GRADUATE PROGRAM

 

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and the Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering degrees are earned by completing both formal coursework and a thesis or dissertation based on a research project. Usually, the thesis/dissertation research project is closely related to one of the Buildings and Environmental Thermal Systems Group (BETSRG) research projects.

  • Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Systems

    In recent years energy conscious design of building HVAC systems has become a priority in many countries. Engineering research and design tools capable of developing prototypical systems and evaluating emerging technologies are becoming increasingly important. Development of computer based engineering and research tools is an important aspect of the overall thermal systems research effort at OSU.

  • Building Energy and Thermal Load Calculations

    Calculation of building heating and cooling loads is a critical task in the design of HVAC systems. It is now also common practice to use energy simulation techniques in the design of new buildings and assessment of energy saving measures and life cycle costs. There is an ongoing research effort in the school of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at OSU in the testing and development of load calculation and energy simulation methods.

  • Ground Heat Transfer and Ground Source Heat Pump Systems

    Ground source heat pumps are a highly efficient and low maintenance technology for air conditioning of residential, institutional and small commercial buildings. The department has had a program of research into this technology for a number of years and has been actively involved in the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (headquartered at OSU).

Degree Requirements

 M.S. in Mechanical Engineering Degree Program

Students working in the BETSRG typically pursue the thesis option.  Eight three-hour courses and a thesis are required.  These courses are mutually agreed upon by the student and his or her advisor.  A typical program is shown below.  The actual selection of courses will depend on the student’s interests and the student’s research project.  Additional classes that typically might be taken are listed in the Ph.D. Degree program section.

MAE 4703 Indoor Environmental Systems (3 credits)
MAE 4713 Thermal Systems (3 credits)
MAE 5093 Numerical Engineering Analysis (3 credits)
MAE 5633 Advanced Thermal Systems (3 credits)
MAE 5683 Refrigeration (3 credits)
MAE 5863: Building Heat Transfer and Simulation (3 credits)
MAE 5873 Advanced Indoor Environmental Systems (3 credits)
MATH 4013 Calculus of Several Variables (3 credits)
MAE 5000 M.S. Thesis (6 credits)

Total Hours: 30

Typically, the M.S.M.E. degree program can be completed in 18-24 months.  This depends largely on the student.  Some sample theses may be found here.

 

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Degree Program

Students earning the Ph.D. are required to take an additional 30 hours of courses beyond the M.S., and complete a Ph.D. dissertation.  The 30 hours of coursework includes six hours of Mathematics, and 24 hours in Mechanical Engineering or related fields.  The classes to be selected depend on the background of the student, the student’s interests, and the student’s research project.  If the student comes to OSU from another institution, it is likely that some of the classes on the above typical M.S. program will be taken.  Additional classes typically taken include the following:

MAE 5233 Viscous Fluid Dynamics (3 credits)
MAE 5263 Combustion (3 credits)
MAE 5483 Digital Data Acquisition and Control (3 credits)
MAE 5703 Optimization (3 credits)
MAE 5803 Advanced Thermodynamics (3 credits)
MAE 5823 Radiation Heat Transfer (3 credits)
MAE 5843 Conduction Heat Transfer (3 credits)
MAE 5853 Computational Heat Transfer (3 credits)
MAE 6233 Turbulent Fluid Dynamics (3 credits)
MAE 6263 Computational Fluid Dynamics (3credits)
MAE 6843 Convection Heat Transfer (3 credits)
MATH 4143 Advanced Calculus I (3 credits)
MATH 4153 Advanced Calculus II (3 credits)
MATH 4233. Eng. Mathematics: Differential Eqns (3 credits)
MATH 4283 Complex Variables (3 credits)
MATH 4553 Linear and Non-linear Programming (3 credits)

Typically, the Ph.D.M.E. degree program can be completed in 2.5-4 years.  This depends largely on the student.  Some sample theses may be found here.