
A significant part of the 2-A curriculum consists of electives chosen by the student to provide in-depth study of a field of the student's choosing. A wide variety of popular concentrations are possible in which well-selected academic subjects complement a foundation in mechanical engineering and general Institute requirements. Some examples of potential concentrations include biomedical engineering and pre-medicine; energy conversion engineering; engineering management; product development; robotics; technology policy and pre-law; sustainable development; architecture and building technology; and any of the seven departmental focus areas mentioned above. The ME faculty have developed specific recommendations in some of these areas; details are available from the ME Undergraduate Office and on the departmental website.
Concentrations are not limited to those listed above. Students are encouraged to design and propose technically oriented concentrations that reflect their own needs and those of society.
The student's overall program must contain a total of at least one and one-half years of engineering-topics content (144 units) appropriate to the student's field of study. The required core and second-level subjects include approximately 93 units of engineering topics. The self-designed concentration must include at least 51 more units of engineering topics. While engineering topics are usually covered through engineering subjects, non-engineering subjects may provide material essential to the engineering program of some concentrations. For example, biology and chemistry subjects usually form an essential part of a bioengineering concentration. In all cases, the relationship of concentration subjects to the particular theme of the concentration must be obvious. A thesis (2.ThU) of up to 12 units may be included in the concentration, if desired.
Students who wish to pursue this degree must advise the department's Undergraduate Office during their sophomore year to allow enough time to plan a complete program.
Registration for this degree program requires approval in writing from the ME Undergraduate Office. Registration forms are available in the ME Undergraduate Office, and should be submitted within one term of entering Course 2-A.
This program is intended for students who are interested in combining a firm foundation in mechanical engineering with a specialization in ocean engineering. The program includes engineering aspects of the ocean sciences, ocean exploration, and utilization of the oceans for transportation, defense, and extracting resources. Theory, experiment, and computation of ocean systems and flows are covered in a number of courses, complementing a rigorous mechanical engineering program; a hands-on capstone design class allows students to master the design of advanced marine systems, including autonomous underwater vehicles and smart sensors.
The educational objectives of the program leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Ocean Engineering are that: (1) in their careers, graduates will bring to bear a solid foundation in basic mathematical and scientific knowledge and a firm understanding of the fundamental principles and disciplines of both mechanical and ocean engineering; (2) graduates will use proper engineering principles when they model, measure, analyze, and design mechanical, thermal, and ocean components and systems; (3) graduates will have the professional skills necessary for formulating and executing design projects, for teamwork, and for effective communication; and (4) graduates will demonstrate the confidence, awareness of societal context, professional ethics, and motivation for lifelong learning that are necessary for them to be leaders in their chosen fields of endeavor.
Graduates have exciting opportunities in the offshore and oceanographic industry, and the Navy or government, or for further study in graduate school.
The School of Engineering intends to seek accreditation for this curriculum. Accreditation is expected to be retroactive for the first students graduating with this degree.
The Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program is a program sponsored by the School of Engineering and administered through the Office of the Dean of Engineering. Further information on the program may be obtained from the department in which the student is registered or from Christopher Resto, director, Room 12-188, MIT, 617-452-5099, fax 617-253-8457, cresto@mit.edu, or from http://web.mit.edu/engineering/upop/.
The requirements for a Minor in Mechanical Engineering are as follows:
Students pursuing a minor in the department must complete a total of six subjects (including 18.03 as a prerequisite to departmental subjects). Subjects for the minor must constitute a coherent program approved by the department, and be drawn from the required subjects and departmental electives in the Course 2 or Course 2-OE degree programs. These subjects must include four of the ME program's required core subjects .
Further information on undergraduate programs may be obtained from the Undergraduate Office, Room 1-110, MIT, 617-253-2305, by email to me-undergradoffice@mit.edu, and from the downloadable Guide to the Undergraduate Program in Mechanical Engineering (http://web.mit.edu/me-ugoffice/gamed.pdf).
