Graduate Program
The Mechanical Engineering department offers the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Mechanical Engineering. The program demands academic rigor and depth yet also addresses real-world engineering problems. Our areas of research activity stem from the core fields of mechanical engineering: Biomechanics, Robotics and Automation (which includes elements from Computer Science, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering disciplines), Solid Mechanics, Materials and Manufacturing and Thermal Fluid and Energy Systems. Note that in many cases, individual research projects encompass more than one research area. We also have faculty representing Interdisciplinary Programs that blend traditional ME concepts with other engineering disciplines to advance research and education in evolving fields. For degree options and information on all Mines graduate programs, visit https://gradprograms.mines.edu/.
Divisions of Research within ME
Biomechanics
Robotics and Automation
Solid Mechanics, Materials and Manufacturing
Thermal Fluid and Energy Systems
Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Affiliated with ME
Advanced Manufacturing
FEA Professional
Operations Research with Engineering
Space Resources
Other Interdisciplinary Research
Interdisciplinary Research
Additional ME faculty conduct cross-departmental research in areas such as nuclear science, energy policy and others. View details »
- Admission Requirements
- Application Requirements
- MS Degree Requirements
- MS Degree Online Requirements
- PhD Degree Requirements
- Current Students
- Contact
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The Mechanical Engineering Graduate Admissions and Recruiting Committee review applicants for admission for the Fall and Spring semesters. Applicants must have a complete application submitted to the Graduate School by the posted admission deadlines to be considered for admission.
We strongly encourage you to meet the Fall admission priority deadline of December 15 if you are seeking funding. Fall admission decisions with funding decisions are typically determined by early February. Accepted students must complete their intent to enroll by April 15. Details about funding, campus visit opportunities and more will be communicated directly to accepted students.
Our strongest MS and PhD applicants meet or exceed the following requirements for admission:
- A baccalaureate degree in engineering, computer science, a physical science or mathematics with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
- Competitive Graduate Record Examination scores, particularly the Quantitative Reasoning section. The strongest applicants will have a quantitative section score of 160 or higher. Applicants who have graduated with an engineering degree from Mines within the past five years are not required to submit GRE scores.
- TOEFL score of 79 or higher (550 or higher paper-based or 213 computer-based) for applicants whose native language is not English
The Mechanical Engineering Graduate Admissions and Recruiting Committee may require that an admitted student complete undergraduate remedial coursework to overcome technical deficiencies. Such coursework may not count toward the graduate degree. The committee will decide whether to recommend regular or provisional admission and may ask the applicant to come to campus for an interview.
Application Requirements
MASTER’S NON-THESIS (Residential)
- Bachelor’s Degree: Required
- GRE: Not Required
- Letters of Recommendation: Required – three letters. Letters of recommendation are not required for current Mines students.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Required
- Statement of Purpose: Required
- Transcript(s): Required. Must be submitted for all schools attended (unofficial transcripts accepted for admissions review and must show successful completion of any required prerequisite course(s).
- For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement
- Prior Math: Required. Must have successfully completed a Differential Equations college course with a “B” or better grade and course needs to be documented on a transcript.
- Application Fee (Non-Refundable): $75 for US Citizens and Permanent Residents. $95 for International Citizens. Application Fee is Waived for current Mines Students.
MASTER’S NON-THESIS (Online)
- Bachelor’s Degree: Required
- GRE: Not Required
- Letters of Recommendation: Required – two letters. Letters of recommendation are not required for current Mines students.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Required
- Statement of Purpose: Required
- Transcript(s): Required. Must be submitted for all schools attended (unofficial transcripts accepted for admissions review and must show successful completion of any required prerequisite course(s).
- For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement
- Prior Math: Required. Must have successfully completed a Differential Equations college course with a “B” or better grade and course needs to be documented on a transcript.
- Application Fee (Non-Refundable): $75 for US Citizens and Permanent Residents. $95 for International Citizens. Application Fee is Waived for current Mines Students.
MASTER’S THESIS
- Bachelor’s Degree: Required
- GRE: Required. GRE waived for current Mines students.
- Letters of Recommendation: Required – three letters. Letters of recommendation are not required for current Mines students.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Required
- Statement of Purpose: Required
- Transcript(s): Required. Must be submitted for all schools attended (unofficial transcripts accepted for admissions review and must show successful completion of any required prerequisite course(s).
