THEORETICAL AND APPLIED MECHANICS

Head of the Department: Hassan Aref

Director of Graduate Studies: J. W. Phillips

Correspondence and Admission Information: Barbara J. Kirts, Student Coordinator, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 216 Talbot Laboratory, 104 South Wright Street, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-0087; E-mail: gradprog@tam.uiuc.edu

URL: www.tam.uiuc.edu

GRADUATE DEGREE 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, computational mechanics, dynamics and vibration s, fluid mechanics, materials engineering, and solid mechanics.

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. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. The minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score for international applicants is 610 on the paper-based test, or 257 on the computer-based test. Admissions are made primarily for the fall semester; however, spring admission will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Graduate Teaching Experience

Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates in this program.

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Candidates must complete a minimum of eight units of graduate work, including a thesis (ordinarily two units) and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0). Students are re quired to register for the seminar in engineering mechanics. If a student elects not to present a thesis, nine units of coursework are required. Three units must be at the 400 level, and two of the three 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 a minimum of four units of coursework (depending upon preparation) beyond the master's degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. The coursework must include a core of master's level courses in applied mathematics, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics taken at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or elsewhere. In addition, one course (or the equivalent) is required from each of the following major areas in the department: applied mathematics, dynamics and vibrat ions, fluid mechanics, materials engineering, and solid mechanics. Students are required to register for the seminar in engineering mechanics. Acceptance into the doctoral program requires good academic standing and the successful defense of a scholarly work, such as a master's thesis. A student must also pass an oral preliminary examination based on the proposed thesis work. 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

Analytical, computational, and experimental research is conducted in the areas of solid mechanics and materials, fluid mechanics, and wave propagation. In solid mechanics and materials, current research topics include ferroelectric ceramics, shape-memory alloys, composite interfaces, woven laminates, electronic packaging, energetic materials, corn-based composites, orientable elastomers; thermoelastici ty, dynamic plasticity; residual stresses, martensitic microstructure, surface crack growth, brittle-to-ductile transition, pure shear failure, shear-band measurements, damage evolution, creep resistance, hydrogen embrittlement; continuous casting, powder consolidation; machine-tool design, metal cutting; and shape optimization. In fluid mechanics, topics include detonation, deflagration-to-detonation transition, shock propagation, reacting flows; continual eddies, turbulent boundary layers, turbulent wakes, stratified turbulence, turbulence simulation, instability modes; vortex dynamics, coating flows, void growth, flow separation, mantle convection; three-dimensional foams; direct numerical simulation; and particle-image velocimetry. In wave propagation, topics include surface waves, wave scattering, crack detection, vibration transport, diffuse waves, stochastic waves, and reverberant ultrasound.

FINANCIAL AID

Half-time teaching and research assistantships allow students to take up to 3.5 units of coursework 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 fees. Assistantship applications should be submitted by February 15 for appointments beginning in the fall. Partial fellowships are also available.