Courses / Department of Mechanical Engineering

Phd in Mechanical Engineering

General Objectives of the Course

The Mechanical Engineering is one of the areas of knowledge more transverse to all technical-scientific activities assuming a predominant role in most industrial activities. The rational use of resources in harmony with the environmental balance and centring on human life of any development pose new challenges to humanity. The PhD in Mechanical Engineering aims to contribute to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and technological applications in the Mechanical Engineering field. The aim is to train researchers capable of performing independent research and able to solve scientific problems in the Mechanical Engineering field. A person who has received a doctoral degree is expected possess a considerable level of authority, innovation, autonomy, scientific or professional integrity and can make a firm commitment to the development of new ideas or new processes at the forefront of study or work contexts, including research in the Mechanical Engineering field.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have: a) A master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or other appropriate training, namely in other Engineering, Architecture, Physics, Mathematics, Geology or legal equivalent; b) A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or other appropriate training, namely in other Engineering, Architecture, Physics, Mathematics, Geology, having a relevant academic or scientific curriculum, recognized by the coordination of the Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. program and the FCTUC scientific council, attesting the capacity to carry out the course; c) An academic, scientific or professional curriculum, recognized by the coordination of the Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. program and FCTUC scientific council, attesting the capacity to carry out the course.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

The Mechanical Engineering PhD’s will be prepared to work in practically all the industrial sectors, in services companies and in teaching and R&D institutes. PhDs in Mechanical Engineering are qualified to perform functions in all economic sectors, in the areas of Conception, Design, Manufacturing, Maintenance and Industrial Management, whether integrating the structure of companies or as independent consultants.

Mode of Study

Daytime, Full-time and Face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

There are several evaluation rules, depending on the course type. The evaluation can be organized according to one of two schemes: periodic evaluation or assessment by final exam. In the latter case, students have access to two evaluation periods (the normal time and the resource time) that take place in this order, after the 14 weeks that constitute the semester. The periodic evaluation integrates different assessment modes, which may have a more practical or more theoretical component. Work assignments is also a common form of periodic evaluation. As the aim of the course is to prepare students to conduct research and development activities independently, the vast majority of the curricular units considers assessment methodologies based on individual work of the students: projects and synthesis work. In the curricular units of "Thesis Project" and "Thesis" the student learning outcomes are assessed by a jury of experts from the scientific field addressed in the thesis. The evaluation method of each module appears in the respective curriculum evaluation form (FUC). The final grade is translated on a scale of 0 to 20, except for the "Thesis" that is evaluated qualitatively.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The PhD program in Mechanical Engineering was developed to take advantage of the resources available at UC, in a set of subjects relevant to the scientific and educational valences of the course field, based on the capital of resources and knowledge of the two research centres existing in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The 3rd cycle in Mechanical Engineering aims to provide students, possessing a Master's degree in Engineering or Science, advanced training in various scientific areas related to Mechanical Engineering. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to drive autonomously research work: set a theme, plan and manage the work, use appropriate methodologies and disseminate results. The holder of a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering will be prepared to coordinate research and development teams in academic institutions or industrial laboratories.

Course Coordinator(s)

Marta Cristina Cardoso de Oliveira
marta.oliveira@dem.uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Ana Sofia Figueira Ramos
sofia.ramos@dem.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Decree-Law 74/2006 of 24 March, in its current wording

Graduation Requirements

The Mechanical Engineering Doctorate program stipulates a first year of elective and mandatory courses, totalling 60 ECTS, plus two years for the development of the PhD dissertation, corresponding to 120 ECTS. Students who successfully complete the compulsory and optional curricular units of the first year (60 ECTS) will be awarded a diploma of advanced studies in the Advanced Specialization Course in the area of specialization attended.

Access to Further Studies

Study Programme

Paths: Advanced Production Systems; Aerodynamics, Natural and Technological Risks; Energy, Environment and Comfort; Structural Integrity; Surface Engineering and Nanomaterials

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
3rd Cycle Studies

DGES Code: 5143

Qualification Awarded: Doutor

Duration: 3 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 180.0

Annual Fee: 2750.0

Applications

Call for Applications

3rd Cycle Course

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2018-01-11 a 2024-01-10
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 10/2018; 2018-04-10