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Classroom Learning
Melbourne (Main) Campus
Top ranked bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs at our residential campus
Extended Studies (Off-Campus Sites)
Master's degree and graduate certificate programs at 9 sites in AL, FL, MD, NJ, VA
Patuxent – (Maryland)
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Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
| Major Code: | 8131 | Degree Awarded: | Master of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne, Patuxent |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
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 adviser 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.
Biomedical Engineering
Three courses selected in consultation with the student’s adviser from the list below:
| Required Courses | |
| BIO 5210 | Applied Physiology |
| BME 5702 | Biomedical Applications in Physiology |
| One course from the following | |
| BME 5103 | Transport Processes in Bioengineering |
| BME 5259 | Medical Imaging |
| BME 5569 | Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration |
| BME 5710 | Orthopedic Biomechanics |
| BME 5720 | Biomedical Instrumentation |
| BME 5740 | Cellular Biomechanics |
Biomedical engineering applies engineering and science methodologies to the analysis of biological and physiological problems and the delivery of healthcare. The biomedical engineer serves as an interface between traditional engineering disciplines and living systems, and may focus on either, applying the patterns of living organisms to engineering design or engineering new approaches to human health. A biomedical engineer may use his/her knowledge of engineering to create new equipment or environments for such purposes as maximizing human performance or providing non-invasive diagnostic tools. Students can choose elective courses in their area of interest offered by other engineering disciplines.
Dynamic Systems, Robotics and Controls
Three courses selected in consultation with the student's adviser 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.
Structures, Solid Mechanics and Materials
Three courses selected in consultation with the student's adviser 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 adviser 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.