Mechanical Engineering

Graduate Programs

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers both MS (thesis & non-thesis options) and PhD degree programs aimed at preparing students for successful careers in industry, R&D, and academia by acquiring strong engineering background and research capabilities. In partnership with the Graduate School, our graduate programs are structured to achieve the established Learning Outcomes.

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Program Offerings

Mechanical Engineering Graduate Programs

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine offers graduate programs leading to Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. These programs are designed to provide a strong foundation in mechanical engineering while allowing students to tailor their studies to individual research interests and career goals.

Program Structure

Each student works closely with a faculty advisor and graduate committee to develop a personalized Program of Study.

  • MS (Thesis Option)
    Requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework, 6 credit hours of thesis research, and 1 credit of responsible conduct of research. Courses span the fields of engineering mechanics and thermofluid sciences.
  • MS (Non-Thesis Option)
    Requires 30 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination.
  • PhD
    The PhD program emphasizes original research on a focused topic of interest to the student and their advisor. Students may engage in interdisciplinary research with faculty from other departments as part of a cohesive Mechanical Engineering degree.

Students with strong interdisciplinary interests may apply up to 40% of their MS coursework from other departments across the university.

Research Areas

Graduate students have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a variety of areas, including:

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomimetics
  • Composite Materials and Structures
  • Computational Mechanics
  • Computational and Experimental Fluid Mechanics
  • Controls and Dynamic Systems
  • Design Optimization
  • Engineering Education
  • Floating Offshore Structures
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Heat Transfer and Radiative Heat Transfer
  • Marine Renewable Energy
  • Nano and Smart Materials
  • Ocean and Marine Engineering
  • Offshore Engineering
  • Reduced-Order Modeling
  • Robotics
  • Solid and Structural Mechanics
  • Solar Thermal Energy
  • Thermal Sciences and Engineering
  • Uncertainty Quantification
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Interdisciplinary Opportunities

Graduate students are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary studies and research, including opportunities in areas such as:

  • Engineering & Business (through the Professional Science Master’s program)
  • Collaborative PhD research with other departments at UMaine

Admissions

Admission requires a relevant bachelor’s degree and compliance with the UMaine Graduate School requirements. Applicants from other science or engineering disciplines may be considered, although prerequisite undergraduate coursework may be required.

Deadlines

  • Spring Admission: July 31
  • Fall Admission: February 15

Contact Information

Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to faculty members to discuss research interests and potential advising opportunities.

For general inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Andy Goupee
Graduate Coordinator, Mechanical Engineering
University of Maine

Requirements
A graduate concentration requires completion of 12 credits (4 courses) from the associated approved lists of Core and Supporting courses as shown in Tables 1 and 2. A maximum of one course (or 3 credits) may be transferred from outside of UMaine toward fulfilling the requirements of a graduate concentration. Pursuing a concentration is optional, and it is up to the individual graduate student to declare and pursue it.

PhD and MS (Thesis)
Students are required to complete a minimum of two (2) Core courses and a maximum of two (2) Supporting courses associated with the selected concentration area. It is acceptable for all four courses to be from the list of Core courses. A minimum grade of B- is required in each course.

MS (Non-Thesis)
Students are required to complete a minimum of three (3) Core courses and a maximum of one (1) Supporting course associated with the selected concentration area. It is acceptable for all four courses to be from the list of Core courses. A minimum grade of B- is required in each course.

Switching Between Thesis and Non-Thesis Options
If a student chooses to switch from thesis to non-thesis option of the MS degree program or vice versa, they will be subject to the requirements for the latter option in completing a concentration.

Eligibility Criteria
Graduate students matriculated in the Mechanical Engineering MS or PhD program are eligible to pursue each concentration as long as the prerequisites for each course in the sequence are met.

Educational Objectives (for each separate concentration)

  • Introduce fundamental concepts and theories.
  • Develop skills necessary for modeling, analysis, and design of components and systems.
  • Establish suitability of products and systems for intended applications.

