Time Commitment
Our department recognizes that a student may be employed full time while studying for a degree. Therefore, most courses are offered at times and on days that will permit a student to complete the program by taking courses either late in the day or outside normal business hours. Many employers will permit additional flexibility by releasing employees early to attend classes.

International Students: International Students pursuing either MS or PhD must be registered as full-time while pursuing their degree. This requires taking two courses or the equivalent in independent study/research (eight quarter hours) per quarter for fall, winter and spring.

Master of Science: The MS degree programs can generally be completed in about four years if one course is taken each quarter, but it is usually possible to take two courses per quarter, bringing completion time closer to the more common duration of two years.

Doctor of Philosophy:  With a MS the PhD degree programs can generally be completed in about four to six years depending on the research topic. All requirements for the degree must be completed within seven or eight years from admission to candidacy. For part-time students who are working in industry positions a topic related to the job function may be acceptable as the dissertation research topic. Furthermore, students may request for a qualified staff member at the place of employment to serve as a special committee member on the dissertation committee.

Students not interested in pursuing a degree but interested in taking an occasional course may register as special status students by following an abbreviated admissions process. However, only 15 quarter hours earned as a special status student may be applied toward an MS or a PhD degree.

MS 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.

MS Program Structure
Candidates for the degree of master of science may elect either the thesis or nonthesis 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 GRAs are required to elect the thesis option. These programs are designed to be completed in about six quarters if two courses (eight quarter hours) are taken each quarter.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MS ENME) is designed to advance the student's knowledge in several areas of engineering. Each degree provides breadth through its flexible minor or technical elective requirement, while permitting the student to achieve depth in one of several areas of specialization; 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 these programs is to serve the profession of engineering and the Colorado community through advanced study in mechanical engineering and related fields. Each program prepares the student for academic and industrial advancement. All programs offer a thesis and a nonthesis option.

Admission to the MS ENME Program
A Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (BS ENME) or closely related field is required for admission to the MS ENME 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.

Specialization Requirements
The MS ENME program offers three areas of specialization:

• Structure and Behavior of Materials: This area of concentration prepares students for research and development work in areas of technology that are currently materials limited. This specialization develops the skills to successfully couple materials with new properties to demanding design applications. Courses provide breadth with respect to materials types (composites, ceramics, semiconductors, and polymers) and characterization techniques (acoustic emission, X-ray diffraction and instrumentation).

• Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer: This area of concentration prepares students for the research and design of thermal/fluid systems (i.e. ventilation, engines, aerosols, atomization and novel process design). This specialization provides students with a thorough foundation in the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or heat and mass transfer. Courses provide this foundation through analytical, numerical and experimental methods. Students may choose to master one particular subject area within this specialization or take courses in all three areas to master a particular system, process or engine.

• Mechanical Design and Analysis/Robotics: This area of concentration prepares students for the design and analysis of mechanical components. This specialization covers the design and analysis of both rigid and dynamic structures. Students may choose to emphasize one of several areas within this specialization. These areas include: mechanisms and machinery; design methods; and structural analysis.

Master of Science in Bioengineering
The Master of Science in Bioengineering (MS ENBI) integrates engineering sciences with biomedical sciences and clinical practice to provide the skill set needed by bioscience companies. The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering—in collaboration with the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, and Physics & Astronomy—has designed a cross-disciplinary master of science program to address industrial requirements and the desired qualifications of a 21st century workforce in bioengineering businesses.Students with bachelor's degrees in chemistry, biological sciences or physics, as well as those with accredited engineering degrees, acquire a specialized expertise in bioengineering by designing programs which leverage the individual students' undergraduate experience and expertise resident at DU. This program offers both thesis and nonthesis options.

Admission to the MS ENBI Program
A Bachelor of Science in engineering, chemistry, biology or physics is normally required for admission to the MS ENBI program. A background including undergraduate research in an area related to bioengineering is also very helpful. Students may be required to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses.

Bioengineering Specialization Courses
Bioengineering specialization courses are intended to provide bioengineering students with significant depth with a specific topic. There are four specialty tracks:

Biomechanics and Rehabilitation – required course work includes Biomechanics and Computational Biomechanics.

Biofluids and Biomolecular Processing – required course work includes Biofluids and at least one of the Biophysics class.

Medical Imaging and Devices – required course work must be approved by the faculty advisor

Bionanotechnology and Biomaterials - required course work includes Bionanotechnology and at least one of the Biophysics classes

Minor Elective Courses
A minor is required by each student and is intended to provide bioengineering students with additional knowledge in an area unassociated with their undergraduate degree. Candidates with non-engineering undergraduate degrees must take courses in engineering which provide critical foundational knowledge. Candidate with engineering undergraduate degrees must take course work in biological sciences or chemistry and biochemistry.

