The Master of Engineering, Plan C, Mechanical Engineering Specialization is an online or on-campus degree program focused on enhancing the expertise of working professionals or continuing students who are looking to keep up with the pace of innovation within their industry and advance in their careers. Engineers who want to further their careers with industrial firms and governmental agencies or those who want to pursue a career in private practice should consider this degree. This is a coursework-only degree program with no thesis requirement.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Apply knowledge of mathematics and science towards mechanical engineering problems.
- Identify, formulate, and solve mechanical engineering problems.
- Communicate effective mechanical engineering concepts.
- Have knowledge of and recognize the need for lifelong learning.
- Learn and develop techniques, skills and tools necessary for mechanical engineering practice.
Effective Summer 2023
General Program Requirements:
- Minimum 30 total credits of regular coursework (i.e. courses that are not numbered -8* or -9*)
- Minimum 21 credits, taken at CSU, that are 500-level or above
- Minimum 24 credits of MECH subject code coursework
- Minimum 21 credits taken after program admission
Students can take any courses as long as they meet the broad program requirements, above. Students who are specifically interested in the disciplines of materials engineering or biomedical engineering may find the elective guides, below, helpful in identifying coursework.
Suggestions for Students Interested in Energy Engineering Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Technical Electives in Energy Engineering | ||
| MECH 538 | Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MECH 544 | Advanced Heat Transfer | 3 |
| Focus Area Technical Electives in Energy Engineering | ||
| MECH 505 | Steam Power Plants | 3 |
| MECH 516 | Life Cycle and Techno-Economic Assessment | 3 |
| MECH 527 | Hybrid Electric Vehicle Powertrains | 3 |
| MECH 534 | Energy & Env. Impacts of Transportation | 3 |
| MECH 557 | Turbomachinery | 3 |
| MECH 558 | Combustion | 3 |
| MECH 575 | Solar and Alternative Energies | 3 |
| MECH 658 | Advanced Combustion Theory and Modeling | 3 |
| MECH 661 | Theory/Control of Internal Combustion Engines | 3 |
Suggestions for Students Interested in Materials Engineering Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Technical Electives in Materials Engineering | ||
| MECH 531/BIOM 531 | Materials Engineering | 3 |
| MECH 532/BIOM 532 | Materials Issues in Mechanical Design | 3 |
| Focus Area Technical Electives related to Materials Engineering | ||
| MECH 411 | Manufacturing Engineering | 3 |
| MECH 431 | Metals and Alloys | 3 |
| MECH 432 | Engineering of Nanomaterials | 3 |
| MECH 434 | Materials Selection for Mechanical Design | 3 |
| MECH 530 | Advanced Composite Materials | 3 |
| MECH 532/BIOM 532 | Materials Issues in Mechanical Design | 3 |
| MECH 533 | Composites Product Development | 3 |
| MECH 537 | Processing of Polymer Composites | 3 |
| Broad Electives related to Materials Engineering | ||
| MECH 407 | Laser Applications in Mechanical Engineering | 3 |
| MECH 408 | Applied Engineering Economy | 3 |
| MECH 502 | Advanced/Additive Manufacturing Engineering | 3 |
| MECH 509 | Design and Analysis in Engineering Research | 3 |
| MECH 520 | Finite Element Analysis in Mechanical Engr | 3 |
| MECH 538 | Mechanical Engineering Thermodynamics | 3 |
| MECH 564 | Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls | 3 |
| MECH 569/ECE 569 | Micro-Electro-Mechanical Devices | 3 |
| MECH 573/BIOM 573 | Structure and Function of Biomaterials | 3 |
| MECH 574/BIOM 574 | Bio-Inspired Surfaces | 3 |
| MECH 575 | Solar and Alternative Energies | 3 |
Suggestions for Students Interested in Biomedical Engineering Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Technical Electives in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| MECH 570/BIOM 570 | Bioengineering | 3 |
| Focus Area Technical Electives in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| BIOM 441 | Biomechanics and Biomaterials | 3 |
| MECH 525/BIOM 525 | Cell and Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| MECH 543 | Biofluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MECH 573/BIOM 573 | Structure and Function of Biomaterials | 3 |
| MECH 574/BIOM 574 | Bio-Inspired Surfaces | 3 |
| MECH 576/BIOM 576 | Quantitative Systems Physiology | 4 |
| MECH 578/BIOM 578 | Musculoskeletal Biosolid Mechanics | 3 |
| MECH 579/BIOM 579 | Cardiovascular Biomechanics | 3 |
| Broad Electives related to Biomedical Engineering | ||
| MECH 502 | Advanced/Additive Manufacturing Engineering | 3 |
| MECH 509 | Design and Analysis in Engineering Research | 3 |
| MECH 530 | Advanced Composite Materials | 3 |
| MECH 531/BIOM 531 | Materials Engineering | 3 |
| MECH 532/BIOM 532 | Materials Issues in Mechanical Design | 3 |
| MECH 533 | Composites Product Development | 3 |
| MECH 564 | Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls | 3 |
| MECH 569/ECE 569 | Micro-Electro-Mechanical Devices | 3 |
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 |