MS in Mechanical Engineering
With a mechanical engineering graduate program听ranked 16th听among public university peers听by听U.S. News & World Report,听our program is one of the top-ranked in the nation.听We offer paths to customize your听degree in support of your unique interests and career goals, a variety of specialty courses taught by experts in the field,听entrepreneurship resources and events like听New Venture Challenge, and opportunities for听听in听air quality, biomedical,听materials, mechanics of materials, micro/nanoscale, robotics and systems design, and more!
Venture Partners at 彩民宝典听notes that the听University of Colorado has听ranked fifth for startup creation, according to the latest report by the Association of University Technology Manager (AUTM). The National Academy of Inventors (NAI)听听the CU system 14th among the 鈥淭op 100鈥� institutions nationwide for recent patent activity.听
If you are interested in conducting research during your time at 彩民宝典, be sure to check out our听Research Overview Slides.听This resources will help you get to know our faculty members and their unique capabilities and areas of expertise.听
We hope to see your application during our active application periods!听
MS Degree Overview
MS Minimum Requirements
MS students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits at the 5000 level or higher.听The majority of courses are 3-credits each so the degree is normally earned by completing 10 courses.
- Of these 30听credits, at least 18 credits (~6 courses) must be mechanical engineering department听courses (MCEN)
- Up to 12 credits (~4 courses) may be taken outside of the department.
- Many of our students personalize their degree by taking听advantage of enrolling in courses from other engineering disciplines such as aerospace, computer science, and engineering management.
- Must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to remain in good academic standing (B average)听
- See title below "MS Degree Programs" for specific course requirements for each program听
As a prospective MS student, you have multiple programs from which to consider from (see all options below).
Please note: Applicants are only admitted into the MS Professional program.
Applicants who are interested in pursuing the MS Thesis program can begin a search for a potential faculty advisor upon an admission offer (see MS Thesis title for more information).听
Before听reaching out to faculty about serving as a potential thesis advisor, please review听faculty profiles as well as the research overview slides. This should give you an idea of how your research interests align with current Mechanical Engineering faculty. You are also welcome to find a thesis advisor from other engineering departments such as aerospace and civil engineering, or computer science.
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MS Professional or Thesis students interested in pursuing focus areas can听enroll in any combination of coursework they听would like. Focus areas are听not restrictive*听and students can schedule their coursework around their interests and skills.听
FLEX听
- The most popular option by our MS Professional and Thesis students because students make their own degree "focus" by taking courses from multiple focus areas (ex/ Biomedical and Materials) or creating their own type of focus area.听
- Students pursuing the Flex Option may take whichever courses best meet their professional goals.
- Train engineers to interface engineering and medicine with design and problem solving to improve human health.听
- Employs quantitative methods in physics, chemistry and biology to听develop innovative medical technologies.
- Draw from our strengths in biomechanic (the application听of classical and quantum mechanics to analyze biological systems)听and product design to tackle current and听emerging medical challenges, including those in听areas of biomaterials, tissue engineering, imaging and听theranostics.
- Recommended Coursework听听
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Developing novel environmental sensors and models, software, and data analytics that will be used for everything from reducing traffic to enhancing crop growth, from improving infrastructure safety to greenhouse gas emissions assessment.
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Research addresses monitoring and impact assessment on scales spanning from local听(building-scale) to regional and global; from fundamental science to applied social science and community-driven听research; and from computational studies to field-based experiments in remote locations.
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The 彩民宝典 is uniquely situated amongst one of the world鈥檚 greatest ecosystems of academic institutions听and national labs engaged in atmospheric research. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), National听Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),听and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are located within 30 minutes of 彩民宝典.
- Recommended Coursework听听
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Train听engineers in advanced methods of engineering analysis and modeling for exploration, simulation and optimization of mechanical engineering systems.
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Develop theoretical understanding of physical systems and build skills in applying advanced mathematical techniques.
- Recommended Coursework听听
- *Specific Course Sequencing is required in the Design focus area
- Begins in the fall semester and culminates four semesters later.
- Develop design engineers that are industry oriented, experimentally-prepared, self-directed, creative and innovative, and differentiated professionals with project management experience.
- Recommended Coursework听
- Faculty听members carry out research in many different areas including polymers, thin films, soft actuators, battery materials,听laser ultrasonics, flash sintering, nanomaterials for energy, heat transfer and meta materials.听
- Mechanics of materials is an area focusing on quantitative description of the motion and deformation of solid听materials subjected to forces, temperature changes, electrical voltage or other external stimuli.
