Mechanical Engineering, M.S.M.E. - Academics

Mechanical Engineering, M.S.M.E. - Academics
Mechanical Engineering, M.S.M.E.
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Program Overview
The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering offers a broad-based curriculum that allows you to specialize in areas like metrology and manufacturing, bioengineering, motorsports and automotive engineering, thermal and fluid sciences, solid mechanics and materials science, machine learning, dynamics and control, and battery engineering. The program prepares you to advance your career in state, regional and national industries, as well as research roles and entrepreneurism. The 30 credit-hour, STEM-designated program is an efficient path to achieving career goals while offering international students the opportunity to apply for an OPT extension, opening doors to global opportunities.
william states lee college of engineering
Program Contact
Terry Xu, Ph.D.
Associate Chair for Graduate Programs
megrad@charlotte.edu
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Program at a Glance
A student can complete the degree under two different options: non-thesis and thesis. For the non-thesis option, the main requirements are graduate coursework. For the thesis work, the requirements include graduate coursework plus a thesis.
Delivery
On Campus
Credit Hours
30
Admits
Spring and Fall
Application Deadlines
August 1 – Fall Final
February 15 – Fall Priority
December 1 – Spring Final
September 15 – Spring Priority
Top Tips for Completing Your Application
Explore Application Requirements
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Explore The Official University Catalog
Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.
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Application Deadlines
Final Application Deadlines
Fall Semester – August 1
Spring Semester – December 1
Priority Application Deadlines
Fall Semester – February 15
Spring Semester – September 15
Application Requirements
Visit the Graduate School’s
Application Requirements
page to learn about general application requirements, deadlines, fees & waivers, transcripts, composing your statement of purpose, test scores and other application recommendations.
The GRE requirement is WAIVED for admission to mechanical engineering graduate programs in Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027.
Sample Course List
A total of 30 credit hours of approved graduate coursework are required. Students select one of the following two options,
Option A: Thesis
or
Option B: Non-thesis/Project
, after completing no more than 18 credit hours.
Option A: Thesis
Successful completion of 24 credit hours of graduate-level coursework and 6 credit hours of thesis research.
Coursework (24 credit hours)
Mathematics Courses
(6 credit hours)
Select two Mathematics Courses.
Concentration Courses
(12 credit hours)
Students complete 12 credit hours from one of five concentrations or the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Engineering Concentration.
Elective Courses
(6 credit hours)
Select two courses from the Concentration Core Courses or Elective Courses lists below. If more than 6 credit hours of elective courses are proposed to be taken from outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, Director of Graduate Programs approval is required. No more than 6 credit hours may be in Individual Study (MEGR 7892).
Thesis (6 credit hours)
6 credit hours of
thesis research
is required
MEGR 7991 – Graduate Master Thesis Research (1 to 6)
Option B: Non-thesis/Project
Successful completion of 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework.
Coursework (30 credit hours)
Mathematics Courses
(6 credit hours)
Select two Mathematics Courses.
Concentration Courses
(12 credit hours)
Students must declare a concentration and take 12 credit hours of courses listed in that concentration.
Elective Courses
(9 credit hours)
Select three courses from the Concentration Core Courses or Elective Courses. No more than 6 credit hours may be taken from outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science.​ No more than 6 credit hours may be in Individual Study (MEGR 7892).
Capstone Course
(3 credit hours)
Select one course from the Capstone Courses.