Timeframe for Concentration Completion
The flexibility built into each concentration ensures that regular course offerings and rotation schedules will allow successful completion of each concentration in one to two years.

Coordinators

  • Robotics and Mechatronics – Dr. Babak Hejrati
  • Smart Manufacturing – Dr. Bashir Khoda

a For MS students, a maximum of one course can be at 400-level. For PhD students, all courses must be at 500- or 600-level.

Robotics and Mechatronics Concentration

Advances in robotics and mechatronics have had a profound impact in many areas, including manufacturing, healthcare, shipping, space exploration, and autonomous systems. By completing this concentration, students will gain the necessary knowledge in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to pursue a career in this area. With expertise at UMaine in engineering and computer science, students will be able to take courses from multiple departments, as noted in Table 1.

Table 1. Approved Courses for Robotics and Mechatronics Concentration

Core CoursesSupporting Courses
ECE 471 Embedded SystemsCOS 570 Topics in Artificial Intelligence
ECE 533 Advanced RoboticsCOS 598 Machine Learning & Computer Vision
MEE 444/551 Robot Dynamics and ControlECE 417 Introduction to Robotics
MEE 490/590 Modern Control Theory and ApplicationsECE 477 Hardware Application using C
ECE 478 Industrial Computer Control
ECE 571 Advanced Microprocessor-Based Design
ECE 573 Microprogramming
ECE 584 Estimation Theory
ECE 590 Neural Networks
MEE 459/559 Engineering Optimization

Smart Manufacturing Concentration

Smart manufacturing aims to convert data, acquired across the product life cycle, into manufacturing intelligence to improve manufacturing. The emergence of cyber-physical systems and related innovations, including digital twin / digital thread, can be leveraged and effectively integrated into support of data-driven manufacturing or Industry 4.0. The systematic computational analysis of manufacturing data can lead to more informed decisions, which in turn can enhance the effectiveness of modern manufacturing. This concentration is supported by the list of courses shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Approved Courses for Smart Manufacturing Concentration

Core CoursesSupporting Courses
COS 570 Topics in Artificial IntelligenceCOS 554 Algorithms
MEE 430 Digital ManufacturingECE 533 Advanced Robotics
MEE 444/551 Robot Dynamics and ControlECE 490/590 Neural Networks
MET 440/540 Lean Six SigmaINV 510 Fundamentals and Systems of Innovation
SIE 516 Virtual Reality: Research and ApplicationsINV 511 Advanced Innovation Methods
MEE 441/541 Manufacturing and Testing of Composites
MEE 459/559 Engineering Optimization
MEE 546 Finite Elements in Solid Mechanics
MEE 558 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
MEE 646 Advanced Finite Elements in Solid Mechanics

Note: The tabulated courses are regularly offered and enable students to complete each concentration as part of an MS or a PhD degree program in Mechanical Engineering. As more related courses are developed in future, the lists in Tables 1 and 2 will be updated.

Composite Materials and Structures Certificate

Certificate Coordinators

Requirements

The certificate requires completion of 12 credits (4 courses) through a combination of 400- and graduate-level courses as described in the Course Sequence section below. A maximum of one course (3 credits) at the 400- or 500-level may be transferred from outside UMaine for credit.

  • Undergraduate Category:
    Must complete 12 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a minimum grade of C– in each course.
  • Graduate Category:
    Must complete 12 credits with a minimum grade of C in no more than one course. At least three courses (9 credits) must be at the 500- or 600-level.
  • Other Category (e.g., individuals not enrolled in a UMaine degree program):
    Must complete 12 credits with a minimum grade of C in each course.

The certificate program must be completed within three years from the date of acceptance.

