Graduate Programs

There are currently four areas of specialization for the MS in Mechanical Engineering degree:

• Specialization in Explosives Engineering
  • Focus on the advanced engineering application of explosive systems, from detonation and wave propogation to impact dynamics. This ME specialization often works with the Energetic Materials  Research Test Center (EMRTC) for real-world explosives understanding.
• Specialization in Fluid and Thermal Sciences
  • Focus on understanding the phenomena of matter as it pertains to thermal and fluid properties, especially as it relates to energy and mechanics.
• Specialization in Mechatronics Systems Engineering
  • Focus on the application of mechanical design, incorporating control systems, in the design and understanding of robots and intelligent systems.
• Specialization in Solid Mechanics
  • Focus on understanding the fundamental phenomena of material characterisitic behavior and their use un mechanical systems. Research here is conducted in understanding material behavior of advanced materials, such as composites, from a primarily macroscale view.

A minimum of 30 credit hours is required for the Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical Engineering or Master of Engineering (M.Eng) in Mechanical Engineering.

Core Specialization Courses: at least 12 credit hours from the selected specialization listed below:

Specialization in Explosives Engineering core classes:

• MENG 545, Introduction to Explosives Engineering;
• MENG 546, Detonation Theory;
• MENG 549, Wave Propagation;
• MENG 550, Advanced Explosives Engineering;
• MENG 556, Compressible Fluid Flow;
  
• MENG 513, Impact Dynamics;

Specialization in Fluid and Thermal Sciences core classes:

• MENG 556, Compressible Fluid Flow;
• MENG 575, Advanced Engineering Mathematics;
• MENG 577, Advanced Fluid Mechanics;
• MENG 578, Advanced Thermodynamics;
• MENG 579, Advanced Heat Transfer;
• MENG 580, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Reactive Flow.

Specialization in Mechatronics Systems and Robotics core classes:

• MENG 541, Vibrations in Elastic Continuum;
• MENG 544/EE 544, Modern Control Theory;
• MENG 548/EE 548, Manipulator Based Robotics;
• MENG 551, Optimal Control;
• MENG 572, Sensor Technology;
• MENG 575, Advanced Engineering Mathematics;
• MENG 576, Biomedical Mechatronics.

Specialization in Solid Mechanics core classes:

• MENG 504, Advanced Mechanics of Materials;
• MENG 515, Theory of Elasticity;
• MENG 516, Plates and Shells;
• MENG 517, Advanced Finite Element Method;
• MENG 520, Fracture Mechanics;
• MENG 524, Continuum Mechanics;
• MENG 541, Vibration in an Elastic Continuum;
• MENG 583, Engineering Mechanics of Composite Structures.

Elective Courses: 6 (MS) or 12 (M.Eng) credit hours of graduate-level MENG courses. The advisory committee may allow for a maximum of 3 credits of out‐of‐department graduate level coursework hours to apply to the elective course requirement.

Out‐of‐Department courses: 6 credit hours of approved upper‐division or graduate course work from another department.

(The advisory committee may determine that a student’s previous academic experience has provided breadth and may recommend modification of this requirement.)

MENG 591, Thesis (6 credit hours, MS only): A student must prepare and submit a thesis to his/her advisory committee for approval in accordance with the general requirements of the graduate school.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at New Mexico Tech will produce Masters degree graduates who are independent thinkers, taking ownership in identifying problems and determining effective solution strategies in a timely manner. Following working experience after graduation, they will:

• Be employed successfully in government laboratories, graduate schools, industry, or other areas of the profession.
• Have an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning such that they seek personal and professional growth.
• Have achieved a noteworthy level of workplace responsibility.

Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in the graduate specialization of their degree (explosives, mechatronics, fluid/thermal sciences, solid mechanics, or general mechanical engineering).
2. Demonstrate a high degree of proficiency with written communication
3. Demonstrate a high degree of proficiency with oral communication.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a distance education option for the Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Core Specialization Courses: 27 credit hours (9 credit hours from each core segment):

Energetics Core Segment:

• MENG 545 Introduction to Explosives Engineering,
• MENG 546 Detonation Theory,
• MENG 549 Wave Propagation,
• MENG 550 Advanced Explosives Engineering,
• MENG 552 Explosives Technology and Applications,
• MENG 589 Impact Dynamics,
• ME 548 Rock Fracturing and Fragmentation by Explosives,
• CHEM 540 The Chemistry of Energetic Materials.

