Mechanical Engineering Program Requirements
Specialization | Course Descriptions
The master of science (MS) in mechanical engineering is designed to advance the student's knowledge in several areas of engineering. The degree provides breadth through its flexible minor or technical elective requirement, while permitting the student to achieve depth in these areas: fluid mechanics and heat transfer, mechanical design and analysis, and structure and behavior of materials.
These areas of specialization have been selected to coincide with those of high current interest as well as those emerging technologies that hold promise of increasing importance for the future. The purpose of this program is to serve the profession of engineering and the Colorado community through advanced study in mechanical engineering and related fields, and the program repares the student for academic and industrial advancement. The program offers a thesis and a non-thesis option.
Minimum Credit Requirements
Every candidate for the MS degree must complete 45 quarter hours of credit, at least 36 of which must be completed at the University of Denver. Note that the joint MS programs have higher credit requirements, as shown in the detailed program structures below.
ADMISSION TO THE MS (ME) PROGRAM
A bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering (BSME) or closely related field is required for admission to the MS (ME) program. Those students whose backgrounds differ significantly from EAC/ABET-accredited BS computer/electrical/mechanical engineering programs may be required to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses; such courses are not considered part of the 45-credit-hour requirement for the degree.
A competency examination may be required of MS (ME) candidates who do not possess a 3.0 GPA or a BS in mechanical, civil, aerospace or materials science or materials engineering from an EAC/ABET-accredited program. Students with BS degrees in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering science, electrical or mechanical engineering technology, engineering physics or similar bachelor of science degrees may also be admitted. However, these students should be able to demonstrate competency in the following basic subjects by passing an appropriate competency examination:
- Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Fluid Mechanics
- Materials Science
Students may be admitted provisionally while they take the appropriate prerequisite courses should it be determined from the competency examination or from the prior academic records that certain needed skills are lacking. Through the satisfactory completion of the stated provisional requirements, the student's status will be changed from provisional to regular status.
THESIS OPTIONS:
Candidates for the degree of master of science in mechanical engineering may elect either the thesis or non-thesis option. This choice may be made at any time, although a delay in declaration may impact the completion date. Students who are GTAs or who receive financial support from a University research grant as graduate research assistants (GRAs) are required to elect the thesis option. These programs are designed to be completed in about seven quarters if two courses (6 or 7 qtr. hrs.) are taken each quarter.
Non-Thesis Option:
The more flexible of the two options, this is designed with the working professional in mind. For this option, a grade of B or better must be obtained in each course in order for that course to count toward the 45-quarter-hour requirement. The basic structure of the minimum 45 quarter hours for the non-thesis option is as follows:
| Specialty Track (with a minimum of four 4000-level courses, of at least 3 QH each ) |
18 QH |
| Technical Electives (with a minimum of two 4000-level courses, of at least 3QH each) |
21 QH |
| Advanced Mathematics Requirement | 6 QH |
| 45 QH |
Thesis Option:
A thesis permits a candidate to obtain depth in an area of study and is especially useful for individuals seeking to pursue a subsequent degree. Thesis candidates work closely with a thesis advisor. The thesis option is required for all graduate research assistants (GRAs) and graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). The basic structure of the minimum 45 quarter hours for the thesis option is as follows:
| Specialty Track (with a minimum of three 4000-level courses, of at least 3 QH each ) |
15 QH |
| Technical Electives (with a minimum of one 4000-level courses, of at least 3QH each) |
12 QH |
| Advanced Mathematics Requirement | 3 QH |
| Thesis | 15 QH |
| 45 QH |
ADVANCED MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT
All MS candidates must complete an Advanced Mathematics requirement. Advanced mathematics courses at the 3000 or higher level are selected with the prior approval of the student’s advisor.
TECHNICAL ELECTIVES REQUIREMENT (NON-THESIS OPTION)
A minimum of two of the technical elective courses must be at the 4000 level, (each with not less than 3 quarter hours of credit) with one course selected from each of two of the other specializations offered for the degree chosen. A course that appears in more than one specialization may only be counted toward one specialization. The remaining technical electives are chosen from appropriate courses numbered 3000 or higher, offered by either Computer Science or the NSM (Natural Sciences and Mathematics) departments, with the prior approval of the student’s advisor.
FLEXIBLE MINOR REQUIREMENT (THESIS OPTION)
At least one of the courses for the flexible minor must be at the 4000 level (with not less than 3 quarter hours of credit) selected from one of the other specializations offered for the degree chosen. A course that appears in more than one specialization may only be counted toward one specialization. For the MS (CPE) and MS (EE) degrees, the remaining courses for the flexible minor must be selected from the other specializations offered for the degree chosen, with the prior approval of the student’s advisor. For the MS (ME) degree, the remaining courses for the flexible minor are chosen from appropriate courses numbered 3000 or higher, offered by either Computer Science or NSM (Natural Sciences and Mathematics) departments, with the approval of the student’s advisor.