- Apply听theoretical modeling, computational simulation and experimental characterization to study a wide range of听soft materials, from biological tissues and gels to smart polymers.
- Cover a long list of current and emerging technologies including tissue engineering, membrane filtration, stretchable electronics, smart听materials, medical robots and innovative surgical devices.
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Materials:听Recommended Coursework听听
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Mechanics of Materials:听Recommended Coursework听听
- Involves micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) for transducers,听sensors and actuators.听
- Strengths include atomic, nano, micro fabrication technologies and advanced听packaging.
- Visible, active programs are also underway in nano and microscale characterization, simulation听and design of materials.
- Research focuses on identifying fundamental principles and methodologies that听enable engineered systems to exhibit intelligent, goal-oriented behavior, and developing innovative instruments听to monitor, control and manipulate systems.
- Research in the Robotics and Systems Design Area typically leverages three core competencies in service to diverse needs in听such areas as healthcare, security, education, space and ocean exploration,听and autonomous systems in air,听land and underwater.
- Faculty and students participate in several major sponsored听research centers, including the Army鈥檚 Micro Autonomous Science and Technology (MAST) CTA, and听the AFOSR Center of Excellence on Nature-Inspired Flight Technologies and Ideas (NIFTI).听
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is an MS in Mechanical Engineering worth it?
- What can I do with an MS in Mechanical Engineering?
- Why pursue an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering program from others?
- What differentiates 彩民宝典's mechanical engineering program from others?
- How much does an MS Mechanical Engineering degree cost at 彩民宝典?
- How long will it take to get my degree?
- Is the MS program offered fully online?
Yes!听
An MS degree in Mechanical Engineering can often lead to higher earning potential compared to a bachelor's degree . Many industries place a premium on advanced education, and employers may offer higher salaries to individuals with specialized knowledge and skills.The additional expertise gained during an MS program can make you a valuable asset to employers, potentially leading to quicker career advancement and increased chances of securing promotions. An MS degree also broadens your skill set and knowledge base, making you eligible for a wider range of job opportunities.听Many research and development roles, leadership positions, and specialized engineering positions are often reserved for candidates with advanced degrees.
The field of mechanical engineering is dynamic, with advancements in technology and methodologies occurring regularly. Pursuing an MS allows you to stay current with the latest industry trends, tools, and techniques.
Finally, specializing in a particular area of mechanical engineering through the MS program can make you a sought-after expert in that niche. Specializations such as design, robotics,听materials science, and more听can set you apart from other candidates and enhance your career prospects in those specific fields. Employers often seek individuals with specialized knowledge to address specific challenges and contribute to innovation in their industries.
Master's students in mechanical engineering not only acquire advanced fundamental and leadership skills but also benefit from exposure to a multidisciplinary environment. The modern landscape of mechanical engineering demands a comprehensive understanding of issues such as material interactions, the behavior of materials in diverse conditions, and the intricate design and optimization of highly complex, interconnected systems due to the increasing complexity of modern mechanical systems and equipment.
Proficient mechanical engineers excel in translating scientific and mathematical theories into practical applications, particularly when mentored by globally recognized researchers who are enthusiastic about imparting their knowledge and expertise to their students.
Mechanical engineers holding an MS degree听enjoy a spectrum of possibilities. They can pioneer startups derived from their research, secure patents for groundbreaking technologies, conduct research in national labs and diverse industries, and more!听
Post-Graduation Outcomes:听Graduates from this degree become engineering professionals in either industry or the government sector. Our students go on to work at companies such as: Ball Aerospace,听Apple, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Boeing, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and more!听You can learn more about post-graduation career outcomes in this
An MS in Mechanical Engineering offers versatility in the job market, enabling professionals to work in renewable energy, biomechanics, air quality, robotics, project management, construction, and more. Choosing mechanical engineering allows exploration across multiple areas of interest, facilitating interdisciplinary research and collaboration. It can be a practical choice for individuals transitioning from related backgrounds, providing flexibility in research focus and professional outcomes.
The CU Mechanical Engineering MS program distinguishes itself through a unique approach that allows students to tailor their degrees by offering the flexibility to take up to four out of ten courses from disciplines outside the Mechanical Engineering department. This customization extends to diverse areas such as the Art department, catering to those with a focus on design engineering. A majority of our students will take courses from other engineering disciplines such as Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, and Engineering Management.听Furthermore, within our program, we stand听out with the听rich variety of class offerings that align with individual interests and aspirations.
