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Engineering Mechanics

Master of Science

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Program details

Close up shot of an engine infront of a car

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Engineering Mechanics.

Master’s Plan A

There is a Master’s plan A for degree in Engineering Mechanics. Master’s plan A has these components: (1) prescribed course work, (2) research, (3) a master’s thesis, and (4) the oral defense of the master’s thesis with M.S. Degree Examination Committee.

Master’s Plan B

There is a Master’s plan B for degree in Engineering Mechanics. The Master’s plan B has two components: (1) prescribed course work, and (2) a final evaluation by the academic advisor and graduate advisor.

Graduate Handbook

Application process

Applications from students are due by the following dates and will be reviewed beginning:

  • December 15 for Fall enrollment
  • September 15 for Spring enrollment (Only a very small number of financial aid offers are available to Spring applicants.)

Applications are all considered for financial aid and assistantships. Applications received by the above dates will receive the maximum consideration for this financial aid and assistantships.

  • Applicants to M.S. programs should have earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying.
  • Applicants can enter directly into a Ph.D. program after earning their B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying - this is called the Direct Admit Ph.D. program.
  • Applicants who have earned a M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying can also enter the Ph.D. program.

Applicants must complete the following:

  • Complete the Graduate Application
    • Upload electronically with your Michigan State University application
    • An official copy of your TOEFL Scores for applicants from countries where the official language is not English. Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to Michigan State University; Office of Admissions; Hannah Administration Building; 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250; East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2604. The Mechanical Engineering department code for the TOEFL is 68. Click here for the English Language Proficiency Minimum Requirements
    • A "Statement of Financial Proof and Affidavit of Support" if you are an international student and can provide for your own support as a graduate student. Visit the International Applicants page for information.
    • A copy of your resume
    • A written personal statement describing how your background and life experiences - including social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges - motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Your Personal Statement should be concise, and no more than 2 pages when formatted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins and single line spacing.
    • A written academic statement explaining your reasons for seeking a graduate program degree. The following statement must be included: "My intended area of specialization in the graduate program in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University will be in ___________________________." Your Academic Statement should be concise, and no more than 2 pages when formatted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins and single line spacing.

Current Research Groups are:

  • Biomechanics Engineering Group
  • Dynamic Systems and Controls Group
  • Fluid-Thermal Science and Engineering Group
  • Solid Mechanics, Design, and Manufacturing Group

Completion requires an application fee. Requirements and fees are not waived.

The graduate application fee is $65 for domestic students and $75 for international students.
Upload/enter additional application materials/information and request letters of recommendations using the graduate student education portal which you access with your MSU applicant ID and password. The portal also allows you to check the status of your application and send e-messages to the department.

  • Additionally, submit the following required document to the university
  • Submit only the following required document to the Department of Mechanical Engineering (this document can be mailed after admission, but must be uploaded to your portal prior to the deadline)
    • Official academic record from all previous universities attended. The applicant's record should exhibit outstanding achievement as indicated both by grade point average (GPA) and the quality of courses over his or her entire academic career. Competitive applicants for financial aid and assistantships are in the top 10% of their B.S. class and have at least a 3.5 GPA on a scale of 4.0.

IMPORTANT:
You must make sure that all the above documents: application, exam scores, financial proof, and recommendations use exactly the same first and last names. One of the largest single causes for incomplete applications is an applicant's use of multiple forms their name including reversal of last (family) name and first (personal) name on application documents. Admissions cannot correctly process documents if different forms of your name are used on documents submitted. Be consistent.
The Mechanical Engineering Department's address is:

Graduate Program
Department of Mechanical Engineering
428 S. Shaw Lane, Rm. 2555
East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
USA

For more information, please email the Mechanical Engineering Graduate program at megradad@egr.msu.edu or Dr. Lik Chaun Lee at lclee@msu.edu

For more information regarding International Admissions, visit The Graduate School Website

Annual cost information and a budgeting tool is available at the MSU Tuition Calculator

Program details

Close up shot of an engine infront of a car

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Engineering Mechanics.

