Mechanical Engineering

Graduate Programs

Description

The engineering programs offer a Master of Science in Engineering (MS) degree with specializations in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. The MSE for Mechanical Engineering carries forward the philosophy of our undergraduate program and is devoted to producing application oriented mechanical engineers. Our program is built to provide students with experiences and opportunities for growth.

The Mechanical Engineering program is designed to serve the following constituencies:

  • New engineering graduates who want to increase their depth of knowledge before entry into the engineering workforce.
  • Engineers in business and industry who want to continue their formal engineering education at the postgraduate level.
  • Engineering graduates interested in research or pursuing a future doctorate.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering and who also plan on completing the MSE degree at MSU may apply for the Combined Degree Program. This option allows students to take classes that will count toward their MSE prior to completing the BS. Students may register for up to 12 credits in approved courses that will count toward both the BS and MS degrees.

Majors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Electrical Engineering MS MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
 32
Engineering MS MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
  • Edina
 32
Engineering MS Electrical Engineering MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
  • Edina
 32
Engineering MS Mechanical Engineering MS - Master of Science
  • Mankato
  • Edina
 32
Mechanical Engineering MS MS - Master of Science 32

Certificates

 Program Locations Total Credits
Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology GC
  • Mankato
  • Edina
 9

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Applicants to the mechanical engineering program must meet the general admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies. A BS in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 is required.

Applicants from a non-ABET accredited program are also required to submit GRE scores with a minimum quantitative score of 155/170.

Fundamentals of Engineering Examination Requirement. The Mechanical Engineering program is dedicated to producing highly qualified engineers and places great value on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination. Therefore, all graduate students are required to have passed the mechanical engineering Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, or a department prepared equivalent examination, prior to graduation. This examination will be included as part of the Comprehensive Examination process for students who have not already passed the FE during their undergraduate program. 

Contact Information

205 Trafton Science Complex E

main office (507) 389-6383
http://cset.mnsu.edu/met/programs/grad/

Faculty

Graduate Coordinator
  • Patrick Tebbe, P.E.
Faculty

500 Level

Credits: 3

The application of the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer to the design and analysis of selected energy systems of current interest, such as nuclear, solar, geothermal, and also conventional systems. Lecture and design projects.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The application of mechanics to the design and analysis of motion and force transmitting systems. Optimal design.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Theoretical background and practical use of both solid modeling techniques and finite element analysis are provided. The course covers the major features and feature manipulation techniques. It also provides a background in deriving, understanding and applying the stiffness matrices and finite element equations for various types of finite elements and systems. Static stress analyses, sensitivity studies and optimization studies are covered. It includes additional cases beyond ME 420. Includes significant design component.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduce anisotropic mechanics theories, engineering application of various composite materials, mechanical behaviors and fabrication of composites, experimental and theoretical approach for composite designs, contemporary issues such as nano/microcomposites. Prereq: ME 223

