Mechanical Engineering, M.S.

STEM Designation: This program is STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)-designated by the Department of Homeland Security. For more information, please see https://www.newhaven.edu/admissions/stem-designated-programs.php

This program is intended to meet the needs of recently graduated mechanical engineering students and professionally employed engineers. Its purpose is to increase competence in modern analytical, experimental, and computational techniques within the context of engineering design and with an industrial perspective.

We prepare students for industry or further Ph. D. study in two broad areas. In professional skill sets, our innovation-oriented courses emphasize communication skills, systems thinking, project management, leadership, and teamwork skills. Our mechanical and industrial perspective technical courses stress skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and design for manufacturing.

Today's mechanical engineering graduate student needs a broad range of practical skills (CAD, FEA, Programming) that are essential for success in the Master's program. Accepted students are required to complete practical training seminars to help strengthen their mechanical engineering skill sets prior to the start of the program.

 

The program centers on a 6-credit core sequence which all students are required to take. In the first semester, students will typically take a 3-credit mechanical engineering analysis course, emphasizing analytical, numerical/computational skills. Additionally, students attend a seminar where industrial and scholarly professionals give presentations, students learn practical skills sets, develop and apply research methodologies essential for the major project/thesis requirement.  The seminar class is a 1-credit course repeated three times.

A minimum of 30 credits must be completed to earn the master of science degree in mechanical engineering. Focus areas include: automation/manufacturing, energy/thermo-fluids, and a personalized track. Students are expected to take 9 credits in the chosen focus area. Students will take one 3-credit industry perspective elective.

Early in the program, students prepare, with the supervision of the program coordinator, a detailed study plan ensuring an overall educational experience that is integrated and logical. Decisions regarding both core and elective requirements are subject to final approval by the program coordinator.

 

Program Outcomes

Students completing the program will be able to:

1. Apply both mathematical analysis and finite element methods to solve mechanical engineering problems.  
2. Solve advanced engineering problems in their chosen topic areas such as: automation, manufacturing, energy, fluid flow, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and dynamics.
3. Communicate effectively in oral presentations and report writing. 
4. Evaluate the impact of an industrial perspective on selected mechanical engineering applications.  
5. Design a solution for emerging mechanical engineering problems.

 

Admission Policy

Candidates for admission to the master's program are normally expected to have a grade average of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better in their undergraduate coursework. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required for scholarship application. International applicants from non-English speaking countries must submit English test scores. Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's potential for graduate study are also required.

In some cases, applicants with a bachelor's degree in a field closely related to mechanical engineering may be considered for admission on a provisional basis.  Students accepted on a provisional basis may be required to complete one or more additional undergraduate mechanical engineering courses and/or graduate courses.