- For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement
- Application Fee (Non-Refundable): $75 for US Citizens and Permanent Residents. $95 for International Citizens. Application Fee is Waived for current Mines Students.
Doctor of Philosophy
- Bachelor’s Degree: Required
- GRE: Required. GRE is waived for current Mines Students.
- Letters of Recommendation: Required – three letters. Letters of recommendation are not required for current Mines students.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Required
- Statement of Purpose: Required
- Transcript(s): Required. Must be submitted for all schools attended (unofficial transcripts accepted for admissions review and must show successful completion of any required prerequisite course(s).
- For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement
- Application Fee (Non-Refundable): $75 for US Citizens and Permanent Residents. $95 for International Citizens. Application Fee is Waived for current Mines Students.
MS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (thesis or non-thesis option) requires 30 credit hours. Requirements for the MS are 24 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis research. The MS non-thesis option requires 30 credit hours of coursework. All MS students must complete nine credits of course work within one research division area. The remaining requirements come from technical electives (that can be taken inside or outside the department) and other ME graduate-level courses.
See the ME Graduate Catalog for more details about degree requirements.
MS Thesis Degree
- MEGN 502 Advanced Engineering Analysis, 3.0 credits
- MEGN 503 Graduate Seminar (enrollment required every fall/spring semester), 0 credits
- Research Division Core Courses (all students must select one research division and complete a total of 9 credits from that division, see list below), 9.0 credits
- Technical Electives (500-level or above courses inside and outside the ME Department; courses must be approved by advisor/thesis committee), 9.0 credits
- ME Electives* – can be any MEGN, AMFG or FEGN course at 500-level or above, 3.0 credits
- MEGN 707 Graduate Thesis/Dissertation Research Credit, 6.0 credits
- Total Credits: 30
MS Non-Thesis Degree
- MEGN 502 Advanced Engineering Analysis, 3.0 credits
- Research Division Core Courses (all students must select one research division and complete a total of 9 credits from that division, see list below), 9.0 credits
- Technical Electives (500-level or above courses inside and outside the ME Department; courses must be approved by your advisor), 9.0 credits
- ME Electives* – can be any MEGN, AMFG or FEGN course at 500-level or above, 9.0 credits
- Total Credits: 30
**Students in the MSME Combined Program may be able to apply up to 6 credits of undergrad coursework toward the graduate program degree. Terms and limitations available on the Office of Graduate Studies page.
Research Division Courses
Biomechanics Core Courses
- AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing, 3.0 credits, offered fall and spring ( also available online)
- MEGN 514 Continuum Mechanics, 3.0 credits, offered spring (also available online)
- MEGN 531 Prosthetic and Implant Engineering, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 532 Experimental Methods in Biomechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 535 Modeling and Simulation of Human Movement, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 536 Computational Biomechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall (also available online)
- MEGN 540 Mechatronics, 3.0 credits, offered spring
Robotics and Automation Core Courses
- MEGN 540 Mechatronics, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 544 Robot Mechanics: Kinematics, Dynamics and Control, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 545 Advanced Robot Control, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 587 Nonlinear Optimization, 3.0 credits, offered fall
Solid Mechanics, Materials and Manufacturing Core Courses
- AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing, 3.0 credits, offered fall and spring (also available online)
- FEGN 525 Advanced FEA Theory & Practice, offered fall
- MEGN 510 Theory of Elasticity, 3.0 credits, offered fall (also available online)
- MEGN 511 Fatigue and Fracture, 3.0 credits, offered fall (also available online)
- MEGN 514 Continuum Mechanics, 3.0 credits, offered spring (also available online)
- MEGN 517 Nonlinear Material Behavior, 3.0 credits summer (also available online)
Thermal Fluid and Energy Systems Core Courses
- MEGN 551 Advanced Fluid Mechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall (also available online)
- MEGN 552 Viscous Flow and Boundary Layers, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 553 Introduction to Computational Techniques for Fluid Dynamics and Transport Phenomena, 3.0 credits
- MEGN 560 Design and Simulation of Thermal Systems, 3.0 credits
- MEGN 561 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 566 Combustion, 3.0 credits, offered spring (also available online)
- MEGN 571 Advanced Heat Transfer, 3.0 credits, offered fall ( also available online)
ONLINE REQUIREMENTS
An online option is available for the non-thesis Master of Science (MS-NT) degree in Mechanical Engineering. The requirements for the online degree are identical to the residential (on-campus) degree – the ME department has simply launched online versions of several existing courses, which may be used to earn the MS-NT by a fully online pathway. For MS-NT degree requirements, please see the MS Degree Requirements tab. Online courses from ME as well as other departments across campus may be used to satisfy elective requirements for the MS-NT degree. Not all existing on-campus courses will be immediately available in an online format, but a sufficient number will be available to offer a coherent MS-NT experience. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Interested students may apply at any time.
