Computational Fracture Mechanics and Composites (CFMC) Laboratory

Opportunities

Research opportunities and qualifications

The CFMC lab offers research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students interested in contributing to the field of mechanics and materials, biomechanics, manufacturing processes such as fixturing and technology transfer. Effective research conducted in the CFMC lab requires strong background in mathematics, physics, mechanics, materials as well as in numerical methods including programming. Thus, students interested in joining the CFMC research group should be prepared to build the required foundation in the above areas through course work, independent studies and personal initiative.

Student support

Graduate students enrolled in Mechanical Engineering may obtain financial support through one of the following opportunities;

  1. Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)

    2. Funded by the state of Maryland (state budget), the Mechanical Engineering department employs up to the equivalent of 15 fully funded Graduate Teaching Assistants per semester. The GTAs are meant to support the instructional obligations of the department. They are often assigned to the delivery of laboratory sections, the delivery of discussion sessions, and to grading and other responsibilities assigned by the course instructor. A fully funded GTA provides support for up to 10 credits of tuition, health insurance and one of three levels of stipend that varies depending on the students’ academic standing with M.S. candidates limited to only level I. A fully funded GTA is expected to provide up to 20 hours per week of support to the course and instructor to which he/she are assigned.

    Over the years, the department has supported students both at full and half GTA levels. The GTA assignments are made by the Department Chair in consultation with the Graduate Committee and faculty. It is important for students to recognize that faculty are asked to prioritize their options for GTA student funding and as such, strong advocacy by the faculty adviser may be beneficial for GTA funding.

  2. Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)

    3. Funded through faculty secured research grants, Graduate Research Assistantships are offered by individual faculty to graduate students pursuing their degree under the supervision of the faculty offering the GRA. As such, in order to access such an opportunity, the student needs to;

    1. have committed to working with the adviser offering the GRA.
    2. have made or has the promise to make measurable progress in their assigned research topics.
    3. The faculty adviser does have active funded project(s) requiring additional graduate student assistance.
    4. Student remains in good academic standing.
  3. Graduate Fellowships

    4. Graduate fellowships sponsored by National funding agencies such as NSF, NASA, DoD, DoE and others, can be use to support graduate studies in most recognized US universities. Such fellowships are earned through a competitive process through which graduate student proposals/applications are reviewed and ranked for funding. Prior research experience by the student applicant, either through undergraduate research, summer internships and graduate research, although not formally required, are often beneficial for a successful funding outcome.

  4. Dissertation Fellowships

    5. The UMBC Graduate School offers limited number of Dissertation Fellowships to Ph.D. candidates in their last year of study. An application along with a recommendation by the faculty adviser are required. More information can be found at:

  5. Undergraduate Research

    6. As an Honors university, UMBC strongly encourages its undergraduate students to engage in faculty mentored research. Posters and presentations of undergraduate student research funded by the office of the provost are presented annually at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) event.

More information regarding the scope of this initiative and details related to student applications can be found at: