AMM Option

The EAS-PhD option in Applied Mechanics and Materials (AMM) is designed to train students for industrial and academic jobs through the study and application of the principles of physical, mechanical and materials sciences to analyze, evaluate and solve theoretical and technological problems.  Applied mechanics examines the response of bodies (solids and fluids) or systems of bodies to external forces.  It is a broad interdisciplinary field with many applications in modern engineering.  Within the theoretical sciences, applied mechanics is useful in formulating new ideas and theories, discovering and interpreting phenomena, and developing experimental and computational tools.  Materials science investigates the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. Within the materials, applied physics and chemistry is employed to fabricate and to conduct multi-scale computational modeling of new materials. Research opportunities are diverse and current in such areas as fluid/solid mechanics, acoustics/vibrations/dynamics, mechanics of materials, bio/geo-mechanics, and micro/nano-mechanics.

Core course requirements

Following are the required core courses of Applied Mechanics & Materials option:

• Advanced Mathematical Methods (EAS 501, MNE 501 or PHY 622)
• Computational Methods (EAS 502, MNE 502 or PHY 521)
• Continuum Mechanics (MNE 503) or Advanced Materials (MTX - XXX)

The core courses form the foundation of the program and are taken early in the program.

Specialization major course requirements

Specialization courses (15 credits) help the student attain depth in focused areas.  The Applied Mechanics & Materials option organizes specialization opportunities under the following categories:

• Solid Mechanics: Analytical, Experimental and Numerical Solid Mechanics
• Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Sciences: Analytical, Experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics, Heat Transfer, Energy (Renewable and Conventional)
• Nonlinear Dynamics: Advanced Dynamics, Nonlinear Vibrations, Dynamics and Stability of Engieering Systems, Chaos
• Computational Materials Science: Multi-scale Simulations, Multi-phase Flow with Phase Change
• Composites: Biomaterials, Biological Materials, Nano-structured Materials, Heterogeneous Materials, Mechanics of Composites, MEMS & Thin Films, Multi-functional Materials, Multi-scale Materials, Pavement Materials
• Polymer Engineering: Fiber Engineering, Rheology, Thermodynamics, Kinetics of Polymers, Soft Materials, Ploymer Chemistry, Biomimicking

Specialization minor course requirements

Two graduate courses (6 credits) help the students to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge.  The courses can be chosen from the specialization list for other options in the EAS PhD program.

A typical curriculum plan for the AMM option is shown below.

Graduate Program Curriculum Outline

Applied Mechanics and Materials Option

Prerequisite, Concentration or Other Requirements: PhD Qualifying Examination (QE) and Comprehensive Exam: Each student must pass a qualifying exam and a comprehensive exam on research preparedness prior to becoming a doctoral candidate.