BS, Mechanical Engineering
The mechanical engineering curriculum begins with a strong emphasis on mathematics, physics, and chemistry. It continues with a concentration in engineering sciences, including solid and fluid mechanics; thermodynamics, heat, and mass transport; materials; and systems analysis and control. It concludes with laboratory and design courses which demonstrate the ways in which sciencific knowledge is applied in the design and development of useful devices and manufacturing processes. The mechanical engineering program may be roughly sub-divided into two-year groupings. In the first two years, the program emphasizes the fundamentals of mathematics and basic science that are essential for an understanding of most branches of engineering. In the last two years of the program, the department emphasizes engineering science and design and provides technical electives in the following areas:
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Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
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Dynamics and Control Systems
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Fluid Mechanics and Solid Mechanics
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Energy Systems and Thermal Design
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Material Science and Composites
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Mechanical Systems Design and Manufacturing
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Air Conditioning Theory and Design
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Bioengineering
To be awarded the BS (ME), a student must satisfy all University of Colorado graduation requirements and maintain at least a 2.0 in all mechanical engineering courses. All students are required to set up an appointment with the senior checkout advisor before registering for the last 30 hours of their degree program.
MS, Mechanical Engineering
Our MS program builds on the fundamentals of mechanical engineering typically learned in an undergraduate degree program. As a graduate student, you may pusue research in manufacturing processes, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, energy thermodynamics, mechanical design, and composite materials.
MS degree students may choose between two plans, each totaling 30 credit hours. If you follow Plan I, you will take 24 hours of formal coursework as well as 6 hours of thesis credit. If you pursue Plan II, you'll take 27 hours of formal coursework along with a 3-credit-hour final project requiring a report. No matter which plan you choose, you may select one of three options: Thermal-Fluid Sciences, Solid Mechanics, or General Mechanical Engineering.
The Thermal-Fluid Sciences Option requires 12 hours of coursework in analytical methods, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics. You then select 9 hours of approved coursework from a selection of thermal-fluid electives.
The Solid Mechanics Option requires 12 hours of coursework in analytical methods, numerical methods, elasticity, and dynamics. You then select 9 hours of approved coursework from a selection of mechanics electives.
For students following Plan I (thesis option), the Thermal-Fluid Sciences and Solid Mechanics options both allow for one approved elective from outside the chosen specialty. For students following Plan II (project option), the Thermal Fluid Sciences and Solid Mechanics options allow for two approved electives outside the chosen specialty.
The General Mechanical Engineering Option requires 18 hours of coursework in analytical methods, numerical methods, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, elasticity, and dynamics. Students following Plan I may choose two approved electives, while those in Plan II may choose three.
MS - General Mechanical Engineering Emphasis
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ME 5110 Numerical Methods for Engineers
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ME 5120 Methods of Engineering Analysis I
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ME 5122 Macroscopic Thermodynamics
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ME 5141 Viscous Flow
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ME 5143 Theory of Elasticity I
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ME 5163 Dynamics
MS - Thermal-Fluids Sciences Emphasis
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ME 5110 Numerical Methods for Engineers
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ME 5120 Methods of Engineering Analysis I
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ME 5122 Macroscopic Thermodynamics
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ME 5141 Viscous Flow
MS - Solid Mechanics Emphasis
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ME 5110 Numerical Methods for Engineers
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ME 5120 Methods of Engineering Analysis I
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ME 5143 Theory of Elasticity I
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ME 5163 Dynamics
MEng, Master of Engineering
A new master's degree allows a combination of engineering courses and business courses as one of the options.
The Master of Engineering Degree is an interdisciplinary degree program 
that allows the student to combine advanced engineering course work with graduate-level non-engineering course work such as business administration, social sciences, biological sciences, public administration and so forth. The requirements for admission are the same as those for the Master of Science degree. A minimum of 30 semester hours of academic work acceptable to the Advisory Committee are required for the Master of Engineering degree. At least 15 of these hours must be at the 5000 level or above in mechanical engineering. As many as 15 credit hours may be taken outside of engineering. In addition to the course work, a written report is required in the Master of Engineering program.
As a student in the MEng program, you must meet with the graduate advisor before or during your first semester and design a sequence of elective courses that form a coherent program plan. The graduate advisor must approve the courses taken outside the mechanical engineering area before you enroll in such courses. See your graduate advisor for more information on the various degree options.
PhD, Mechanical Engineering
The PhD in Mechanical Engineering is available through the ME Department at the CU Boulder campus. UC Denver faculty may serve as research advisors by individual arrangement.