Tool Requirement
As employers of graduates of this degree will inherently expect a basic competency in foundational engineering skills, students must demonstrate these before advancing to candidacy. Candidates with BS degrees from accredited engineering schools will be exempt from the tool requirement because their degree is sufficient proof of foundational engineering skills. Candidates with undergraduate degrees from non-engineering majors will be required to pass a tool requirement.

Master of Science in Engineering
The Master of Science in Engineering (MS ENGE) is designed to advance the knowledge of students in areas differing from those in which they received their bachelor's degree. The program is particularly intended for students with bachelor's degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science or engineering who are making a change of discipline or wanting to develop expertise in an engineering area, often one that is of emerging importance or interdisciplinary in nature. The program combines a solid background in an area of engineering with a distinctly personal specialization. It enables the student to focus on a particular area of engineering, while providing breadth through its flexible minor or technical elective requirement addressing the student's specific interests.

A concentration in engineering management is also offered (see below). The courses in the Engineering Management Concentration are focused on developing core knowledge and competencies in innovation and entrepreneurship, and providing concrete tools to successfully translate ideas and initiative into marketplace success.

Admission to the MS ENGE Program
A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or computer science is required for admission to the MS ENGE program. Students may also be required to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses. A declared interest is an essential part of the graduate application. This program offers thesis and nonthesis options.

Program Requirements for the MS ENGE - Concentration in Engineering Management
The degree of Master of Science in Engineering allows students to pursue a concentration in engineering management. The Concentration in Engineering Management is designed to meet the increasing needs of students to enhance their career opportunities as managers or as entrepreneurs by supplementing advanced engineering knowledge with a fundamental understanding of business principles within the context of technology enterprises. Drawing upon the strengths of both SECS and the Daniels College of Business, the program provides the relevant content for graduates to lead technology enterprises.

Master of Science in Materials Science
The Master of Science in Materials Science (MS MTSC) program is designed to prepare the student for research and development work in the materials field. The program is multidisciplinary and involves the departments of physics, chemistry and engineering, with MME as the administering department. The programs reflect the multidisciplinary nature by providing a thorough grounding in each of the basic disciplines of the field. Depth in specialized areas is achieved through the research interests of faculty in each of the participating departments.

With an increasing number of technological fields becoming materials-limited in various ways, the program seeks to prepare students to meet the challenges of property improvement and new materials development, with a broadased curriculum that stresses fundamentals. This program offers thesis and nonthesis options.

Admission to the Programs
A bachelor's degree in materials science or closely related field (physics, metallurgy, engineering, chemistry is usually required for admission. A Master's degree in materials science or closely related field can also enroll in the materials science PhD program. If the student did not receive adequate preparation for studying materials, they may need to take several prerequisite courses in materials science.

Master of Science in Nanoscale Science and Engineering
The Master of Science in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (MS NANO) program shares faculty and other resources with existing graduate programs in NSM and SECS. In order to make it easier for students to migrate between different programs, the program is structured similarly to other existing graduate programs in NSM and SECS. All NSM and SECS graduate programs focus on the research component. Therefore, coursework credit is supplemented by the significant amount of credit earned from Independent Study/Independent Research courses taken in order to satisfy minimum credit requirements to earn a degree. This program offers both thesis and non-thesis options.

Admission to the Program
The interdisciplinary nature of this graduate program mandates certain flexibility in order to accommodate students with a variety of backgrounds. The program accepts students with a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, or Master of Arts in biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, engineering, physics or related discipline. As a minimum, to be admitted into the program, students are expected to have earned as a part of their undergraduate degree:

• 1 year of calculus
• 1 year of algebra- or calculusased physics with accompanying laboratory
• 1 quarter of general chemistry with accompanying laboratory

Furthermore, the program accepts students with a MS or Master of Arts (MA) degrees in biological sciences, biophysics, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, engineering, physics or related discipline.

Doctorate in Philosophy General Program Requirements

PhD Students with a Bachelor of Science
90 quarter hours are required, 72 of which must be completed at the University of Denver.A minimum of 48 quarter hours must be at the 4000 level and may include as many dissertation research hours (Independent Research and Independent Study) as considered appropriate by the advisor.The area of specialization will consist of 15 quarter hours of course work (with a minimum of three 4000-level courses, excluding independent research).An additional 12 quarter hours of course work (excluding independent research) are required as related technical electives.A 3-quarter hour advanced mathematics requirement must also be satisfied.Prior to completion of the comprehensive exam, the plan of study must be approved by the student's PhD committee.

General Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering and Mechanical Engineering: The technical electives must be in engineering (e.g. bioengineering, mechatronic systems, environmental systems, or nanotechnology) or related areas (e.g., mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry or cognitive sciences).

PhD Students with a Master of Science:
If a student is admitted with a closely related master's degree, up to 45 hours may be transferred and applied to the doctorate degree.A minimum of 45 quarter hours is required at the University of Denver.The student with his or her advisor will develop an appropriate program consisting of a minimum of 36 quarter hours at the 4000 level, which may include as many dissertation research hours (Independent Research and Independent Study) as considered appropriate by the advisor.The student with his or her advisor will develop an appropriate plan of study with an area of specialization, technical electives and advanced mathematics.Prior to completion of the comprehensive exam, the student's plan of study must be approved by the student's PhD committee.

