The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky provides an intellectually challenging environment in which to pursue advanced studies and engage in research. The department offers programs of study leading to M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees in Mechanical Engineering. Financial assistance is available to qualified applicants in the form of graduate teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships. Stipends vary depending on the student’s program level and type of support. Graduate students work closely with faculty, often recognized as renowned authorities in their discipline, in conducting research at the forefront of science and technology. Such graduate studies may be focused in any of the following areas:
- Manufacturing: analytical and numerical modeling, optimization of machining processes and systems, lean, sustainable, precision manufacturing, and robotics and machine vision.
- Mechanics: dynamic analysis of solids, contact mechanics, system identification of structures, thermal stress and boundary element methods.
- Systems and Design: application of nontraditional materials, finite element methods, vibration and noise prediction, rotating machinery dynamics, engineered surfaces, magnetic bearing technology, control of systems, micro-scale design and fabrication, MEMS, biologically-inspired design, and boundary element methods in acoustics.
- Thermal-Fluid Sciences: experimental and computational combustion and fire research, computational and experimental fluid dynamics, turbulence research and nonlinear dynamical systems, convection, phase change and radiation heat transfer, nano-technology, optics, and painting technology