Mathematics Courses (6 credit hours)
Select two of the following:
MEGR 7175 – Engineering Analysis II (3)
MEGR 7172 – Computational Methods in Engineering (3)
MEGR 7174 – Engineering Analysis I (3)
Concentration Courses (12 credit hours)
Declare a concentration and take 12 credit hours of courses listed in that concentration:
Dynamics and Control
Select four of the following:
MEGR 5143 – Mechanical Vibrating Systems (3)
MEGR 5237- Introduction to Control Systems (3)
MEGR 7145 – Advanced Topics in Dynamics (3)
MEGR 7148 – Stability and Control of Nonlinear Systems (3)
MEGR 7222 – Mechatronics (3)
MEGR 7223 – Mathematical Concepts for Dynamics and Control (3)
MEGR 7224 – Analytical Mechanics (3)
Machine Learning in Mechanical Engineering
Select four of the following:
MEGR 7090- Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3)
MEGR 7090- Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3)
EMGT 6113 – Cluster Analysis and Application (3)
EMGT 6912- Computational Intelligence (3)
EMGT 6952- Engineering Systems Optimization (3)
ITCS 5111- Introduction to Natural Language Processing (3)
ITCS 6156- Machine Learning (3)
Metrology and Manufacturing
Select four of the following:
MEGR 5280 – Advanced Manufacturing Processes (3)
MEGR 6181 – Engineering Metrology (3)
MEGR 7182 – Machine Tool Metrology (3)
MEGR 7191 – Introduction to Optical Fabrication and Testing (3)
MEGR 7283 – Advanced Coordinate Metrology (3)
MEGR 7284 – Advanced Surface Metrology (3)
Motorsports Engineering
Select four of the following:
MEGR 5210 – Automotive Power Plants (3)
MEGR 5211- Road Vehicle Dynamics (3)
MEGR 5240 – Advanced Automotive Power Plants (3)
MEGR 5242- Applied Vehicle Aerodynamics (3)
MEGR 5244 – Tire Mechanics (3)
MEGR 7136 – Automotive Materials (3)
MEGR 7214 – Turbulent Shear Flows (3)
MEGR 7215 – Turbulence Modeling and Simulations (3)
Solid Mechanics and Materials Science
Select four of the following:
MEGR 6141 – Theory of Elasticity I (3)
MEGR 6166 – Mechanical Behavior of Materials I (3)
MEGR 7108 – Finite Element Analysis and Applications (3)
MEGR 7163 – Materials Characterization and Analysis (3)
MEGR 7172 – Computational Methods in Engineering (3)
MEGR 7173 – Engineering Design Optimization (3)
Thermal Science and Fluid Mechanics
Select four of the following:
MEGR 7113 – Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Compressible Flow (3)
MEGR 7114 – Advanced Fluid Mechanics (3)
MEGR 7117 – Statistical Thermodynamics (3)
MEGR 7213 – Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (3)
MEGR 7214 – Turbulent Shear Flows (3)
MEGR 7215 – Turbulence Modeling and Simulations (3)
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Engineering
In consultation with the faculty advisor or the Graduate Program Director, students select four courses from different concentrations and courses listed.
MEGR 5271 – Orthopedic Biomechanics (3)
MEGR 5272 – Mechanics of the Human Locomotor System (3)
MEGR 5273 – Regenerative Neural Engineering (3)
MEGR 5274 – Bioelectronic Medicine (3)
MEGR 7119 – Thermal Applications in Biomedical Engineering (3)
Dual Concentration
Students may request to complete two concentrations. However, an additional 12 credit hours are required with no course double-counting towards two concentrations.
Elective Courses (9 credit hours)
Select three of the following. No more than 6 credit hours may be taken from outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science. No more than 6 credit hours may be Individual Study.
Any MEGR 5000, 6000, 0r 7000-level curse
ECGR 6115 – Optimal Control Theory I (3)
EMGT 6924 – Lean Six Sigma Practice and Management (3)
ENER 6120 – Energy Generation and Conversion (3)
NANO 8102 – Nanoscale Phenomena (3)
NANO 8104 – Fabrication of Nanomaterials (3)
NANO 8301 – Nanomedicine (3)
NANO 8351 – Nanoscale Materials for Energy Applications (3)
NANO 8354 – Solar Applications of Nanomaterials (3)
OPTI 5371 – Waves and Optics (3)
OPTI 6206 – Physical Optics Design and Simulation (3)
OPTI 6241 – Optical System Function and Design (3)
Capstone Courses (3 credit hours)
A capstone course has a class project component. No capstone course can be double-counted to also satisfy a Concentration or Elective course requirement. With prior approval from the Graduate Program Director, an offering of MEGR 7892 that includes a project may be approved to count as the required capstone course.
Select one of the following:
MEGR 7108 – Finite Element Analysis and Applications (3)
MEGR 7172 – Computational Methods in Engineering (3)
MEGR 7173 – Engineering Design Optimization (3)
MEGR 7186 – Data Analysis and Uncertainty (3)
MEGR 7213 – Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (3)
MEGR 7214 – Turbulent Shear Flows (3)
MEGR 7215 – Turbulence Modeling and Simulations (3)
MEGR 7222 – Mechatronics (3)
MEGR 7284 – Advanced Surface Metrology (3)
Tuition
Current tuition rates
are available through Niner Central. There are several sources of funding available to assist in
paying for a graduate program
at UNC Charlotte.