All courses at Mines that are available online may be listed by choosing (1) the Term and (2) Schedule Type: Distance Courses here.
Online versions of the following courses support the MS-NT online:
Required Course
- MEGN 502 Advanced Engineering Analysis (fall // first 8 weeks)
Biomechanics CORE Courses:
- AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing (fall // first 8 weeks)
- MEGN 514 Continuum Mechanics (fall // last 8 weeks)
- MEGN 536 Computational Biomechanics (summer)
Solid Mechanics CORE Courses:
- AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing (fall // first 8 weeks)
- FEGN 525 Advanced FEA Theory & Practice (fall // first 8 weeks)
- MEGN 510 Theory of Elasticity (spring // first 8 weeks)
- MEGN 511 Fatigue and Fracture (spring // last 8 weeks)
- MEGN 514 Continuum Mechanics (fall // last 8 weeks)
- MEGN 517 Nonlinear Material Behavior (summer)
Thermal Fluid and Energy Systems CORE Courses:
- MEGN 551 Advanced Fluid Mechanics (spring // last 8 weeks)
- MEGN 566 Combustion (fall // first 8 weeks)
- MEGN 571 Advanced Heat Transfer (fall // last 8 weeks)
Elective Options (must be approved by graduate advisor):
- AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing (fall // first 8 weeks)
- AMFG 521 Design for Additive Manufacturing (spring // last 8 weeks)
- AMFG 522 Lean Manufacturing (spring // first 8 weeks)
- AMFG 523 Design of Experiments (spring // last 8 weeks)
- AMFG 531 Materials for Additive Manufacturing (fall // last 8 weeks)
- CEEN 501 Life Cycle Assessment (spring // first 8 weeks)
- CSCI 560 Fundamentals of Computer Networks (fall // first 8 weeks)
- CSCI 575 Advanced Machine Learning (spring // last 8 weeks)
- CSCI 530 Statistical Methods 1 (spring // last 8 weeks)
- EBGN 525 Business Analytics (fall // first 8 weeks)
- EBGN 560 Decision Analytics (fall // last 8 weeks)
- EBGN 563 Management of Technology and Innovation (spring // last 8 weeks)
- EBGN 565 Marketing for Technology-Based Companies (fall // first 8 weeks)
- FEGN 525 Advanced FEA Theory & Practice (fall // first 8 weeks)
- FEGN 526 Static & Dynamic Applications in FEA (fall // last 8 weeks)
- FEGN 527 Nonlinear Applications in FEA (spring // first 8 weeks)
- FEGN 528 FEA for Advanced Design Applications (spring // last 8 weeks)
- MEGN 517 Nonlinear Material Behavior (summer)
- MEGN 579 Optimization Models in Manufacturing (fall // first 8 weeks)
- MEGN598 Advance Dynamics (summer)
Online ME Core Course Offering Schedule
| Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|
| AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing (First 8 Weeks) | MEGN 510 Theory of Elasticity (First 8 Weeks) | MEGN 517 Nonlinear Material Behavior |
| MEGN 502 Advanced Engineering Analysis (First 8 Weeks) | MEGN 511 Fatigue and Fracture (Last 8 Weeks) | MEGN 536 Computational Biomechanics |
| MEGN 514 Continuum Mechanics (Last 8 Weeks) | MEGN 551 Advanced Fluid Mechanics (Last 8 Weeks) |
| MEGN 566 Combustion (First 8 Weeks) | MEGN 598 Advanced Dynamics (Last 8 Weeks) |
| MEGN 571 Advanced Heat Transfer (Last 8 Weeks) |
| FEGN 525 Advanced FEA Theory & Practice ( First 8 Weeks) |
Online Elective Course Offering Schedule (Electives must be approved by graduate advisor)
| Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|
| AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing (First 8 Weeks) | AMFG 521 Design for Additive Manufacturing (Last 8 Weeks) | MEGN 517 Nonlinear Material Behavior |