The Mechanical Engineering Department provides opportunities for graduate work leading to the following degrees: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master of Science in Ocean Engineering, Master of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Master of Engineering in Manufacturing, degree of Mechanical Engineer, degree of Naval Engineer, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Science (ScD), which differ in name only.
The Master of Engineering degree is a twelve-month professional degree intended to prepare students for technical leadership in the manufacturing industries.
The Mechanical Engineer's and Naval Engineer's degrees offer preparation for a career in advanced engineering practice through a program of advanced coursework that goes well beyond the master's level. These degrees are not a stepping stone to the PhD.
The Doctor of Philosophy (or Science), the highest academic degree offered, is awarded upon the completion of a program of advanced study and significant original research, design, or development.
Applications to the Mechanical Engineering Graduate School are accepted from persons who have completed, or will have completed by the time they arrive, a bachelor's degree. Most incoming students have a degree in mechanical engineering or ocean engineering, or some related branch of engineering. The department's admission criteria are not specific, however, and capable students with backgrounds in different branches of engineering or in science may gain entry. Nevertheless, to qualify for a graduate degree, the candidate is expected to have had at least an undergraduate-level exposure to the core subject areas in mechanical engineering (applied mechanics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, control systems, and design) and to be familiar with basic electrical circuits and electromagnetic field theory. Those with deficiencies may be asked to make up subjects in certain areas before they graduate.
Applications for September entry are due on December 15 of the previous year, and decisions are reported in March. Foreign students applying from abroad may be admitted, but they will be allowed to register only if they have full financial support for the first year.
All applicants to the graduate program in mechanical engineering must submit the GRE test results. Students applying from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and receive a minimum paper-based score of 577, or a minimum computer-based score of 233, or a minimum internet-based score of 91.
At the end of the junior year, extraordinarily qualified students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering will be invited to apply for early admission to the graduate program. Students who are admitted will then be able to enroll in core graduate subjects during the senior year and to find a faculty advisor who is willing to start and supervise research for the master's thesis while the student is still in the senior year. With the consent of the faculty advisor, the student may also use a portion of the work conducted towards the master's thesis in the senior undergraduate year to satisfy the requirements of the bachelor's thesis.
The Mechanical Engineering Department requires that all incoming graduate students demonstrate satisfactory English writing ability, or successfully complete appropriate training in writing. This requirement reflects the faculty's conviction that writing is an essential skill for all engineers. All incoming graduate students, native as well as foreign, must take the departmental writing ability test, which is administered in September. Depending on the results, a student will either pass or be required to take a subject in writing.
To qualify for the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a student must complete at least 72 credits of coursework, not including thesis. Of these, at least 48 must be graduate H-level subjects (refer to the Guide to Graduate Study on the ME website). The remainder of the 72 units may be for G-level subjects or advanced undergraduate subjects that are not requirements in the undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum.
At least three of the H-level subjects must be taken in mechanical engineering sciences (refer to the Guide to Graduate Study on the ME website). Students must take at least one graduate mathematics subject (12 units) offered by the MIT Mathematics Department. No waivers are allowed.
Finally, a thesis is required. The thesis is an original work of research, development, or design, performed under the supervision of a faculty or research staff member, and is a major part of any graduate program in the Mechanical Engineering Department. A master's student usually spends as much time on thesis work as on coursework. A master's degree usually takes about one and one-half to two years to complete.
The curriculum leading to a Master of Science in Ocean Engineering is based on a broad working knowledge of all the basic engineering skills. The intended outcome of this program is a person whose main interest is the development of the ocean for the good of humanity, and who, in following this ambition, is prepared to use whatever engineering disciplines are needed to address the problem at hand.
As a part of the more general field of ocean engineering, naval architecture and marine engineering are concerned with all aspects of waterborne vehicles operating on, below, or just above the sea surface. The Master of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering is intended to develop an individual who plans to concentrate in areas related to waterborne vehicles and/or their subsystems.
