Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
![]() |
Duluth Campus
Mechanical Engineering M.S.M.E.UMD Mechanical/Industrial Engineering
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Email:
mie@d.umn.edu
Website: https://scse.d.umn.edu/msme
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The MSME combines professional engineering coursework with research in a field within mechanical engineering. Focus areas include thermo/fluids, materials/manufacturing, dynamics/control, and mechanical design and analysis. There are two options for completing an MSME degree: Plan A (thesis option), and Plan B (project option). Plan A includes writing and defending a thesis which requires in-depth research equivalent to 10 credits out of 30 total credits. Plan B includes a capstone project equivalent to 3 credits out of 30 total credits and targets practicing engineers.
Undergraduate students in the Mechanical Engineering program who are interested in pursuing the Master of Mechanical Engineering at UMD may apply for admission to the Integrated BSME/MSME Degree Program (IDP). Students in the IDP Program start their graduate coursework prior to the completion of their undergraduate degree and may apply up to 9 credits of coursework to both their undergraduate B.S.M.E. and graduate M.S.M.E. degrees. Admission to the IDP Program is limited to highly qualified upper-division undergraduates.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
Completion of BS degree in mech eng or admission to integrated BSME/MSME program at UMD. Applicants with other undergraduate degrees may be considered; however, additional coursework may be required.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for admission, but will be considered if provided.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation concerning their academic ability and readiness for graduate education.
Special Application Requirements:
International and domestic applicants whose native language is not English must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
20
major credits,
up to
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is written and oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
30
major credits and
up to
credits outside the major.
The final exam is written and oral.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:The Plan B capstone project requires 3 credits of ME 8310, completed in consultation with the advisor.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
In consultation with the advisor and director of graduate studies, a maximum of 6 4xxx-level credits, and a maximum of 6 credits from fields outside mechanical engineering will be considered. Students in the integrated BSME/MSME sub-plan may not apply any 4xxx credits to the MSME degree.
Courses offered on both the A-F and S/N grading basis must be taken A-F.
Electives (6 - 15 credits)
Plan A take at least 6 credits, and Plan B take at least 15 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor and Director of Graduate Studies. For Plan B students at least 9 of the 15 credits must be at the 5xxx level.
Take 6 - 15 credit(s) from the following:
·
ME 4112 - Heat and Mass Transfer
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 4135 - Robotics and Controls
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 4145 - CAD/CAM
(4.0 cr)
·
ME 4175 - Machine Design
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 4365 - Global Sustainability Experience in Design/Manufacturing in Africa
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 4375 - Pipeline Engineering
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 5305 - Computational Fluid Dynamics
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 5315 - Nondestructive Evaluation of Engineering Materials
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 5325 - Sustainable Energy System
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 5335 - Introduction to Finite Element Analysis
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 5345 - Smart Materials and Structures
(3.0 cr)
·
ME 5355 - Gas Turbines
(3.0 cr)
Plan options
Plan A
Thesis Credits (10 credits)
Take 10 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
ME 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master?s
(1.0-10.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan B
ME 8310 - Mechanical Engineering Capstone Project
(3.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
Integrated Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering/Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The Swenson College of Science and Engineering offers an integrated Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) degree. The integrated BSME/MSME program offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years.
The integrated degree program (IDP) offers the benefits of a streamlined pathway from the undergraduate to the graduate program and flexibility in fulfilling required courses for both degrees during the senior year (up to 9 credits of approved 5000-level courses can be applied to the MSME). Admission to the IDP is limited to highly qualified upper-division undergraduates. Students typically apply to the integrated program in spring of their junior year.
Eligibility requirements for the integrated program:
Application is open to UMD BSME students who
- hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30; and
- have an MSME advisor selected prior to admission.
It is preferred that students in the integrated degree program complete a thesis-based (Plan A) master’s degree.
Both the BSME and MSME degrees must be completed in their entirety. The graduate degree cannot be earned before the undergraduate requirements are satisfied.
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ME 4112/ChE 3112 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | 2105, IE 3130 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EE 5501/ME 5325 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -10.0 [max 10.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |