Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Micro/Nano Systems Track
(47 credits – 33 course credit hours, 14 research credit hours)
Track Requirements
- Two core courses (ME 5050, ME 5055) are required.
- Minimum of 4 elective classes should be taken from the approved list. Additionally, two elective classes can be taken from departments other than ME and ECE.
These are example course flows for Ph.D. students entering with a BS. Students entering with an MS should discuss their plan of study with their advisor.
Nano Systems FocusSensors / Design FocusBioMEMS Focus
Coursework flow Sample#1 (Nano Systems Focus)
| Year 1 Fall Semester | Year 1 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| ME 6050 | Micromachining (R) | 3 | ME 6055 | Microsystems Des & Char (R) | 3 |
| Open Option (F) | ME 7960 | Nanofabrication (E) | 3 | ||
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
| Year 2 Fall Semester | Year 2 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| ME 6053 | Microactuators (E) | 3 | MSE 5073 | Nanostructure Materials: Science & Technology (E) | 3 |
| ECE 6226 | Electrical interf. for MEMS (E) | 3 | ME EN 6730 | Microfluidic Chip Design and Fabrication (E) | 3 |
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
| Year 3 Fall Semester | Year 3 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| ME 7960 | Low dimens. Materials (E) | 3 | ME 6035 | Design of experiment (F) | 3 |
| ECE 6235 | Nano electro mech. Sys. (E) | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 6 |
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | |||
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
(R) Required, (E) Elective course, (F) free choice
* Consult with advisor on Elective and Open Option courses
* 9 credit hours are required to claim full-time status
Coursework flow Sample#2 (Sensors / Design Focus)
| Year 1 Fall Semester | Year 1 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| ME 6050 | Micromachining (R) | 3 | ME 6055 | Microsystems Des & Char (R) | 3 |
| ECE 6226 | Electrical Interf. for MEMS (E) | 3 | ME 6051 | Microsensors (E) | 3 |
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
| Year 2 Fall Semester | Year 2 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| ME 6053 | Microactuators (E) | 3 | ME 6070 | Energy Harvesting (E) | 3 |
| ME 6205 | System Dynamics (F) | 3 | ME 6035 | Design of Experiments (F) | 3 |
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
| Year 3 Fall Semester | Year 3 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| ME 6025 | Intro to Optimization (F) | 3 | Open Option | 3 | |
| Open Option | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 6 | |
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | |||
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
(R) Required, (E) Elective course, (F) free choice
Consult with advisor on Elective and Open Option courses
9 credit hours are required to claim full-time status
Coursework flow Sample#3 (BioMEMS Focus)
| Year 1 Fall Semester | Year 1 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| ME 6050 | Micromachining (R) | 3 | ME 6055 | Microsystems Des & Char (R) | 3 |
| Open Option | ME 6730 | Microfluidic Chip Design and Fabrication (E) | 3 | ||
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
| Year 2 Fall Semester | Year 2 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| ME 7960 | Advanced Microfluidics (E) | 3 | ME 7960 | Nanofabrication (E) | 3 |
| Open Option | MSE 5073 | Nanostructure Materials: Science & Technology (E) | 3 | ||
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 |
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
| Year 3 Fall Semester | Year 3 Spring Semester | ||||
| Number | Title | Credits | Number | Title | Credits |
| Open Option | 3 | Open Option | 3 | ||
| Open Option | 3 | ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 6 | |
| ME 7970 | Thesis Directed Research | 3 | |||
| Semester Total | 9 | Semester Total | 9 | ||
(R) Required, (E) Elective course, (F) free choice
Consult with advisor on Elective and Open Option courses
9 credit hours are required to claim full-time status