The requirements for these degrees are that the student take 72 credit units of subjects—with 48 of them being H-level subjects—and complete a thesis. At least three of the subjects must be chosen from a prescribed list of basic ocean engineering subjects (refer to the Guide to Graduate Study on the ME website). Students must take at least one graduate mathematics subject (12 units) offered by MIT's Mathematics Department. No waivers are allowed.
The Master of Engineering in Manufacturing is a twelve-month professional degree in mechanical engineering that is intended to prepare the student to assume a role of technical leadership in the manufacturing industries. The degree is aimed at practitioners who will use this knowledge to become leaders in existing, as well emerging, manufacturing companies. To qualify for this degree, a student must complete a highly integrated set of subjects and projects that cover the process, product, system, and business aspects of manufacturing, totaling 90 units, plus complete a group-based thesis project. While centered in engineering and firmly grounded in the engineering sciences, this degree program is centered on the enterprise of manufacturing. Students will gain both a broad understanding of the many facets of manufacturing and a knowledge of manufacturing fundamentals from which to build new technologies and businesses. The admission process is identical to that of the Master of Science degree, with the exception that a supplemental application is required. For more information, see the program description at http://web.mit.edu/~meng-manufacturing/.
The Leaders for Manufacturing (LFM) program combines graduate education in engineering and management for those with two or more years of work experience who aspire to leadership positions in manufacturing or operations companies. This rigorous 24-month program combines subjects in technology and management. A required 6.5-month internship provides opportunity to complete a research project on site at one of LFM's partner companies. The internship leads to a dual-degree thesis, culminating in two master's degrees—an SM in management or an MBA, and an SM in engineering from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The program is offered jointly through the MIT Sloan School of Management and the School of Engineering. For more information, see the program description under Engineering Systems Division in Part 2 or visit http://lfm.mit.edu/.
The Mechanical Engineer's degree provides an opportunity for further study beyond the master's level for those who wish to enter engineering practice rather than research. This degree emphasizes breadth of knowledge in mechanical engineering and its economic and social implications, and is quite distinct from the PhD, which emphasizes depth and originality of research.
The engineer's degree requires a broad program of advanced coursework in mechanical engineering totaling at least 162 credit units (typically about 14 subjects), including those taken during the master's degree program. The engineer's degree program is centered around the application of engineering principles to advanced engineering problems and includes an applications-oriented thesis, which may be an extension of a suitable master's thesis. An engineer's degree typically requires at least one year of study beyond the master's degree.
The program leading to the Naval Engineer's degree requires a higher level and significantly broader range of professional competence in engineering than is required for an SM in naval architecture and marine engineering or ocean engineering. The program for an engineer's degree ordinarily includes subjects in the areas of economics, industrial management, and public policy or law, and at least 12 units of comprehensive design. Should the student be working toward the simultaneous award of the engineer's and master's degrees, a single thesis is generally acceptable provided it is appropriate to the specifications of both degrees and demonstrates the educational maturity expected of candidates for the higher degree.
The Naval Construction and Engineering (NCE) program provides US Navy and US Coast Guard officers, foreign naval officers, and civilian students interested in ships and ship design a broad graduate-level engineering education for a career as a professional naval engineer. The program focuses on naval architecture, hydrodynamics, ship structures, materials, power and propulsion, and ship production in a total-ship-design and engineering context. Students learn to apply a total-system-design approach to large-scale complex systems—in particular, surface naval combatants, submarines, and high-performance commercial ships. The program is appropriate for naval officers and civilians who later actively participate in concept formulation, design, and construction of naval ships, as well as for those interested in commercial ship design. In addition to general engineering and science and a core program of subjects in ocean engineering, each student follows one of several specialized curricula applicable to ship construction and engineering.
The highest academic degree is the Doctor of Science, or Doctor of Philosophy (the two differ only in name). This degree is awarded upon the completion of a program of advanced study, and the performance of significant original research, design, or development. Doctoral degrees are offered in all areas represented by the department's faculty.
Students become candidates for the doctorate by passing the doctoral qualifying examinations. The doctoral program includes a major program of advanced study in the student's principal area of interest, and a minor program of study in a different field. The Graduate Office should be consulted about the deadline for passing the qualifying exam.