Course Sequence

a. Core Courses (6 credits)

Choose two of the following:

  • MEE 441/541 – Manufacturing and Testing of Composites
    Introduction to the manufacturing and material property determination of fiber-reinforced polymer materials. Includes fabrication, post-processing, and testing of thermoset and thermoplastic composite materials.
    Lec 1, Lab 2.
    Prerequisites: MEE 251, MEE 252, MET 219, or instructor permission.
  • MEE 450 – Mechanics of Composite Materials
    Covers fabrication methods, properties of constituent materials, micromechanical predictions, lamination theory, failure theories, and design of composite structures.
    Lec 3.
    Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MEE 251.
  • CIE 543 – Introduction to Composite Materials in Civil Engineering
    Mechanics of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites with emphasis on structural design.
    Lec 2, Lab 1.
    Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing in Engineering or Wood Science and Technology; MEE 251 or equivalent; CIE 340 or equivalent. Must have one course each in mechanics, calculus/linear algebra, and computer programming.

b. Elective Courses (6 credits – any two)

  • MEE 550 – Mechanics of Laminated Composite Structures
    Advanced topics in laminated composite beams, plates, shells, and interlaminar stresses.
    Lec 3.
    Prerequisite: MEE 450 or instructor permission.
  • CIE 644 – Advanced Composite Materials in Civil Engineering
    Includes topics such as fracture, fatigue, durability, bridge structures, and strengthening of materials.
    Lec 3.
    Prerequisites: CIE 543; graduate standing in Engineering or Wood Science and Technology or instructor permission.
  • SFR 531 – Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites
    Application of laminate theory and failure criteria to solid wood and composites.
    Lec 3.
    Prerequisite: SFR 425 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
  • SFR 545 – Adhesion and Adhesives Technology
    Fundamentals of adhesion and adhesives with applications in composites.
    Lec 3.
    Prerequisite: Senior standing or instructor permission.
  • SFR 550 – Wood-Polymer Hybrid Composites
    Focuses on combining wood with FRPs, interfacial properties, and material durability.
    Lec 3.
    Prerequisite: SFR 454 or instructor permission.
  • SFR 570 – Cellulose Nanomaterials and Their Composites
    Production, processing, and performance of renewable nanomaterials.
    Lec 3.
    Prerequisite: Recommendation of student’s advisory committee or instructor permission.

Offshore Wind Energy Graduate Certificate Program

Certificate Coordinator

Assistant Prof. Dr. Amrit Verma
amrit.verma@maine.edu, (207) 281-5126

Requirements

The certificate requires completion of 12 credits (4 courses) through a combination of 400- and graduate-level courses. A maximum of one course (3 credits) at the 400 or 500 level may be transferred from outside of UMaine for credit.

  • Students must complete 12 credits with a minimum grade of C in no more than one course. All other earned grades must be B or above.
  • At least three courses (9 credits) must be at the 500 or 600 level.
  • At least 6 credits must be taken from the core course category.
  • No more than 6 credits may be taken from the supporting course category.

The certificate program must be completed within three years from the date of acceptance.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have:

  • An earned baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
  • Sufficient prerequisite coursework to enroll in required certificate courses.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • International applicants must meet University of Maine English proficiency requirements.

Courses completed for this certificate may be counted toward a graduate degree per the guidelines of the respective degree program.

Course Sequence

a. Core Courses (Minimum 6 credits)

Note: At least one course marked with an asterisk () is required.*

  • MEE 480/580 / CIE 480 – Wind Energy Engineering*
    Covers theory and design of modern wind turbines, including aerodynamic loads, structural integrity, cost optimization, and offshore trends.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • MEE 489/565 – Offshore Floating System Design*
    Introduces naval architecture and offshore design: platform stability, structural strength, mooring, performance, and installation. Includes industry guest lectures and hands-on design.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • MEE 491/591 – Offshore Wind Farm Engineering*
    Covers offshore wind climate, turbine selection, substructure design, installation, operations, maintenance, electrical infrastructure, environmental impacts, and decommissioning.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • CIE 551 – Water Wave Mechanics
    Introduction to coastal and ocean wave mechanics, small-amplitude wave theory, particle kinematics, and wave effects in engineered systems.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • ECE 498 – Smart Grid and Enabling Technologies
    (Currently offered as a Selected Topics course) Covers concepts in smart grid systems and enabling technologies.
    Lec. 3 cr.

b. Supporting Courses (Maximum 6 credits)

  • MEE 459/559 – Engineering Optimization
    Analytical and numerical methods for solving linear/nonlinear, constrained/unconstrained optimization problems.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • MEE 477/577 – Introduction to Structural Dynamics
    Covers vibration characteristics of structural elements using analytical/numerical methods including finite element analysis.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • MEE 490/590 – Modern Control Theory & Applications
    Introduces state-space methods, stability, controllability, LQR, Kalman filter, and applications using MATLAB.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • MEE 564 – Fluid Structure Interaction
    Basics of FSI through progressive problem sets: fluid mechanics, wave hydrodynamics, system dynamics, and vibrations.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • CIE 557 – Measurement Techniques in Water Resources
    Covers instrumentation setup, field campaigns, data processing, and analysis in coastal, riverine, and lake environments.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • CIE 558 – Coastal Engineering
    Introduces wave theory, forecasting, structural loading, sediment transport, and design of coastal protection systems.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • CIE 640 – Advanced Structural Analysis
    Finite-element analysis of framed structures including nonlinear effects, thermal loads, buckling, and dynamic analysis.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • ECE 427 / EET 422 – Electric Power Systems
    Covers power system models, flow solutions, fault analysis, and protective relaying.
    Lec. 4 cr.
  • ECE 455 – Electric Drives
    Analysis and control of DC, induction, and PMAC motors including four-quadrant operations and feedback control.
    Lec. 3 cr.
  • EET 460/560 – Renewable Energy and Electricity Production
    Overview of renewable resources, energy conversion and storage, distributed generation, and the economics of energy systems.
    Lec. 3 cr.

Funding Opportunities

The Department offers a limited number of teaching assistantship positions on a competitive basis. Research assistantships may be offered by the individual faculty. Other forms of support through external fellowships are possible and strongly encouraged. A typical graduate assistantship in mechanical engineering covers 100% tuition, up to 100% health insurance plus a monthly stipend, with amount depending on the source of funding. More information

Sample MS Theses & PhD Dissertations


Prospective Graduate Student Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the application deadlines?
We have rolling admissions. However, February 15th is the deadline for full funding consideration for the upcoming academic year.

Do you offer an application waiver?
No, we do not offer an application fee waiver. However, if you apply, are admitted, and enroll in classes at UMaine, we will reimburse your application fee.

Do you require GRE scores?
No, we do not.

What English proficiency exams are accepted for international students? What are the required scores? If I have a degree from an English-speaking institution, are English proficiency exams required for my application?
All of the acceptable English proficiency exam types, and the required scores, can be found on the University of Maine Graduate School website. This website also states that all applicants who have received a degree from an English-speaking institution do not need to provide English proficiency test scores.

What is your minimum GPA requirement for admission?
We do not have a publicly-posted minimum GPA requirement. That said, we look for competitive applications which include your essay, resume, recommendation letters, transcripts and English proficiency test scores (if applicable).

What background degrees or coursework are required for admission to your graduate programs?
Please refer to Appendix A in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Guidelines for information on required prerequisite coursework.

Do Ph.D. applicants require an M.S. degree, or is there a direct-to-Ph.D. option?
We do offer a direct-to-Ph.D. option for highly qualified applicants with an undergraduate degree.

Do you offer a non-terminal M.S. degree for direct-to-Ph.D. students?
No, we currently do not.

Can I include a professional recommendation letter (or letters) as part of my recommendation letters or are all recommenders expected to be faculty?
Recommendations can come from both professional and academic areas, but there is a preference that at least one of these letters be from a faculty member who has knowledge of your performance in an academic setting.