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to the theory of aerosols and particulate systems. Properties, behavior, and physical principles of aerosols; including particle size statistics, Brownian motion and diffusion, and coagulation. Application in areas such an environmental systems, respiratory deposition, bioterrorism, and materials processing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Methods of energy conversion. Topics may include hydroelectric, geothermal, wind and solar power generation, as well as unconventional methods of energy conversion. Term design problems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Selected studies in the properties and design on concrete mixtures, cement chemistry, concrete durability, specialty concretes, conrete construction, admixtures, and quality control.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course introduces the concepts and roles of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) in product specification and standardization, design rules/principles for typical manufacturing and assembly (including manufacturing processes analysis and approach towards robust design and manual and automatic/robotic assembly) processes, methods of material, shape and process selections, design for quality and reliability, design for manual/automatic (robotic) assembly, case studies on design for manufacturing and assembly with/without the aid of software.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Refrigeration cycles and equipment, refrigeration properties, heating and cooling loads, psychometric analysis of air conditioning. Distribution of air conditioning medium and air quality as applied to design.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course introduces the numerical methods used for solving partial differential and integral equations of the type commonly occurring in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. The course provides a background in geometry and mesh generation, solution processes, and post-processing. Error control and numerical stability will be discussed. Numerical solutions for selected problems in fluid mechanics and heat transfer will be derived. Students will learn to use a commercial CFD software package. Includes significant design component.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Energy method and residual approaches, 2D and 3D problems, in stress anaylsis, application to steady and transient heat flow, hydrodynamics, creeping flow, solution methods.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Overview of accounting and finance and their interactions with engineering. Lectures include the development and analysis of financial statements, time value of money, decision making tools, cost of capital, depreciation, project analysis and payback, replacement analysis, and other engineering decision making tools.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Analysis of open channel flow systems. Includes natural channels, designed channels, flow transitions, steady flow, unsteady flow, uniform flow, and non-uniform flow.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Fundamentals of RF, microwave, and optical communication systems. Advances information theory. Digital modulation techniques. Phase-lock loop receivers and frequency synthesizers. Characterization of digital transmission systems. Equalization. Synchronization. Coding. Data compression. Nonlinear system analysis. Amplitude and phase distortion. AM-PM conversation. Intermodulation and cross-modulation. Advanced spread spectrum systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Analysis and design of water regulation structures. Includes dams, spillways, gates, dikes, levees, stilling basins, water distribution systems, and various simplier structures. Environmental impacts of hydraulic structures are discussed throughout the course.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Application of fluid mechanics and hyrology to the design of storm water management facilities.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Performance and design of rigid, flexible, and composite pavement structures with emphasis on modern pavement design procedures. Principles of pavement maintenance and rehabilitation, and pavement management systems. Materials characterization, tests, quality control, and life cycle cost analysis.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A study of finite-state machine design, hardware description language, processor datapath design, principles of instruction execution, processor control design, instruction pipelining, cache memory, memory management, and memory system design.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Analysis of control systems using the methods of Evans, Nyquist, and Bode. Improvement of system performance by feedback compensation. Introduction to digital control.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, electronics, controls and programming in the design of mechatronic systems. Sensors, actuators and microcontrollers. Survey of the contemporary use of embedded microcontrollers in mechanical systems, case studies.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Design and construction of traditional embankments, including slope stability analysis; earth and rockfill dams, including introduction to seepage analysis; excavations, earth retaining structures, and other geotechnical structures. Geotechnical software application in analysis and design.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The features, data rate, frequency range, and operation of several wireless networking protocols such as Wi-Fi, Low Energy Bluetooth, Near Field Communication, Radio frequency Identifier (RFID), Threads, and ZigBee that can be used to implement Internet of Things (IoT) are introduced. The electrical, functional, and procedural specifications of Wi-Fi are then examined in detail. The programming and data transfer using the hardware Wi-Fi kit are carried out to demonstrate the versatility of this protocol.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduces the classification and design process of highways; development and use of design controls, criteria and highway design elements design of vertical and horizontal alignment, and establishment of sight distances design of cross-sections, intersections, and interchanges.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Develops design and analysis techniques for continuous and discrete time control systems, including pole placement, state estimation, and optimal control.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Develops design and analysis techniques for discrete signals and systems via Z-transforms, implementation of FIR and IIR filters. The various concepts will be introduced by the use of general and special purpose hardware and software for digital signal processing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Power generation, transmission and consumption concepts, electrical grid modeling, transmission line modeling, electric network power flow and stability, fault tolerance and fault recovery, economic dispatch, synchronous machines, renewable energy sources and grid interfacing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Principles, design and analysis of electrical power conversion and control systems, including the use of software tools for modeling, simulation and analysis of power electronic systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to theory and techniques of integrated circuit fabrication processes, oxidation, photolithography, etching, diffusion of impurities, ion implantation, epitaxy, metallization, material characterization techniques, and VLSI process integration, their design, and simulation by SUPREM.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Development and design of airport facilities and the integration of multiple disciplines including runway orientation and capacity, terminal facilities, forecasting, planning, noise, airspace utilization, parking, lighting, and construction.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Principles of electromagnetic radiation, antenna parameters, dipoles, antenna arrays, long wire antennas, Microwave antennas, Mechanisms of radiowave propagation, scattering by rain, sea water propagation, guided wave propagation, periodic structures, transmission lines, Microwave millimeter wave amplifiers and oscillators, MIC & MMIC technology.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Magnetic and superconducting properties of materials, microscopic theory of superconductivity, and tunneling phenomenon. Josephson and SQUID devices, survey of computer memories, memory cell and shift register, A/D converters, and microwave amplifiers. Integrated circuit technology and high temperature superconductors.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Introduction to integrated circuit fabrication processes, device layout, mask design, and experiments related to wafer cleaning, etching, thermal oxidation, thermal diffusion, photolithography, and metallization. Fabrication of basic integrated circuit elements including PN junction, resistors, MOS capacitors, BJT and MOSFET in integrated form. Use of analytic tools for in-process characterization and simulation of the fabrication process by SUPREM.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Overview of municipal water and wastewater treatment and distribution practices. Application of chemical, biological and physical principles to design and operation of water and wastewater treatment and distribution systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Laboratory to accompany EE 584 VLSI design. Individual IC design projects will be assigned using IC layout tools and simulation software. Culminates in a group project fabrication under MOSIS.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course covers cutting-edge areas of the study in smart grid and power systems. This course will cover fundamentals of power flow calculation, wind power and its integration, solar power and its integration, distributed generation sources, energy storage devices and electric vehicles. The basic ideas of the integration of microgrid with distribution networks, the demand response and demand side management, and electricity market will be introduced. Moderate work of programming in professional power systems software tools, PowerWorld and PSCAD will be required.

