M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

students working on an engineering project

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) focuses on the advanced study of mechanical systems, enabling graduates to tackle critical challenges in energy, transportation, automation and bio-mechanical systems. This graduate program emphasizes hands-on learning, applied research and collaboration with experienced faculty who have industry backgrounds. 

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, housed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Daytona Beach Campus, gives students the choice of a broad concentration (General Mechanical Engineering) or one of three specific areas of concentration: High-Performance Vehicles, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, or Thermal-Fluid Sciences. Students choose a thesis or non-thesis track while taking core courses that balance theory and the practical application of electromechanical systems. Research activities are supervised by experienced faculty in state-of-the-art labs, providing ample opportunities for professional growth.

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Apply fundamental mechanical engineering professional practices to analyze, design, and implement mechanical engineering systems.
  • Apply professional communication and oral presentation skills using appropriate media.
  • Apply an ethical and professional framework to decision making.
  • Apply knowledge of advanced topics in mechanical engineering.
  • Analyze and interpret appropriate research literature.

Daytona Beach Program Requirements

Option9-12
Area of Concentration12-15
Electives6
Total Credits30

Non-Thesis Option 

MECH 501Modeling Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
ENGR 600Research Methods for Engineers3
MECH 592Mechanical Engineering Practicum3
Area of Concentration15
General Electives6
Total Credits30

Thesis Option

MECH 501Modeling Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
ENGR 600Research Methods for Engineers3
or MECH 700 Graduate Thesis
MECH 700Graduate Thesis6
Area of Concentration12
General Electives6
Total Credits30

Graduate Research Project Option

MECH 501Modeling Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
ENGR 600Research Methods for Engineers3
MECH 690Graduate Research Project I3
MECH 691Graduate Research Project II3
Area of Concentration12
General Electives6
Total Credits30

Area of Concentration

Thesis and GRP students are required to complete 12 credit hours in one of the Areas of Concentration listed below. Non-Thesis students are required to complete 15 credit hours in one of the Areas of Concentration below.  

High-Performance Vehicles

AERO 515Introduction to the Finite Element Method3
ELEC 505Advanced Mechatronics3
MECH 503Introduction to Autonomous Vehicle Systems3
MECH 508Hybrid and Electric Vehicles3
MECH 520Sensor Processing with Applications3
MECH 521HVAC Systems3
MECH 527Modern Control Systems3
MECH 530Advanced Kinematics and Mechanics3
MECH 620Advanced Vehicle Dynamics3

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

ELEC 505Advanced Mechatronics3
MECH 503Introduction to Autonomous Vehicle Systems3
MECH 513Perception Methods for Autonomous Systems3
MECH 520Sensor Processing with Applications3
MECH 527Modern Control Systems3
MECH 530Advanced Kinematics and Mechanics3
MECH 532Field Robotics3
MECH 615Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning3
MECH 622Path Planning and Navigation3

Thermal-Fluid Sciences

MECH 500Clean Energy Systems3
MECH 511Computational Heat Transfer3
MECH 520Sensor Processing with Applications3
MECH 521HVAC Systems3
MECH 542Computational Biofluid Mechanics3
MECH 543Kinetic Modeling of Thermo-Fluids Transport3
MECH 601Advanced Modeling Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
MECH 614Multidisciplinary Design Optimization3
MECH 631Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer3
MECH 632Convection Heat Transfer3
AERO 508Intermediate Heat Transfer3
AERO 515Introduction to the Finite Element Method3
AERO 521Viscous Flow3
AERO 610Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics3
AERO 652Turbulent Flows3

General Mechanical Engineering

AERO 515Introduction to the Finite Element Method3
AERO 525Structural Design Optimization3
MECH 500Clean Energy Systems3
MECH 503Introduction to Autonomous Vehicle Systems3
MECH 506Design for Manufacturing and Assembly3
MECH 508Hybrid and Electric Vehicles3
MECH 511Computational Heat Transfer3
MECH 513Perception Methods for Autonomous Systems3
MECH 520Sensor Processing with Applications3
MECH 521HVAC Systems3
MECH 522Mechanical System Design3
MECH 523Linear Systems3
MECH 527Modern Control Systems3
MECH 530Advanced Kinematics and Mechanics3
MECH 532Field Robotics3
MECH 542Computational Biofluid Mechanics3
MECH 543Kinetic Modeling of Thermo-Fluids Transport3
MECH 544Computational Biomechanics3
MECH 548Introduction to Continuum Mechanics3
MECH 550Modeling Complex Systems3
MECH 560Tissue Biomechanics3
MECH 592Mechanical Engineering Practicum3
MECH 599Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering3
MECH 601Advanced Modeling Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
MECH 610Automation and Additive Manufacturing3
MECH 612Computer Integrated Manufacturing3
MECH 613Advanced Model-Based Control Design3
MECH 614Multidisciplinary Design Optimization3
MECH 615Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning3
MECH 616Design and Manufacturing of Biomedical Devices3
MECH 620Advanced Vehicle Dynamics3
MECH 622Path Planning and Navigation3
MECH 631Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer3
MECH 632Convection Heat Transfer3
MECH 699Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering3

General Electives

Choose from the following General Electives:
All MECH AOC Courses
All 500-600 Level MECH courses
Most 500 & 600 Level AERO/ELEC/CIVE/SFTW/CESC/CPSC courses with prior approval by MSME program coordinator
DSCI 540Data Mining3
DSCI 544Data Visualization3
DSCI 615Data Modeling3
ENGP 501Numerical Methods for Engineers and Scientists3
ENGP 505Spacecraft Dynamics and Control3
ENGP 605Spacecraft Power and Thermal Design3

Suggested Plans of Study

Non-Thesis Option

Year One

Fall
RequirementsCredits
MECH 501 - Modeling Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
Area of Concentration3
Area of Concentration3
Semester Hours9
Spring
RequirementsCredits
ENGR 600 - Research Methods for Engineers3
General Elective3
Area of Concentration3
Semester Hours9

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 18

Year Two

Fall
RequirementsCredits
General Elective3
Area of Concentration3
Semester Hours6
Spring
RequirementsCredits
MECH 592 - Mechanical Engineering Practicum3
Area of Concentration3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 12

Thesis Option

Year One

Fall
RequirementsCredits
MECH 501 - Modeling Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
Area of Concentration3
Area of Concentration3
Semester Hours9
Spring
RequirementsCredits
ENGR 600 - Research Methods for Engineers or MECH 700 - Graduate Thesis3
General Elective3
Area of Concentration3
Semester Hours9

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 18

Year Two

Fall
RequirementsCredits
General Elective3
MECH 700 - Graduate Thesis3
Semester Hours6
Spring
RequirementsCredits
Area of Concentration3
MECH 700 - Graduate Thesis3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 12

Graduate Research Project Option

Year One

Fall
RequirementsCredits
MECH 501 - Modeling Methods in Mechanical Engineering3
Area of Concentration3
Area of Concentration3
Semester Hours9
Spring
RequirementsCredits
ENGR 600 - Research Methods for Engineers or MECH 700 - Graduate Thesis3
General Elective3
Area of Concentration3
Semester Hours9

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 18

Year Two

Fall
RequirementsCredits
General Elective3
MECH 690 - Graduate Research Project I3
Semester Hours6
Spring
RequirementsCredits
Area of Concentration3
MECH 691 - Graduate Research Project II3
Semester Hours6

Total Credits

Total Hours for All Requirements: 12