Academic Programs Catalog

College of Engineering

Graduate Study

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers programs leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, both in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics. An individualized plan of study can be designed from a wide range of courses and research experiences to suit the professional aspirations of graduate students. A plan of study typically includes courses within and external to the department. The department offers research experiences in four broad areas: Fluid Thermal Science and Engineering; Biomechanics; Dynamic Systems and Control; and Solid Mechanics, Design, and Manufacturing. The research opportunities are diverse and include working closely with an individual faculty member and/or as part of a team in a large interdisciplinary research center. Graduate students are expected to enroll in courses that promote rapid professional growth as well as engage in research that leads to new knowledge creation that pushes the boundaries of science and engineering.


 


Engineering Mechanics - Master of Science

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

The department welcomes applications from students who possess a bachelor's degree in a related engineering or science discipline.
Students who are admitted to the master's program with a degree in a discipline other than engineering mechanics and who have not completed Mechanical Engineering 221, 222, 361, and 423 or equivalent courses may be admitted with provisional status. Such students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the material in the courses referenced above, either by completing each of those courses with a grade of at least 3.0 or by passing an examination on the material in those courses sanctioned by the department Graduate Studies Committee.  Of the courses referenced above, only Mechanical Engineering 423 may be counted toward the requirements for the master's degree.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Engineering  Mechanics

The student must complete a total of 30 credits for the degree under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis) and must meet the requirements specified below:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B:

  1. The following core courses in engineering mechanics:  Mechanical Engineering 825 or 861, 820, and 821.
  2. At least one of the following core courses in mechanical engineering: Materials Science and Engineering 851, 855, 862, or 865.
  3. At least one credit of Materials Science and Engineering 885.
  4. At least one course in mathematics or statistics at the 400–level or above approved by the student's academic advisor.

 


Engineering Mechanics - Doctor of Philosophy

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

An applicant for admission must identify at least one prospective faculty advisor that they would like to direct their program of study.  Admission to the Ph.D program is contingent on a faculty advisor accepting the student as an advisee.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Engineering Mechanics

The student must complete:

  1. At least one of the following core courses in materials science and engineering:  Materials Science and Engineering 851, 855, 862, or 865.
  2. At least one course in mathematics or statistics at the 400–level or above.

These requirements are waived for those students who completed equivalent courses prior to enrolling in the doctoral program.


Mechanical Engineering - Master of Science

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified below. 

Admission

An applicant should possess a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. 
The applicant must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in  Mechanical Engineering

The student must complete a total of 30 credits for the degree under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis) and meet the requirements  specified below. A maximum of 9 credits may be at the 400-level. A maximum of 4 credits may be taken from ME 490 and ME 990 combined.

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B:

The student must:

  1. Complete one course from each of the following four areas:
    Fluid-Thermal Science and Engineering
    ME 810 Advanced Classical Thermodynamics 3
    ME 812 Conductive Heat Transfer 3
    ME 814 Convective Heat Transfer 3
    ME 819 Combustion 3
    ME 830 Fluid Mechanics I 3
    ME 840 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer 3
    ME 842 Advanced Turbomachinery 3
    ME 872 Finite Element Method 3
    Dynamic Systems and Control
    ECE 851 Linear Systems and Control 3
    ME 860 Theory of Vibrations 3
    ME 861 Advanced Dynamics 3
    ME 891 Selected Topics in Mechanical Engineering 1 to 4
    The topic for ME 891 must be approved by the student’s guidance committee. 
    Solid Mechanics, Design, and Manufacturing and Biomechanics
    ME 820 Continuum Mechanics 3
    ME 821 Linear Elasticity 3
    ME 826 Laminated Composite Materials 3
    ME 872 Finite Element Method 3
    ME 891 Selected Topics in Mechanical Engineering 1 to 4
    The topic for ME 891 must be approved by the student’s guidance committee.

Additional Requirements for Plan A:

The student must:

  1. Complete 21 credits in courses at the 800–900 level including at least 6, but not more than 8, credits in Mechanical Engineering 899.
  2. Submit a brief thesis proposal for approval by the student's academic advisor early in the student's program of study.
  3. Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.

Additional Requirements for Plan B:

  1. Complete 21 credits in courses at the 800–900 level.
  2. Complete a final examination or evaluation.


Mechanical Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

The applicant must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Test.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Mechanical Engineering

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified by their guidance committees.