8131
Master of Science
Classroom
No
Graduate
Main Campus - Melbourne, Patuxent
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This program plan contains a correction to the printed 2013-2014 University Catalog replacing the specialization in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology course list.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

All master of science options can be earned on either a full-time or a part-time basis. A two-year projection of course offerings is available on request. Course offerings are arranged to permit the master’s program to be completed by full-time students in a maximum of two calendar years.

Admission Requirements

The undergraduate backgrounds of applicants for admission to the master’s degree programs vary considerably. For this reason, a variety of master’s degree options are available. The applicant should have a bachelor of science or equivalent degree from a mechanical engineering program accredited by ABET. In evaluating an international application, consideration is given to academic standards of the school attended and the content of the courses leading to the degree obtained. Master’s applicants are required to take the GRE (General Test).

Applicants whose bachelor’s degrees are in other engineering fields, mathematics, or the physical sciences may be accepted, but will be required to remedy any deficiencies by satisfactorily completing a number of undergraduate courses in preparation for graduate study in mechanical engineering.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering is offered with both thesis and nonthesis options. Each option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved graduate study; however, within each option, course choices vary considerably. Prior to the completion of nine credit hours, the student must submit for approval a master’s degree program plan to indicate the path chosen and the specific courses to be taken. 

The minimum program requirements consist, depending on the specialization, of a minimum of nine credit hours of core courses, six credit hours of mathematics and 15 credit hours of electives (which may include six credit hours of thesis). Within the 15 credit hours of electives, six credit hours of coursework are restricted electives. The department maintains a list of restricted electives for each specialization.

Curriculum

Regardless of which degree path the student chooses, the degree candidate must choose one of the following areas of specialization. Listed below are required and elective courses for the master of science specializations.

Automotive Engineering

Three courses selected in consultation with the student’s advisor from the list below:

MAE 5130 Viscous Flows
MAE 5220 Convection Heat Transfer
MAE 5310 Combustion Fundamentals
MAE 5316 Mechatronics
MAE 5320 Internal Combustion Engines
MAE 5460 Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue of Materials
MAE 5486 Crashworthiness
MAE 5610 Advanced Dynamics
MAE 5630 Modeling and Simlation of Dynamic Systems

Specialization in this area is concerned with the application of fundamental engineering science concepts and basic mechanical and aerospace engineering methodologies to the design and analysis of modern vehicles for land, sea and air transportation, and their components and systems.

Dynamic Systems, Robotics and Controls

Three courses selected in consultation with the student's advisor from the list below:

MAE 5316 Mechatronics
MAE 5318 Instrumentation and Measurement Systems
MAE 5480 Structural Dynamics
MAE 5610 Advanced Dynamics
MAE 5630 Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems
MAE 5650 Robotics
MAE 5660 Robot Control

The student’s program of study in this area will be tailored to provide the background and training to pursue a career in a desired and related area of interest. Examples of related areas include design and control of dynamic systems, robotics, vibration, automotive engineering, energy and power systems, etc.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology

Three courses selected in consultation with the student's advisor from the list below:

CHE 5250 Hydrogen Technology
CHE 5567 Nanotechnology
MAE 5130 Viscous Flows
MAE 5220 Convective Heat Transfer
MAE 5330 Principles of Fuel Cells
SYS 5365 Decisions and Risk Analysis or SYS 5385 System Life Cycle Cost Estimation

Hydrogen is used in many engineering applications including chemical processing, aircraft and rocket propellant, fuel cells, shock tubes and hydrogen vehicles. It is believed by many that hydrogen will be the dominant alternative fuel in the future, with the potential to also be a renewable fuel, when produced by energy sources such as wind or solar power, thus limiting or eliminating the use of fossil fuels.

Structures, Solid Mechanics and Materials

Three courses selected in consultation with the student's advisor from the list below:

MAE 5050 Finite Element Fundamentals
MAE 5060 Applications in Finite Element Methods
MAE 5410 Elasticity
MAE 5420 Advanced Mechanical Design
MAE 5460 Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue of Materials
MAE 5470 Principles of Composite Materials

Specialization in this area focuses on analytical and computational techniques as they apply in design. Each student plans a program of study in consultation with a member of the faculty whose professional field is related to the student’s interests.

Thermal-Fluid Sciences

Three courses selected in consultation with the student's advisor from the list below:

MAE 5130 Viscous Flows
MAE 5210 Conduction Heat Transfer
MAE 5220 Convection Heat Transfer
MAE 5230 Radiation Heat Transfer
MAE 5310 Combustion Fundamentals

Specialization in this area focuses on heat transfer, combustion and energy systems. Analytical, computational and experimental techniques are emphasized.