PhD Residence Requirement
One year of full-time graduate work and two consecutive years of part-time graduate work satisfy the minimum residency requirement at the University of Denver. For those applicants from industry with established special degree programs with SECS, the residency requirement can be waived by the dean of SECS. The Nanoscale Science and Engineering PhD program does not have this requirement.

PhD Qualifying Examination
First and foremost, each student admitted to the PhD program must pass the qualifying exam to obtain candidacy or official entrance into the doctoral program—normally within the first two academic years of study. Students must pass the qualifying exam (minimum of 70 percent) in order to be advanced to preliminary candidacy.

General Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering and Mechanical Engineering: Students must take three exams. The Design exam is required for all candidates. The other two exams should be related to the student's research area.Materials Science and Nanoscale Science and Engineering: Students must take five exams related to the student's research area.

PhD Comprehensive Examination
Generally within three years of attaining preliminary candidacy, but at least one year before the anticipated date of graduation, the student should schedule and take the comprehensive examination after substantial progress in the research is achieved. This is an oral examination attended by their dissertation committee. Upon a successful oral presentation, student is advanced to final PhD candidacy.

PhD Dissertation
The student is required to complete and defend a dissertation of publishable quality based on the student's original research. A summary of the dissertation must be presented in a public seminar and subsequently defended by the student in the final oral examination.

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
The objective of the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD ENGE) program is to provide an educational environment that encourages students to develop the ability to contribute to the advancement of science, engineering and technology through independent research. The PhD students of the 21st century may pursue academic, research, entrepreneurial and/or industrial careers. The MME department offers opportunities to develop individualized plans of study based on students' previous experience and desired research areas. The plan of study allows students to work on interdisciplinary research, while also satisfying the PhD in engineering degree requirements. The MME department offers two types of PhD degrees:

• Engineering discipline: mechanical engineering, materials science and nanotechnology.

• Interdisciplinary: Combines an engineering discipline with a complementary discipline (e.g. business, natural sciences)

Admission to the Program
Students with a master's degree in computer, electrical, mechanical engineering or closely related areas may apply for the PhD program in engineering. Admission with only a Bachelor of Science in this field is also possible, but students with only a BS degree are strongly encouraged to enroll first in the MS (computer, electrical or mechanical) programs.

Program Structure
Research requires an in-depth study of an engineering problem with a broad knowledge base in science and engineering. Therefore advanced courses are offered to strengthen the fundamentals and to broaden the engineering and science perspective. Students entering the PhD ENGE program take courses with a concentration in engineering management, or may undertake an interdisciplinary degree.

Interdisciplinary PhD Program
The interdisciplinary PhD program offers opportunities for students to develop a plan of study combining engineering and a complementary discipline. In the plan of study, coursework in the complementary discipline can be included up to the maximum number of technical elective quarter hours. The student's plan of study must be approved by his/her PhD committee and the department chair. When the student is completing research and course work in a complementary discipline, the student's PhD committee must include a faculty member from the related department or division/school.

Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science
The Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science (PhD MTSC) is designed to prepare the student for research or faculty position in the materials field. The program is multidisciplinary and involves the departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and MME, with MME as the administering department. The programs reflect the multidisciplinary nature by providing a thorough grounding in each of the basic disciplines of the field. Depth in specialized areas is achieved through the research interests of faculty in each of the participating departments.

With an increasing number of technological fields becoming materials limited in various ways, the program seeks to prepare students to meet the challenges of property improvement and new materials development, with a broad-based curriculum that stresses fundamentals.

Admission to the Program
A bachelor's degree or master's degree in materials science or closely related field (physics, metallurgy, engineering or chemistry) is usually required for admission. If the student did not receive adequate preparation for studying materials, they are encouraged to apply for the master's degree.

Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
The objective of the Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD ENME) program is to provide an educational environment that encourages students to develop the ability to contribute to the advancement of mechanical engineering through independent research.

Admission to the Program
Students with a master's degree in mechanical engineering or closely related areas may apply for the PhD program in mechanical engineering. Admission with only a Bachelor of Science in this field is also possible, but students with only a B.S. degree are strongly encouraged to enroll first in the MS ENME program.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nanoscale Science and Engineering
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (PhD NANO) program shares faculty and other resources with existing graduate programs in The Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) and SECS. In order to make it easier for students to migrate between different programs, the program is structured similarly to other existing graduate programs in NSM and SECS. All NSM and SECS graduate programs focus on the research component. Therefore, coursework credit is supplemented by the significant amount of credit earned from Independent Study/Independent Research courses taken in order to satisfy minimum credit requirements to earn a degree.

Admission to the Program
The program accepts students with a MS or Master of Arts (MA) degrees in biological sciences, biophysics, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, engineering, physics or related discipline.