The principal component of the program is the thesis. The thesis is a major, original work that makes a significant research, development, or design contribution in its field. The thesis and the program of study are done under a faculty supervisor and a doctoral committee selected by the student and his or her supervisor, and perhaps other interested faculty members. The committee makes an annual examination of the candidate's progress and conducts a final examination based on the thesis. The doctoral program usually takes a minimum of two years of work beyond the master's degree.
Graduate students registered in the Department of Mechanical Engineering may elect to participate in interdisciplinary programs of study. Programs are available in computation for design and optimization, health sciences and technology, polymer science and technology, and technology and policy. See Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs in Part 2 for program descriptions.
The Joint Program with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2W) is intended for students whose primary career objective is oceanographic engineering. Students divide their academic and research efforts between the campuses of MIT and WHOI. Joint Program students are assigned an MIT faculty member as academic advisor; however, thesis research may be supervised by MIT or WHOI faculty. While in residence at MIT, students follow a program similar to that of other students in the department. The program is described in more detail under Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs in Part 2.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers three types of financial assistance to graduate students: research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships.
The majority of students in the department are supported by research assistantships (RAs), which are appointments to work on particular research projects with particular faculty members. Faculty members procure research grants for various projects and hire graduate students to carry out the research. The research is almost invariably structured so that it becomes the student's thesis. An RA appointment provides a full-tuition scholarship (i.e., covers all tuition) plus a salary that is adequate for a single person. The financial details are outlined in a separate handout available from the Departmental Graduate Office. An RA may register for a maximum of 24 units (about two subjects) of classroom subjects per regular term and 12 units in the summer term, and must do at least the equivalent of 24 units of thesis (i.e., research on the project) per term.
Teaching assistants (TAs) are appointed to work on specific subjects of instruction. As the name implies, they usually assist a faculty member in teaching, often grading homework problems and tutoring students. In the Mechanical Engineering Department, TAs are very seldom used for regular full-time classroom teaching. TAs are limited to 24 units of credit per regular term, including both classroom subjects and thesis. The TA appointment does not usually extend through the summer.
A fellowship provides the student with a direct grant, and leaves the student open to select his or her own research project and supervisor. A limited number of awards and scholarships are available to graduate students directly through the department. A number of students are also supported by fellowships from outside agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, and Department of Defense. Scholarships are awarded each year by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. These awards are normally granted to applicants whose interest is focused on naval architecture and marine engineering or on ocean engineering. Applications are made directly to the granting agency, and inquiries for the fall term should be made in the preceding fall term.
Prospective students are invited to communicate with the department regarding any of these educational and financial opportunities.
Experience has shown that the optimum graduate program consists of about equal measures of coursework and research, consistent with an RA appointment. The main advantage of a fellowship is a greater freedom in choosing a research project and supervisor. A teaching assistantship gives the student teaching experience and can also be extremely valuable for reviewing basic subject material—for example, in preparation for the doctoral general exams. It does not, however, leave much time for thesis research and may extend the time that the student needs to complete his or her degree.
For additional information, contact Leslie Regan, Mechanical Engineering Graduate Registration Office, Room 1-112, MIT, 617-253-2291, or email me-gradoffice@mit.edu.
The Mechanical Engineering Department is organized into seven areas that collectively capture the broad range of interests and activities within it. These areas are:
The educational opportunities offered to students in mechanical engineering are enhanced by the availability of a wide variety of research laboratories and programs, and well-equipped shops and computer facilities.
The department provides many opportunities for undergraduates to establish a close relationship with faculty members and their research groups. Students interested in project work are encouraged to consult their faculty advisor or approach other members of the faculty.
Many members of the Department of Mechanical Engineering participate in interdepartmental or school-wide research activities. These include the Biotechnology Process Engineering Center, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Center for Materials Science and Engineering, Computation for Design and Optimization Program, Computational and Systems Biology Program, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Laboratory for Energy and the Environment, Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity, Operations Research Center, Program in Polymer Science and Technology, and Sea Grant College Program. Detailed information about each of these can be found under Interdisciplinary Research and Study in Part 1 and Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs in Part 2. The department also hosts a number of industrial consortia, which support some laboratories and research projects. Research in the department is supported, in addition, by a broad range of federal agencies and foundations.