Master’s Plan A

There is a Master’s plan A for degree in Engineering Mechanics. Master’s plan A has these components: (1) prescribed course work, (2) research, (3) a master’s thesis, and (4) the oral defense of the master’s thesis with M.S. Degree Examination Committee.

Master’s Plan B

There is a Master’s plan B for degree in Engineering Mechanics. The Master’s plan B has two components: (1) prescribed course work, and (2) a final evaluation by the academic advisor and graduate advisor.

Graduate Handbook

Application process

Applications from students are due by the following dates and will be reviewed beginning:

  • December 15 for Fall enrollment
  • September 15 for Spring enrollment (Only a very small number of financial aid offers are available to Spring applicants.)

Applications are all considered for financial aid and assistantships. Applications received by the above dates will receive the maximum consideration for this financial aid and assistantships.

  • Applicants to M.S. programs should have earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying.
  • Applicants can enter directly into a Ph.D. program after earning their B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying - this is called the Direct Admit Ph.D. program.
  • Applicants who have earned a M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or a closely related field prior to the term for which they are applying can also enter the Ph.D. program.

Applicants must complete the following:

  • Complete the Graduate Application
    • Upload electronically with your Michigan State University application
    • An official copy of your TOEFL Scores for applicants from countries where the official language is not English. Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to Michigan State University; Office of Admissions; Hannah Administration Building; 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250; East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2604. The Mechanical Engineering department code for the TOEFL is 68. Click here for the English Language Proficiency Minimum Requirements
    • A "Statement of Financial Proof and Affidavit of Support" if you are an international student and can provide for your own support as a graduate student. Visit the International Applicants page for information.
    • A copy of your resume
    • A written personal statement describing how your background and life experiences - including social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges - motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Your Personal Statement should be concise, and no more than 2 pages when formatted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins and single line spacing.
    • A written academic statement explaining your reasons for seeking a graduate program degree. The following statement must be included: "My intended area of specialization in the graduate program in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University will be in ___________________________." Your Academic Statement should be concise, and no more than 2 pages when formatted in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins and single line spacing.

Current Research Groups are:

  • Biomechanics Engineering Group
  • Dynamic Systems and Controls Group
  • Fluid-Thermal Science and Engineering Group
  • Solid Mechanics, Design, and Manufacturing Group

Completion requires an application fee. Requirements and fees are not waived.

The graduate application fee is $65 for domestic students and $75 for international students.
Upload/enter additional application materials/information and request letters of recommendations using the graduate student education portal which you access with your MSU applicant ID and password. The portal also allows you to check the status of your application and send e-messages to the department.

  • Additionally, submit the following required document to the university
  • Submit only the following required document to the Department of Mechanical Engineering (this document can be mailed after admission, but must be uploaded to your portal prior to the deadline)
    • Official academic record from all previous universities attended. The applicant's record should exhibit outstanding achievement as indicated both by grade point average (GPA) and the quality of courses over his or her entire academic career. Competitive applicants for financial aid and assistantships are in the top 10% of their B.S. class and have at least a 3.5 GPA on a scale of 4.0.

IMPORTANT:
You must make sure that all the above documents: application, exam scores, financial proof, and recommendations use exactly the same first and last names. One of the largest single causes for incomplete applications is an applicant's use of multiple forms their name including reversal of last (family) name and first (personal) name on application documents. Admissions cannot correctly process documents if different forms of your name are used on documents submitted. Be consistent.
The Mechanical Engineering Department's address is:

Graduate Program
Department of Mechanical Engineering
428 S. Shaw Lane, Rm. 2555
East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
USA

For more information, please email the Mechanical Engineering Graduate program at megradad@egr.msu.edu or Dr. Lik Chaun Lee at lclee@msu.edu

For more information regarding International Admissions, visit The Graduate School Website

Annual cost information and a budgeting tool is available at the MSU Tuition Calculator


Concentrations

The Biomechanics group within the MSU Department of Mechanical Engineering applies fundamental principles found in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics to model the human body, predict its response, and create devices that aid in health monitoring, performance improvement, protection, and treatment. Our ability to analyze and model individual variations in health and performance make our work broadly applicable to the full range of populations: both the young and aging; the healthy and those who have sustained injury due to disease or trauma.

