Overview

Philosophy

The philosophy of the PhD program in mechanical engineering is to promote the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of mechanical systems for the economic progress of society in an efficient, economical, and environmentally sustainable manner.

Rationale

Our collaborative faculty are investigating a diverse range of research areas like additive manufacturing, air quality, cellular biomechanics, computational design, DNA origami, energy conversion and storage, nanoscale manufacturing, soft robotics, transdermal drug delivery, transport phenomena, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

During the approximately four years candidates work on their PhD Mechanical Engineering degree, they will conduct their own original research on a specific topic that must result in a dissertation of publishable quality. Candidates have the opportunity to investigate more deeply the discipline’s frontiers of research, like microelectro-mechanical systems, friction stir welding, composites, nanotechnology, finite element analysis, or biomechanics.

Objectives

The goal of the program is to create a pool of highly trained personnel for mechanical engineering education and research in view of the many upcoming universities in the country and in the global space

Scheduled Intake

   Applications are open throughout the year. Classes commences in the month of September.

Application Information

Application for admission are open throughout the year through the online platform. The requirements for submitting your application are detailed in the link provided (https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/).

Mode of Delivery

  • Face-to-Face Mode

This is through lectures and tutorials using notes, electronic presentations, instruction manuals, group discussions, practical laboratory demonstrations and fieldwork.

  • Open, Distance Learning and e-Learning

In case of delivery through ODeL, special arrangements shall be made for the practical laboratory, field work and computing sessions. Where not feasible alternative arrangements will be made to do them on campus. 

  • Blended Learning

This is a hybrid of face to face with Open, Distance Learning and e-learning.

Contact of Support Persons

Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering Block
Tel: +254 02 04913527

Email: dept-mmengineering@uonbi.ac.ke

Notable Alumni

  • Martha mburu
  • Eng. George sammy onyango
  • Betty mutinda
  • Prof. Eng. Leonard mbevi masu
  • Prof. Eng. P. N. Kioni
  • Hon. Eng. Chege john kiragu
  • Eng. Kaburu mwirichia
  • Mr. Titus naikuni
  • Dr. Eng. Karanja kibicho

 

 

Application Information

Application for admission are open throughout the year through the online platform. The requirements for submitting your application are detailed in the link provided (https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/).

Mode of Delivery

  • Face-to-Face Mode

This is through lectures and tutorials using notes, electronic presentations, instruction manuals, group discussions, practical laboratory demonstrations and fieldwork.

  • Open, Distance Learning and e-Learning

In case of delivery through ODeL, special arrangements shall be made for the practical laboratory, field work and computing sessions. Where not feasible alternative arrangements will be made to do them on campus. 

  • Blended Learning

This is a hybrid of face to face with Open, Distance Learning and e-learning.

Admission Requirements

The common regulations governing admission to PhD degree programs at the University of Nairobi and in the Faculty of Engineering shall apply.

The following are eligible for admission to the program:

(a) Holders of Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees in mechanical engineering or a closely related field from the University of Nairobi.

(b) Holders of Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees in mechanical engineering or a closely related field from any another institution recognized by the Senate as being of equivalent standing.

    Scheduled Intake

   Applications are open throughout the year. Classes commences in the month of September.

    Application Information

     Interested applicants can apply here

   Contact Person

        The Chairman, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

             Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering Block

             Tel: +254 02 0491352

             Email: dept-mmengineering@uonbi.ac.ke

 

 

Careers

Careers open to holders of PhD in Mechanical Engineering include

  • Industrial Production Managers. Industrial production managers help to determine how to best use employees and equipment within a factory setting to meet production goals.
  • Research & Development Managers.
  • Consulting Mechanical Engineers.
  • Consulting Petroleum Engineers.
  • Academic and Research Institutions.

 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (F807)  YEAR 1   YEAR 2   YEAR 3    TOTALS 
TUITION            540,000             540,000         540,000            1,620,000
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                7,000                 7,000             7,000                 21,000
THESIS EXAMINATION                     -                        -             50,000                 50,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                4,500                 4,500             4,500                 13,500
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                1,000                 1,000             1,000                   3,000
CAUTION - (ONCE)                5,000                      -                     -                     5,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                6,500                 6,500             6,500                 19,500
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                2,000                 2,000             2,000                   6,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                5,000                 5,000             5,000                 15,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                1,000                 1,000             1,000                   3,000
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                     -                        -                     -                           -  
Grand TOTAL            572,000             567,000         617,000            1,756,000
Exam Regulations

Exams Regulations

The common Regulations governing assessment and examination for the PhD degree issued by the  University of Nairobi shall apply.

Written Examinations

1. A candidate shall not be allowed to sit the final written examination in any course unit unless he/she has attended at least two thirds of the total lecture hours for the course unit. In case of delivery through ODeL, an equivalent criterion shall be used.

2. The course units FME 801 and FME 802: Doctoral Seminar I and II shall be assessed by coursework only. They shall be graded as pass or fail.

3. The remaining coursework units shall be examined by coursework and a three hour examination at the end of the Semester in which the course unit is offered.

4. The final examination score shall (except where specified otherwise) consist of a continuous assessment component accounting for 50% and an end of Semester component accounting for 50%. The continuous assessment shall it turn consist of term papers, assignments, tests, and reports of practical and computing exercises.

5. The pass mark for each course unit shall be 50%. In addition to an overall score of 50%, a passing candidate will be required to have a minimum score of 30% in both the continuous assessment and the final written examination.

6. A candidate who has an overall score between 40 and 50% in not more than 2 course units shall be allowed to sit for supplementary examinations in the failed course units.

7. A candidate who fails a supplementary examination shall be allowed to repeat the failed units when the same are next offered. No candidate shall be allowed to repeat any unit more than once.

8. A candidate who:

            (a) Fails in more than two course units, or

            (b) Fails the supplementary examination in a course he/she is repeating, or

            (c) Scores less than 40% (overall) in any course unit shall be discontinued.

8. The maximum score in a supplementary examination shall be 50%.

9. In the case of units assessed by coursework only, the supplementary shall take the form of a special project to be completed within three months.

10. A candidate shall be allowed to proceed to the research phase only after passing the assessments in all prescribed coursework units.

 Assessment of the Thesis

The submission and assessment of the thesis shall be in accordance with clause 3.2.5 of the Common Regulations for higher degrees issued by the Graduate School, University of Nairobi.

Moderation of Examinations

All written examinations shall be moderated both internally and externally before they are taken. Likewise, all marked scripts shall be similarly moderated. The minutes of all moderation meetings shall be kept and be available for ISO and CUE evaluations.

The University shall appoint an external examiner for every examination and for the examination of every thesis.