Mechanical Engineering
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  • MS Mechanical Engineering

Contact the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Email:
megraduate​@nau.edu
Call:
928-523-5251
Get application information

Information for current students

Information for prospective graduate students



Mechanical Engineering, Master of Science

This program assists students who wish to further their engineering education and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle challenging contemporary engineering problems. The plan of study features courses, on classical and contemporary topics, that prepare students on how to use traditional and modern engineering analysis, characterization and design tools to generate efficient and economic engineering solutions for dynamically evolving societal environments.

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  • Requirements Tab Open

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Requirements Accordion Open

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. (Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.)

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
    Read the full policy.

     

Overview Accordion Closed

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.
Minimum Units for Completion30
Additional Admission RequirementsAdmission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/InternshipOptional
ThesisThesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Oral DefenseOral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
ResearchIndividualized research is required.
Progression Plan LinkView Program of Study
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate PlanOptional

Purpose Statement

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering aims to educate mechanical engineers in advanced topic related to fluid mechanics, heat transfer, advanced materials, dynamics and controls, and applied mathematics. Through coursework and research, students are exposed to modern theories and techniques required to tackle modeling, analysis, and characterization of advanced mechanical systems. Upon completion of the program, students acquire knowledge and skills that provide them with a high level of versatility toward practicing successfully in the contemporary mechanical engineering environment, advancing their existent careers, or pursuing further studies in a doctoral program. Many mechanical engineers with advanced degrees are at the forefront of technological advances, researching, designing, creating, and testing nearly everything. Students’ exposure to the diverse topics covered in the coursework and research enhance their competitiveness in the local, regional, and global job markets. Our graduates can practice in many industries, including automotive, robotics, bioengineering, wind energy, solar energy, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Solve, analyze, evaluate, and interpret results of complex mechanical engineering problems.
  • Analyze and critically evaluate information from the scientific literature on mechanical engineering.
  • Conduct mechanical engineering research, apply mechanical engineering concepts and tools to research problems, and interpret results of mechanical engineering research.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively mechanical engineering theories and methodologies and the results of a research study.

Details Accordion Closed

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
    • NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
    • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
    • Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
    • Transcripts.
    • For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy.
    • International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.


    Individual program admission requirements include:

    • GRE® revised General Test
    • BS degree in Engineering or completion of prerequisite courses (see department website for details)
    • 3 letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements
  • This Master’s degree requires 30 units distributed as follows:

    • Graduate-level mathematics or statistics: (3 units)
    • Engineering Computational Techniques: (3 units)
    • Engineering coursework: (12 units)
    • Research: (6 units)
    • Graduate Seminar: (2 units)
    • Electives: (4 units)

    Take the following 30 units:
  • Graduate-level Mathematics or Statistics (3 units)
    • Coursework in applied mathematics in a relevant topic such as linear algebra, partial differential equations, or applied mathematics modeling (3 units)
  • Engineering Computational Techniques (3 units)
    • Select a course such as ME 525, ME 554, or ME 599 - Advanced FEM and CFD, in consultation with your advisor.
  • Engineering Corusework (12 units)
    • Select from the following: (6-12 units)
      • ME 520, ME 523, ME 525, ME 530, ME 535, ME 554, ME 556, ME 560, ME 561, ME 563, ME 573, ME 575, ME 580, ME 599
      • ME 697 (for a maximum of 3 units)
    • Select from the following: (0-6 units)
      • APMS 619, APMS 624
      • CENE 502, CENE 513
      • EE 501, EE 502, EE 504, EE 505
      • INF 504
      • Additional engineering coursework in consultation with your advisor.
  • Research (6 units)
    • ME 699 (6 units) OR
    • Additional Coursework that includes research projects. Select from the following: (6 units)
      • ME 525, ME 535, ME 563, ME 573, ME 575, ME 580, ME 685
      • ME 599 - Advanced FEM and CFD
      • ME 599 - Cardiovascular Fluid Mechanics
  • Graduate Seminar (2 units)
    • ME 698
  • Additional electives in consultation with your advisor. (4 units)
  • Notes
    • A maximum of two courses, up to 6 units, may be at the 400-level.
    • Students selecting the thesis option are required to complete 18 unit of formal letter-graded coursework. No 400-level coursework may apply toward this requirement.
    • Students selecting the coursework option mus complete 24 units of formal letter-graded coursework.
    • A maximum of 6 credits can be taken online for this degree.
  • Since the Mechanical Engineering MS program emphasizes interdisciplinary topics, students may wish to take courses outside of their primary emphasis area. Some courses may require prior completion of prerequisite courses.

    If you choose to complete a thesis:

    • You are responsible for finding the chair and members of your advisory committee before completing 9 units of coursework.
    • You must submit a plan of study that lists all coursework intended to satisfy the MS degree requirements by the first month of the semester in which you take your 10th credit. The elective and math/statistics courses are selected in consultation with and acceptable to the student's graduate committee and its chair.
Additional Information
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

  • Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a Master's degree, while simultaneously completing their Bachelor's degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable to both degrees.

  • PROGRAM FEE INFORMATION
  • Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $450 per semester has been approved for this program.