Typical Thesis Program in Biofluids and Micro-Thermal Fluidics:

Fall (9 credits)
  1. ME 830 Fluid Mechanics (Fulfills first MSME breadth requirement in fluids area)
  2. Choose one from the following so as to fulfill second MSME breadth requirement:
    ME 810 Advanced Classical Thermodynamics, (thermal science breadth area)
    ME 812 Conductive Heat Transfer, (thermal science breadth area)
    ME 820 Continuum Mechanics, (solids and structures breadth area)
    ME 860 Theory of Vibrations, (dynamical systems breadth area)
  3. Choose one from:
    ME 494 Biofluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
    ECE 802 Medical Imaging
    PSL 431 Human Physiology
Spring (9 credits)
  1. Choose one from the following so as to fulfill third and final breadth requirement in an area different from that taken above in:
    ME 811 Microscale Transfer, (thermal science breadth area)
    ME 814 Convective Heat Transfer,(thermal science breadth area)
    ME 861 Advanced Dynamics (dynamical systems breadth area)
  2. Choose two from:
    ME 832 Fluid Mechanics II (even year)
    ME 840 Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
    ME 872 Finite Element Method
    PSL 432 Human Physiology II
    BME 444 Biosensor
    ECE 447 Biomedical Imaging
    PSL 828 Cellular and integrative physiology II
    CMSE 801 (or NSC801) Introduction to Computational Science: Tools for prediction, visualization, analysis and understanding
Summer (6 credits of research)
Fall (6 credits)
  1. Choose one from:
    ME 891 Microfluidics: Fundamentals and Application (even year)
    ME 836 Experimental Methods in Fluid Mechanics (even year)
    ME 835 Turbulence Modeling and Simulation (even year)
  2. Choose one from:
    ECE 802 Medical Imaging
    ECE 802 Biosensor Instrumentation, Processing, and Design
    PSL 431 Human Physiology
    PSL 829 Cellular and integrative physiology II
    CMSE 801 (or NSC801) Introduction to Computational Science: Tools for prediction, visualization, analysis and understanding

Possible Math Courses (ONE IS REQUIRED for EM track)

STT 464 Statistic for biology (F)

STT 808 Biostatistic (F)

STT 814 Advanced statistic for biologist (S)

STT 802 Statistical computation (F)

ME 800 Mechanical Engineering Analysis (F)

MTH 451 Numerical Analysis I

MTH 415 Applied Linear Algebra

The Biomechanics group within the MSU Department of Mechanical Engineering applies fundamental principles found in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics to model the human body, predict its response, and create devices that aid in health monitoring, performance improvement, protection, and treatment. Our ability to analyze and model individual variations in health and performance make our work broadly applicable to the full range of populations: both the young and aging; the healthy and those who have sustained injury due to disease or trauma.

Typical Thesis Program in Soft tissue mechanics/Cardiovascular mechanics

Fall (9 credits)
  1. Math class (core requirement for EM requirement)
  2. ME 820 Continuum Mechanics (core requirement for EM requirement)
  3. Choose one from:
    PSL 431 Human Physiology
    ECE 802 Medical Imaging
Spring (9 credits)
  1. ME 821 Linear elasticity (core requirement for EM)
  2. ME 825 Experimental Mechanics (core requirement for EM)
  3. Choose one from:
    ME 495 Tissue Mechanics
    ME 872 Finite Element Method
    ME 922 Viscoelasticity (even year)
    ECE 447 Biomedical Imaging
    ECE 849 Digital image processing
    PSL 432 Human Physiology II
    PSL 828 Cellular and integrative physiology I
    CMSE 801 (or NSC801) Introduction to Computational Science: Tools for prediction, visualization, analysis and understanding
Summer (6 credits of research)
Fall (6 credits)
  1. Choose one from:
    ME 830 Fluid Mechanics
    ME 891 Cardiovascular Mechanics (even year)
    ME 921 Nonlinear elasticity (odd year)
  2. Choose one from:
    PSL 431 Human Physiology
    PSL 829 Cellular and integrative physiology II
    ECE 802 Medical Imaging

The Biomechanics group within the MSU Department of Mechanical Engineering applies fundamental principles found in mechanical engineering and engineering mechanics to model the human body, predict its response, and create devices that aid in health monitoring, performance improvement, protection, and treatment. Our ability to analyze and model individual variations in health and performance make our work broadly applicable to the full range of populations: both the young and aging; the healthy and those who have sustained injury due to disease or trauma.

