PhD Program
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program represents the highest level of academic pursuit within the selected field. Engineering students in the PhD program engage in rigorous academic exploration and seek to make transformative contributions to their chosen research discipline. Students embark on an intensive academic journey, striving to ignite innovation and usher in transformative change in their selected research discipline. Doctoral candidates collaborate closely with faculty advisors and committees to cultivate an environment that encourages innovation. They actively participate in scientific dissemination through the authorship of journal and conference publications and by presenting their findings at conferences, workshops, or other public forums. The program culminates in the completion of a Dissertation, a scholarly contribution that contains the key findings of the research program and expands the frontiers of knowledge. Graduates of doctoral programs assume leadership roles within academia, research institutions, and industry, driving innovation, advancement, and transformative change.
Skills Developed
Research and Critical Thinking
Our PhD programs emphasize extensive research, teaching students how to formulate research questions, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and draw meaningful conclusions. This fosters critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to challenge existing paradigms in the field of engineering.
In-Depth Knowledge, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking
Students delve deeply into their chosen area of specialization. They acquire an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations, advanced techniques, and emerging trends in their specific field. This expertise allows them to contribute significantly to their discipline through innovative research.
Communication and Presentation
Effective communication is crucial for PhD students. They learn to articulate complex engineering concepts, research findings, and methodologies clearly and concisely, both in written form and orally. Presenting research to a diverse audience helps refine their ability to convey ideas to different stakeholders.
PhD Program Paths
Points of Pride
BS - PhD Path
BS - PhD Path
Students can pursue our PhD programs directly after earning their BS degrees. They can also earn their MS degree while completing this path. Once they successfully complete their candidacy exam, they can apply for their MS by candidacy.
Average Length to Degree: 5-6 years
Points of Pride
MS - PhD Path
MS - PhD Path
Students who have already earned a MS degree can pursue our PhD program. They can transfer their MS degree to our institution and take less coursework compared to the our BS - PhD students.
Average Length to Degree: 4 - 4.5 years
Accordions
A minimum of 80 graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, including coursework and a dissertation, are required to obtain a doctoral degree. If a student has obtained a master’s degree at Ohio State or elsewhere, then a minimum of 50 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s is required. The entire work for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of nine calendar years.
BS-PhD Path
Students who have earned a BS degree and wish to pursue a PhD directly must meet the following requirements in order to graduate:
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30 total hours of 5000+ letter graded graduate courses4
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At least 3 hours must be 5000+ Math, Stats, or other program approved math equivalency courses5
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At least 18 hours must be 6000+ courses and at least 9 of those hours must be MAE courses
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At least 50 hours of AE 8999 with your faculty advisor
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AE Seminar every semester until graduation
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First author journal submission
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Successful completion of the Qualifying and Candidacy Exams
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Submission and successful defense of a Doctoral Dissertation
MS-PhD Path
Students who have already earned a MS degree and are pursuing a PhD must meet the following requirements in order to graduate:
-
18 total hours of 5000+ letter graded graduate courses4
-
At least 3 hours must be Math, Stats, or other program approved math equivalency courses5
-
At least 9 hours must be 6000+ MAE courses
-
OSU MAE MS graduates can double-count up to 2 courses from their MS degree toward their PhD coursework requirements.
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At least 32 hours of AE 8999 with your faculty advisor
-
AE Seminar every semester until graduation
-
First author journal submission
-
Successful completion of the Qualifying and Candidacy Exams
-
Submission and successful defense of a Doctoral Dissertation
4: Up to 3 hours may be 4000+ non-departmental courses as long as the Math and the 6000+ requirements are still met.
5: A course being used to satisfy the Math requirement cannot be used to satisfy the other letter graded PhD course requirements.
Important Notes
- Any courses taken Spring 2018 and beyond students must earn a grade of C or better in order for courses to count toward the coursework requirements.
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Coursework in the following fields: Engineering, Natural and Mathematical Sciences, or Medicine can be used towards the degree requirements, permitted all of the specific degree requirements are met.
-
Courses taken outside of Engineering, Natural and Mathematical Sciences, or Medicine may count, but are subject to review and approval by the student's faculty advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee.
A minimum of 80 graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, including coursework and a dissertation, are required to obtain a doctoral degree. If a student has obtained a master’s degree at Ohio State or elsewhere, then a minimum of 50 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s is required. The entire work for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of nine calendar years.
BS-PhD Path
Students who have earned a BS degree and wish to pursue a PhD directly must meet the following requirements in order to graduate:
-
30 total hours of 5000+ letter graded graduate courses4
-
At least 3 hours must be 5000+ Math, Stats, or other program approved math equivalency courses5
-
At least 18 hours must be 6000+ courses and at least 9 of those hours must be MAE courses
-
-
At least 50 hours of ME 8999 with your faculty advisor
-
ME Seminar every semester until graduation
-
First author journal submission
-
Successful completion of the Qualifying and Candidacy Exams
-
Submission and successful defense of a Doctoral Dissertation
MS-PhD Path
Students who have already earned a MS degree and are pursuing a PhD must meet the following requirements in order to graduate:
-
18 total hours of 5000+ letter graded graduate courses4
-
At least 3 hours must be Math, Stats, or other program approved math equivalency courses5
-
At least 9 hours must be 6000+ MAE courses
-
OSU MAE MS graduates can double-count up to 2 courses from their MS degree toward their PhD coursework requirements.
-
-
At least 32 hours of ME 8999 with your faculty advisor
-
ME Seminar every semester until graduation
-
First author journal submission
-
Successful completion of the Qualifying and Candidacy Exams
-
Submission and successful defense of a Doctoral Dissertation
4: Up to 3 hours may be 4000+ non-departmental courses as long as the Math and the 6000+ requirements are still met.
5: A course being used to satisfy the Math requirement cannot be used to satisfy the other letter graded PhD course requirements.
Important Notes
- Any courses taken Spring 2018 and beyond students must earn a grade of C or better in order for courses to count toward the coursework requirements.
-
Coursework in the following fields: Engineering, Natural and Mathematical Sciences, or Medicine can be used towards the degree requirements, permitted all of the specific degree requirements are met.
-
Courses taken outside of Engineering, Natural and Mathematical Sciences, or Medicine may count, but are subject to review and approval by the student's faculty advisor and the Graduate Studies Committee.
A minimum of 80 graduate credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, including coursework and a dissertation, are required to obtain a doctoral degree. If a student has obtained a master’s degree at Ohio State or elsewhere, then a minimum of 50 graduate credit hours beyond the master’s is required. The entire work for the PhD degree must be completed within a period of nine calendar years.
The specific requirements for the PhD in Nuclear Engineering are below.
PhD Coursework Requirements
- NUCLREN 5001 (Interaction of Radiation with Matter)
- NUCLREN 5002 (Reactor Physics)
- NUCLREN 5003 (Nuclear Reactor Systems and Analysis)
- NUCLREN 5004 (Material in Nuclear Systems)
- 6 hours nuclear engineering 5000+ courses beyond the core courses
- 3 hours NE 6000+ courses
- 6 hours of advisor approved elective coursework
- 3 hours Math 4000+, Stats 5000+ or program approved Math Equivalency courses (not Math 4504)
- 50 hours of NE 8999 with advisor
- NUCLREN 6881 every semester until candidacy
- First author journal submission
- Successful completion of the Qualifying and Candidacy Exams
- Submission and successful defense of a Doctoral Dissertation
Important Notes
- Students who have not taken NUCLREN 4505 (Introduction to Nuclear Engineering) or an introductory Nuclear Engineering course at another institution are required to take NUCLREN 4505 immediately upon starting their graduate studies. NUCLREN 4505 does not count towards the required number of hours for a graduate in Nuclear Engineering.
Career Development & Opportunities
Embarking on a journey towards a PhD is a path of unparalleled growth and expertise acquisition. In MAE, we believe in empowering our students to not only thrive academically, but also to shape a future brimming with diverse and rewarding possibilities. Our commitment lies not just in the pursuit of knowledge, but in guiding our students to chart personalized career trajectories tailored to Industry, National Labs, and Academia. MAE offers unique professional development and networking opportunities for students to reach their career goals including:
- Networking with Faculty, Labs and Centers that have close ties with industry and National Labs;
- Conference travel grants and research presentation opportunities;
- Engaging in community outreach initiatives including events to promote science and technology awareness and inspire the next generation of engineers and researchers;
- The FAST (Future Academic Scholars Training Program) program is a two semester-long course that covers all the essential materials graduate students need from how to prepare themselves while in grad school and develop appropriate and competitive credentials to apply for faculty positions, interviewing, gaining funding, hiring graduate students themselves, how to manage classroom teaching and what are the best teaching practices, and how to balance work and life.
Career Outcomes
Earning a PhD is a significant achievement associated with prestige and recognition in the academic and professional worlds. This achievement opens doors to leadership positions and opportunities for contribution, while the scholarly value of a PhD extends beyond an individual's lifetime, leaving a lasting legacy as their research and contributions continue to influence the academic community and society. Our PhD graduates possess a diverse range of career opportunities, with paths leading to employment in industry, government agencies, national laboratories, and academia. Below, we provide a list of example career outcomes, showcasing the versatility and success of our alumni in these different sectors.
Points of Pride
Government & National Labs
Government & National Labs
- Idaho National Laboratory
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Sandia National Laboratories
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Navy
Points of Pride
Academia
Academia
- Cornell University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Purdue University
- South China University of Technology
- The Ohio State University
- Transportation Research Center
- University of Michigan
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Texas, Austin
Points of Pride
Industry
Industry
- Agility Robotics
- Apple
- Caterpillar Inc
- ExxonMobil Corporation
- Ford Motor Company
- GE
- General Motors
- Honda
- Honeywell
- Intel Corporation
- Intuitive Surgical
- Lam Research Corporation
- Magna International
- MathWorks
- Owens Corning
- Path Robotics
- Pratt & Whitney
- TaylorMade Golf
- Toyota