PhD Programme — Doctoral Research

Doctor of Philosophy

A rigorous doctoral research programme in Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering — developing original thinkers and innovators through intensive research, coursework, and scholarly contribution at IIT Dharwad.

25+ Research Scholars
14 Faculty
3 Research Streams
Credit Breakdown
M.Tech. — 16 cr · Courses + HS 601T Communication Skills (0 cr) Direct B.Tech. — 46 cr · Courses + ME 702S Seminar + HS 601T Communication Skills (0 cr)
Courses for those with M.Tech.
Courses for those without M.Tech. (Direct B.Tech.)
1 Coursework Phase
M.Tech. Foundation Coursework 16 CR
ME 801Advanced Engineering MathematicsCC · 3-0-0-66
ME 807Coursework SeminarCC · 2-0-0-44
Elective IEC · 3-0-0-66
HS 601TCommunication Skills (pass/no pass)CC · 0 cr **

* Up to one ME 702S "Seminar" course is allowed as part of the 16 credits.
** HS 601T "Communication Skills" is a zero-credits (pass/no pass) course.

B.Tech. Direct B.Tech. Track 46 CR
46 cr * Courses (as prescribed by Doctoral Committee) CC / EC 46
ME 702S Seminar CC
HS 601T Communication Skills (pass/no pass) CC · 0 cr **

* Up to one ME 702S "Seminar" course allowed as part of the 46 credits. However, doing more credits is recommended.
** HS 601T "Communication Skills" is a zero-credits (pass/no pass) course.

2+ Research Phase
III Doctoral Research — Phase I 20 CR
ME 901PhD Thesis Research — IRS · 0-0-40-2020
IV Doctoral Research — Phase II 20 CR
ME 902PhD Thesis Research — IIRS · 0-0-40-2020

Credit Notation Guide

L Lecture
T Tutorial
E Extended Tutorial
P Laboratory
O Outside Class Hours
C Credits

Course Category

CC — Compulsory Coursework EC — Elective Coursework RS — Research / Thesis

With M.Tech.

16

Credits · Year 1

Maths 6 + Seminar 4 + Elective 6

Direct B.Tech.

46

Credits · Year 1

Courses + Seminar + HS 601T (0 cr)

Design

Full course details, credit breakdowns, and elective listings for the Design & doctoral stream.

View Curriculum

Manufacturing & Materials

Full course details, credit breakdowns, and elective listings for the Manufacturing & Materials doctoral stream.

View Curriculum

Thermal & Fluids

Full course details, credit breakdowns, and elective listings for the Thermal & Fluids doctoral stream.

View Curriculum

Programme Regulations

The Ordinances and Regulations governing the PhD programme are available for reference in the link alongside.

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Doctoral Research Specialisations

Research Streams

02

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Computational fluid dynamics, turbulence and multiphase flow modeling, heat and mass transfer, and high-fidelity simulations using finite volume/finite element methods and high-performance computing, addressing both fundamental and applied fluid engineering problems.

Key Faculty
· Dhiraj V Patil
· Ramjee Repaka
· Hiranya Deka
02

Computational Materials Science

Computational materials modeling, multiscale simulations, molecular dynamics simulations, coarse-grained simulations, finite element analysis, and data-driven materials design, including machine learning approaches and high-performance computing.

Key Faculty
· Satyapriya Gupta
· Sushanta K. Sethi
01

Design

Solid mechanics, structural analysis, finite element methods, robotics, composites, and computational design. Research led by faculty with expertise in plasticity, topology optimisation, and compliant mechanisms.

Key Faculty
· Amar Keshav Gaonkar
· Samarth S Raut
· Sangamesh Deepak R
· Shrikanth V
· Punnag Chatterjee
· Tejas Prakash Gotkhindi
02

Manufacturing & Materials

Advanced manufacturing processes, materials characterisation, additive manufacturing, machining, forming, composites, and smart fabrication. Research addressing both industrial and emerging material challenges.

Key Faculty
· Anbukkarasi Rajendran
· Satyapriya Gupta
· Somashekara M A
· Omkar Baswaraj Bembalge
· Sushanta K. Sethi
· Rakesh Lingam
· Vyom Sharma
01

Robotics and Intelligent Systems

Solid mechanics, structural analysis, finite element methods, robotics, composites, and computational design. Research led by faculty with expertise in plasticity, topology optimisation, and compliant mechanisms.

Key Faculty
· Samarth S Raut
· Punnag Chatterjee
03

Thermal & Fluids

CFD, aero-acoustics, turbomachinery aerodynamics, heat transfer, combustion, energy systems, and multiphase flows. Focus on sustainable energy technologies and aerospace thermal systems.

Key Faculty
· Ramjee Repaka
· Dhiraj V Patil
· Hiranya Deka
· Keerthi M C
· Meenatchidevi Murugesan
· Sudheer Siddapureddy
· Surya Prakash Ramesh