Overview
The Graduate Program in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics offers students a broad education in the mechanics of rigid and deformable bodies, applied mathematics, nonlinear dynamical systems and modern experimental techniques.
T&AM offers M.S./Ph.D. degrees and an M.Eng. (Masters of Engineering) degree. Students wishing to study for a masters degree only should apply to the M.Eng. program. Only students whose goal is a Ph.D. will be admitted to the M.S./Ph.D. program.
The M.Eng. degree requires one year of study and is based on course work plus an independent project. Limited financial aid is available for M.Eng. students, (see the M.Eng. program link below).
The Ph.D. is based on course work and most importantly, independent, but mentored, original research. The Ph.D. degree generally requires 4-5 years beyond the Bachelors degree. All M.S./Ph.D. students are offered full financial support when admitted to the field. There are about thirty-five graduate students in TAM, with a variety of academic backgrounds.
TAM has no rigid course requirements, thus individual programs can be planned by the student and his or her special committee. All TAM students minor in at least one other field, chosen according to their individual research interests and needs.
For Ph.D. students a typical first year of study will include approximately 6 courses followed by completion of an oral qualifying exam that covers applied mathematics, continuum and solid mechanics, and dynamics. Students often begin their research in the summer following their first year of study. After 2-3 years of study and research students take the A (Admission to Candidacy) exam, a second, more in depth oral exam. This is followed by a least 1 additional year of research leading to the Ph.D. thesis and its defense (B exam.)
