The University of Akron - the College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Master of Science in Mechanical EngineeringAkron, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
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Introduction
The graduate program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering prepares students for either the master's or doctoral degree and expands their knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals.
The faculty has strong research programs in dynamics, vibrations and controls, fluid mechanics, heat transfer and energy systems, materials and manufacturing, solid mechanics, and systems engineering. Students are encouraged to devise a plan of study that fits their interests, regardless of how it cuts across these traditional disciplines. Graduates pursue careers in academia and industry, in Ohio and beyond.
Individuals pursuing the Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering are choosing to do so at a university known for academic excellence and career preparedness. Graduate students deepen their knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals and work on research projects at a world-class research institution.
The non-thesis option is also available as an evening-only program, which allows students to complete their degree part-time, and at their convenience. This program is ideally suited for students or professionals who have a day job and can attend classes in the evenings.
Why UA?
Our program benefits:
- Convenience: Our part-time fits in easily with your busy schedule.
- Real-life application: Receive advanced learning of applying engineering principles to design problems that you can put to use right away.
- Learn from the best: Our faculty are former chief engineers, start-up founders, international fellows, and industry leaders.
Research
Our research relies on a mix of engineering principles and innovation. We develop cutting-edge solutions to solve problems. Faculty, in partnership with graduate students, have made exciting discoveries, from developing a solution to improve tire treads inspired by frog toe pads to designing a portable storage device to organize and transport wheelchairs.
Research and labs include:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Acoustic/Elastic Composite Metamaterials
- Computational Mechanics
- Electrospun Polymer Adhesives
- Micro/Nano Engineering Lab
- Microelectromechanical Systems Lab
- Multi-scale Modeling of Damage and Failure of Materials
- Performance, Failure Mechanisms and Life of High-Temperature Composites
- Surface Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing
- Joint Laboratory for Flow Visualization and Lubrication
- Nonlinear Dynamics and Structural Mechanics
- Nanomechanics and Nanotribology of Information Storage Systems
- Modeling/Testing of Wear of Materials
- Advanced Energy and Sensor Lab
- Human Factors Engineering Lab
Program Outcome
- Access to the latest equipment and software that is used in companies and academia
- Participate in entrepreneurship programs
- Graduate-level classes are small enough to ensure personal attention by the professors while large enough to facilitate group projects and interactions
- Once in-person learning resumes, work in world-class labs including the Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe), FAA Center for Excellence for Technical Training and Human Performance, and Conquer Chiari Research Center
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
The non-thesis option is also available as an evening-only program, which allows students to complete their degree part-time, and at their convenience. This program is ideally suited for students or professionals who have a day job and can attend classes in the evenings.
Degree Requirements
Thesis Option
- Mechanical Engineering Courses 15 credits
- Approved Mathematics 3 credits
- Approved Electives 6 credits
- Master's Thesis 6 credits
Total 30 credits
Non-Thesis Option
- Mechanical Engineering Courses 15 credits
- Approved Mathematics 3 credits
- Approved Electives 12 credits
- Engineering Report 2 credits
Total 32 credits
Core Courses
All graduate students are required to take at least two of the following core courses:
- 4600:609 − Finite Element Analysis I
- 4600:610 − Dynamics of Viscous Flow
- 4600:611 − Computational Fluid Dynamics I
- 4600:615 − Conduction Heat Transfer
- 4600:622 − Continuum Mechanics
- 4600:628 − Mechanical Behavior of Materials
- 4600:630 − Vibrations of Discrete Systems
- 4600:660 − Engineering Analysis (will not count toward the two required core courses if it is used to substitute the math requirement)
- 4600:666 − Analysis of Manufacturing Systems
Career Opportunities
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. A mechanical engineer can work in sales, research, technical work, administration, management, and production operations.
Employment
Recent mechanical engineering graduates are employed as product engineers at Ford, mechanical engineers at Babcock & Wilcox, and wind turbine controls engineers at Phillips, to name a few.