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WVU Morgantown

Mechanical Engineering, M.S.M.E.

  • Overview
  • Accelerated Program
  • Learning Outcomes

Curriculum in Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

A candidate for the M.S. degree in mechanical engineering must comply with the rules and regulations as outlined in the WVU Graduate Catalog and the specific requirements of the Statler College and the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department.

Program Requirements

All M.S. degree candidates are required to perform research (except those pursuing the Coursework Option) and follow a planned program of study. The student’s research advisor, in conjunction with the student’s Advising and Examining Committee (AEC) will be responsible for determining the plan of study appropriate to the student’s needs. The underlying principle of the planned program is to provide the students with the necessary support to complete their degree and prepare them for their career.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required in all courses.
Course Requirements *
A minimum of 60% of courses must be from 500 level or above.
Plan of Study
Thesis Option (30 credit hours)
Core Area Courses (6 credit hours)
Mathematics Requirements (6 credit hours)
Additional Courses (12 credit hours) - Any BIOM, BMEG, CE, CHE, CHEM, CPE, CS, EE, IENG, MAE, MATH, MINE, PNGE, PHYS, SENG, EXPH 583, or STAT courses 400-795, as approved by the student’s AEC
MAE 697
Research (6 credit hours)
Final Oral or Written Examination
Thesis
Problem Report Option (30 credit hours)
Core Area Courses (6 credit hours)
Mathematics Requirements (6 credit hours)
Additional Courses (15 credit hours) - Any BIOM, BMEG, CE, CHE, CHEM, CPE, CS, EE, IENG, MAE, MATH, MINE, PNGE, PHYS, SENG, EXPH 583, or STAT courses 400-795, as approved by the student’s AEC
MAE 672
Project Report (3 credit hours)
Final Oral or Written Examination
Formal Written Report or Professional Report/Paper
Coursework Option (30 credit hours)
Core Area Courses (15 credit hours)
Mathematics Requirements (6 credit hours)
Additional Courses (6 credit hours) - Any BIOM, BMEG, CE, CHE, CHEM, CPE, CS, EE, IENG, MAE, MATH, MINE, PNGE, PHYS, SENG, EXPH 583, or STAT courses 400-795, as approved by the student’s AEC
MAE 671
Graduate Capstone Project (3 credit hours)
Final Oral or Written Examination
Total Hours30

Mathematics Requirements for All Options (6 Credit Hours)

Course List
Code Title Hours
Select two of the following (at least one course with MATH prefix):
MATH 420
Numerical Analysis 1
MATH 441
Applied Linear Algebra
MATH 456
Complex Variables
MATH 521
Numerical Analysis
MATH 522
Numerical Solution of PDE
MATH 541
Modern Algebra 1
MATH 543
Linear Algebra
MATH 545
Number Theory 1
MATH 551
Real Variables 1
MATH 555
Complex Variables 1
MATH 560
Introduction to Dynamical Systems and Applications
MATH 563
Mathematical Modeling
MATH 564
Intermediate Differential Equations
MATH 566
Intermediate Partial Differential Equations
MATH 567
Advanced Calculus 1
MATH 568
Advanced Calculus
MATH 573
Graph Theory
STAT 513
Design of Experiments
STAT 545
Applied Regression Analysis
STAT 561
Theory of Probability and Statistics 1
STAT 562
Theory of Probability and Statistics 2
MAE 515
Analytical Methods in Engineering
MAE 623
Conduction Heat Transfer
MAE 633
Computational Fluid Dynamics
MAE 640
Continuum Mechanics
MAE 645
Energy Methods in Applied Mechanics
CHE 531
Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering
EE 463
Digital Signal Processing Fundamentals
EE 465
Introduction to Digital Image Processing
EE 515
Linear Control Systems
EE 517
Optimal Control
IENG 518
Technology Forecasting
IENG 553
Applied Linear Programming
PHYS 461
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 611
Introduction to Mathematical Physics

Core Area Courses for Thesis or Problem Report Options (6 Credit Hours)

