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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Graduate Bulletin Table of Contents

Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program (MME)Engineering and Computing Center

Offered through the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
in the College of Science and Engineering
101 Engineering and Computing Center
Phone: 320.308.5654
Toll-Free: 1-888-668-7477
Fax: 320.308.5653
E-mail: msme@stcloudstate.edu
Web: www.stcloudstate.edu/mme

Department Chairperson: Dr. Warren Yu
Department Secretary: Ms. Diane Bouffard

Graduate Director: Dr. Ken Miller
Graduate Faculty: Baliga, Bekkala, Byun, Covey, Miller, Park, Yu

Accreditation Specific to the Program

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
  • Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)

Program Overview

The mechanical and manufacturing engineering department is committed to provide a state-of-the-art program that provides a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. The program draws on faculty expertise in areas of controls and robotics, manufacturing processes, project management, manufacturing systems, quality; and operations management.

The program meets the educational needs of both full-time and part-time students via flexible and varied delivery, responsive curriculum, a professionally qualified staff, an industry advisory council and appropriate research and support activities.

Admission Requirements Specific to the Program

  • The requirements for admission to the program include an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or closely related field from an accredited institution.
  • Applicants whose undergraduate engineering degree is not in mechanical engineering or manufacturing engineering may be required to take additional mechanical and manufacturing engineering course work.
  • A GPA of at least 3.0 or higher, on a 4.0 scale, and the GRE are required.
  • An applicant's undergraduate GPA is closely reviewed, especially for scholarship in the undergraduate engineering and math core.
  • When all official application materials are received, the department will review the admission file. An admission or denial letter will be sent within a week or two of the department reviewing the materials.

Length of Program — Measured by Semesters

  • Part-time student: five semesters taking six credits per semester.
  • Full-time student: three semesters taking 12 credits per semester.
  • The program offers delivery options that can include evening courses, interactive television (ITV), delayed video, Internet, or remote site locations.

Graduate Assistantship Overview

  • Two graduate assistantship positions are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
  • Graduate assistants in mechanical engineering provide teaching and research assistance to faculty.

Degrees and Plans Offered

  • Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering: Plan A (Thesis) at 24 credits
  • Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering: Plan B (Starred Paper) at 32 credits

Master of Science — Mechanical Engineering

Plan A: Thesis option, 24 credit minimum

Research course
6 credits  

  • A thesis of six credits approved by a committee of faculty members.

Core courses
15 credits minimum

 

Elective courses

  • A minimum of nine credits from electives (no more than six credits from any one category).

Plan B: Starred paper option, 32 credit minimum

Research course

  • A starred paper for a minimum of two credits approved by a committee of faculty members.

Core courses
15 credits minimum

 

Elective courses

  • A minimum of 15 credits from electives (no more than six credits from any one category).

Public research presentation

  • Presented in the last semester on star paper research.

Core courses for Plan A or Plan B

15 credits minimum

  • MATH 610. Advanced Engineering Mathematics, 3 credits (F)
  • MME 601. Thermal Sciences in Materials Processing, 3 credits (S)
  • MME 630. Advanced Manufacturing Processes, 3 credits (S)
  • MME 640. Elastic and Plastic Behavior Materials (S)
  • MME 650. Advanced Control of Mechanical Systems (F)

Elective courses for Plan A or Plan B

No more than six credits in any one area

Automation, Controls, and Robotics

  • MME 542. Dynamics II, 3 credits
  • MME 550. Industrial Robots, 3 credits

Design

  • MME 520. Finite Element Method, 3 credits
  • MME 540. Solid Mechanics, 3 credits
  • MME 620. Advanced Finite Element Method, 3 credits

Materials and Materials Processing

  • MME 511. Mechanical Behavior of Materials, 3 credits
  • MME 530. Metrology and Precision Manufacturing, 3 credits
  • MME 535. Materials Processing Analysis, 3 credits

Thermal Sciences

  • MME 502. Thermal Science in Product and Process Design, 3 credits
  • MME 503. Design of Thermal Systems, 3 credits

Management

  • MME 562. Production Control, 3 credits
  • MME 663. Engineering Management, 3 credits
  • MME 664. Production and Operations Management, 3 credits
  • MBA 6XX. Adviser approved elective, 3 credits
  • MKTG 5XX. Adviser approved elective, 3 credits
  • MGMT 5XX. Adviser approved elective, 3 credits

Other electives

  • PESS 548. Biomechanics, 3 credits
  • ECE 571. Digital Signal Processing, 3 credits
  • ECE 574. Image Processing, 3 credits
  • PHYS 535. Laser Optics, 3 credits
  • PHYS 536. Advanced and Fourier Optics, 3 credits
  • PHYS 547. Optical Design, 3 credits

Additional courses

  • MME 680. Special Topics,1-4 credits
  • MME 681. Seminar, 1-4 credits
  • MME 696. Research, 1-6 credits
  • MME 697. Independent Study, 1-6 credits
  • MME 699. Thesis, 1-6 credits (or two more elective courses)

NOTE: The degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering is awarded for studies carried out either under Plan A: thesis option or Plan B: starred paper option. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.