| AMFG 531 Materials for Additive Manufacturing (Last 8 Weeks) | AMFG 522 Lean Manufacturing (First 8 Weeks) |
| CSCI 560 Fundamentals of Computer Networks (First 8 Weeks) | AMFG 523 Design of Experiments (First 8 Weeks) |
| EBGN 525 Business Analytics (First 8 Weeks) | CEEN 501 Life Cycle Assessment (First 8 Weeks) |
| EBGN 560 Decision Analytics (Last 8 Weeks) | CSCI 575 Advanced Machine Learning (Last 8 Weeks) |
| EBGN 565 Marketing for Technology-Based Companies (First 8 Weeks) | DSCI 530 Statistical Methods 1 (Last 8 Weeks) |
| FEGN 525 Advanced FEA Theory & Practice (First 8 Weeks) | EBGN 563 Management of Technology and Innovation (Last 8 Weeks) |
| FEGN 526 Static & Dynamic Applications in FEA (Last 8 Weeks) | FEGN 527 Nonlinear Applications in FEA (First 8 Weeks) |
| FEGN 528 FEA for Advanced Design Applications (Last 8 Weeks) |
| MEGN 579 Optimization Models in Manufacturing (Spring, 16 Weeks) |
MS-NT Online // Frequently Asked Questions
1. When can a prospective student apply to the MS-NT online?
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, apply anytime.
2. What is the application deadline?
A full listing of application deadlines for all online and on-campus degree programs may be found here.
3. How are the ME Department requirements for the MS-NT online different from the MS-NT on-campus?
There are no differences, the requirements are identical online and on-campus. Please see the MS Degree Requirements tab for more information.
4. Who teaches the online sections of ME classes that support the MS-NT online?
In nearly all cases, the online section of a course has been developed and is taught by the same faculty member who teaches the on-campus section of the class.
5. How are online classes different from on-campus classes?
The learning goals (course learning outcomes), rigor, peer/instructor interaction, and overall grading strategy are the same. Naturally, some course exercises and assessments have been adapted to leverage online-specific tools.
6. How is online grad tuition different from on-campus grad tuition?
The combined cost of tuition and fees for on-campus enrollment is greater than for online enrollment. The latest tuition and fee schedule may be found on the Mines Bursar webpage here.
7. Can on-campus students not enrolled in the MS-NT online take online classes in ME?
Yes, there are no restrictions in place at this time. On-campus students will pay the same tuition for an online class they would pay to take an on-campus course (i.e., resident on-campus tuition if they are a CO resident, or non-resident tuition if they do not have CO residency).
PHD DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The PhD in Mechanical Engineering degree requires 72 credit hours of coursework and research credits. A minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework and 30 credit hours of research credits must be completed. A minimum of 12 of the 36 credit hours of required coursework must be taken at Colorado School of Mines.
All graduate degrees require students to complete 9 credit hours in one research division area. The remaining requirements come from technical electives (that can be taken inside or outside the department) and other ME graduate-level courses. The following requirements are effective Fall 2020. If you began the program prior to Fall 2020, please refer to your bulletin year for degree/course requirements.
