Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The master's program in mechanical engineering gives the practicing engineer advanced professional opportunities and the student considering a career of research or university teaching a first level of graduate study. The program includes a core of required mechanical engineering courses, advanced mathematics courses, a selection of engineering electives, and supervised individual research.
The Department supports research in microfluidics, fluid flow in microgravity, energy conservation in the built environment, manufacturing, materials science, electronic packaging, and engineering science. Current faculty research areas include energy systems, electronic cooling, dynamic systems modeling, computational mechanics, thermo-fluid systems, materials, and FEM applications in mechanical design.
In addition to University master's degree requirements, a candidate for the MSME degree must complete at least 27 credits in mechanical engineering, excluding thesis or project. Required core courses are ME 551 and one approved graduate math course. In addition, for the project/thesis options, ME 507 (one credit) and ME 501 or ME 503 must be taken. All students must submit a study plan approved by their advisor before the beginning of their third term with additional plans submitted at the request of their advisor.
The program offers three tracks: thesis, project, and coursework only. The thesis option requires 36 credits of course work and 9 credits of thesis (ME 503). The project option requires 36-39 credits of coursework and 6-9 credits of research project (ME 501). All options require 45 graduate credits.
Coursework for the thesis option can include up to 17 credits in total from 503 (maximum 9 credits), 504 (maximum 6 credits), 505, and 506.
Coursework for the project option can include up to 17 credits in total from 501 (maximum 9 credits), 504 (maximum 6 credits), 505, and 506.
Coursework for the coursework only option can include up to 17 credits in total from 504 (maximum 6 credits), 505, and 506.
Student research (thesis or project) is conducted under the supervision of faculty, and a final oral examination covering the thesis or project must be successfully completed.
All students must complete ME 551, up to two credits of ME 507, and at least one approved, graduate-level mathematics course. By the beginning of their third term, all students must submit a study plan that is approved by their advisor. Updates to the study plan may be requested by the student's advisor or the graduate committee.