Availability Accordion Closed

  • Flagstaff

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Timothy A. Becker
Professor of Practice
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Tim.Becker@nau.edu
+1 928 523-1468
Engineering , room 203
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Constantin Ciocanel
Chair, Mechanical Engineering; Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Constantin.Ciocanel@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2439
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Zhongwang Dou
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Zhongwang.Dou@nau.edu
+1 928 523-0468
Engineering , room 216
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Heidi Paula Feigenbaum
Associate Chair for Graduate Programs, Mechanical Engineering; Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Heidi.Feigenbaum@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5326
Engineering , room 201
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Zachary Forest Lerner
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Zachary.Lerner@nau.edu
+1 928 523-1787
Engineering , room 236
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Carson Marty Pete
Assistant Teaching Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Carson.Pete@nau.edu
+1 928 523-4970
Engineering , room 204
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Peter Vadasz
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Peter.Vadasz@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5843
Engineering , room 260
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Jennifer Lynn Wade
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Jennifer.Wade@nau.edu
+1 928 523-1528
Engineering , room 205
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David Michael Willy
Associate Chair for Undergraduate Programs, Mechanical Engineering; Associate Teaching Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
David.Willy@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5322
Engineering , room 221

Application requirements Accordion Closed

Applications are due by February 1st for Fall admission and September 15th for Spring admissions.
  • Statement of purpose - This should be a short letter addressed to the Admissions Committee. It should state your reason for pursuing the intended degree, what relevant experience you already have, and what experience you hope to gain by completing the degree.
  • Curriculum Vitae - This is an extended version of your resume. It should provide more information on your studies and experiences, and support your statement of purpose.
  • Three letters of recommendation - These should come from individuals who could provide insight on your readiness and ability to successfully complete your graduate studies (e.g. faculty members, technical supervisors, or other individuals from the field in which you wish to pursue the degree). Within the online application you will be required to input the email addresses of your references and the system will automatically send the letter of recommendation request to each of them.
  • Test scores-  
    • International applicants from non-English speaking countries (or who didn't complete prior degrees with English as language of instruction) must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. The minimum scores accepted for TOEFL and IELTS are 80 and 6.5, respectively. Applicants with lower scores may be considered for the Program in Intensive English.
    • Official GRE scores are not required.  If you have completed the GRE in the past 5 years, we encourage you to report your scores. Scores can be sent to Northern Arizona University, institution code 4006 without a department code. Please be aware, scores sent to other institution codes or with additional department codes cannot be retrieved and must be re-submitted.
  • Transcript(s) - Your transcripts must be included in your application. GPA over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is expected. Official transcripts are not required until admissions. If your undergraduate degree will not post until after your application is submitted, please send an email at egrmasters@nau.edu to let us know when you will send the official transcript with your degree posted.
If your undergraduate degree is not in the same area of study as the program that you wish to apply for, you will need to complete a number of prerequisite courses before being fully admitted into the program.

Financial assistance Accordion Closed

  • Graduate Assistantships - Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships are available on a competitive basis and availability varies based on the needs of the program. Students interested in assistantships should indicate as much in their application. All graduate assistants receive health insurance, tuition remission, and a stipend. Full-time graduate assistants, working 20 hours a week, receive 100% tuition remission, while part-time graduate assistants, working 10 hours a week, receive 50% tuition remission. Stipend amounts vary by number of hours worked and type of assistantship.
  • Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) - The NAU ME MS is part of the WRGP program, so qualified out-of-state students from the western US may be eligible for in-state-tuition.
  • Financial Aid - Students may be eligible for additional financial aid and scholarships. See the Graduate College's webpage on financing your education for more information.

Documents and forms Accordion Closed

  • Program of Study (by catalog year)
    • Mechanical Engineering MS Program of Study (current)
  • Advisory Committee
  • MS Thesis Proposal
  • Oral Defense Forms
  • MS Learning Objective Evaluation
For Graduate Assistants
  • ME GA/TA Agreement of Duties Form
  • GA Review Form - PDF
  • GA Review E-Form - Link

Customize Your Degree Accordion Closed

You can make yourself more competitive for jobs in particular industries by selecting classes that meet the needs of those industries.  Below are some possible specializations and the associated classes that we offer:
  • Aerospace Engineering:
    • ME 554 - Finite Element Analysis; ME 455 - Vibrations; ME 560 - Advanced Solid Mechanics; ME 599 - Advanced Engineering Analysis; ME 575 - Adaptive Materials and Systems; ME 520 - Advanced Fluid Mechanics; ME 523 - Flight Dynamics; ME 442 - Aerodynamics; ME 525 - Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics; ME 580 - Mechanics of Composite Materials
  • Automotive Engineering:
    • ME 554 - Finite Element Analysis; ME 455 - Vibrations; ME 575 - Adaptive Materials and Systems; ME 465 - Machine Design II; ME 542 - Advanced Robotics; EE 505 - Advanced Electric Vehicles; EE 558 - Advanced Automatic Controls
  • Bioengineering:
    • ME 599 - Continuum Mechanics; ME 542 - Advanced Robotics; ME 554 - Finite Element Analysis; ME 563 - Biomechanical Engineering; ME 573 - Biomaterials
  • Energy Systems:
    • ME 535 - Wind Energy Engineering; ME 530 - Advanced Thermal Analysis; ME 599 - Energy Systems Analysis; ME 525 - Applied Computational Fluid Dynamics; ME 520 - Advanced Fluid Mechanics; EE 502 - Advanced Power Conversion; EE 501 - Advanced Power Systems
Please note that you do not need to take all the classes associated with a specialization to be more competitive for employment in that industry.
 
Mechanical Engineering
Location
Building Building 69
Engineering
15600 S. McConnell Dr. NAU bldg. 69
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5600
Mailing Address
Northern Arizona University PO Box: 15600
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5600
Email
CEIAS@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-2704