The mechanical engineering field encompasses analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. Today, it spans a broad spectrum of advanced subjects including design and operation of novel energy conversion devices; sensors, sensor networks and process control; advanced materials development for mechanical analysis of nanoscale and biological systems; and computer aided design of highly engineered systems, to name a few.
The Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department faculty includes 26 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, 7 professors-in-residence and several others with joint appointments. Many of our faculty members have been recipients of National Science Foundation CAREER, Office of Naval Research Young Investigator, and Army Research Office Young Investigator awards.
The ME Department offers a Master of Engineering (MENG) degree program in two areas of concentration: Systems & Mechanics, and Thermal & Fluid Sciences. Master of Engineering students must complete:
MENG Core Courses (12 credits)
- ENGR 5311 - Professional Communication and Information Management
- ENGR 5312 - Engineering Project Planning and Management
- ENGR 5314 - Advanced Engineering Mathematics
- ENGR 5300 - Capstone Project – Students are encouraged to work on a company-sponsored project that also benefits the participating sponsor
SYSTEM & MECHANICS
Concentration Core Courses (15 credits; any 5 of the following 7)
- ME 5105 – Basic Concepts of Continuum Mechanics
- ME 5150 – Analytical & Applied Kinematics
- ME 5155 – Geometric Modeling
- ME 5160 – Theory and Design of Automatic Control Systems
- ME 5180 – Dynamics
- ME 5190 – Advanced Mechanics of Materials
- ME 5420 – Mechanical Vibrations
THERMAL & FLUID SCIENCES
Concentration Core Courses (15 credits, any 5 of the following 6)
- ME 5110 – Advanced Thermodynamics
- ME 5120 – Advanced Thermo-Fluids I
- ME 5130 – Advanced Heat and Mass Transfer
- ME 5140 – Heat and Mass Transfer in Multiphase Systems
- ME 5311 – Computational Methods of Viscous Fluid Dynamics
- ME 6170 – Combustion and Air Pollution Engineering
The above-listed core courses are offered periodically (once every three to four semesters). In principle, each student is required to take four core courses from the area of concentration in which the student is enrolled. Also, one 3 credit elective from the list below.
To complement the core courses and to broaden students’ knowledge and skill set, the Mechanical Engineering MENG program offers a wide variety of elective courses. Examples of frequently offered elective courses include, but are not limited to:
- ME 5210 – Intelligent Material Systems and Structures
- ME 5320 – Flow of Compressible Fluids
- ME 5511 – Principles of Optimum Design
- ME 5895 – Mechatronics
- ME 5895 – Fuel Cells
- ME 6160 – Turbines and Centrifugal Machinery
In addition, certain courses offered by the Materials Science & Engineering Department and the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department may count toward the coursework requirement. To facilitate further flexibility in coursework structure, it is possible for students to use certain elective courses to substitute for closely related core courses. To substitute core courses with elective courses, or to take courses outside the Mechanical Engineering MENG program, students must obtain the prior approval of their major advisor.
ADVISORY STRUCTURE
Upon admission, a student in the Mechanical Engineering MENG program is assigned a major advisor and two associate advisors; together, these three form the advisory committee. A student is required to prepare a preliminary plan of study in the first semester based upon the counsel of the major advisor. It is recommended that students continually consult with the major advisor on coursework progress and update the plan of study.