Nov 25, 2024

2014-2015 General Catalog (Summer, Fall 2014)

2014-2015 General Catalog (Summer, Fall 2014) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Mechanical Engineering - MS

College of Engineering

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The Plan A MS Degree requires a minimum of 30 credits beyond the BS with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Requirements include: 12 credits of 6000-level (or above) MAE coursework, exclusive of MAE 6930 , MAE 6950 , MAE 6970 , and MAE 6990 ; a minimum of 3 credits of 5000-level (or above) coursework in approved mathematics; 6 credits of thesis (MAE 6970 ) and meet the “knowledge-based” area requirement by choosing 12 credits in one area (Solid Mechanics, Dynamics & Control, Thermal/Fluid Science, or Aerospace), The thesis must meet School of Graduate Studies requirements.

The Plan B MS Degree requires a minimum of 30 credits beyond the BS with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Requirements include: 12 credits of 6000-level (or above) MAE coursework, exclusive of MAE 6930 , MAE 6950 , MAE 6970 , and MAE 6990 ; a minimum of 3 credits of 5000-level (or above) coursework in approved mathematics; 3 credits of report (MAE 6950 ); and meet the “knowledge-based” area requirement by choosing 12 credits in one area (Solid Mechanics, Dynamics & Control, Thermal/Fluid Science, or Aerospace). A minimum of 30 credits is required beyond the BS with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. The report must meet MAE’s requirements.

The Plan C MS Degree requires a minimum of 33 credits beyond the BS with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Requirements include: 6 credits of MAE Engineering fundamentals MAE 6040 , MAE 6410 ; 18 credits of 6000-level (or above) MAE coursework (including MAE 6040 and MAE 6410 ) exclusive of MAE 6930 , MAE 6950 , MAE 6970 , and MAE 6990 ; a minimum of 3 credits of 5000-level (or above) coursework in approved mathematics; and meet the “knowledge-based” area requirement by choosing 15 credits in one area or 18 credits in two areas (Solid Mechanics, Dynamics, Thermal/Fluid Science, or Aerospace). This degree option may include 3 credits of report (MAE 6950 and must be written to thesis standards. Students are not required to defend the report. The report must be approved by the major professor. Thesis credits are not allowed for Plan C students.

Specializations

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers ME, MS, and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering, with specializations in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. An MS degree in Aerospace Engineering is also offered.

Aerospace Engineering addresses atmospheric and space flight. Included are such disciplines as computational fluid dynamics, experimental fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, aircraft flight dynamics, aircraft design, spacecraft orbital mechanics, spacecraft navigation, guidance and attitude control, aircraft and spacecraft propulsion systems, space system design, and the space environment. Mechanical Engineering graduates choosing the aerospace engineering specialization may pursue careers in such areas as aircraft design and development, aircraft flight testing, spacecraft GN&C systems and space systems design, and spacecraft trajectory design and analysis, as well as the broader, traditional mechanical engineering fields.

Mechanical Engineering deals with the mechanical systems and machines that serve society. Areas of emphasis include solid mechanics, thermal/fluids, and dynamics and control. The solid mechanics emphasis is concerned with the mechanics of displacement and stress analysis combined with material science for selection of an optimum design. Students learn to use the finite element method as well as classical methods for the determination of stresses, strains, and displacements. Included are studies of elasticity, plasticity, and failure in traditional metals and high-tech composite materials. The thermal/fluids emphasis is concerned with the transport of mass, momentum, and energy in solids, liquids, and gasses. Included within its scope are the fundamental studies of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics. The dynamics and control emphasis is concerned with describing and controlling the motion of mechanical systems. Included within its scope are the fundamental studies of dynamics, kinematics, vibrations, control theory, hydraulics and pneumatics, electromechanical systems, and machine design. Graduates who select the broad mechanical engineering specialization are prepared to pursue careers in such widely diverse disciplines as aerospace, automotive, building, chemical, defense, electronics, environmental engineering, food processing, heating and air conditioning, heavy equipment, machine tools, manufacturing, nuclear, petroleum, public utilities, and solar energy.

Course Requirements

The specific course requirements for the ME, MS, and PhD degrees offered through the department may occasionally change. For this reason, prospective students are advised to seek current details concerning graduate degree requirements and program coursework by contacting the department or sending an Internet e-mail request to Chris Spall at: chris.spall@usu.edu.