Students pose in Dr. Ou Ma's robotics lab in Rhodes Hall.

Mechanical and Materials Engineering

As the oldest engineering discipline that has the broadest reach in terms of application, mechanical engineering touches every aspect of life from medical devices, computers, and athletic equipment to automobile engines, electric power plants, and the very machines that create these innovations.

Our Programs

Mechanical and materials science influence virtually every aspect of human life. Our department, supports research and education in a wide range of modern technologies including design, dynamics, controls, materials, intelligent systems, advanced mechanical systems, applied mechanics and thermal systems engineering.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering students gain knowledge to design, manufacture, and operate machines and mechanical systems that work in a safe and efficient fashion. Students learn fundamental principles of force, energy, and motion and apply theories to develop everything from simple devices to complex systems.

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Mechanical engineering technology students gain knowledge in the hardware- and computer-oriented aspects of mechanical design, manufacturing, and energy systems. Students receive a fundamental and applicable foundation with emphasis on realistic, technical problem-solving projects involving mechanical systems.

Materials Science and Engineering

Materials science and engineering students gain knowledge of how materials work, leading to the creation of new materials for new applications as well as the further development of existing materials to improve performance.

Industrial & Systems Engineering

Industrial and systems engineering students gain knowledge to innovate and improve systems, solve complex problems and incorporate human interaction within a system. Focus areas include data analytics, healthcare systems, and Industry 4.0/5.0.

The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering will have multiple doctoral student Research and/or Teaching Assistantship openings in Mechanical Engineering and in Materials Science & Engineering, for new applicants, anticipated for the 2024-2025 Academic Year. Applicants who possess master’s degrees (MS degree or equivalent) in the same or closely-related fields are particularly encouraged to apply. Very highly qualified individuals who possess bachelor’s degrees (highest degree) are eligible to apply for direct admission to the doctoral program.

Applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all available positions are filled.

The Department offers active and well-funded research programs in the following major research thrust areas:

  • Advanced Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing
  • Intelligent Prognostics and Autonomous Systems
  • Robotics, Dynamic Systems, and Control
  • Energy and Sustainability
  • Thermal-Fluids, Enhanced Heat Transfer
  • Computational Solid Mechanics, PLM and Simulation Technology
  • Structural Dynamics and Vibro-Acoustics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Metallurgy and Advanced Materials

Competitive stipends are available, including generous tuition scholarship support. Very highly qualified applicants may also be eligible for well-funded fellowship awards.

Apply online here!

More information on research activities in the Department can be found at the Department’s website. For any questions, please contact David F. Thompson, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Recruiting Director. 

Headshot of David F Thompson

David F Thompson

Associate Professor, CEAS - Mechanical Eng

622 Rhodes Hall

View Full Profile

Our Faculty

All of our faculty members have extensive and impressive research backgrounds, working closely with students in their research activities. The department is home to several internationally recognized research activities in structural dynamics, bio-mechanics, vibro-acoustics, gear dynamics, computational mechanics, nanotechnology, intelligent autonomous systems, computational fluid dynamics, robotics and many more. 

Connect with the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering on LinkedIn.

Accreditation

Contact Us

For questions about undergraduate and graduate programs and degrees, visit the CEAS undergraduate or graduate admissions pages or email us:

News

1

Engineer harnesses magnetism to drive alternative energy source

May 20, 2025

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati Sarah Watzman is utilizing energy conversion principles to gain fundamental information about a recently discovered class of materials. She received the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award to fund this project for the next several years. Since earning her PhD from The Ohio State University, she has been at UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science.

3

Mechanical engineering scholarship honors alumnus

April 28, 2025

An estate gift from Pringle and her husband, Thomas Pringle, honors Sullivan with the creation of the Harold Richard Sullivan Endowed Scholarship Fund. The scholarship supports mechanical engineering students at the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science with a preference to students who are current or former service members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Load More
Debug Query for this