The PhD program in Mechanical Engineering (further in the text: PhD program), fully taught in English, is designed to provide advanced skills and a sophisticated knowledge base at the expert level for individuals planning a career in academic, industry and research settings in any of the sub fields of the mechanical engineering discipline. The program focuses on the development of an in-depth understanding of the nature, implementation and evaluation of mechanical engineering principles and applications together with the growth of research skills. The current areas of research interest for the PhD in Mechanical Engineering encompass a wide spectrum, with specific focus on priority areas for Kazakhstan, such as: energy engineering, biomedical engineering, advanced design, manufacturing and control, advanced transportation and sustainable engineering. These areas are also aligned with well-known international research priorities, such as: Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies (Information and Communication Technologies; Nanotechnologies; Advanced Materials; Advanced Manufacturing and Processing); Environment, Future and Emerging Technologies; Health, demographic change and well-being (Improving diagnosis; Innovative treatments and technologies; Integrated, sustainable, citizen-centered care). By the completion of the PhD program, students will be capable of designing and conducting independent, innovative, original and high-quality research related to a variety of topics in mechanical engineering. In addition, program graduates will be prepared for working in industrial and academic environment in the positions of university faculty members, senior researchers, engineers and product developers. The overarching aim of the program is to develop high quality doctoral researchers who are ready and able to make a lasting contribution to addressing scientific, technological, economic, societal and environmental challenges of global significance. It is closely associated with the aim of Kazakhstan to increase its global competitiveness and join the top 30 most developed countries in the world by 2050.
(*) Course may be waived for NU graduates and replaced by a Level-8 course (core or elective) selected by the student’s supervisory committee and approved by the corresponding departmental committee. (**) All participating schools and departments with EQF Level-8 courses
(*) Course may be waived for NU graduates and replaced by a Level-8 course (core or elective) selected by the student’s supervisory committee and approved by the corresponding departmental committee. (**) All participating schools and departments with EQF Level-8 courses
Year 2: Spring (4th Semester)
Year 2: Summer Term (2nd Summer Term)
Year 3: Fall (5th Semester)
Year 3: Spring (6th Semester)
Year 3: Summer Term (3rd Summer Term)
Year 4: Fall (7th Semester)
(*) 0 ECTS if thesis is not completed/defended
Year 4: Spring (8th Semester)
(*) 0 ECTS if thesis is not completed/defended
Year 4: Summer (4th Summer Term)
(#If not submitted/defended the following semester follows) (*) 0 ECTS if thesis is not completed/defended
Research Methods&Ethics
Course description: The course will facilitate the understanding of research planning and development, while enhancing the PhD student skills for reading, interpreting, writing and presenting his/her scientific and technical ideas to the peer community. The course will also deliver theory and examples of a variety of research methods and ethical principles associated to them.
Brief description: This course delivers a formal training for PhD students aiming at helping them in
understanding how to conduct their research in a rigorous and ethical manner.
Thesis Research
Course description: This course is designed to monitor progress and develop understandings, skills, and outlooks to conduct original, independent research at the PhD level. The student will develop (with the advisor’s guidance) a research plan at the beginning of the semester that will state a research problem/question/hypothesis, its background, outline a research strategy and experimental approach, method of data collection, interpretation and validation, and method of communication of the project results to others. The research plan is used as the basis for assessment of the student’s research progress.
Brief description: This course is designed to monitor progress and develop understandings, skills, and outlooks to conduct original, independent research at the PhD level. The student will develop (with the advisor’s guidance) a research plan at the beginning of the semester that will state a research problem/question/hypothesis, its background, outline a research strategy and experimental approach, method of data collection, interpretation and validation, and method of communication of the project results to others. The research plan is used as the basis for assessment of the student’s research progress.
Current Research Literature
Course description: This course is designed to provide students a directed focus on preparing a literature review on the topic of their interest in coordination with a faculty supervisor. The students are expected to develop a comprehensive review of the state of art and identify the major gaps in the field of research. They also develop critical assessment and comparison of the past literature, and present the work in the form of the term paper.
Brief description: This course is designed to provide students a directed focus on preparing a literature review on the topic of their interest in coordination with a faculty supervisor. The students are expected to develop a comprehensive review of the state of art and identify the major gaps in the field of research. They also develop critical assessment and comparison of the past literature, and present the work in the form of the term paper.