As a PhD candidate at WPI, we don’t expect your research to simply confront obvious challenges—we want you to identify problems no one has identified before. We’ll give you the support and the facilities to do just that in several labs or within one of the department’s many industry-supported centers.
The PhD in Mechanical Engineering program at WPI allows you to advance your studies and contribute original research to your chosen focus. Our flexible, multidisciplinary curriculum and extensive industry connections let you pursue the most appropriate and tailored path to exceed your career goals and address the major engineering challenges of the 21st century.
Working alongside our world-renowned faculty and within a collaborative and supportive research environment, you’ll lead breakthrough research in areas like assistive technology, biomedical robots, digital manufacturing, electronics cooling, nanotechnology, holography, and medical imaging that can have life-changing results.
Curriculum
You can tailor WPI’s Mechanical Engineering PhD program to suit your professional and personal goals. After passing an admissions exam that determines your abilities in several areas, you’ll take courses or complete an independent study project in your field of interest while leading up to your dissertation research.
Our many research centers offer the input of almost 100 members across several industries and offer rich opportunities for diverse projects. The cooperative atmosphere brings innovative research prospects with the support of both WPI and industry partners.
Research
WPI’s extensive, well-funded facilities accommodate nearly every research niche in the field. In our state-of-the-art labs, you’ll have access to the latest equipment and will foster collaborative relationships with fellow researchers across disciplines.
Faculty Profiles
Faculty Profiles
Raghvendra V. Cowlagi
Assistant Professor
Mechanical Engineering
Autonomous vehicles – aircraft, cars, rovers, over- and underwater vehicles that can move in the real world by themselves without human pilotage – have gained immense importance not only due to the broad spectrum of their potential military and civilian applications, but also due to the concurrent development of sensor technology and embedded systems that enable the realization of true autonomy.
Yan Wang
Associate Professor
Mechanical Engineering
I am William Smith Foundation Dean's Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Here at WPI, my main responsibilities are teaching and research. I have taught Introduction to Materials Science, materials processing and materials for electrochemical energy system. I enjoy teaching and interacting with students because I like to impart my knowledge/experience to the students. At the same time, I can also absorb different knowledge and culture from the students.
Getting Involved
After Graduation
You’ll leave WPI with an extensive and original mechanical engineering research portfolio and the sought-after skill set of a project-oriented engineer who can work on teams and take a broad perspective. Because of WPI’s intensive and multidisciplinary approach, you’ll be qualified for a career in industries like aerospace, electrical, robotics, automotive and transportation, and academia.