Prerequisites: EE 333

Credits: 3

This course will be taught as a web-based, mixed synchronous-asynchronous format course with a combination of lecture, individual and group projects, reading, homework, discussion, review, and examinations. The goal of the course is to develop competency in the design and construction of solid waste landfills, composting facilities and hazardous remediation, with understanding of both performance and cost implications to all choices.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

VLSI technology. MOS and Bipolar transistor theory, SPICE models. Transistor structure and IC fabrication processes; layout design rules. Custom CMOS/BICMOS logic design and layout topologies; cell layout/chip partitioning/clocking. Bipolar/MOS analog circuit design and layout. Group design project. Library research study.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course focuses on CMOS Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) systems. The student will gain an understanding of issues and tools related to ASIC design and implementation. The coverage will include ASIC physical design flow, including logic synthesis, timing, floor-planning, placement, clock tree synthesis, routing and verification. An emphasis will be placed on low power optimization. The focus in this course will be Register-transfer level (RTL) abstraction using industry-standard VHDL/Verilog tools.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course introduces students the recent advances in real-time embedded systems design. Topics cover real-time scheduling approaches such as clock-driven scheduling and static and dynamic priority driven scheduling, resource handling, timing analysis, inter-task communication and synchronization, real-time operating systems (RTOS), hard and soft real-time systems, distributed real-time systems, concepts and software tools involved in the modeling, design, analysis and verification of real-time systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Individual studies of problems of special interest. Open only to advanced students.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Individual studies of problems of special interest. Open only to advanced students.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

This class will provide students pursuing a certificate in Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology with an opportunity to explore a set of topics related to achieving success either in advance of or following an international experience (internship, study abroad, etc.). Speakers will include faculty, graduate students, visiting researchers and industry members as well as student participants. Returning students will be required to participate in mentoring of students preparing for their international experience and provide written and/or oral presentations of various topics during the semester. This course is to be required either before or after participation in the international experience.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

This class will provide students pursuing a certificate in Global Solutions in Engineering and Technology with an opportunity to explore a set of topics related to achieving success either in advance of or following an international experience (internship, study abroad, etc.). Speakers will include faculty, graduate students, visiting researchers and industry members as well as student participants. Returning students will be required to participate in mentoring of students preparing for their international experience and provide written and/or oral presentations of various topics during the semester. This course is to be required either before or after participation in the international experience.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

.

