Georgia Tech College of Engineering MRPL Research MRPL Research

Mechanical Properties Research Lab (MPRL)

Educational Opportunities

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Graduate students conducting research within the MPRL are strongly encouraged to pursue the interdisciplinary certificate in Mechanical Properties of Materials, administered through the Georgia Tech College of Engineering.

This certificate is awarded along with the graduate degree and denotes a specialty in mechanical properties and affiliation with the MPRL, which may be useful in seeking future employment opportunities in addition to providing a well-balanced educational program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do MPRL students typically do?
  1. Work on problems related to durability of materials, including fatigue, fracture, and various other degradation mechanisms
  2. Often engage in both experimental and simulation/modeling aspects
  3. Make connections between process/structure/properties of engineering materials in various applications
  4. Take graduate coursework in fundamentals of solid mechanics, fracture, fatigue, micromechanics, and materials science
Is the MPRL experience just for graduate students?
No, there are opportunities for undergraduate students to get experience in MPRL experimental programs as part of ongoing research.
Are there formal academic programs associated with the MPRL?
  1. Students pursue graduate level thesis work on significant funded projects.
  2. A Mechanical Properties Certificate Program is available for students as proof of academic preparation in areas related to mechanical properties—students must take four courses from a core and optional areas (see below) to be eligible for the Certification. Application must be made to the MPRL Director well in advance of graduation.
What do we produce?
  1. Critical experimental data to test models and understand new materials and service environments for existing materials
  2. New/improved models and algorithms for degradation of material performance
  3. Material dependent case studies and recommendations
  4. Graduates for the marketplace with broad perspective on durability and mechanical property issues
Where do our graduates go?
  1. Industrial research and development positions
  2. Industrial design and applications divisions (e.g. life or failure analysis)
  3. Government research labs
  4. Academic faculty positions (available to PhDs)
If interested, contact MPRL faculty for prospective projects.