Typical Thesis Program in Musculoskeletal / Biodesign / Rehabilitation:

Fall (9 credits)
  1. Math class (core requirement for EM requirement)
  2. ME 820 Continuum Mechanics (core requirement for EM requirement)
  3. Choose one from:
    1. ME 496 Biodynamics
    2. ME 491 Biomechanical analysis of human movement
    3. ECE 802 Medical Imaging
    4. ECE 802 Biosensor Instrumentation, Processing, and Design
      1. PSL 431 Human Physiology
      2. CMSE 801 (or NSC801) Introduction to Computational Science: Tools for prediction, visualization, analysis and understanding
Spring (9 credits)
  1. ME 821 Linear elasticity (core requirement for EM)
  2. Choose either (core requirement for EM):
    ME 825 Experimental Mechanics
    ME 861 Advanced Dynamics
  3. Choose one from:
    ME 495 Tissue Mechanics
    ME 872 Finite Element Method
    PSL 432 Human Physiology II
    KIN 862 Neural basis of human movement
    BME 444 Biosensor
    ECE 447 Biomedical Imaging
Summer (6 credits of research)
Fall (6 credits)
  1. Choose one from:
    ME 496 Biodynamics
    ME 491 Biomechanical analysis of human movement
    ME 891 Cardiovascular Mechanics (even year)
    ME 921 Nonlinear elasticity (odd year)
  2. Choose one from:
    ECE 802 Medical Imaging
    ECE 802 Biosensor Instrumentation, Processing, and Design
    PSL 431 Human Physiology

MSEM in Dynamics and Vibration

The dynamics and vibration track provides the engineering and scientific foundation for the analysis and design of machines and structures for their movement and vibration. Dynamics is the description of motion and the study of motion that results from applied forces and constraints. Vibration is the special case of the dynamics of oscillatory motion or sound.

MS Track for Dynamics and Vibration

The MSME degree program for dynamics and vibration is based on the fundamental course work offered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME). This sequence of courses includes those below, with a choice between the last two depending on the odd/even year.

  • ME 860: Theory of Vibration - Fall (every year)
  • ME 861: Advanced Dynamics - Spring (every year) 
  • ME 863: Nonlinear Vibrations - Spring (even years) 
  • ME 961:  Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos - Spring (odd years)

 The EM program also includes ME 820 (Continuum Mechanics), ME 821 (Linear Elasticity), and a course in mathematics.

Graduate Course and Research Topics
Dynamics:

Kinematics in two and three dimensions, Newton’s equations of motion, energy methods for deriving equations of motion, Hamilton’s principle, Hamiltonian systems, particle and rigid body dynamics. (Mukherjee, Feeny)

Vibration:

Mathematical modeling of vibration systems using the principles of dynamics; free vibration with linear and Coulomb damping, harmonically forced vibration, suddenly forced vibration, and randomly excited vibration; single and multiple degrees of freedom, modal analysis, proportional and general damping; distributed parameter systems and reduced order modeling; nonlinear resonances, modal interactions, parametric excitation and self excited systems; perturbation methods and bifurcation theory; symbol dynamics and chaos. (Mukherjee, Feeny)

Typical M.S. Thesis Program in Dynamics and Vibration

Fall Arrival

Fall Semester: 9 credits (cr)

  •  ME 820: Continuum Mechanics (EM requirement) - 3 cr 
  • ME 860: Theory of Vibration - 3 cr

(1) course from Mathematics or Statistics, 400 level or above (EM requirement) 3 cr

Spring Semester: 9cr

  • ME 861: Advanced Dynamics (EM requirement) - 3 cr
  • ME 821: Linear Elasticity (EM requirement) - 3 cr

 (1) course from the list of courses below: 3 cr

  • ME 863: Nonlinear Vibrations 
  • ME 961: Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos


Summer: 6 cr

  •  ME 899: Master’s Thesis Research - 6 cr


Fall Semester: 6 cr

  •  (2) Elective courses - 6 cr

any 400, 800 or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering

TOTAL 30 credits

Engineering Mechanics Degree Requirements:

The following four must be satisfied.