Use our
Cost Calculator
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Wondering if you are considered in-state or out-of-state for tuition?
Learn more about residency requirements
Already a 49er? Early Entry Option Available
Exceptional undergraduate students may apply to the M.S. in Mechanical Engineering Early Entry program to begin work toward a graduate degree before completion of the bachelor’s degree.
Learn more and apply
Customize Your Path with Specialized Concentrations
Dive deeper into the areas that match your goals. Choose from specialized concentrations that shape your expertise.
Bioengineering
Bridge engineering and life sciences to solve medical and biological design challenges.
View Course List
Computational Mechanics & Materials
Use advanced computing to simulate, test and improve material performance and behavior.
View Course List
Dynamics and Controls
Explore system modeling, control theory and automation to design smarter mechanical systems.
View Course List
Manufacturing and Metrology
Delve into precision measurement, smart manufacturing and quality control technologies.
View Course List
Motorsports Engineering
Apply high-performance engineering in aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics and racing innovation.
View Course List
Thermal Sciences and Fluid Mechanics
Study energy systems, heat transfer and fluid dynamics in advanced mechanical applications.
View Course List
Choose an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering that Stands Out
Earn your degree at a nationally recognized research university with strong industry ties and flexible options for your path forward.
Individualized Advising
Get one-on-one support from faculty mentors who help guide your academic and professional path.
Promising opportunities in the Charlotte Area
Students have opportunities to work on industrial company-funded projects and secure internships in their first year.
Flexible scheduling of courses help part-time students to complete their degrees on schedule.
Evening and hybrid courses make it easier to balance work, life and academics while staying on track to graduate.
Students Driven to Make a Difference. Graduates Equipped to Engineer Change.
Meet the engineers applying what they’ve learned to create smarter systems and sustainable solutions that move the world forward.
Colin Shinn
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering ’25
– Mechanical Engineer at Westinghouse Electric Company
Kyle Jaskot
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering ’25
– Manufacturing Engineering Trainee at Dodge Industrial Inc.
Elsa Lee
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering ’25
– Department of Defense Mechanical Engineer
Tyler Watkins
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering ’25
– Operations Manager, Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Where Charlotte’s M.S. in Mechanical Engineering Can Take You
From engineering roles to doctoral programs, our graduates launch careers that drive innovation across industries and the country.
Top Occupations
Mechanical Engineer Manufacturing Engineer Engineer Manager Metrology Engineer Industrial Engineer Doctoral Students
Top Companies
Caterpillar
General Motors
Ford
Apple
Raytheon Technologies
John Deere
Top Skills
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Alumni Locations
Charlotte, NC
Atlanta, GA
Cupertino, CA
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Houston, TX
New York, NY
Faculty Leading Breakthroughs in Research and Innovation
From leadership to recognition in national organizations like the NSF, our award-winning faculty advance discovery and shape the future of materials, energy, robotics and more.
Faculty Highlight
Youxing Chen Uncovers Energy-Saving Potential of 3D Interfaces
Faculty Highlight
Driving Collaboration: Amir Ghasemi on Human-Robot Partnerships
Faculty Highlight
Cracking the Code: Ed Morse on the Science of Precision Metrology
Faculty Highlight
Powering the Future: Xiang Chen’s Research into Energy-Supportive Materials
Faculty Highlight
Redefining Pain Relief: In Hong Yang’s Work in Bioelectronics
Faculty Highlight
Modeling Materials for Clean Energy: Qiang Zhu’s Vision for Discovery
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27
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27
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28
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28
Ace Your Graduate School Application: Tips and Tricks for Succes
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Apr
29
Funding Your Future: Navigating Graduate Funding Strategies
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Apr
29
Funding Your Future: Navigating Graduate Funding Strategies
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Join us to explore various funding opportunities for graduate studies at UNC Charlotte. Learn about various funding avenues ranging from…
May
04
Grad School 101: Start Your Program Search with Confidence
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Start your graduate school journey and join us for our virtual session “Grad School 101: Start Your Program Search with…
May
04
Grad School 101: Start Your Program Search with Confidence
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Start your graduate school journey and join us for our virtual session “Grad School 101: Start Your Program Search with…
May
05
Know Before You Go: Essential Steps for Newly Admitted Students
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May
05
Know Before You Go: Essential Steps for Newly Admitted Students
10AM — 11AM
Leading up to your first day as a graduate student at UNC Charlotte, here are some helpful tips and tricks…
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