Mechanical Engineering

Graduate Studies – Mechanical Engineering

These programs have been designed to build upon a student’s undergraduate background and provide additional depth and breadth in the challenging and versatile profession of Mechanical Engineering. The department offers two graduate path alternatives. The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) degree program is a traditional thesis-based approach whereby the student pursues both research and course work culminating in the preparation and oral defense of a written thesis. The Master of Mechanical Engineering (MME) degree is a course-based master’s program, which requires additional coursework in lieu of a traditional thesis.

The objective of both programs, the Master of Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, is to prepare graduates for early career advancement in the field of Mechanical Engineering by building upon their undergraduate training with advanced coursework and concentrated study of problems and topics relevant to the field.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

By the end of their program, MSME students should be able to:

  1. Identify, formulate, and solve high-level mechanical engineering problems.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate theories and methodologies related to mechanical engineering with technical audiences.
  3. Evaluate and analyze relevant scientific literature to stay current in their field of study.
  4. Conduct independent research and evaluate, interpret, and discuss research outcomes.

Requirements

  • 36 credits of formal coursework
  • 12 credits of thesis coursework

The 36 credits of formal coursework are broken down as follows:

Required: MA538 Advanced Engineering Mathematics (4 credits)

Electives: (32 credits)

  • Electives must be listed as ME, BE, BIO, BMTH, CE, CHE, CHEM, CSSE, ECE, EM, EMGT, EP, MA, or OE.
  • Not less than 20 credits of approved graduate Mechanical Engineering courses
  • Up to 8 credits of Mathematics courses approved for graduate plans of study may be taken (in addition to the required 4 credits of MA538).
  • Up to 8 credits of approved graduate Engineering Management courses.
  • No more than 12 credits of 400-level coursework is allowed to count toward the degree requirements. Approved 400-level mathematics courses are excluded from this 12 credit limit.
  • No courses below the 400-level may be applied to the Master's degree.

Exceptions to these rules may be granted by permission of the ME graduate study committee.

Master of Mechanical Engineering (MME)

By the end of their program, MME students should be able to:

  1. Identify, formulate, and solve high-level mechanical engineering problems.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate theories and methodologies related to mechanical engineering with technical audiences.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to acquire and apply new high-level knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Requirements

  • 20 credits of core course work
  • 8 credits of Mathematics course work
  • 20 credits of elective course work

Core Coursework (20 credits):

Choose from the following (other classes may be substituted for core requirements with the approval of the ME graduate study committee):

  • Any 500-level Mechanical Engineering class.
  • Any 500-level Engineering Mechanics class.
  • CHE 502 Transport Phenomena.

Mathematics Course work (8 credits):

Required: MA538 Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Choose one other mathematics class from the list of Mathematics courses approved for graduate plans of study.  From the approved classes, we particularly recommend:

  • MA 439 Mathematical Methods of Image Processing
  • MA 485 Applied Linear Regression
  • MA 487 Design of Experiments
  • MA 431 Calculus of Variations*
  • MA 433 Numerical Analysis*
  • MA 435 Finite Difference Methods*
  • MA 436 Introduction to Partial Differential Equations*
  • MA 444 Deterministic Models in Operations Research*

*Check with the instructor.  Your background may be sufficient for these classes even if you do not currently satisfy the prerequisites.

Elective Course Work (20 credits):

  • Electives must be listed as ME, BE, BIO, BMTH, CE, CHE, CHEM, CSSE, ECE, EM, EMGT, EP, MA, or OE.
  • Up to 8 credits of Mathematics courses approved for graduate plans of study may be taken (in addition to the required 8 credits of Mathematics course work).
  • Up to 8 credits of approved graduate Engineering Management courses.
  • No more than 12 credits of 400-level coursework is allowed to count toward the degree requirements. Approved 400-level mathematics courses are excluded from this 12 hour limit.
  • No courses below the 400-level may be applied to the Master's degree.

Exceptions to these rules may be granted by permission of the ME graduate study committee.

Dr. Richard Onyancha

Dr. Richard Onyancha

Dr. Richard Onyancha specializes in manufacturing, solid mechanics and metrology. He recently spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar working at Zambia's Copperbelt University, helping the university review its engineering curricula, mentoring younger faculty members, assisting with the writing of several research proposals, and developing relationships with local industries.

Campus map

Contact Us

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Moench Hall C103
5500 Wabash Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47803
812-877-8422
payne1@rose-hulman.edu

Admissions, Programs of Study, and Courses

Our graduate program offers a variety of courses and programs taught by passionate and experienced professors to help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Learn more about our admissions process, and the programs and courses we are proud to offer.

Admissions

There are a variety of options for both traditional and non-traditional students at Rose-Hulman. Learn more about how to apply for graduate school.

Programs

Rose-Hulman offers graduate studies in eight different programs. Some programs offer evening classes off campus to make it possible for professionals to continue to work fulltime while earning their graduate degree.

Courses

A number of courses have been approved by the Graduate Studies Committee for credit toward graduate degrees. 

Research Facilities

There are seven research facilities on our campus all operating with the dual mission of providing education, as well as performing research and development. Projects at the facilities reflect faculty and student interests, as well as industry needs. As part of the graduate program at Rose-Hulman, you will likely participate in thesis research in one of our facilities.

Exterior view of Myers Hall

John T. Myers Center for Technological Research with Industry

This 40,000-square-foot facility is devoted to student and faculty project work. The center provides space and specialized instrumentation for students and faculty to engage in engineering design projects for external clients. There is ample laboratory space for project-based education.

Group of students talk while sitting at their desks with computers

Rose-Hulman Ventures

Rose-Hulman Ventures is a program that brings together students and technology-based companies. For students, the program provides the best engineering professional practice experience possible. In turn, this provides businesses with prototypes, refinements to the design of existing products and expansion in current engineering capabilities. The facility is on the south campus of Rose-Hulman.

Female student wearing goggles works with apparatus

JRSI Laboratory

In this lab, you will have the opportunity to work side by side with surgeons, faculty and engineers to design, execute and present scientific investigations in an effort to develop engineering solutions to clinical problems. Mechanical testing in the lab is conducted utilizing a state-of-the-art biaxial materials testing machine.

Dr. Craig Downing

Dr. Craig Downing

Dr. Craig Downing is the Director of Graduate Studies, Interim Dean of Lifelong Learning, and Head of the Department of Engineering Management. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering, mathematics and statistics, manufacturing systems and workforce education and development.
Rose-Hulman campus map

Contact Us

Graduate Studies
5500 Wabash Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47803
Phone: 812-877-8403
Fax: 812-877-8061
graduatestudies@rose-hulman.edu
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