Below is a partial list of departmental laboratories, listed according to the seven core areas of research.
Mechanisms of deformation and fracture processes in engineering materials.
Interdisciplinary research into nonlinear phenomena. Incorporates the Nonlinear Dynamical Systems Lab (modeling, simulation, analysis), Nonlinear Dynamics Lab (experiments), and Nonlinear Systems Lab.
Development of quantitative nondestructive evaluation characterizations which are directly correlatable with the mechanical properties of materials and structures.
Computational procedures for the solution of problems in structural, solid, and fluid mechanics.
Fundamental research on the behavior of fluid systems at microscopic scales, and the engineering applications that accrue from it.
Advancing the state of the art in design methodology and computer-aided design methods.
Analysis and design of manufacturing processes, systems, and products. Current activities include precision machine design, 3-D printing, droplet-based manufacturing, discrete dies, axiomatic design, auto-ID, casting monitoring, systems analysis and design, tribology, MEMS, and environmentally benign manufacturing.
Design methodology, design of integrated electrical-mechanical systems, prototype development, advanced computer-aided design techniques.
Research to understand complexity, educating students and scholars on complexity, designing complex systems for the benefit of humankind, and disseminating knowledge on complexity to the world at large.
Fundamental and applied research on all aspects of the design, manufacture, and control of high precision machines ranging from manufacturing machines to precision consumer products.
Modeling, design, and manufacturing methods for nanopositioning equipment, carbon nanotube-based mechanisms and machines, and compliant mechanisms.
Creation of the "Internet of Things" using radio frequency identification and wireless sensor networks, and of a global system for tracking goods using a single numbering system called the Electronic Product Code.
Research on mechatronics, home and health automation, interface between hardware and software, and development of sensing technologies.
Fundamental physics of robotic systems for unstructured environments. Development, design, and prototyping of control and planning algorithms for robotic applications, including space exploration, rough terrains, sea systems, and medical devices and systems.
Analysis and control of nonlinear physical systems with emphasis on adaptation and learning in robots.
Innovative science and technology for a sustainable energy future. Fundamental research in transport phenomena and thermodynamics; applied research in energy conversion, transportation, and thermal management. Draws upon activities in several of the department's laboratories.
Application of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and mechanical design to cryogenic processes and apparatus and the operation of a liquid helium facility.
Engineering of advanced materials for lithium batteries, proton exchange membrane and solid oxide fuel cells, and air battery and fuel cell hybrids.
Fluid flow, chemical reaction, and combustion phenomena associated with energy conversion in propulsion systems, power generation, industrial processes, and fires.
Fundamental research in convection, microscale/nanoscale transport, laser/material interaction, sprays, and high heat fluxes; applied research in materials processing, fluidized bed combustors, energy-efficient buildings, and thermal management of electronics.
Processes and technology that control the performance, efficiency, and environmental impact of internal combustion engines, their lubrication, and fuel requirements.
Provides an enduring ocean engineering identity, giving visibility to the outside world of MIT's commitment to the oceans, and serves as the focus point of ocean-related research at the Institute. Supports the research activities of the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanographic Engineering and the Naval Construction and Engineering Program. Encompasses the activities of the following research groups and laboratories:
Utilization of biology, optics, mechanics, mathematics, electronics, and chemistry to develop innovative instruments for the analysis of biological processes and new devices for the treatment and diagnosis of disease.
Interdisciplinary studies aimed at understanding human haptics, developing machine haptics, and enhancing human-machine interactions in virtual reality and teleoperator systems.
Development and implementation of information technology that will lead to improved medical diagnosis and health care as well as reductions in costs.
Development of new instruments for the measurement of mechanical properties on the scale of a single cell or single molecule to better understand the interactions between biology and mechanics.