All PhD students must take the PhD Qualifying Exam by the third semester of their PhD program. See the ME Graduate Catalog for an outline of suggested timeline and milestones for PhD students and more details about degree requirements
Research Core Courses
- MEGN 502 Advanced Engineering Analysis, 3.0 credits
- MEGN 503 Graduate Seminar (enrollment required every fall/spring semester), 0 credits
- Research Division Core Courses (all students must select one research division and complete a total of 9 credits from that division–see list below), 9.0 credits
- Technical Electives (graduate courses inside and outside the ME Department; outside courses must be approved by advisor/thesis committee), 24.0 credits
- MEGN 707 Graduate Thesis/Dissertation Research Credit, 30.0 credits
Biomechanics Core Courses
- AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing, 3.0 credits
- MEGN 514 Continuum Mechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 531 Prosthetic and Implant Engineering, 3.0 credits, offered odd spring
- MEGN 532 Experimental Methods in Biomechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 535 Modeling and Simulation of Human Movement, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 536 Computational Biomechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 540 Mechatronics, 3.0 credits, offered spring
Robotics and Automation Core Courses
- MEGN 540 Mechatronics, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 544 Robot Mechanics: Kinematics, Dynamics and Control, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 545 Advanced Robot Control, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 587 Nonlinear Optimization, offered even fall
- MEGN 588 Integer Optimization, offered odd fall
Solid Mechanics, Materials and Manufacturing Core Courses
- AMFG 501 Additive Manufacturing, 3.0 credits
- FEGN 525 Advanced FEA Theory & Practice, 3.0 credits
- MEGN 510 Theory of Elasticity, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 511 Fatigue and Fracture, 3.0 credits, offered odd fall
- MEGN 514 Continuum Mechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 515 Computational Mechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 517 Inelastic Constitutive Relations, 3.0 credits
Thermal Fluid and Energy Systems Core Courses
- MEGN 551 Advanced Fluid Mechanics, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 552 Viscous Flow and Boundary Layers, 3.0 credits, offered spring
- MEGN 553 Introduction to Computational Techniques for Fluid Dynamics and Transport Phenomena, 3.0 credits
- MEGN 561 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 566 Combustion, 3.0 credits, offered fall
- MEGN 571 Advanced Heat Transfer, 3.0 credits, offered spring
CURRENT STUDENTS
All current ME grad students have access to the ME Graduate Program canvas site. This site consolidates important information and websites from across Mines, and should be your first stop for advising questions. On it, you will find detailed degree requirements, ME course schedule, and answers to frequently asked questions like:
What forms do I need to submit?
When and how do I apply to graduate?
What steps do I take to schedule my thesis/dissertation defense?
And more…
New Student Information
| Contact | Need help or have questions?
Alison Bodor
Graduate Program Manager
303-273-3467
abodor@mines.edu
megrad@mines.edu
|
| New Student Orientation | All current students have access to the ME Graduate Program CANVAS page. Check there for important updates, including New Student Orientation details. |
| Mailboxes | All current graduate students have a mailbox in Brown Hall W350. |
| Graduate Student Listserv | All current students are subscribed to the ME Graduate Student Listserv. Watch for important messages from the department! |
| Degree Requirements | Degree requirements can be found on the ME website under Graduate Students and in the Graduate Catalog. |
Resources and Information
| Forms | The Office of Graduate Studies creates and maintains graduate student forms. All forms can be submitted via physical copy with inked signatures to their office directly or can be emailed to them (grad.services@mines.edu) with a PDF copy of all the email approvals received from the appropriate parties (dependent on individual form requirements). |
| Graduate Bulletin | The Graduate Catalog provides academic policies and program requirements. This is an important resource for all students. |
| Department Seminars | Department seminars are held regularly throughout the academic year. Watch emails and the ME Graduate Program CANVAS page for announcements! |
| Academic Calendar | The Academic Calendar provides important deadline information enforced by Mines. |
| Graduate Student Government | Mines Graduate Student Government offers many resources to students. Connect with leaders on campus and take advantage of the resources offered. |
| Registration Policy | Please be sure you are following the registration policy outlined within the Graduate Bulletin. The registration policies provides a quick reference. |
| Funded Student Requirements | If you are a funded student on an RA or TA contract, you must complete several university ethics and training requirements. See the Funded Student Requirements document. |
| MEGN503 | All thesis-based students (MS Thesis and PhD) must register for the appropriate Research Division section of MEGN503 every semester until they have completed all degree requirements (excluding defense). Non-thesis students should not register for MENG503. However, students interested in doing research are encouraged to select a Research Division section and attend their scheduled class meetings. |
| Fellowships | The fellowship and grant list provides information on outside fellowships applicable to students by program. |
| Move to Thesis-Based Degree | How do I move to an MS-Thesis or PhD? To move to a thesis-based degree program, you need to find a permanent advisor willing to support your research interests and to support you financially. You should look into the professors in the department to understand what they research to identify where the best fit might be. Then contact the professors you are interested in working with to discuss potential research and funding opportunities. Be sure to meet with the Graduate Program Manager to discuss policies and forms required to change degree levels. |
Alison Bodor
Graduate Program Manager
303-273-3467
abodor@mines.edu
megrad@mines.edu
Anthony Petrella
Director of Online Programs – ME
303-384-2274
apetrell@mines.edu
Stephen DeCaluwe
Director of Graduate Studies – ME
303-273-3666
decaluwe@mines.edu
