Head of the Department: Hassan Aref
Correspondence and Information: Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 216 Talbot Laboratory , 104 South Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-2322
GRADUATE FACULTY
Professors: R. J. Adrian, H. Aref, D. E. Carlson, G. A. Costello, R. B.
Haber, J. G. Harris, J. W. Phillips, D. S. Stewart, R. L. Weaver
Associate Professors: D. N. Riahi, T. G. Shawki
Assistant Professors: S. Balachandar, K. J. Hsia, P. Sofronis, N. S. Sottos, S. T. Thoroddsen
Adjunct Faculty: P. Kurath
Emeritus Professors: M. E. Clark, R. E. Miller
Lecturer: R. D. Keane
Department Affiliates: B. Thomas, D. A. Tortorelli, J. S. Walker, S. R. White
ADMISSION
Applicants should have the bachelor's or master's degree in engineering,
mathematics, physics, or related fields and meet the Graduate College
requirements for admission.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
The graduate programs in the Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
lead to the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees. Major areas of
study and research are applied mathematics, dynamics and vibrations, fluid
mechanics, materials engineering, and solid mechanics.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Candidates must complete a minimum of 8 units of graduate work including a
thesis (ordinarily 2 units) and maintain a minimum grade-point average of 4.0
(A = 5.0). Students are required to register for the seminar in engineering
mechanics. If a student elects not to present a thesis, 9 units of course work
are required. Three units must be at the 400 level, and 2 of the 3 must be in
theoretical and applied mechanics. A full-time student can usually complete
this program in one academic year of study. A student who has an assistantship
can usually complete the requirements in one calendar year.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Candidates for the doctor of philosophy degree are required to complete 8 units
of course work beyond the master's degree with a minimum grade-point average of
4.0. One course (or the equivalent) is required from each of the following
major areas in the department: applied mathematics, dynamics and vibrations,
fluid mechanics, materials engineering, and solid mechanics. Students are
required to register for the seminar in engineering mechanics. A student must
pass an oral preliminary examination before commencing the thesis. The thesis
research usually constitutes about half of the work beyond the master's degree.
A full-time student can usually complete the doctoral program in two years of
study beyond the master's degree.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
In solid mechanics and materials, current research topics include finite
elements for composite plates and shells, woven structures, circuit-board
laminates, polymer-matrix microcracking, interphase mechanics; topology
optimization, canonical functions and design sensitivity, moving-grid methods,
visualization environments; creep resistance and creep failure, hydrogen
embrittlement, brittle-to-ductile transitions, dislocation emission, shear
instabilities, powder consolidation; implant materials. In fluid mechanics,
topics include vortex dynamics; turbulent thermal convection, conditional
eddies, boundary-layer instabilities; coating flows, foams and emulsions, dense
solid-liquid flows, melt crystallization, materials processing, combustion;
particle-image velocimetry. In dynamics, topics include scanning acoustic
microscopy, nondestructive evaluation, stochastic wave propagation,
complex-structure coherence, and wave scattering.
FINANCIAL AID
Half-time teaching and research assistantships allow students to take up to
31/2 units of course work each semester. Stipends are based on the
student's year in graduate work and on the percentage of time spent on the
assistantship. Teaching and research assistantships carry with them waivers of
tuition and some service fees. Assistantship applications should be submitted
by February 15 for appointments beginning in the fall. Partial fellowships are
also available.
Go to Graduate Programs Index
Go to Programs of Study Table of Contents
Go to Graduate College Home Page
Go to University of Illinois Home Page