Research on bioinstrumentation, neuromuscular control, and technology for diagnosis and remediation of disabilities.
Creation of new engineering knowledge and products on the nano and micro scale through multidomain, multidisciplinary, and multiscale research.
Rohan Abeyaratne, PhD
Quentin Berg Professor of Mechanics
MacVicar Faculty Fellow
Department Head
Roger D. Kamm, PhD
Germeshausen Professor of Mechanical and Biological Engineering
Associate Head
Nicholas M. Patrikalakis, PhD
Kawasaki Professor of Engineering
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
Associate Head
Triantaphyllos R. Akylas, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Lallit Anand, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
H. Harry Asada, PhD
Ford Professor of Engineering
Director, d'Arbeloff Laboratory for Information Systems and Technology
Arthur B. Baggeroer, ScD
Ford Professor of Engineering
Professor of Mechanical, Ocean, and Electrical Engineering
Klaus-Jürgen Bathe, PhD, DSc, Dr-Ing Eh, Dr hc Mult
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Mary C. Boyce, PhD
Kendall Family Professor of Mechanical Engineering
MacVicar Faculty Fellow
John G. Brisson II, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Gang Chen, PhD
Warren and Townley Rohsenow Professor of Mechanical Engineering
(On leave, fall)
Wai K. Cheng, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Chryssostomos Chryssostomidis, PhD
Henry L. and Grace Doherty Professor in Ocean Science and Engineering
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
Director, MIT Sea Grant College Program
Jung-Hoon Chun, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Director, Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity
Ernest G. Cravalho, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
MacVicar Faculty Fellow
Alex d'Arbeloff, SB
Professor of the Practice of Mechanical Engineering and Management
C. Forbes Dewey, Jr., PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Biological Engineering
Steven Dubowsky, ScD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics and Astronautics
Ahmed F. Ghoniem, PhD
Ronald C. Crane Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Codirector, Center for 21st Century Energy
Lorna J. Gibson, PhD
Matoula S. Salapatas Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering
Associate Provost
Leon R. Glicksman, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Architecture
David C. Gossard, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
(On leave, spring)
Stephen C. Graves, PhD
Abraham Siegel Professor of Management
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Management
Linda G. Griffith, PhD
School of Engineering Professor of Teaching Innovation
Professor of Mechanical and Biological Engineering
Director, Biotechnology Process Engineering Center
Alan J. Grodzinsky, ScD
Professor of Mechanical, Electrical, and Biological Engineering
Timothy G. Gutowski, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
George Haller, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
(On leave)
David E. Hardt, PhD
Ralph E. and Eloise F. Cross Professor of Mechanical Engineering
(On leave)
Douglas P. Hart, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
John B. Heywood, PhD, DSc, DTech (hon), DSc (hon)
Sun Jae Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Director, Sloan Automotive Laboratory
Director, MIT-Ford Alliance Program
Codirector, Center for 21st Century Energy
Neville J. Hogan, PhD, PhD (hon)
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Director, Newman Laboratory
Ian W. Hunter, PhD
Hatsopoulos Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Director, Laboratory for Bioinstrumentation
Mujid S. Kazimi, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
Patrick J. Keenan, NE
Professor of the Practice of Naval Construction and Engineering
Robert S. Langer, PhD
Professor of Mechanical, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Institute Professor
Steven B. Leeb, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
John J. Leonard, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
John H. Lienhard V, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Seth Lloyd, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Christopher L. Magee, PhD
Professor of the Practice of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Systems
Henry S. Marcus, DBA
Professor of Marine Systems
Gareth H. McKinley, PhD