Course List
Code Title Hours
Select two courses in a single core technical area from the following:
Area A: Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics (FMA)
MAE 532
Dynamics of Viscous Fluids
MAE 624
Convection Heat Transfer
or MAE 636
Fundamentals of Turbulent Flow
Area B: Thermal Sciences and Systems (TSS)
MAE 521
Advanced Thermodynamics 1
MAE 532
Dynamics of Viscous Fluids
MAE 624
Convection Heat Transfer
Area C: Dynamics and Controls (D&C)
MAE 642
Intermediate Dynamics
or MAE 653
Advanced Vibrations
MAE 660
Feedback Control in Mechanical Engineering
Area D: Solid Mechanics and Design (SMD)
MAE 543
Advanced Mechanics of Materials
or MAE 642
Intermediate Dynamics
MAE 640
Continuum Mechanics
or MAE 653
Advanced Vibrations
Area E: Materials Science (MS)
MAE 580
Crystallography and Crystals
MAE 583
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials
MAE 649
Microscopy of Materials

Core Area Courses for Coursework Option (15 Credit Hours) 

Course List
Code Title Hours
Select from the following:
MAE 521
Advanced Thermodynamics 1
MAE 532
Dynamics of Viscous Fluids
MAE 543
Advanced Mechanics of Materials
MAE 580
Crystallography and Crystals
MAE 653
Advanced Vibrations
MAE 660
Feedback Control in Mechanical Engineering
*

Students who do not hold a baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering will be required to take a set of undergraduate mechanical engineering courses above and beyond the minimum coursework requirements in order to overcome deficiencies in the mechanical engineering area.

Final Examination

M.S. students following the thesis or problem report option must prepare a written research proposal. The proposal must be approved by the student's AEC at least one semester prior to the final oral examination.

All students, regardless of option, are required to pass a final oral or written examination, administered by their AEC, covering the thesis or problem report and/or related course material.

The student's request for the comprehensive exam for students in the Coursework Only degree option must be filed at least four weeks in advance of the desired date of the exam. The comprehensive exam for students in the Coursework Only degree option must be passed at least 3 weeks before graduation.

Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Degree Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify for a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree:

  • Complete a minimum of 126 credit hours
  • Satisfy WVU's undergraduate degree requirements
  • Satisfy Statler College's undergraduate degree requirements
  • Complete all courses listed in the curriculum requirements with the required minimum grades
  • Attain an overall grade point average of 2.00 or better
  • Attain a WVU grade point average of 2.00 or better
  • Attain a Statler grade point average of 2.00 or better
  • A maximum of one math or science courses with a grade of D+, D, or D- may apply towards a Statler College degree
  • Complete a survey regarding their academic and professional experiences at WVU, as well as post-graduation job placement or continuing education plans.

The Statler GPA is computed based on all work taken at WVU with a subject code within Statler College (BIOM, BMEG, CE, CHE, CPE, CS, CSEE, CYBE, EE, ENGR, ENVE, ETEC, IENG, IH&S, MAE, MINE, PDA, PNGE, SAFM, SENG) excluding ENGR 140, ENGR 150, and CS 101. The WVU GPA is computed based on all work taken at WVU. The Overall GPA is computed based on all work taken at WVU and transfer work.

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify for a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree:

  • Complete a minimum of 21 credit hours
  • Satisfy WVU's graduate degree requirements
  • Satisfy Statler College's graduate degree requirements
  • Complete all courses listed in the curriculum requirements with the required minimum grades
  • Attain an grade point average of 3.0 or better
  • Minimum of 60% of courses must be from 500 level or above
  • Students admitted to this program must have their bachelor's and master's degree conferred simultaneously upon completion of all requirements for both degrees. 

Curriculum Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
University Requirements16
Fundamentals of Engineering Requirements5
Math and Science Requirements28
Mechanical Engineering BS Program Requirements77
Mechanical Engineering MS Program Requirements21
Total Hours147

University Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits)
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 5, 6, 715
ENGR 191First-Year Seminar1
Total Hours16

Fundamentals of Engineering Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Fundamentals of Engineering courses.
ENGR 101Engineering Problem Solving 12
Engineering Problem Solving (Select one of the following):3
CHE 102
Introduction to Chemical Engineering
ENGR 102
Engineering Problem Solving 2
ENGR 103
Introduction to Nanotechnology Design
MAE 102
Introduction to Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Design
Total Hours5

