PhD in Engineering

Back to Academic Programs

Our PhD in Engineering is designed to help you develop the ability to contribute to modern scientific discourse through independent research. You will take part in rigorous coursework, utilize cutting-edge technology and collaborate with peers and instructors in small, participatory classes. We encourage our students to work toward their own career goals with a multi-disciplinary approach to engineering, developing plans of study from courses such as: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, nanoscale science and engineering, materials science and bioengineering.

In addition to our stand-alone PhD in Engineering, we also offer an interdisciplinary PhD program with opportunities for you to develop a plan of study combining engineering and a complementary discipline (e.g. natural sciences).

The flexible, personalized focus of the program ensures our students can develop the skills needed for a variety of careers in engineering. The city of Denver, and the Denver Tech Center which is only minutes away from campus, provides a first-rate environment for engineering expertise. The Front Range is consistently rated as one of the top high-tech areas in the country. We’re committed to maintaining active connections with industry leaders, allowing you to graduate with useful experience and a well-developed professional network.

Start Dates: Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer

Curriculum: 45 Credit hours completed in quarter terms, for students entering with a master’s degree
90 Credit hours completed in quarter terms, for students entering with a bachelor’s degree

Program Length: 4 Years for students entering with a master's degree
6 Years for students entering with a bachelor's degree

Request Information

6th Colorado’s rank as top states for engineering jobs Zippia

$171,842 Estimated total compensation for PhD Engineers Glassdoor.com

27% Percent of engineering manager jobs that require a master's degree O*Net OnLine

How our curriculum advances your career in engineering

Courses that prepare you for interdisciplinary fields

Take courses across multiple disciplines and engage in projects and coursework that help prepare you for working in interdisciplinary fields upon graduation.
Flexible coursework plan

Our curriculum allows you to develop both breadth and depth within the field of engineering, with opportunities to take courses in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, materials science and bioengineering.
Faculty mentors for research projects

Our faculty serve as mentors for research projects in areas such as biomedical engineering, advanced materials, robotics, mechanical design and AI/machine learning, among others.
Be prepared for careers in academia, research or industry

Our Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering program prepares you to contribute to the advancement of science, engineering and technology through independent research. Our graduates are prepared to go on to teach, research and work in industry.
Contribute to the advancement of science, engineering and technology

Make an individualized plan of study based on your previous experience and desired research areas. Work on interdisciplinary research while also satisfying the PhD in Engineering degree requirements.

Request for Information

Loading... if this form does not load, please adjust your Consent Preferences

Application Information

Admission Steps

Tuition

Apply

Start Your Application

Advance your career with an Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering

Apply Now

Admission Requirements

Degree and GPA Requirements 
- Bachelor's degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.
- Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master’s degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.
Prerequisites
- Students with a master’s degree in Engineering or closely related areas may apply for the PhD program in Engineering (ENGR). Admission with only a Bachelor of Science degree in this field is also possible, but such students are encouraged to enroll first in the MS ENGR program. Note that although it's not an admission requirement, students who are not adequately prepared to succeed in our graduate level courses may choose to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses.
Other Required Materials

We recommend PhD applicants contact faculty to find a research advisor BEFORE submitting the application. If we receive an application and there is no research advisor commitment, we will consider the applicant for the master’s program only.
English Language Proficiency Test Score Requirements 
The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:
- Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80
- Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5
- Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176
- Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115
English Conditional Admission: No, this program does not offer English Conditional Admission.

Courses for the PhD in Engineering

Students Entering With a Master's Degree in Engineering

For students entering with a master’s degree, up to 45 credits may be transferred and applied to the doctorate degree. In addition, a minimum of 45 credits must be completed at DU. The total number of credits required for the degree is 90.

A student who holds a master’s degree on entering the doctoral program is expected to complete all requirements for the degree no later than seven years after beginning the program.

Required Core Courses

ENME 4900 - Graduate Professional Development
ENME 4950 - Graduate Assessment

Mechanical Engineering Core Courses

ENGR 3630 - Finite Element Methods
ENGR 4730 - Introduction to Robotics
ENME 3545 - Mechanisms
ENME 3651 - Computational Fluid Dynamics
ENME 4020 - Advanced Finite Element Analysis
ENME 4360 - Elasticity
ENME 4520 - Intermediate Dynamics
ENME 4541 - Advanced Mechanics of Materials
ENME 4630 - Viscous Flow
ENME 4670 - Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics
ENME 4671 - Convective Heat Transfer
ENME 4800 - Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Any 4XXX level ENEE or ENCE course

Bioengineering Core Courses

ENBI 4500 - Biofluids
ENBI 4510 - Biomechanics
ENBI 4520 - Introduction to Cardiovascular Engineering
ENBI 4800 - Advanced Topics in Bioengineering

Materials Science Core Courses

ENGR 4200 - Introduction to Nanotechnology
ENME 4310 - Computational Methods for Mechanics and Materials
ENME 4400 - Fatigue
MTSC 4020 - Composite Materials I
MTSC 4215 - Composite Materials II
MTSC 4450 - Fracture Mechanics

Advanced Math Courses

ENGR 3621 - Advanced Engineering Mathematics
ENGR 4300 - Advanced Numerical Methods (Advanced Numerical Methods)
ENGR 4350 - Reliability
ENGR 4620 - Optimization
ENGR 4765 - Robot Control

Graduate Teaching and Graduate Research Assistantships

You can access funding through graduate teaching and research assistantships. While these assistantships are competitive, you are encouraged to apply before the priority admissions deadline. Learn more about GTA/GRA positions at DU.