  1. ME 820 (Continuum Mechanics)
  2. ME 821 (Linear Elasticity)
  3. Either ME 861 (Advanced Dynamics) or ME 825 (Experimental Mechanics)
  4. A course in Mathematics or Statistics, 400 level or above.
Typical M.S. Thesis Program in Dynamics and Vibration

Spring Arrival

Spring Semester: 9cr

  • ME 861: Advanced Dynamics (EM requirement) - 3 cr 

(2) Elective courses, e.g. from the list of courses below: 6 cr

  • ME 825: Experimental Mechanics
  • ME 855:  Data Acquisition
  • ME 872: Finite Element Analysis

or other 400, 800 or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering


Fall Semester: 9 cr

  • ME 820: Continuum Mechanics (EM requirement) - 3 cr
  • ME 860: Theory of Vibration - 3 cr

(1) course from Mathematics or Statistics, 400 level or above (EM requirement): 3 cr


Summer: 6 cr

  • ME 899: Master’s Thesis Research - 6 cr


Spring Semester: 6 cr

  •  ME 820: Linear Elasticity (EM requirement) - 3 cr

(1) course from the list of courses below 3 cr

  •  ME 863: Nonlinear Vibrations
  •  ME 961: Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos

TOTAL 30 credits

Engineering Mechanics Degree Requirements:

The following four must be satisfied.

  1. ME 820 (Continuum Mechanics)
  2. ME 821 (Linear Elasticity)
  3. Either ME 861 (Advanced Dynamics) or ME 825 (Experimental Mechanics)
  4. A course in Mathematics or Statistics, 400 level or above.

MSME in Mechanical Systems and Control

Mechanical systems provides the engineering and scientific foundation for the design, control and optimization of machines defined as systems of interconnected elements that produce and control motions, forces, and material flows. It includes modeling (physical, mathematical and simulative), instrumentation and actuation, control and optimization methodologies (especially in real time), and methodologies for synthesis in the presence of multiple conflicting objectives.

 

M.S. Track for Systems and Control

The MSME degree program for dynamic systems and control is based on fundamental course work offered jointly through the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). This sequence of courses includes:

  • ECE/ME 851: Linear Systems and Control (formerly ME852, ECE826) - Fall (every year)
  • ECE/ME 853: Optimal Control (formerly ECE829) - Spring (odd years)
  • ECE/ME 854: Robust Control - Spring (even years)
  • ECE/ME 856: Adaptive Control (formerly ECE860A) - Fall (even years)
  • ECE/ME 859: Nonlinear Systems and Control (formerly ECE827) - Spring (every year)

Students should augment these courses with courses in the areas of Dynamics and Vibration, Solids and Structures and Data Acquisition as well as full filling breadth requirements in Fluid Mechanics or Thermal Engineering.

Graduate Course and Research Topics
Dynamic Systems:

Modeling and design of mechanical and mixed energy dynamic systems. State Space and Bond Graph methods. Simulation software design. Linear and non-linear transient simulation. Intellegent simulation methods for automated analysis of complex engineering systems.