School of Engineering Professor of Teaching Innovation
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Class of 1960 Fellow
(On leave)
Chiang C. Mei, PhD
Ford Professor of Engineering
Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Borivoje B. Mikic, ScD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Jerome H. Milgram, PhD
W. I. Koch Professor of Marine Technology
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
David M. Parks, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
(On leave, spring)
Anthony T. Patera, PhD
Ford Professor of Engineering
Derek Rowell, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Emanuel M. Sachs, PhD
Fred Fort Flowers '41 and Daniel Fort Flowers '41 Professor of Mechanical
Engineering
Henrik Schmidt, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
(On leave)
Paul D. Sclavounos, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture
Warren P. Seering, PhD
Weber-Shaughness Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Alexander H. Slocum, PhD
Neil and Jane Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering
MacVicar Faculty Fellow
(On leave)
Jean-Jacques E. Slotine, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Information Sciences
Joseph L. Smith, Jr., ScD
Samuel C. Collins Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Peter T. C. So, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Biological Engineering
Ain A. Sonin, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Subra Suresh, ScD
Ford Professor of Engineering
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering
Dean of Engineering
Michael S. Triantafyllou, ScD
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
(On leave)
David L. Trumper, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
John Kim Vandiver, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
MacVicar Faculty Fellow
Director, Edgerton Center
Dean for Undergraduate Research
Charles M. Vest, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
President Emeritus
(On leave)
Tomasz Wierzbicki, ScD
Professor of Applied Mechanics
James H. Williams, Jr., PhD
School of Engineering Professor of Teaching Excellence
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Writing and Humanistic Studies
Gerald L. Wilson, ScD
Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Ioannis V. Yannas, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, and Biological Engineering
Kamal Youcef-Toumi, ScD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dick Kau-Ping Yue, ScD
Philip J. Solondz Professor of Engineering
Associate Dean of Engineering
George Barbastathis, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Martin Culpepper, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Daniel Frey, PhD
Robert N. Noyce Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Systems
Nicolas G. Hadjiconstantinou, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Joel P. Harbour, PhD
Associate Professor of the Practice of Naval Construction and Engineering
Anette E. Hosoi, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
(On leave, fall)
Joseph Jacobson, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Media Arts and Sciences
Sang-Gook Kim, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Pierre F. J. Lermusiaux , PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
Nicholas C. Makris, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
Scott Manalis, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical and Biological Engineering
Thomas Peacock, PhD
ARCO Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
(On leave, spring)
Sanjay E. Sarma, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Yang Shao-Horn, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Alexandra H. Techet, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering
David Wallace, PhD
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
MacVicar Faculty Fellow
Tonio Buonassisi, PhD
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Kimberly Hamad-Schifferli, PhD
Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
(On leave)
Rohit N. Karnik, PhD
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Matthew J. Lang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Biological Engineering
Carol Livermore, PhD
SMA Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing
(On leave, fall)
Simona Socrate, PhD
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Todd Thorsen, PhD