Math and Science Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Math and Science courses.
CHEM 115
& 115L
Fundamentals of Chemistry 1
and Fundamentals of Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GEF 2B)
4
Calculus I (GEF 3):4
MATH 155
Calculus 1
MATH 153
& MATH 154
Calculus 1a with Precalculus
and Calculus 1b with Precalculus
MATH 156Calculus 2 (GEF 8)4
MATH 251Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 261Elementary Differential Equations4
PHYS 111
& 111L
General Physics 1
and General Physics 1 Laboratory (GEF 8)
4
PHYS 112
& 112L
General Physics 2
and General Physics 2 Laboratory (GEF 8)
4
Total Hours28

Mechanical Engineering BS Program Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics (GEF 4)3
EE 221Introduction to Electrical Engineering3
EE 221LIntroduction to Electrical Engineering Laboratory1
IENG 302Manufacturing Processes2
MAE 202Sophomore Seminar1
MAE 211
& 211L
Mechatronics
and Mechatronics Laboratory
3
MAE 212LIntroduction to Computer Aided Design1
MAE 216LIntermediate Engineering Computation1
MAE 241Statics3
MAE 242Dynamics3
MAE 243Mechanics of Materials3
MAE 253Fundamentals of Materials Engineering2
MAE 316Analysis-Engineering Systems3
MAE 320Thermodynamics3
MAE 331Fluid Mechanics3
MAE 342Dynamics of Machines3
MAE 353Intermediate Mechanics of Materials3
MAE 423Heat Transfer3
MAE 456
& 456L
Computer-Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis
and Computer-Aided Design and Finite Element Analysis Laboratory
3
MAE 471SPrinciples of Engineering Design3
MAE 472SEngineering Systems Design3
Technical Electives * +9
Area of Emphasis15
Energy Systems
Dynamics and Controls
Materials Science
Robotics
Total Hours77

Mechanical Engineering MS Program Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Plan of Study
Core Area Courses ++6
MAE 697Research6
Mathematics Requirement ++3
Additional Courses - Any BIOM, BMEG, CE, CHE, CHEM, CPE, CS, EE, IENG, MAE, MATH, MINE, PNGE, PHYS, SENG, EXPH 583, or STAT courses 500-795, as approved by the student’s AEC6
Total Hours21

Suggested Plan of Study

It is important for students to take courses in the order specified as much as possible; all prerequisites and concurrent requirements must be observed. A typical ABM B.S.M.E. & M.S.M.E. degree program completes degree requirements in five year is as follows.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CHEM 115
& 115L (GEF 2B)
4ENGR 1023
ENGL 101 (GEF 1)3MATH 156 (GEF 8)4
ENGR 1012PHYS 111
& 111L (GEF 8)
4
ENGR 1911GEF 63
MATH 155 (GEF 3)4GEF 73
GEF 53 
 17 17
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MAE 2021MAE 2423
MAE 211
& 211L
3MAE 2433
MAE 212L1MAE 2532
MAE 216L1MATH 2614
MAE 2413ENGL 1023
MATH 2514AOE Course1
PHYS 112
& 112L (GEF 8)
4 
 17 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
EE 2213ECON 2013
EE 221L1IENG 3022
MAE 3163MAE 3423
MAE 3203AOE Course5
MAE 3313 
MAE 3533 
 16 13
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
MAE 456
& 456L
3MAE 4233
MAE 471S3MAE 472S3
Technical Electives*3Technical Electives*6
AOE Course3AOE Course3
AOE Course3 
 15 15
Fifth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Core Area Course3MAE 6973
MAE 6973Core Area Course3
Mathematics Requirement Course3Additional Courses6
 9 12
Total credit hours: 147
*

Indicates that this course will be shared with the MS requirements.

+

See BSME degree for list of technical Electives

++

See MSME for list of core area and mathematics requirement courses

Major Learning Outcomes

Mechanical Engineering

The MAE Department is committed to deliver high quality education and research experience to all graduate students in order to enable them to achieve success in their careers, though the following Learning Goals:

  • Expertise, depth and breadth in a chosen field of mechanical engineering.
  • Capacity to engage in original research, advanced technological discovery and innovation to advance the frontiers of knowledge in the science of the mechanical engineering discipline.
  • Capacity of effective high level communication to document, disseminate and transfer knowledge of the science of the mechanical engineering discipline in educational, research or applied workplace settings.
  • Appreciation and understanding of the role of the science of mechanical engineering discipline in a global and societal context.
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering, M.S.M.E.
    • Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.
  • Materials Science and Engineering

WVU Morgantown

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