Beyond flexibility, our program is designed to nurture adaptability, equipping students for a wide array of career paths, including academia, industry research, consulting, nonprofits, national laboratories, startups, and more. 彩民宝典's Mechanical Engineering ensures a robust foundation for students, facilitating diverse and rewarding career trajectories. Emphasizing collaboration, students have ample opportunities to engage with different industries听and national labs. This collaborative environment not only enhances research prospects but also augments post-graduation opportunities.
In addition to academic strengths, we foster a strong sense of community among our graduate students. Regular community events such as the fall picnic, heritage feast, spring picnic, a summer Pride event, and coffee hours provide occasions for MS students to connect. Moreover, our program ensures student representation and a voice on the graduate committee, allowing MS students to actively contribute to decision-making and policies, shaping the overall experience for everyone in the program.
Finally, an MS degree听in mechanical engineering is not just about studying鈥攊t鈥檚 about doing. Original research and hands-on experience are a focus of on-campus, experiential courses.听
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Tuition is dependent on your residency status, either resident (within Colorado) or non-resident (out-of-state and/or international). Graduate tuition is dependent on credits enrolled in within each semester (the MS degree credit requirement is 30 credits).听
You can view the past and current year rates (by credit) on the Tuition and Fee Rate Sheets on the Bursar's Website. Under the Graduate Heading there, the MS Professional degree program's rates are noted听under the "Professional Master's" sheet (view the residency status that matches your own). We recommend to look at the 15-credit amount of tuition and doubling that rate to get an estimate idea of a 30-credit degree听cost. There is also a helpful Bill Estimator on the Bursar's Office website which calculates tuition based on residency, credit hours,听and听mandatory student fees
NOTE: If a student obtains a faculty advisor and transitions to the thesis MS program after admission, the student's tuition is听noted on the "Graduate" sheet (view the residency status that matches your own). There are potential scholarship programs for non-resident MS Mechanical Engineering Thesis students since the "Graduate" tuition rate is higher than a "Professional Master's" non-resident tuition rate.
You also may be eligible for certain outside fellowship opportunities. Find more information by visiting our听MS Funding and Fellowships webpage.听
An MS student will typically take two听years to complete the听degree.听However, it is not uncommon for students to finish both earlier and later than this two-year average. The MS degree credit requirement is 30 credits minimum. With most graduate courses being worth 3-credits, that is an estimated 10 courses to complete the degree. The majority of students take 2-3 courses / 6-9 credits per formal (Fall/Spring) semester. Therefore, taking 2-3 courses / 6-9 credits per formal semester keeps students on track for a two-year / four-semester program completion.听
Please note that if you choose to pursue the Mechanical Engineering / Engineering Management Dual Degree, certificates, and other add-ons to your education, you are likely to extend beyond the two-year timeline. Students who are taking coursework while also working part or full-time jobs sometimes choose to take 1-2 courses in each semester and finish in a 3-4 year timeline.听Some students will also choose to complete summer courses to accelerate their degree obtainment. Full-time enrollment for graduate students is 5 credits or above.听
Regardless of the time taken to complete听the MS, primary emphasis is on remaining at 彩民宝典 while being in good academic standing and听taking high-quality and interactive coursework听that听satisfies the requirements of the MS degree.听
Currently, there is not a formal all-online degree available for application and admission in the MS Mechanical Engineering program.
The majority of Mechanical Engineering courses are on-campus so professors and faculty have an expectation of students to be present in-person. There are remote (synchronous) and hybrid (remote and in-person component) course options in the Mechanical Engineering department but those are minimal compared to the in-person offerings. Finally, with the allowance of up to 12 credits outside of the Mechanical Engineering department applying towards the MS degree, students commonly take听remote and online (asynchronous) courses in outside departments (ex/ Engineering Management).听
Our Community
Our graduate community is truly special. You will join a multicultural graduate program that includes faculty, staff, and students from all over the world.听Our faculty, staff, and student leaders will frequently advertise听community events and听professional development听activities to support you听and your unique experience.听You will also have access to seminars, colloquia, and听workshops delivered by notable engineering leaders in education, research, and industry.
Our graduate program leadership is committed听to cultivating听an environment of respect and belonging. We actively partner with our graduate student-led听organizations, including the Committee for Equity in Mechanical Engineering (CEME), our K-12 outreach student organizers, and the听Graduate Student Advisory Board (GSAB). If you join us in Boulder, we hope that you will particiate in听of these groups; they are a great way to make lifelong friends and to contribute to our graduate program's unique and supportive听culture.
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