Prerequisites: none

600 Level

Credits: 3

Application of EE computer modeling and simulation tools. Design of experiments, Taguchi methods, automated data acquisition, and analysis methods.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

This course will address both qualitative and quantitative research methods in mechanical engineering. The methodology and design of a research study will be covered. Standards for formatting journal papers, thesis documents, and presentations will be discussed. Papers and presentations will be given by students in the course and faculty. This course is intended for students at the start of their graduate program and may be repeated near completion when they are working on their final thesis.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course covers the analysis of continuous and discrete multivariate systems, linear models of stochastic and non-stochastic systems, and analog and digital sampled data systems. Issues examined include controllability, stability, observability, tensor properties, signal spectra, state equations, optimization, and computer simulation. A variety of case studies of advanced systems also examined.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Numerical methods for solving linear systems of equations, solution of non-linear equations, data interpolation, numerical differentiation, numerical integration, numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential equations.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Investigation, review, and application of emerging computer aided tools for engineering. Advanced FEA; optimization.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course covers the analysis of non-linear continuous and discrete systems and devices. Topics covered include non-linear circuit analysis, non-linear stochastic and non-stochastic system models, limit cycles, oscillators, stability, non-linear wave functions. Computer simulation will be utilized in conjunction with selected case studies in advanced non-linear systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Numerical methods (finite difference, finite volume, finite element) used for solving partial differential and integral equations of the type commonly occuring in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Numerical solutions for selected problems in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Use of CFD software.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course helps the students develop an ability to define optimal design methodologies that will best implement the design intent and generate efficient designs. Various problems involving the use of modern, high-end industry standard software systems will be solved.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Prepares student to engage in analysis and design of modern propulsion systems. It is centered on the fundamentals of jet propulsion. Topics include: Thermodynamic cycle of the jet engine, Gas generator, Inlet, Compressor, Combustion Chamber, Gas Turbine, Nozzle, Afterburning Engines, Losses and performance estimation. Principles of construction, types of systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course deals with the principles and theory of flying of heavier-than-air machines. Topics include: Properties of the atmosphere, basic lift theory, aerodynamics of the airplane, moments acting on the airplane, fudamental principles of aircraft stability and control, introduction to performance estimation (takeoff, landing, climb, cruise, maneuverability). Introduction to supersonice flight.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Study of major paradigms used in the evaluation and execution of algorithms. Algorithm analysis will include complexity measure, hardware requirements, organization and storage system requirement.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

