M.S. Mechanical Engineering
This program emphasizes design and application in three main areas of specialization: mechanical systems, dynamics and control, and thermal-fluid systems.
Faculty research interests focus on these and other areas including air pollution, bioengineering, composite structures, computational fluid dynamics, energy processes, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, computer-aided design and manufacturing, and mechatronics. Practicing engineers can choose from many elective courses to meet their professional needs.
The Mechanical Engineering Department has multiple design and simulation laboratories as well as a subsonic wind tunnel, a manufacturing facility, an industrial autoclave, and an oven. All laboratories employ advanced Computer-Aided Engineering tools to provide the students with real-world design experiences.
Students receiving a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering will be able to:
- Understand and apply advanced engineering mathematics, particularly to problems requiring matrix analysis and solutions of differential equations
- Apply modern computational tools to attain solutions of complex mechanical engineering problems in one of the emphasis areas
- Demonstrate achievement of the specific learning outcomes assigned to their chosen emphasis area
Requirements for Admission to the Program
- General University requirements apply for all applicants.
- For admission, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a 3.0 or higher overall grade point average is required. Applicants with an overall grade point average between 2.5 and 3.0 will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
- For admission with a baccalaureate degree other than Mechanical Engineering, applicants must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Qualified applicants without a baccalaureate degree in Mechanical Engineering will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Additional preparatory coursework should be anticipated.
- Approval by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the department graduate coordinator.
- A Statement of Purpose describing the applicant’s educational and career goals as well as two recommendation letters from professional references and applicant’s resume are required.
- Foreign students must undertake a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or other acceptable tests as specified by CSUN Office of Admissions for International Students to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language.
- To be considered for admission, the grades received in the undergraduate program and cumulative GPA must be available on a four-point letter grade scale of A-F. This admission requirement applies to applicants whose undergraduate (or other) institution does not report course grades in a letter format corresponding to a four-point numerical scale (A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0) equivalent to the grading system used at CSUN.
- Students interested in the M.S. in Mechanical Engineering degree program who do not have an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering should contact the graduate coordinator regarding prerequisite requirements. The “Prerequisites” courses or their equivalents (including 400-level courses) are required if they have not been taken previously, but they do not count as part of the M.S. program.
1. Required Core (15 units)
- Math Analysis
- ME 501A Seminar in Engineering Analysis (3)
- Breadth Requirement
- ME 530 Mechanical Analysis of Solids (3)
- ME 575 Applied Heat and Mass Transfer (3)
- ME 584 Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems (3)
- ME 590 Advanced Fluid Dynamics (3)
2. Culminating Experience (1 unit) [CR/NC only]
- ME 698D Thesis (1) or ME 697D Directed Comprehensive Studies/Exam (1)
3. Electives (15 units)
- A. Thesis Plan
- ME 696 Directed Graduate Research (6)
- Three elective courses (9 units) relevant to the thesis topic and approved by the thesis faculty committee chair.
- B. Comprehensive Exam Plan
- Five elective courses (15 units) with at least three courses (9 units) selected from a single emphasis area.
- Emphasis Areas
- Mechanical System Design
- ME 501B Seminar in Engineering Analysis (3)
- ME 532 Mechanics of Polymers (3)
- ME 536 Mechanical Design with Composites (3)
- ME 630 Computer-Aided Design of Machinery (3)
- ME 686A Advanced Modeling, Analysis and Optimization I (3)
- ME 686B Advanced Modeling, Analysis and Optimization II (3)
- MSE 527/L Mechanical Behavior of Materials and Lab (2/1)
- System Dynamics and Control
- ME 501B Seminar in Engineering Analysis (3)
- ME 503 Biomedical Instrumentation (3)
- ME 515 Dynamics of Machines (3)
- ME 520 Robot Mechanics and Control (3)
- ME 522 Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle (3)
- ME 684 Design and Control of Dynamic Systems (3)
- Thermal-Fluid Systems
- ME 501B Seminar in Engineering Analysis (3)
- ME 583 Thermal-Fluids System Design (3)
- ME 593 Compressible Flow (3)
- ME 595 Advanced Measurements (3)
- ME 670 Advanced Topics in Thermodynamics (3)
- ME 675A Conductive and Radiative Heat Transfer (3)
- ME 675B Convective Heat and Mass Transfer (3)
- ME 683 Energy Processes (3)
- ME 692 Computational Fluid Dynamics (3)
- Mechanical System Design
- Emphasis Areas
- Five elective courses (15 units) with at least three courses (9 units) selected from a single emphasis area.
Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 31
Please refer to the CSUN Catalog for course descriptions.
Areas of Emphasis
Student Learning Objectives
- Students will identify the characteristics of advanced machine design, and be able to investigate design problems using analytical techniques.
- Students will apply modern computational tools for the solution of complex mechanical design problems.
- Students will develop and assess system level design using advanced methodologies, including optimization.
