Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is based on 30-semester units of which at least 21 units must be earned from graduate-level courses. Students will work closely with a faculty advisor to develop a curriculum plan that ensures academic rigor while at the same time meeting the needs of the student. A maximum of 6 units of elective non-engineering courses may be applied to the degree requirements with the consent of the faculty advisor if they are consistent with the student’s program of study. 

Admission to the Program

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related discipline, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in upper-division major classes, in addition to meeting general university requirements for graduate standing. An applicant’s undergraduate degree program should include the equivalent of the following courses:

In cases where these coursework requirements have not been met, applicants may be conditionally accepted and complete the necessary coursework as part of their graduate program of study.

The School of Engineering also requires two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the student’s previous academic work or professional accomplishments.

Applicants whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must satisfy one of the following: a minimum accepted score of 550 total on the paper-based test or 80 overall score on internet-based test, an IELTS score of 6.5, a Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59, or a Duolingo Graduate minimum of 120 (if one of these are not satisfied, an applicant may be conditionally accepted but must complete SCI 614 within the first year of attendance at SF State). 

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are not required but will be considered as part of the admissions package for applicants who wish to submit them.

Advancement to Candidacy

The applicant is advanced to candidacy when the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) has been signed and approved by the Dean of the Graduate Division.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
  8. An ability to conduct independent research.
  9. An ability to demonstrate subject expertise in a mechanical engineering subfield.

Mechanical Engineering (M.S.) – Minimum 30 units

Required Courses (3 units)

ENGR 800Research Methodology3

The required course is designed to provide students with a foundation for conducting research and engineering analysis at the graduate level. The skills gained in this course may be applied to any of the various mechanical engineering sub-fields.

Elective Engineering Courses (18-24 units)

Elective courses must be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.  Representative engineering elective courses are listed below. Up to 6 units of graduate or upper-division courses outside of ENGR may be used with the approval of the faculty advisor. Up to 9 units of undergraduate courses are allowed, if not used to satisfy undergraduate degree program requirements.

ENGR 306Electromechanical Systems3
ENGR 413Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Engineering3
ENGR 414Applied Robotics3
ENGR 415Mechatronics4
ENGR 441Fundamentals of Composite Materials3
ENGR 448Electrical Power Systems3
ENGR 451Digital Signal Processing4
ENGR 461Structural Dynamics3
ENGR 463Thermal Power Systems3
ENGR 465Principles of HVAC3
ENGR 469Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems3
ENGR 470Biomechanics3
ENGR 478Design with Microprocessors4
ENGR 492Hardware for Machine Learning3
ENGR 498Advanced Design with Microcontrollers4
ENGR 801Engineering Management3
ENGR 820Energy Resources and Sustainability3
ENGR 845Neural-Machine Interfaces: Design and Applications3
ENGR 859On-Device Machine Learning3
ENGR 860Applied Engineering Analysis3
ENGR 863Advanced Thermal-Fluids3
ENGR 864Transport Phenomena3
ENGR 865Energy-Efficient Buildings3
ENGR 866Air Quality Engineering3
ENGR 867Energy Auditing and Measurement and Verification3
ENGR 868Advanced Control Systems3
ENGR 869Robotics3
ENGR 870Robot Control3

Culminating Experience (3-9 units)

Units selected from one of the options below:

Option A

ENGR 897
& ENGR 898		Research
and Master's Thesis (thesis may not be started until completion of 12 units of graduate course work and 3 units of ENGR 897)		6-9

Option B

ENGR 895Applied Research Project (project may not be started until completion of 12 units of graduate course work)3