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Dec 05, 2025
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2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Mechanical Engineering, PhD
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Contact Information
Dr. Pierre Larochelle
Head, Leslie A. Rose Department of Mechanical Engineering
Civil Mechanical Building Room 129
(605) 394-2401
Email: Pierre.Larochelle@sdsmt.edu
Dr. Albert Romkes
Associate Professor, Leslie A. Rose 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
Department Website
Students are responsible for checking with their advisors for any program modifications that may occur after the publication of this catalog.
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
The mission of the mechanical engineering doctoral program is to provide students with advanced learning in the classroom and mentoring to conduct cutting-edge research in the areas of thermo-fluid sciences, mechanical systems, or manufacturing/controls. The primary goal of the program is to develop technical experts that become world-class scholars and leaders in either academia or industry.
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Distribution of credits
Core requirements: 3 credits
Research requirements: 20-36 credits
Elective requirements: 33-49 credits
Total credits: 72 At least 36 of the required 72 credits must be taken at the 600 level or above. Students may apply 24 coursework credits and 6 research credits from a previous MS degree in a relevant field toward the PhD requirements, subject to approval by the student’s committee. Research requirements
The completion of a doctoral dissertation, approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee and the Dean of Graduate Education, is required for this degree. All the research credits taken by the PhD student must be ME 898D Dissertation with the exception of 6 research credits which may be transferred from the MS degree with the approval of the student’s graduate advisory committee. The 6 MS research credits transferred must be ME 798 or equivalent research credits. Elective requirements
- 21 credits of ME prefix courses at the 600 or 700 level.
Examinations
Detailed information on PhD examinations is outlined in the department’s Graduate Handbook and in the Graduate Education Policies GEP VIII. PhD Degree Requirements . Qualifying examination
The qualifying examination has two components to demonstrate the student’s aptitude for doctoral work: 1) proficiency in the foundational material of the discipline and 2) necessary skills and drive for advanced research. The format and timing of the examination are set by each program, but it must be completed within the first two years of study. Admission to candidacy
PhD students must prepare a dissertation prospectus, which is a plan describing the proposed content and format of the dissertation in sufficient detail for the student’s graduate committee to evaluate whether the scope and value of the work warrants a PhD degree. The student is admitted to candidacy upon approval of the prospectus by the committee. The format and timing of the prospectus is set by each program, but it must be completed no later than two years after the qualifying exam. Dissertation defense
A successful dissertation defense and a final oral examination are required for this degree. Objectives and Outcomes
Program Educational Objectives: - to formulate solutions to mechanical engineering problems using multi-disciplinary approaches
- to be able to grow professionally and personally
- to serve their profession and community as valuable contributing leaders
Student Outcomes: - 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 serve their profession and community as valuable contributing leaders
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