 

Active Controls:

Mathematical modeling of engineering systems for feedback control. Feedback and feedforward controller design synthesis. Time domain and frequency domain robustness and stability analysis. Applications to rotorcraft, vehicle acoustics, distributed structures, mechanical servos and thermal systems

 

Typical M.S. Thesis Program in Mechanical System and Control

Fall Semester: 9 credit (cr)

  • ME 860: Theory of Vibrations - 3 cr
  • ME/ECE851: Linear Systems and Control - 3 cr
  •  ME 456: Mechatronics Systems Design - 3 cr


Spring Semester: 9cr

  • ME/ECE 859: Nonlinear Control - 3 cr
  • ME 8xx: Breadth Course (see list below) - 3 cr

(1) course from the list of courses below: 3 cr

  • ME457: Mechatronics 
  • ME861: Advanced Dynamics 
  • ME/ECE 854: Robust Control (even Years, 3 cr) 
  • ME 855: Digital Data Acquisition and Control (odd years, 3 cr)
  • ME 863: Nonlinear Vibrations (even years, 3 cr) 
  • ME 875: Optimal Design of Mechanical Systems (even years, 3 cr)

or other 400, 800 or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering

Summer: 6 cr

  • ME 899: Master’s Thesis Research - 6 cr

Fall Semester: 6 cr

  • ME8xx: Breadth Course (see list below) - 3 cr 

and one course from the list of courses below: 3 cr

  •  ME/ECE 856: Adaptive Control (Even Years, 3 cr)
  • ME 872: Finite Element Method (3 cr)

or other 400, 800 or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering

TOTAL 30 credits

Breadth Course Requirement:

In addition to ECE/ME 851: Linear Systems and Control, each student must take course from at least two (2) of the three (3) areas below.

  • Solid and Structural Mechanics:
    • ME 820
    • ME 828
  • Fluid Mechanics:
    • ME 830
  • Thermal Sciences:
    • ME 802
    • ME 812
    • ME 814

MSME with depth in Fluid Mechanics

The primary areas of fluid mechanics research at Michigan State University's Mechanical Engineering program are in developing computational methods for the prediction of complex flows, in devising experimental methods of measurement, and in applying them to improve understanding of fluid-flow phenomena. Theoretical fluid dynamics courses provide a foundation for this research as well as for related studies in areas such as combustion, heat transfer, thermal power engineering, materials processing, bioengineering and in aspects of manufacturing engineering.

 

M.S. Track for Fluid Mechanics

The MSME degree program for fluid mechanics is based around two graduate-level foundation courses offered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME). These courses are:

  • ME 830: Fluid Mechanics I - Fall
  • ME 840: Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer - Spring 

 The ME 830 course is the basic graduate level course in the continuum theory of fluid mechanics that all students should take. In the ME 840 course, the theoretical understanding gained in ME 830 is supplemented with material on numerical methods, discretization of equations, and stability constraints appropriate for developing and using computational methods of solution to fluid mechanics and convective heat transfer problems. Students augment these courses with additional courses in fluid mechanics and satisfy breadth requirements by selecting courses in the areas of Thermal Sciences,

Mechanical and Dynamical Systems, and Solid and Structural Mechanics. Graduate Course and Research Topics
(Profs. Benard, Brereton, Jaberi, Koochesfahani, Naguib)
ExperimentalResearch

Many fluid flow phenomena are too complicated to be understood fully or predicted accurately by either theory or computational methods. Sometimes the boundary conditions of real-world problems cannot be analyzed accurately. Some methods of prediction use models of unknown reliability. Therefore there is a strong interest in carrying out research that would provide experimental solutions to unresolved fluid-flow questions, and in developing new measurement techniques that would provide such information.

Turbulence Research

Fluid turbulence, and in particular its accurate mathematical description, is one of the great remaining unsolved problems of physics. There are needs for detailed measurements of turbulent phenomena, for computer simulations of those phenomena under idealized conditions, and for the continued development of models that would better predict complex fluids flows, reacting flows, and multi-phase flows.

Computational Fluid Dvnamics

In computational fluid mechanics, modem research is concerned with algorithms appropriate for accurate solutions in complex discretized domains, numerical approaches to governing equations from multiple, coupled physical disciplines such as fluid mechanics and combustion, acoustics, solid-structure interactions, magnetic fields, etc. There is also interest in predictive modeling of fine scale turbulence in fluid flow, using techniques such as large eddy simulation, and of reacting flows using pdf methods.

