Mechanical Engineering in the DC Metro Area
DC-area Graduate Programs in Mechanical Engineering
The mechanical engineering program offers master’s level graduate programs leading to the M.S. with or without thesis and MEng degrees. Our curriculum is designed to allow flexibility to meet your needs with focus areas for students that prefer a more-structured program.
Focus Areas
Focus areas allow students to target specific subtopics within the study of mechanical engineering. Electives are offered to expand either the depth or breadth of study. M.S. thesis students may also opt for courses that support their research question and project.
Materials, Energy, and Sustainability
Goal: Develop future leaders in sustainable materials and energy systems through advanced training in numerical, applied and statistical mathematics, advanced engineering principles, and innovative materials engineering.
Core Courses: (12 credit hours)
- ME 5404 Fluid Dynamics
- ME 5304 Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer
- ME 5314 Convection Heat and Mass Transfer
- NSEG 5134 Monte Carlo Particle Transport Methods (fulfills the engineering math requirement)
Recommended Electives: choose 3 (9 credit hours)
- CS 5024 Ethics & Professionalism in Data Science*
- ME 4194 Sustainable Energy Solutions
- NSEG 5114 Nuclear Engineering Fundamentals
- MSE 5384G Advanced Nuclear Materials
- NSEG 5514 STructural Materials Degradation in Nuclear Power Systems
- ME 4674 Materials Selection in Mechanical Design
- NSEG 5424 Reactor Thermal Hydraulics
Research or Project/Report: choose 1 (6 credit hours)
- ME 5994 Research and Thesis (for MS-thesis students)
- ME 5904 Project and Report (for MS-non-thesis and MEng students)
Ethics Requirement: choose 1
- CS 5024 Ethics & Professionalism in Data Science*, 3 credit hours
- GRAD 5014 Ethics and Plagiarism, 2 credit hours
*CS 5024 may count as both a technical elective and ethics course.
Design your own MEng or M.S. curriculum
Broad requirements allow students to pursue customized degrees designed for specific goals and objectives. Whether you seek depth in a focus area or breadth over a larger range of studies, our program can meet your needs.
Requirements:
30 credit hours, approved by your committee
- 24 credit hours graduate coursework
- 3 credit hours of approved Math*
- 18 hours at 5000 level or above
- No more than 6 hours at 4000 level
- 6 credit hours of Project Report (MEng) or Research (M.S.)
- Ethics requirement (choose 1)
- GRAD 5014, 2 credit hours
- CS 5024, 3 credit hours
- Other courses as approved to meet the requirement by the graduate school
Creating your own curriculum:
Start by defining what you want to learn. A faculty advisor can prove most useful in this endeavor, regardless of your intention to pursue a research-based or a project-based degree. Your goals will drive the coursework that you choose.
- Choose your direction: research-based (M.S.-thesis) or project-based (MEng or M.S.-non-thesis).
- Make a list of your areas of interest.
- Prioritize these areas into primary or secondary areas of study.
- Look for courses that fit into your designated primary areas of study. Supplement with secondary electives.
- Think about project ideas.
- Plan a meeting with your faculty advisor.
Available courses by semester and thrust area:
Fall | Spring | Summer |
ME 5034: Bio-Inspired Technology |
Fall | Spring | Summer |
ME 5634: Finite Elements in Machine Design | ME 5634: Finite Elements in Machine Design | ME 4674: Materials Selection in Mechanical Design |
ME 5644: Rapid Prototyping | ||
ME 5804: Active Material Systems and Smart Structures I (Vibrations of Active Materials) | ||
ME 5884: Applied Machine Learning |
Fall | Spring | Summer |
ME 5104: Thermodynamics: Foundations and Applications | ||
ME 5135: Vehicle Propulsion | ME 5214: Combustion | |
ME 5304: Radiation and Heat Transfer | ME 5314: Convective Heat and Mass Transfer | |
ME 5404: Fluid Dynamics | ME 5424: Turbomachinery | |
ME 5434: Advanced Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics* | ME 5444: Interfacial Fluid Mechanics |
Fall | Spring | Summer |
ME 5544: Linear Systems Theory | ||
ME 5554: Applied Linear Systems | ME 5564: Applied Linear Control | |
ME 5574: Nonlinear Systems Theory* | ME 5704: Robotics and Automation | |
ME 5714: Digital Signal Processing for Mechanical Measurements | ||
ME 5734: Advanced Engineering Acoustics | ||
ME 5736G: Advanced Mechatronics |
Fall | Spring | Summer |
NSEG 5114: Nuclear Engineering Fundamentals | NSEG 5124: Nuclear Reactor Analysis | |
NSEG 5134: Monte Carlo Methods* | NSEG 5204: Nuclear Fuel Cycle | NSEG 5134: Monte Carlo Methods* |
NSEG 5214: Nuclear Plant Systems and Operations | ||
NSEG 5284: Nuclear Nonproliferation, Safeguards, and Security | ||
NSEG 5384G: Advanced Nuclear Materials | NSEG 5384G: Advanced Nuclear Materials | |
NSEG 5424: Reactor Thermal Hydraulics | NSEG 5504: Radiation Effects on Metals and Alloys | |
NSEG 5514: Structural Materials Degradation | NSEG 5604: Radiation Detection and Shielding | |
NSEG 5984: Applied Math* | NSEG 6124: Advanced Nuclear Reactor Analysis | NSEG 6124: Advanced Nuclear Reactor Analysis |
NSEG 6334: Nuclear Reactor Safety |
Course listings may be found in the timetable and historic timetable, and faculty and staff advisors can help inform curriculum-building decisions based on course offerings.
Yes! We have options for full- and part-time enrollment. Students may choose to take one or more courses per semester.
Please be aware that financial aid is typically granted to full-time students only, with few exceptions.
We accept applications for start times in the fall and spring semesters. See information about taking courses as a non-degree student to get a jump start on your program.
The DC area campus deadlines are different than those for Blacksburg.
- Fall application deadline: July 1
- Spring application deadline: December 1
Yes, under certain circumstances. We pride ourselves on our holistic approach to applications, and we don ‘t want testing requirements to stand in the way of a potential student. Please reach out to us for more information!
Yes! Fundamental knowledge in math and physics is important, and we know this isn’t always reflected in your transcripts. If you are willing to work hard, we are willing to teach you. Please be prepared to address the discrepancy of grades to knowledge in your personal statement.
Courses are delivered in-person, synchronously by teleconference, and asynchronously. The majority of courses will be delivered synchronously using a combination of zoom and canvas. We understand that life happens, so lectures are recorded when delivered synchronously.
Some of our faculty have been certified to teach asynchronously, and these courses will be offered through canvas with specific instructions on how to meet course requirements in the time allotted.
We do have faculty in the DC area who teach at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church. Classes are delivered synchronously to Blacksburg, and students in the area are welcome to attend in-person, although this is not required for ME courses.