The Field of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics provides a strong background in engineering science and applied mathematics, which prepares students to carry out high-quality analytical or experimental research and to handle a wide variety of modern engineering problems. Course work provides a broad education in the mechanics of rigid and deformable bodies, applied mathematics, and modern experimental techniques. All students are required to minor in at least one other field. Frequently selected minors are aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, applied physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, geophysics, materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, physics, and structural engineering.
Students usually take four years to earn the Ph.D. degree.
The M.Eng. degree usually takes one year. Ph.D. students take a qualifying examination before the start of their third term of graduate studies. Teaching experience is required. The field has about thirty graduate students from a variety of academic and geographical backgrounds. Students are expected to have a background in physics, mathematics, or any branch of engineering.