The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Plan A is ideal for students who are interested in advancing their career in industry or research. The program combines valuable classroom instruction with research experiences. Students conduct research under the supervision of a faculty advisor, often the Principal Investigator (P.I.), for a government or industry sponsored project. The student’s research, in conjunction with thesis credits and coursework, culminates in an article for submission to a peer-reviewed journal and a final thesis.

Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Learning Objectives

  1. Bring together faculty members and graduate students in a diverse community of scholars having a common interest in advanced professional study and creative work.
  2. Extend the boundaries of the mechanical engineering profession by developing advanced technologies to provide creative solutions to global problems such as energy, environment and human health.
  3. Consideration of a challenging problem utilizing analytical, experimental, and/or design techniques 1) to determine and explain the behavior of a simple system or 2) to bring into logical order the techniques of a field which has experienced random growth.
  4. Develop new analytical knowledge, experimental knowledge, design knowledge, or a combination thereof.

Effective Fall 2023

Select 2 courses from the following:6-7
Mathematical Modeling for Chemical Engineers
Advanced Mechanics of Materials
Numerical Methods in Science and Engineering
Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers
Advanced Mechanical Systems
Materials Issues in Mechanical Design
Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics
Advanced Fluid Mechanics
Advanced Heat Transfer
Computational Methods for Mechanical Eng.
Electives 111-18
Select one from the following:6-12
Thesis: Bioengineering
Thesis: Energy Conversion
Thesis: Environmental Engineering
Thesis: Heat and Mass Transfer
Thesis: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Thesis: Mechanics and Design
Thesis: Computer-Assisted Engineering
Thesis: Robotics
Thesis: Solar Engineering
Thesis: Computational Fluids
Thesis: Materials
Thesis: Plasma Engineering
Thesis: Motorsport Engineering
Program Total Credits:30

 A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program. Of the 30 minimum credits required for this program, at least 24 credits must be at the 500-level or above and earned at CSU.

1

Select courses with approval of advisor and graduate committee.

For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees

NOTE:  Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.

Forms are available online.

Step Due Date
1. Application for admission (online) Six months before first registration
2. Diagnostic examination when required Before first registration
3. Appointment of advisor Before first registration
4. Selection of graduate committee Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) Two terms prior to final examination
7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) Within two working days after results are known
8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) When change is made
9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee
11. Final examination Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website.
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
15. Graduation Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website