Mechanical Engineering

Graduate Programs

In the Mechanical Engineering department there is a total of five graduate programs centered around Explosives, Fluid and Thermal, Mechatronics and Solid Mechanics. There is also a PhD program of Dissertation in Intelligent Energetic Systems. Each of these programs offer students the ability to apply their real world.

Graduate Research

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Masters Degrees in Mechanical Engineering

Program Description

The Mechanical Engineering Department offers the Master of Science and Master of Engineering degrees for those students wanting to pursue an advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Applicants to the program are expected to hold a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Applicants with a B.S. degree in a related Engineering or Science field will be considered, however, these applicants must demonstrate competence in mathematics and the basic undergraduate mechanics offered in a typical mechanical engineering curriculum, such as differential equations, thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, and engineering dynamics.

The Master of Science degree requires the completion and defense of a thesis, while the Master of Engineering degree is coursework based.

Program Outcomes

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

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

Specialization Options

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.

Program Requirements

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.

Distance Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Program Description

The Mechanical Engineering Department administers the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering with Dissertation in Intelligent Energetic Systems for those students wanting to pursue a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering. This degree program allows students to focus their studies on the intersection of explosives/energetics and smart systems engineering. Graduates of the program often seek employment within the defense, energy, and aerospace industries, and develop into research & development leaders in these fields. Applicants to the program are expected to hold a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Applicants with a BS degree in a related Engineering or Science field will be considered, however, these applicants must demonstrate competence in mathematics and the basic undergraduate mechanics offered in a typical mechanical engineering curriculum, such as differential equations, thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, and engineering dynamics.

Program Outcomes

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.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

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

Program Requirements

A student is required to take 66-credit hours of graduate courses beyond the Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), including 42-credit hours of coursework and 24-credit hours of dissertation research:

Students with Bachelor's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering

Completion requirement

Energetics Core Segment & Intelligent Systems Core Segment - Earn at least 12 credits from the following:

Intelligent Systems and Mechatronics:

MENG5035 Drones
MENG5041 Vibrations in an Elastic Cont
MENG5043 Control System Design
MENG5044 Modern Control Theory
MENG5048 Manipulator Based Robotics
MENG5051 Optimal Control Systems
MENG5061 Digital Image Processing
MENG5063 Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
MENG5067 Smart Engineering Systems I
MENG5069 Artificial Intelligence Concep
MENG5070 Advanced Mechatronics
MENG5072 Sensor Technology
MENG5074 Elec Measure Non-Elect Quant
MENG5084 Smart Materials and Structures

Energetic Systems and Explosives Engineering:

MENG5013 Impact Dynamics
MENG5045 Introduction to Explosives Eng
MENG5046 Detonation Theory
MENG5047 Theory of Propellant and Pyrot
MENG5049 Wave Propagation
MENG5050 Advanced Explosives Engr
MENG5052 Explosives Technology & Apps
MENG5056 Compressible Fluid Flow

Fundamental Engineering and Science Core Segment - Earn at least 9 credits from the following:

Fluid and Thermal Sciences:

MENG5056 Compressible Fluid Flow
MENG5075 Adv Engineering Math
MENG5077 Advanced Fluid Mechanics
MENG5078 Advanced Thermodynamics
MENG5079 Advanced Heat Transfer
MENG5080 Comput Fluid Dyn & React Flow

Solid Mechanics:

MENG5004 Adv. Mechanics of Materials
MENG5005 Design and Analysis of Exp
MENG5015 Theory of Elasticity
MENG5016 Plates and Shells
MENG5017 Adv Finite Element Analysis
MENG5020 Fracture Mechanics
MENG5024 Continuum Mechanics
MENG5041 Vibrations in an Elastic Cont
MENG5049 Wave Propagation
MENG5083 Engr Mechs of Comp Struct
MENG5084 Smart Materials and Structures

18 credit hours of elective courses with at least 6 credit hours from 500-level courses, as approved by the graduate advisory committee, with a maximum of 6 credit hours of Directed Study (MENG 5081) which must be graded.

