The Doctor of Philosophy Degree is the highest degree awarded by any university. The Ph.D. is primarily a research/dissertation driven degree. As such, it is critical for incoming students to begin their research as soon as possible by choosing a Ph.D. thesis advisor and a thesis topic. Coursework for the Ph.D. degree should generally by selected to support a student s research, with advice from the dissertation mentor(s). The Ph.D. work culminates in a published dissertation and a public dissertation defense. Typically, students also write several archival journal publications from the dissertation work.

The Ph.D. degree program is intended for persons having an accredited master's and/or baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering, but is available to those with other backgrounds. Applicants with other backgrounds should plan on taking some undergraduate background course work. Students interested in the Ph.D. degree program should consult the director of graduate studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The University of Louisville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral degrees.