This curriculum is designed primarily for students intending to pursue careers in research and development in mechanical, civil, aerospace, and related engineering fields. It is a rigorous, analytical, science-orientated curriculum with emphasis on applied mathematics and physical theory. At the same time, it is and accredited engineering program. The Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics was founded in 1890 to provide instruction for all College of Engineering students.
Research is considered to be an integral part of the educational program of the department.
For the most part, mechanics is the phenomenological study of the response of material bodies and systems to forces and energy stimuli when both the length and time scales are those of ordinary experience. Consequently, the principles of mechanics have long served as the basis for much of engineering practice and design. While mechanics is a scientific discipline in its own right, it also serves as an interface between physics, mathematics, and engineering. Modern materials with unusual constituencies and composite structures present special challenges for today's investigators. The curriculum requires 131 hours for graduation.