3 credit hours of Graduate Seminar (MENG 5085)

24 credit hours minimum of Dissertation Research

Student with a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or closely related discipline) must complete the following minimal requirements of 42-credit hours beyond the Master’s degree, including 18-credit hours of coursework and 24-credit hours of dissertation research:

Students with Master's Degrees in Mechanical Engineering Requirements

Completion requirement

Energetic Core Systems & Intelligent Core Systems - Earn at least 9 credits from the following:

Intelligent Systems and Mechatronics:

MENG5035 Drones
MENG5041 Vibrations in an Elastic Cont
MENG5043 Control System Design
MENG5044 Modern Control Theory
MENG5048 Manipulator Based Robotics
MENG5051 Optimal Control Systems
MENG5061 Digital Image Processing
MENG5063 Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
MENG5067 Smart Engineering Systems I
MENG5069 Artificial Intelligence Concep
MENG5070 Advanced Mechatronics
MENG5072 Sensor Technology
MENG5074 Elec Measure Non-Elect Quant
MENG5084 Smart Materials and Structures

Energetic Systems and Explosives Engineering:

MENG5013 Impact Dynamics
MENG5045 Introduction to Explosives Eng
MENG5046 Detonation Theory
MENG5047 Theory of Propellant and Pyrot
MENG5049 Wave Propagation
MENG5050 Advanced Explosives Engr
MENG5052 Explosives Technology & Apps
MENG5056 Compressible Fluid Flow

Fundamental Engineering and Science Core Segment - Earn at least 3 credits from the following:

Fluid and Thermal Sciences:

MENG5056 Compressible Fluid Flow
MENG5075 Adv Engineering Math
MENG5077 Advanced Fluid Mechanics
MENG5078 Advanced Thermodynamics
MENG5079 Advanced Heat Transfer
MENG5080 Comput Fluid Dyn & React Flow

Solid Mechanics:

MENG5004 Adv. Mechanics of Materials
MENG5005 Design and Analysis of Exp
MENG5015 Theory of Elasticity
MENG5016 Plates and Shells
MENG5017 Adv Finite Element Analysis
MENG5020 Fracture Mechanics
MENG5024 Continuum Mechanics
MENG5041 Vibrations in an Elastic Cont
MENG5049 Wave Propagation
MENG5083 Engr Mechs of Comp Struct
MENG5084 Smart Materials and Structures

3 credit hours of additional coursework, as approved by the graduate advisory committee, with a maximum of 3 credit hours of Directed Study (MENG 5081) ,which must be graded.

3 credit hours of graduate seminar (MENG 5085)

24 credits minimum of Dissertation Research

Qualifying Examination

Core competency in mechanical engineering fundamentals must be demonstrated. The qualifying exam will also assess a student’s ability to rationally approach novel problems and apply engineering analytical tools. The student will take written exams in three of the following topic areas as selected by the student with approval of the academic advisor.

Exam Topic Areas

Control theory
Dynamics
Thermodynamics
Fluid dynamics
Heat transfer
Mechanics of Materials
Structural analysis

The exam questions will be written and graded by department faculty members. These exams will be used to evaluate the student’s knowledge of mechanical engineering topics at the undergraduate level and their ability to a) apply advanced knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering, b) identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.

The exam will be offered the week before the start of each fall and spring semester. The exam must be first taken before the beginning of the 3rd semester and is subject to the following:

Students must take exams from three selected topics at the first exam attempt.

A student who does not pass a topic exam may retake that topic exam (or another topic exam with advisor approval) at the next offering; they do not need to retake exams that they have passed.

A student who has not passed exams in three topics by the completion of their second exam attempt does not advance, and will leave the program. The student will be able to pursue a M.S. or M.E. in Mechanical Engineering subject to those degree requirements.

Candidacy Examination

Written dissertation proposal in New Mexico Tech thesis template format

Presentation of written proposal and oral exam on the proposal and related IES coursework

Must be taken no fewer than 12 months after passing the qualifying exam

Three possible outcomes:

Pass: Student advances to Candidacy
Pass with conditions: Six months window to correct minor deficiencies; student advances to Candidacy only after the Graduate Advisory Committee determines deficiencies have been corrected.
Fail: Student does not advance to Candidacy and will leave the program.

Publication of Research

Dissertation & Defense

Written Dissertation

Oral presentation with public and private (committee only) question and answer discussion time. Defense must take place no fewer than 12 months after passing the Candidacy Examination

Possible Outcomes: Pass with conditions: Student must correct minor deficiencies. Note that the deficiencies should be minor and not require a second defense.

Fail: Student has not satisfactorily presented/defended their dissertation and leaves the program.

If a PhD student would like to earn an MS while completing PhD requirements, they may initiate the process by petitioning the department. The student may complete an MS in Mechanical Engineering with any associated Specialization by completing the MS requirements and Thesis and Thesis defense as stated in the catalog. All coursework may count toward both the MS and PhD degrees. Up to 6 credits of MENG 5095 may be used in lieu of MENG 5091 to complete the MS degree, which may not be double counted toward the PhD degree.