Faculty |
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Dr. Peter L BishayResearch Interests: Structures and Materials, Applied Mechanics, Biomechanical Engineering, Computer-Aided Engineering Design |
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Dr. Jamie BoothResearch Interests: His research seeks to examine the extraordinary mechanical properties of natural systems, uncovering key principles which facilitate the design of novel, multifunctional, engineering materials. He is particularly interested in the modeling of fracture in complex systems for enhancement of toughness and adhesion. |
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Dr. Melih PapilaResearch Interests: Advanced composite manufacturing techniques |
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Dr. Maya PishvarResearch Interests: Novel Composite Fabrication techniques and multifunctional composites |
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Dr. Christoph SchaalResearch Interests: Wave propagation, Nondestructive testing, Composites, Experimental mechanics, Robotics |
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Dr. Natalie SchaalResearch Interests: Frictional Sliding on Heterogeneous Interfaces and Engineering Education Research |
Student Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to select mathematical models for the development of complex dynamic systems within physical domains
- Students will apply control theory and modern simulation techniques to analyze and modify systems’ behavior
- Students will design feedforward and feedback controllers to meet system and tracking requirements
Faculty |
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Dr. Nhut Tan HoResearch Interest: Human Systems Integration, Design of Automation, Human Automation Teamwork Curriculum reform and design, Change management |
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Dr. Vidya K NandikollaResearch Interests: Dr. Vidya Nandikolla’s research is in robotics, autonomous system, biomedical modeling and control, hybrid control techniques, mechatronics and assistive robotics. Currently she is focusing on the following hands on research projects: (1) model, design and develop a multiple DOF mobile robotic hand with dexterous gripper system, (2) develop kinematics and dynamics of the robot for path planning and navigation, (3) integrate the BCI hybrid control to the autonomous smart wheelchair, and (4) develop the BCI pattern recognition machine learning model for a robotic system. |
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Dr. Stewart P PrinceResearch Interests: Automotive Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, Robust control systems |
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Dr. Tohid SardarmehniResearch Interests: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Autonomous and Connected Vehicles, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Optimal Control Theory and Application |
Student Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to evaluate and analyze behavior of fluid flow and energy transfer in multidisciplinary engineering processes.
- Students will further develop their problem-solving skills to examine complex thermal-fluids problems using experimental, analytical or advanced computational techniques.
- Students will be able to utilize appropriate design and analysis methodologies to investigate and improve thermal-fluid systems.
Faculty |
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Dr. Hamid JohariResearch Interests: Aerodynamics, Turbulent Mixing, Parachute Systems |
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Dr. Shadi MahjoobResearch Interest: Biomechanical Engineering, Energy Systems, Heat Transfer, Combustion |
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Dr. Abhijit MukherjeeResearch Interest: Boiling and two phase flow, Micro Scale Heat Transfer, Fuel Cells, Renewable Energy Systems |
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Dr. Vinicius Maron SauerResearch Interest: Energy Systems, Heat Transfer, Combustion, Propulsion and Power |
Recent Thesis Projects
- Analysis and Design of Periodic Composite Beams with Piezoelectric Elements
- Damping and Actuation of Composite Laminates with Embedded SMA Wires
- Design of a Robotic Arm Manipulator using Hybrid BCI
- Development of a Seamless Composite Skin for a Twist-Morphing Wing
- Development of Omnidirectional Robot Using Hybrid Brain Computer Interface
- Dual-Periodic Lattice Beams for Wave Guiding and Vibration Attenuation
- Dynamic Analyses of Laminated Composite Beams with Delamination
- Effectiveness of an Autonomous Vehicle Using Solar Energy for a Custom Battery Pack
- Experimental and Computational Analysis of Morphing Composite Laminates with Embedded Shape Memory Alloy Actuators
- Human Machine Interface for Hybrid-Brain Computer Interface Omnidirectional Mobile Semi
- Autonomous Robot
- Machine Learning using Brain Computer Interface (BCI) System
- Metallographic investigation of plastic deformation on aluminum alloys under different loading conditions
- Reliability Analysis of Smart Composite Structures Using Artificial Neural Networks
- Sharp Leading Edge Symmetric Airfoils in Low Reynolds Number Flow
- The exploration of tough multiscale lattice geometries
- Variation in strength of bioinspired adhesive microstructures due to interfacial defects
- Vision based Mobile Robot Learning and Integration of Trust Technology using AI
- Computational Investigation of Air Cooling through Channels with Jet Impingement and Ribbed Target Surfaces in the Presence of Cross Flow Cooling
- Tracking of Scattered High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Schlieren Images Using Iterative Learning Control and Wavenumber Filtering
- Investigation of a Novel Transducer Design for Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing of Additively Manufactured Metal Components
Spring 2021
Christian Aguilar
Development of a Seamless Composite Skin for a Twist-Morphing Wing
James Martinez
Reliability analysis of smart composite structures using artificial neural networks
Arshak Amirbekyan
Analysis and Design of Periodic Composite Beams with Piezoelectric Elements
Fall 2020
Bryan Ghoslin
Development of Omnidirectional Robot Using Hybrid Brain Computer Interface
Sina Kashkuli
Numerical Investigation of Thermal Transport in Metal Foam Filled and Rib Structured Channels Employing Single Jet Impingement
Kevin Matsuno
Machine Learning using Brain Computer Interface (BCI) System
Daniel Medina
Design of a robotic arm manipulation using Hybrid BCI