d'Arbeloff Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Evelyn N. Wang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Maria C. Yang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Systems
John P. Appleton, PhD
Arthur Bergles, PhD
Ernesto E. Blanco, BME
David V. Burke, PhD
Stephen D. Fantone, PhD
Robert Hannemann, ScD
Edwin R. Hicks, PhD
Yukikazu Iwasa, PhD
Dean Kamen, PhD
Hilario Oh, PhD
William Plummer, PhD
John Psarouthakis, PhD
Mark Schattenburg, PhD
Amy Smith, SM
Myron Spector, MD
Mandayam A. Srinivasan, PhD
Barrick Tibbitts, NE
Abbott Weiss, DBA
Daniel E. Whitney, PhD
Alex Arzoumanidis, PhD
François Berthiaume, PhD
Howard M. Bunch, MBA
Richard C. Chapman, BS
Wonjoon Cho, PhD
Ngon Dao, PhD
Richard Fenner, BS
Paul Ferraiolo, BA
Jeffrey Fredberg, PhD
Jonathan Gertler, MD
Julio Guerrero, PhD
W. Andrew Hodge, PhD
Franz S. Hover, ScD
Barbara Hughey, PhD
Karl Iagnemma, PhD
Richard Kimball, PhD
Hauke Kite-Powell, PhD
Philip Koenig, ScD
David Krebs, PhD
Serge La Fontaine, PhD
Richard Lee, MD
Taesik Lee, PhD
Guoan Li, PhD
Sheng Liu, PhD
Yuming Liu, PhD
Han Tong Loh, MS
Winston Maue, MS
Jan Niemiec, PhD
James Preisig, PhD
Daniela Pucci de Farias, PhD
Nannaji Saka, PhD
Neil Singer, PhD
Slobadan Tepic, PhD
Jeffrey Thomas, PhD/MD
Tian Tian, PhD
Shu Ben Tor, PhD
Bruce Volpe
Mitchell Weiss, SB
Victor Wong, PhD
Robert Wunderlick, MA
Boo-Hoo Yang, PhD
Dana R. Yoerger, PhD
Jerrold Zindler, MS
Joseph Cronin
David Dow
Pierce Hayward
Barbara Hughey, PhD
Patrick McAtamney
Anuradha Annaswamy, PhD
Stanley B. Gershwin, PhD
Mandayam A. Srinivasan, PhD
Arjuna Balasuriya, PhD
James Bredd, PhD
Patrick Haley, PhD
Franz Hover, ScD
Karl Iagnemma, PhD
Lynette A. Jones, PhD
H. Igo Krebs, PhD
Yuming Liu, PhD
William Arora, PhD
Xiaoyuan Chen, MS
Joseph Curico, MS
Kelli Hendrickson, PhD
Nora C. Hogan, PhD
Taesik Lee, PhD
Mark Schattenburg, PhD
Andrew Taberner, PhD
Patrick Anquetil, PhD
Michael Benjamin, PhD
Katia Bertoldi, PhD
Pradipto Bhattacharayya, PhD
Shuo Chen, PhD
Kyu-Cho Cho, PhD
Laura DiPietro, PhD
Philipp Erni, PhD
John Folkesson, PhD
Michael Garcia-Webb
A. John Hart, PhD
Jijun Huang, PhD
Min-Cheol Kim, PhD
Hyung Woo Lee, PhD
Oleg Lugutov, PhD
Trushant Majmudar, PhD
Abbas S. Milani, PhD
Yahya Modarres-Sadeghi, PhD
Rajesh Nadakuditi, PhD
Jean-Christophe Nave, PhD
Ethan Parsons, PhD
Marcus Pessoa, DSc
Pradya Prempraneerach, PhD
Marco Rasponi, PhD
Martin Reuter
Renaud
Rinaldi, PhD
Anindo Roy, PhD
Gianlugi Rozza, PhD
Sai Sarva, PhD
Wenbo Tang, PhD
James Tangorra, PhD
Daryoosh Vashaee, PhD
Lifeng Wang, PhD
Guangyu Wu, PhD
Fang Xu, PhD
Haidong Yuan, PhD
Xuemei Zhu, PhD
Ali S. Argon, ScD
Quentin Berg Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
A. Douglas Carmichael, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Emeritus
Stephen H. Crandall, PhD
Ford Professor of Engineering, Emeritus
Ira Dyer, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering, Emeritus
James A. Fay, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Woodie C. Flowers, PhD
Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Ernst G. Frankel, PhD, DBA
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Systems, Emeritus
Peter Griffith, ScD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Elias P. Gyftopoulos, ScD
Ford Professor of Engineering, Emeritus
James C. Keck, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Justin E. Kerwin, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Emeritus
Shih-Ying Lee, ScD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Richard H. Lyon, PhD, DrEng (hon)
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Koichi Masubuchi, PhD
Kawasaki Professor of Engineering, Emeritus
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering and Materials Sciences and
Engineering, Emeritus
Frank A. McClintock, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
J. Nicholas Newman, ScD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Emeritus
T. Francis Ogilvie, PhD
Professor of Mechanical and Ocean Engineering, Emeritus
Carl R. Peterson, ScD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Ronald F. Probstein, PhD
Ford Professor of Engineering, Emeritus
Warren M. Rohsenow, DEng
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Thomas B. Sheridan, ScD, D (hon)
Ford Professor of Engineering and Applied Psychology, Emeritus
Neil E. Todreas, PhD
Professor of Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
David Gordon Wilson, PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus