The graduate faculty works closely with graduate students in research projects that cover both traditional and nontraditional areas. Graduate students are engaged in experimental, numerical, and modeling studies and can select their coursework from mechanical engineering and other departments, in consultation with their advisory committees. Students have access to excellent laboratory facilities and equipment, as well as to extensive computer systems, both in the department and on the Louisiana State University campus. Mechanical engineering graduates are prepared for employment in industries, universities, state and federal government, and the private sector.

The PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering is delivered by the Louisiana State University. If the student is deemed eligible by the ME Graduate Studies Committee to enter the PhD program directly from a BS degree, he/she will be required to take a minimum of 42 hours of coursework (not S/U graded coursework) and 12 hours of dissertation research (ME 9000). If the student has earned a recognizable MS degree with at least 24 hours of graduate level courses applicable to the proposed doctoral program, he/she may be allowed to transfer up to 24 hours of credit upon approval by the major professor and the student’s advisory committee, which will count on the requirement of a minimum of 42 hours of coursework. Coursework must be approved by the major professor and the student’s advisory committee, as evidenced by the certification of the departmental plan of study form and the Graduate School Doctoral Degree Audit Form.