Intelligent Systems Core Segment:

• MENG 544 Modern Control Theory,
• MENG 548 Manipulator based Robotics,
• MENG 567 Smart Engineering Systems,
• MENG 570 Advanced Mechatronics,
• MENG 572 Sensor Technology,
• MENG 574 Electrical Measurements of Non-Electrical Quantities,
• EE 551 Discrete-Time Signal Processing, Filtering, and Estimation,
• CSE 568 Intelligent Systems

Fundamental Science and Engineering Core Segment:

• MENG 515 Theory of Elasticity,
• MENG 575 Advanced Engineering Mathematics,
• MENG 577 Advanced Fluid Mechanics,
• MENG 578 Advanced Thermodynamics,
• MENG 579 Advanced Heat Transfer,
• MATE 530 Design and Analysis of Experiments,
• PHYS 509 Methods of Theoretical Physics.

Elective Courses: 9 credit hours of elective courses as approved by the graduate advisory committee.

Out-of-Department Courses: 6 credit hours of approved upper-division or graduate course work from another department. The advisory committee may determine that a student's previous academic experience has provided breadth and may recommend modification of this requirement.

Directed Study: A maximum of 9 credit hours of Directed Study can be used to satisfy degree requirements. Coursework must be taken for a letter grade if used to fulfill degree requirements.

Dissertation Research: 24 credit hours. A student must prepare and submit a PhD Dissertation to his/her advisory committee for approval in accordance with the general requirements of the graduate school.

Graduate Seminar: Students must take MENG 585, Graduate Seminar, each semester offered if the student is in residence. Distance‐education and part-time students are required to take three semesters of MENG 585. Three credits of MENG 585 may be used to fulfill degree requirements. MENG 585 must be taken for a letter grade if used to fulfill degree requirements.

Students holding the degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (or closely related discipline) may petition to have the coursework requirements reduced to a minimum of 48 hours beyond the Master’s degree.

In addition to coursework requirements, students are required to pass a qualifying and candidacy examinations. Students must also successfully present and defend their dissertation, and publish dissertation research in a peer-reviewed journal.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at New Mexico Tech will produce Masters of Science graduates who are independent thinkers, taking ownership in identifying problems and determining effective solution strategies in a timely manner. Following working experience after graduation, they will:

• Be employed successfully in government laboratories, graduate schools, industry, or other areas of the profession.
• Have an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning such that they seek personal and professional growth.
• Have achieved a noteworthy level of workplace responsibility.

Students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in the graduate specialization of intelligent energetic systems. 
2. Demonstrate a high degree of proficiency with written communication
3. Demonstrate a high degree of proficiency with oral communication.

This graduate certificate requires 12 credits, including 2 required courses and 2 elective courses:

Required Classes (6 credits):

• MENG 545, Introduction to Explosives Engineering*
• MENG 549, Wave Propagation

6 credits (2 courses) from the following:

• MENG 513: Impact Dynamics
• MENG 546, Detonation Theory
• MENG 547, Pyrotechnics Theory and Applications
• MENG 550, Advanced Explosives Engineering
• MENG 552, Explosives Technology and Applications
• MENG 553, Computer Modeling of Detonations
• MENG 555, Shock Propagation in Air
• MENG 556, Compressible Fluid Flow

*Note that MENG 545 is recommended as the first class in this certificate program.  This course is offered every fall and spring semester, including via Distance Education. 

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a distance education option for all graduate classes.  

A minimum of a BS in Mechanical Engineering or related science/engineering field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for this certificate.  Students in the program are expected to have competency in Fluid Dynamics, Thermodynamics, and Mecahnics of Materials as these are foundational for most courses in the program.  

Applications can be submitted via the CAS system: https://engineeringcas.liaisoncas.org/apply/