Mechanical Engineering Department

Contact Information

Dr. Pierre Larochelle
Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Civil Mechanical Building Room #129
(605) 394-2401
Email: Pierre.Larochelle@sdsmt.edu

Dr. Albert Romkes
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Civil Mechanical Building Room #167
(605) 394-2255
Email: Albert.Romkes@sdsmt.edu

Leslee Moore
Program Assistant I
Civil Mechanical Building Room #129
(605) 394-1952
Email: Leslee.Moore@sdsmt.edu

Faculty

Professors Abata, Kouris, Larochelle, and Muci-Kuchler; Associate Professors Ash, Birrenkott, Romkes, Shahbazi, and Xing; Assistant Professors Bruno, Diwakar, Fekrmandi, Lande, and Lessani; Lecturers Lalley, McKeon and Rederth; and Instructor Knudson. Professors Emeritus Buck, Dolan, Gnirk, Kalanovic, Kjerengtroen, Krause, Langerman, and Pendleton.

Staff

Program Assistant 1 Moore, Secretary Brzozowski, Laboratory Coordinator Lalley, and Machinist (Equipment Technician) Tseptsura

MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers two graduate degrees: the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The primary goals of the graduate program are to develop the scholastic ability, independent creativity, and professional expertise of an individual to a higher level than is possible in an undergraduate program. Additional information regarding the graduate degree programs can be found on the departmental graduate education website.

Research Areas

The graduate program offers opportunities for higher education and research in manufacturing, solid mechanics, transport phenomena, computational mechanics, vibrations, controls and robotics, experimental mechanics, fracture mechanics, composite materials, and advanced materials processing. The current research interest of the faculty can be found on the departmental research website.

Degree Options

The Master of Science degree is offered with a thesis option and a non-thesis, courses only option. Qualified SD Mines undergraduates may pursue the Accelerated MS degree in either option. The PhD degree program is research focused and culminates in the defense and publication of a dissertation.

Accelerated MS Option

An accelerated Master of Science degree program is available for qualified undergraduates enrolled in the mechanical engineering BS program at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. The Accelerated Master’s Program enables a student to complete both a BS and MS degree in as little as five years. Students admitted to the accelerated program may apply up to nine (9) credits of 400/500/600 level coursework taken as an undergraduate for MS degree requirements to either the thesis or non-thesis option. All elective courses must be approved in advance of registration by the major professor or program coordinator. Students must apply for normal graduate school admission and notate their desire for the accelerated option on the application.

Additional policies concerning accelerated MS degrees can be found in the requirements and policies applied to all graduate degrees by the Council of Graduate Education.”

Outcomes

Students undertaking education in the MS program are expected to

expand their knowledge and understanding of methods and approaches to advancing knowledge in the basic areas of mechanical engineering
formulate solutions to problems related to thermo-fluid sciences, mechanical systems, or manufacturing/controls
be able to conduct basic or applied research and development in mechanical engineering
become an engineer who will serve their profession and community as valuable contributing member

Students undertaking education in the PhD program are expected to

expand the knowledge and understanding of methods and approaches in 1 or more focused areas of mechanical engineering
formulate solutions to problems related to thermo-fluid sciences, mechanical systems, or manufacturing/controls
be able to conduct basic or applied research and development in mechanical engineering
become an engineer who will lead their profession and community as valuable contributing member

Financial support

A limited number of fellowships and assistantships are available to qualified students. All applicants are automatically considered for assistantships.

Background requirements

Entering students usually have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Qualifying examinations may be required of entering students without a degree in mechanical engineering or with a degree from a non-ABET accredited program. Qualifying examinations may be required of entering students.

Admission requirements

A minimum GPA of 3.00 is expected for regular (non-probationary) admission. Applicants that are graduates of programs that are not accredited by ABET (www.abet.org) are required to sit for the Graduate Record Exam and have their scores submitted prior to consideration for admission.

Transfer credits

Policies for transferring credits from outside institutions can be found in the requirements and policies applied to all graduate degrees by the Council of Graduate Education. All transfers are subject to approval by the student’s advisor or advisory committee.