Typical 4-semester 'Thesis Option' M.S. Program with depth in Fluid Mechanics

Fall Semester: 9 credit (cr)

  • ME 830: Fluid Mechanics I - 3 cr
  • ME 800: Engineering Analysis - 3 cr

Choose one course from: 3 cr

  • ME 8xx: Breadth Course (see list below)
  • ME 836: Experimental Methods in Fluid Mechanics (even years)

Spring Semester: 9 cr

Choose three courses from:

  • ME 840: Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer - 3 cr
  • ME 8xx: Breadth Course (see list below) - 3 cr
  • ME 804: Micro-Scale Fluid Mech. and Heat Transfer (odd years) - 3 cr
  • ME 832: Fluid Mechanics II (even years) - 3 cr

Summer: 4 cr

  • ME 899: Master's Thesis Research - 4 cr

or other 400, 800, or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering

Fall Semester:8 cr

  • ME 899: Master's Thesis Research - 2 cr

Choose two 3 credit courses from:

  • ME 8xx: Breadth Course (see list below) - 3 cr
  • ME 834: Fundamentals of Turbulence (odd years) - 3 cr 
  • ME 835: Turbulence Modeling and Simulation (even years) - 3 cr 
  •  ME 836: Experimental Methods in Fluid Mechanics (even years) - 3 cr

or other 400, 800, or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering 3 cr TOTAL 30 credits

Breadth Course Requirement:

In addition to ME 830, each student must take at least 1 course from 2 of the 3 areas listed below.

  • Thermal Sciences:
    • ME 802 Adv. Classical Thermodynamics (Fall)
    • ME 812 Conductive Heat Transfer (Fall)
    • ME 814 Convective Heat Transfer (Spring)
    • ME422 Intro to Combustion (Fall)
    • ME 822 Combustion (Spring)
    • ME 842 Advanced Turbomachinery (Spring even)
  • Mechanical and Dynamical Systems:
    • ME 851 Linear Systems and Control (Spring)
    • ME 860 Theory of Vibrations (Fall)
  • Solid and Structural Mechanics:
    • ME 820 Continuum Mechanics(Fall)
    • ME 828 Adv. Strength of Materials (Spring, odd)

MSME in Solid Mechanics

Research is conducted in analytical, computational and experimental solid mechanics including theory of elasticity, fastening and joining, experimental mechanics and optical strain measurement, impact and crashworthiness.

 

M.S. Track for Solid Mechanics

The MSME degree program for solid mechanics is based on fundamental course work offered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME). This sequence of courses includes: ME820 Continuum Mechanics Fall (every year) ME821 Linear Elasticity Spring (every year) ME825 Experimental Mechanics Spring (every year) Students should augment these courses with courses in energy methods, materials science, plasticity as well as fulfilling breadth requirements in Dynamical Systems, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences.

 

Graduate Course and Research Topics
(Profs. Averill, Diaz, Liu, and Pence)

Computational Mechanics Multi-level design of complex systems, crashworthiness, coupled fluid, thermal, structural and electro-magnetic fields. Uncertainty in design. Optimization of structures and materials. Experimental Mechanics Development and improvement of methods including digital laser speckle, digital photoelasticity, moiré fringe methods, thermoelastic stress analysis for applications in automotive, aerospace and biomechanics. Decision tools for non-destructive evaluation. Fastening and joining Adhesive and bolted assemblies, computational and experimental approaches, thick composite sections for heavy duty vehicles. High performance materials Design of composite materials for absorbing high impact energy and high resistance to penetration. Simulation of blast, crash testing and plastic wave propagation. Analytical modeling of mechanical behavior under extreme strain conditions.

 

Typical M.S. Thesis Program in Solid Mechanics

Fall Semester: 9 credit (cr)

  • ME 820: Continuum Mechanics - 3cr
  • ME 8xx: Breadth Course (see list below) - 3cr
  • ME 860: Theory of Vibrations - 3cr

Spring Semester: 9cr

  • ME 821: Linear Elasticity - 3cr
  • ME 825: Experimental Mechanics - 3cr

One course from the list of courses below 3cr

  • ME 426: Introduction to Composite Materials (3 cr) 
  • ME 823: Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue (even years, 3cr) 
  • ME 827: Energy Methods in Mechanics (even years, 3cr) 
  • ME 824: Plasticity (odd years, 3cr) 
  • ME 828: Advanced Strength of Materials (odd years, 3cr) 
  • ME 875: Optimal Design of Mechanical Systems (odd years, 3cr)

