Graduate Programs

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD in Mechanical Engineering) provides students with a unique opportunity to demonstrate innovation in a wide range of mechanical engineering research areas. The PhD in Mechanical Engineering degree is awarded to candidates who successfully complete a program of advanced courses, qualification and research requirements and dissertation defense. Students are expected to carry out an independent investigation in a mechanical engineering research area under supervision of experienced researchers. Graduates of the program are anticipated to meet the challenges in the mechanical engineering discipline and provide innovative solutions based on the most recent developments in mechanical engineering. The program prepares students to conduct advanced, independent research in key areas aligned with emerging technologies and national priorities. The program emphasizes a research-intensive structure supported by focused coursework and specialized electives in areas such as aerospace engineering, data-driven and AI methods, advanced materials and composites, and dynamics and robotics.

Program Objectives

• Offer a rigorous and innovative doctoral engineering education that promotes original research in mechanical engineering areas aligned with the UAE national priorities and emerging technologies, including aerospace engineering, data-driven and AI methods, advanced materials and composites, and dynamics and robotics.
• Prepare doctoral graduates to be inquisitive, to reason critically, and to lead independent research nationally and globally in their chosen specialization area.
• Contribute to the advancement of the UAE knowledge-based economy and quality of life through high-impact doctoral research, knowledge transfer, and partnerships with national and international industry, government, and academic stakeholders.
• Develop graduates capable of conducting interdisciplinary research that bridges the four strategic research areas of the program and addresses real-world engineering challenges with measurable scientific and societal impact.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Identify gaps in the current state of knowledge across the program's four strategic research areas — aerospace engineering, data-driven and AI methods, advanced materials and composites, and dynamics and robotics — and outline directions to produce new knowledge at the frontier of the mechanical engineering discipline.
• Apply advanced theories, computational methods, and AI/data-driven research methodologies to critically analyze open research problems in mechanical engineering and develop innovative, validated solutions.
• Produce and defend an original research work that advances the state of the art in one of the program's strategic research areas and contributes to UAE national priorities.
• 4. Communicate research findings, orally and in writing, at a high level of proficiency to faculty, peers, international research communities, and the lay public.
• Evaluate and manage complex professional engineering activities, interdisciplinary research collaborations, and diverse ethical issues within the work context, including considerations of safety, sustainability, and the responsible use of AI and emerging technologies.

Degree Requirements

Required Credit Hours : minimum 54 hours

College Requirements

Specialization Electives

Qualification Requirements

Research Requirements

Free Electives