A treatment of computer architecture covering new technological developments, including details of multiprocessor systems. Special emphasis will be devoted to new concepts. Architectures of FPGAs and CPLDs will be explored and Hardware Description Languages such as VHDL and VERILOG will be used in project assignments.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Mechanics, materials analysis, fabrication, characterization, performance of Reinforce Polymers.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Computer architecture for parallel processors designed for high computation rates. Primary emphasis is on image processing, pattern recognition, etc. Performance of various systems with regard to interconnect network, fault tolerance, and programming.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course covers the programming model of a contemporary microprocessor/microcontroller. The course encompasses the interfacing and application of parallel and serial I/O devices using the parallel and serial ports such as SPI, I2C, and CAN. Industrial standard interface such as USB and Ethernet would be discussed. Development tools would be reviewed and used in projects. Multi-tasking and real-time kernal would be presented and projects would be assigned. Memory technologies and expansion issues would be reviewed and taught.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Programmable logic design, simulation, synthesis, verification, and implementation using a Hardware Description Language (HDL), industry standard tools, and prototyping hardware. Mixed-level modeling including gate-level, dataflow and behavioral levels. HDL language constructs and design techniques. Logic timing and circuit delay modeling. Programming Language Interface (PLI). Advanced verification techniques.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Study the ZigBee and IEEE 802.15.4 wireless specifications and develop embedded products with wireless communication capabilities for sensor intensive and control applications. An 8-bit or a 16-bit microcontroller will be used to implement the target hardware and software.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Wave equations, solutions, wave propagation and polarization, reflection and transmissions, rectangular wave guides and cavities, strip line and microstrip lines, and geometric theory of diffraction.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Active and passive microwave devices, microwave amplifiers and oscillators, mircowave filters, cavity resonators, microwave antennas, microwave receivers, microwave transmitters.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Coherent and incoherent radiation, optical resonators, laser oscillators and amplifiers, propagation in optical fibers, integrated optical dielectric wave guides, semiconductor lasers, wave propagation in anisotropic, and non linear media, detection and noise.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Review of elastic stress-strain relationships; application of fundamental concepts of static and dynamic strain measurements by electrical means; theory and use of resistance gages, strain gage circuits and recording instruments; rosette analysis. Introduction to phototelasticity.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Selected topics in the theory of probability and statistics. Spectral analysis. Rayleigh, Rician, Gaussian, and Poisson processes. Noise figure. Signal-to-noise ratio requirements for analog and digital communications, remote sensing, radar and sonar. Random signals in linear and nonlinear systems. Signal-to-noise enhancement techniques. Source encoding. Shannon's theorems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Digital communication system modulation techniques. A/D conversion. Additional noise sources from sampling and encoding. Error detection and correction. Speech encoding. Data compression. Data networks. Companding. Multiplexing. Packet switching. Performance of digital baseband. Digital Signal Processing. Digital system design trade-offs.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Principles of silicon integrated circuit fabrication processes and design limitations. Process modeling, crystal growth, oxidation, implantation, diffusion, deposition. Processing of bipolar and MOS devices and circuits. Photolithography and design rules. Introduction to GaAs technology. Use of SUPREME.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Design and layout of passive and active electronic devices in silicon integrated circuits, both digital and analog. CMOS and bipolar circuit design principles will be developed. Assembly techniques and process control measurements and testing for yield control will be introduced.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will introduce students to nanotechnology, and focus on the atomic conduction in material leading to the fundamentals of nanoscale transistors. Models for nanoscale devices, processes, and circuit considerations in the development of integrated circuits.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Mathematical modeling of living systems. Entropy and information. Thermodynamic constraints. Feedback and feedforward mechanisms in metabolic processes. Metabolic heat generation and loss. Energy flow in living systems. Atomic and molecular bonds in biological systems. Engineering analysis of the cardiovascular, renal, immune, endocrine and nervous systems; analysis of specific disease states.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Physiological transport phenomena (intercellular, intracellular and membrane transport), strength and properties of tissue, bioelectric phenomena, muscle contraction, cardiovascular and pulmonary mechanics, design of artificial organs, diagnostic tools, therapeutic techniques in the treatment of cancer, material compatibility problems in prosthetics, and ethical dilemmas in biomedicine.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Fundamentals of RF, microwave, millimeter wave, and optical communication systems. Link power budgets. Bandwidth constraints. Phase-locked loop receivers. Matched filters. Spread spectrum communication systems. Modulation formats. Comparison of active and passive sensing systems. Signal processing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Students will be introduced to Statistical Signal Processing. Weiner filters and Adaptive filters will be studied. Methods of steepest descent algorithm and the least squares algorithm. Applications of these filters using special purpose software for digital signal processing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Develops analysis and design techniques for multivariable feedback systems. Definitions of poles and zeros of multivariable systems are established. Study of design methods such as LQG, Youla parametrization and H optimal control.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Regular courses offered on demand by agreement with individual faculty members on an individual basis.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Concepts of decision theory, utility theory and multi-person games. Cooperative and non-cooperative games, Nash equilibrium, zero and non-zero sum games, applications to robotics, networks, telecommunications, etc. Matrix payoff and matrix reduction methods.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Presentation and discussion of student research progress as well as topics important to the professional engineering field. May include guest speakers, tours, and student presentations. May be retaken with change in topic.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Practical experience in the various activities of a practicing engineer. Admission to the ME program required. Can be repeated for a max of 3 credits of ME 687 and ME 697 combined.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

A course designed to upgrade the qualifications of persons on-the-job.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Alternate plan paper preparation.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

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Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-5

Thesis research.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Design project completion and design paper preparation.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Supervised lab or industry field work in an area related to the individual's field of study beyond the Bachelor's degree. Admission to the ME program required. Can be repeated for a max of 3 credits of ME 687 and ME 697 combined.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Varied topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering. May be repeated as topics change.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Thesis preparation.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

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Prerequisites: none