Program Overview

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Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) program at the University of Central Florida is designed to advance students' knowledge and skills in the areas of mechanical systems and thermofluids. The program offers a wide variety of courses that provide state-of-the-art research opportunities working with faculty mentors who are active in various sponsored research funded by local and national industry, as well as many federal agencies.

Program at a Glance

• Program: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)
• College: College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Department: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
• Duration: 2 years
• Tuition:
  • In-state: $369.65 per credit hour
  • Out-of-state: $1,276.48 per credit hour

Program Description

The MS in Mechanical Engineering program provides students with the opportunity to learn and train across multiple disciplines, from traditional mechanical engineering research in energy and power generation systems, mechanical systems, design, and controls to innovative work in nanotechnology, miniaturization, bioengineering, and interdisciplinary research. The program is available fully online, offering flexibility and convenience for students to balance work, school, and life.

Tracks

The program offers several tracks, including:

• Mechanical Engineering – Guidance Control and Dynamics: Designed to prepare students for a career as an engineer in the aerospace industry, with courses related to guidance control and dynamics with applications in aerospace engineering.
• Mechanical Engineering – Mechanical Systems: Focuses on topics such as the mechanics of materials, computational methods, and engineering design, with a deep dive into mathematical models, the mechanics of materials, dynamics, and continuum mechanics.
• Mechanical Engineering – Thermofluids: Includes topics such as fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and turbomachinery, with a concentration on heat transfer, fluid mechanics, classical thermodynamics, and mathematical models.
• Mechanical Engineering – Accelerated BS to MSME: Allows highly qualified undergraduate majors in mechanical engineering to begin taking graduate-level courses that will count toward a master's degree while completing a baccalaureate degree program, enabling students to complete their bachelor's and master's degree in five years while enrolled in full-time coursework.

Highlights

• The UCF mechanical engineering graduate program is ranked No. 71 (No. 41 among public universities) in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report.
• There are over 650,000 mechanical engineers across the U.S., with the number expected to continue rising over the next decade.
• Mechanical engineering graduates earn an average annual salary of $94,000 nationwide.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: July 1
• Spring: December 1

Course Overview

The program includes a variety of courses such as:

• Intermediate Dynamics: Covers the dynamics of particles, rigid bodies, and distributed mass systems, including topics like Hamilton's principle, Lagrange's equations, numerical methods, and mechanisms.
• Continuum Mechanics: Introduces tensors, deformation and strain, stress, balance laws, constitutive equations, and applications in linear elasticity.
• Classical Thermodynamics: Explores a general postulative approach to classical macroscopic thermodynamics, featuring states as fundamental constructs, conditions of equilibrium, stability criteria, thermodynamic potentials, Maxwell relations, and phase transitions.

Mechanical Engineering Skills

Students will learn to:

• Use techniques, skills, and modern tools necessary for mechanical engineering while acquiring and applying new knowledge as needed.
• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of mechanical engineering, science, and mathematics.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use mechanical engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can pursue careers as:

• Mechanical Engineer
• Electrical Manager
• Manufacturing Engineer
• Validation Engineer
• Combustion Engineer
• Aircraft Engineer
• Engine Designer
• Engineering Research Manager

Admission Requirements

While a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related discipline is recommended, it is not required. However, if the applicant does not hold a bachelor's in one of these fields, they will need to complete several undergraduate articulation courses prior to admission. Applications are accepted for the fall and spring semesters, with all required materials submitted prior to the application deadline.

Additional Requirements

Applicants must provide:

• Official transcripts
• Resume
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives

Total Credit Hours Required

The program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree.