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

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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, live chat with us by clicking the "live chat" button at the bottom of your screen, or email us:

News

1

UC students combine engineering and design experience

April 3, 2025

At the University of Cincinnati, the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning hosted a design competition with HAAG-Streit USA, where students were tasked with designing an ophthalmology workstation that is accessible and able to be incorporated into retail settings. Caleb Loayza, a mechanical engineering student at the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and Guy Mueller, an industrial design student, combined their expertise and took home first place.

2

UC engineer applying generative AI to smart manufacturing

March 31, 2025

Manish Raj Aryal, a PhD student in mechanical engineering at the University of Cincinnati, is working on revolutionizing manufacturing systems through generative AI, leveraging AI systems to develop manufacturing assistant chatbots. He came to UC for his master's degree and continued researching as a PhD student. He was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS).

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