Prospective Graduate Students
- Graduate Application Deadlines
Late applications will be considered according to availability.
- Graduate Program
Graduate studies in ESM lead to the master of engineering or master of science degree, including either a thesis or non-thesis option, and to the doctorate in engineering mechanics.
The department offers areas of study in mechanics of solids, mechanics of fluids, dynamics and vibrations, and applied mathematics. Normally, each graduate student selects a major and designs a program of study in consultation with a graduate committee. Minors may be taken in other engineering fields, mathematics, physics, and other physical sciences.
- Direct Ph.D. Program
Students who are considering continuing for a Ph.D. degree after earning a bachelor's degree are encouraged to apply for admission to the Direct Ph.D. Program. The requirements for the Direct Ph.D. Program are: a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree, including 35 to 46 hours of ESM 7994 Research/Dissertation; three credit hours in each of the following areas: solids, fluids, and motion; three credit hours of ESM 5014, Intro. Continuum Mechanics; six credit hours in Math courses at the 5000 - 6000 level; and at least nine credit hours of course work at the 6000 level. A subsequent decision to complete only a master's degree may be made without any negative consequences. Please speak with the ESM Graduate Secretary to discuss how many credit hours you may transfer from another university.
- M.S. Program
A minimum of 30 hours must be completed for the master's degree, including at least three hours of course work in the ESM Department in two of the following areas: solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and mechanics of motion. The M.S. student must also take Introduction to Continuum Mechanics and three credit hours of an approved applied mathematics course at the 5000-6000 level. A three-credit-hour-project study is required for the master of engineering degree. In the thesis option, the thesis provides 6-9 credit hours. Students from other institutions may transfer six graduate course credit hours toward the M.S. or M.E. degree. Full-time students in the non-thesis option entering the master's program in the fall semester can normally finish in one year. Depending upon the research topic, it is also possible for a thesis option student to finish in one year.
- Ph.D. Program
The doctorate requires a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree, including 35 to 46 hours of research and dissertation. The Ph.D. degree program must include at least three hours of course work in the ESM Department in each of the following three areas: solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and mechanics of motion. The Ph.D. student must also take Introduction to Continuum Mechanics and six credit hours of approved applied mathematics courses at the 5000-6000 level. Please speak with the ESM Graduate Secretary to see how many credit hours you may transfer from another university. At least nine hours of course work must be in doctoral-level (6000-level) courses. Here are some examples of alumni with an Engineering Mechanics PhD from Virginia Tech. Full-time students may finish the doctoral program in two calendar years after completing the master's degree. Some graduate courses are offered during the summer.
- Assistantships
The Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics is pleased to offer assistantships to graduate students. Fully enrolled graduate students may be appointed to a Graduate Research Assistantship or a Graduate Teaching Assistantship. The responsibilities of an assistantship are to serve the teaching, research, and public service functions of the department and university. The current stipends for all Graduate Research Assistantships and Graduate Teaching Assistantships are in the range of $1,555 to $1,892 per month. All students appointed on an assistantship are also given a tuition scholarship.
- Scholarships
All students appointed on an assistantship in the department are also awarded a tuition scholarship. Students not on an assistantship, can apply directly to the Graduate School for Tuition Scholarships. These scholarships from the Graduate School are awarded at the end of the semester, and are based on student need and the availability of money in the Graduate School. The Daniel Frederick Scholarship is awarded each fall to a current Engineering Mechanics doctoral student. To be eligible, doctoral students should have completed all their course work, passed all qualifying and preliminary examinations, have had their dissertation proposal approved and accepted by their committee, and be in good standing with the Graduate School. The student's advisor must submit a letter to the Graduate Advising Office nominating a student for this scholarship. The ESM Department Head, along with the assistance of the ESM Graduate Committee, shall then determine the outstanding doctoral student based upon academic record, creativity in research, performance on doctoral exams, and other appropriate doctoral student measures. The Manual Stein Scholarship is also awarded each fall to an outstanding Engineering Mechanics student pursuing graduate studies in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics. The criteria to be used are those well-reflected in Dr. Stein's own lifetime of service to his profession and commitment to his colleagues and students: the potential for scholarly achievement in teaching and research, and a demonstrated dedication to the welfare and well-being of others. The student's advisor must submit a letter to the Graduate Advising Office nominating a student for this scholarship. The ESM Department Head, along with the assistance of the ESM Graduate Committee, shall then determine the best student for this scholarship.
- Fellowships
The ESM Department nominates eligible applicants for Cunningham Fellowships given by the Graduate School. The nominees must be US citizens and cannot currently be students at Virginia Tech. Powell Fellowships are available from the Graduate School to in-state students with a financial need. Students would receive a stipend of $10,000/year plus a tuition scholarship. Please contact Marilyn Kershaw (mkershaw@vt.edu) in the Graduate School for more information on the Powell Fellowship.
- For Additional Information, Contact:
- Lisa Smith, Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics
231 Norris Hall -- MC 0219
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
E-mail: lisas@vt.edu
Telephone #: (540) 231-4935
Fax #: (540) 231-4574