Summer Semester: 6cr

  • ME 899: Master’s Thesis Research - 6cr

Fall Semester: 6cr

  • ME 872: Finite Element Method (current Spring Semester) - 3cr

One course from list of courses below: 3cr

  • ME 826: Laminated Composite Materials (even years, 3cr) 
  • ME 829: Micromechanics of Materials (odd years, 3cr)

or other 400, 800 or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering

TOTAL 30 credits

Breadth Course Requirement:

In addition to ME 820, ME 821 and ME825 each student will be required to take at least a course from one of the two areas below.

  • Fluid Mechanics
    • ME 830
  • Thermal Sciences
    • ME802
    • ME812
    • ME814

MSME in Manufacturing

Research is conducted in the analytical and numerical tools for Design and Manufacturing including manufacturing processes, optimization, micro-machining, composites manufacturing, and laser cutting and material processing.

 

M.S. Track for Manufacturing

The MSME degree program for manufacturing is based on the fundamental course work offered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME). This sequence of courses includes:

  • ME 820: Continuum Mechanics - Fall (every year) 
  • ME 821: Linear Elasticity - Spring (every year) 
  • ME 861: Advanced Dynamics - Fall (every year)

Students should augment these courses with courses in manufacturing processes, materials science, transport phenomena, computer aided manufacturing, robotics, controls, as well as full filling breadth requirements in Fluid Mechanics or Thermal Sciences.

Graduate Course and Research Topics
(Profs. Kwon and Loos)
Manufacturing Processes

Laser materials interaction/processing, laser hybrid manufacturing, laser micromachining, sheet metal forming, polymeric composite manufacturing and manufacturing processes

 

Mechanics and Materials

Mechanical behavior of materials, plasticity, constitutive modeling, advanced materials, characterization and testing, and mechanics of heterogeneous and anisotropic materials

 

Modeling and Simulation

Multiphysics and multiphase flow simulation, modeling of plasma processing, fluid-structure interactions (FSI), Lattice Boltzmann method, computational electrodynamics, computational mechanics, heat transfer and flow phenomena in materials processing, mathematical modeling of manufacturing processes, finite element analysis

 

Design and Manufacturing

Materials issues in design and manufacturing, materials by design, design and manufacturing automation, and manufacturing process design

 

Typical M.S. Thesis Program in Manufacturing

Fall Semester: 9 credit (cr)

  • ME 820: Continuum Mechanics - 3 cr 
  • ME 8xx: Breadth Course (see list below) - 3 cr 
  • ME 477: Manufacturing Processes - 3 cr

Spring Semester: 9cr

  • ME 821: Linear Elasticity - 3 cr

(2) courses from the list of courses below: 3 cr

  • ME 426: Introduction to Composite Materials (3 cr.)
  • ME 825: Experimental Mechanics (3 cr.) 
  • ME 823: Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue (even years, 3 cr.) 
  • ME 828: Advance Strength of Materials (odd years, 3cr.) 
  • ME 855: Digital Data Acquisition and Control (odd years, 3cr.) 
  • ME 874: Analysis of Metal From. and Manuf. Process (Even years, 3 cr)

or other 400, 800 or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering

Summer: 6 cr

  • ME 899: Master’s Thesis Research - 6 cr

Fall Semester: 6 cr

  • ME 861: Advanced Dynamics - 3 cr

One course from the list of courses below: 3 cr

  • ME 826: Laminated Composite Materials (even years, 3 cr.) 
  • ME 872: Finite Element Method (3 cr)

or other 400, 800 or 900 level courses inside or outside Mechanical Engineering

TOTAL 30 credits

Breadth Course Requirement:

In addition to ME 820, ME 821 and ME 861 each student must take a course from at least one (1) of the two (2) areas below.

  • Fluid Mechanics:
    • ME 830
  • Thermal Sciences:
    • ME 802
    • ME 812
    • ME 814