Can I submit an unofficial transcript in my application?
Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for your application to be reviewed. Official transcripts sent by the institution to the University of Maine Graduate School are required if you are admitted.

If my transcript comes from a non-U.S. institution, do I need to submit a World Education Services (WES) evaluation?
No, we do not require WES evaluations. That said, if you provide one, that is perfectly fine.

If I email the University of Maine Mechanical Engineering Department Graduate Coordinator my transcript and/or other application materials, will they let me know if I would be eligible to be admitted to my desired graduate program or not?
No, the Graduate Coordinator will not provide any indication if you would be eligible to be admitted to our M.S. or Ph.D. graduate programs over email. An official review will only occur with the receipt of a completed application.

Is it required to contact a faculty member before applying for a graduate program in the UMaine Mechanical Engineering Department?
No, you do not need to contact a faculty member to apply. However, admission to our graduate programs is not a guarantee of funding.

How do I go about securing a research or teaching assistantship?
If you require funding, please reach out to faculty in our Department who have research interests aligned with yours and see if they would be willing to fund you. The individual faculty have the complete discretion to supervise and fund (through either a research or teaching assistantship) whoever they choose from among the list of admitted applicants. There is no central repository of assistantship opportunities in the Department that the Graduate Coordinator can direct you to.

Do you offer research and teaching assistantships for M.S. students?
Yes, we do offer research and teaching assistantships to M.S. (thesis-option) students.

Are applicants for the Ph.D. program more likely to secure assistantships than for the M.S. program?
The preference to choose funding either an M.S. or Ph.D. student is completely up to the individual faculty member in control of the funding and the needs of their projects.

What do research and teaching assistantships cover?
They provide a monthly stipend, cover your tuition as well as at least half of the cost of health insurance coverage if you require it. Fees associated with registering for classes are typically the responsibility of the student. The minimum monthly stipend for a nine month appointment can be found here. Stipends can be higher, and research assistantships traditionally are twelve month appointments.

Schedule of Technical Electives and Graduate-Level Courses

Courses listed as being offered during future semesters are subject to change

Spring 2025

  • MEE 444 — Robot Dynamics and Control
  • MEE 452 — Aircraft & Automobile Structures
  • MEE 498 — Mechanics of Polymeric Fluids
  • MEE 550 — Mechanics of Laminated Composite Structures
  • MEE 551 — Robot Dynamics and Control
  • MEE 552 — Aircraft & Automobile Structures
  • MEE 557 — Introduction to Continuum Mechanics
  • MEE 639 — Advanced Radiative Heat Transfer
  • MEE 646 — Advanced Finite Elements in Solid Mechanics
  • MEE 697 — Mechanics of Polymeric Fluids

Summer 2025

  • MEE 394 — Mechanical Engineering Practice
  • MEE 441 — Manufacturing and Testing of Composites
  • MEE 480 — Wind Energy Engineering
  • MEE 522 — Advances in Materials I
  • MEE 541 — Manufacturing and Testing of Composites
  • MEE 580 — Wind Energy Engineering

Fall 2025

  • MEE 430 — Digital Manufacturing
  • MEE 448 — Aircraft Design
  • MEE 450 — Mechanics of Composite Materials
  • MEE 459 — Engineering Optimization
  • MEE 462 — Fluid Mechanics II
  • MEE 477 — Introduction to Structural Dynamics
  • MEE 486 — Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems
  • MEE 490 — Modern Control Theory & Applications
  • MEE 491 — Offshore Wind Farm Engineering
  • MEE 549 — Numerical Methods in Engineering
  • MEE 553 — Aircraft Design
  • MEE 554 — Theory of Elasticity
  • MEE 559 — Engineering Optimization
  • MEE 564 — Fluid-Structure Interaction
  • MEE 577 — Introduction to Structural Dynamics
  • MEE 590 — Modern Control Theory & Applications
  • MEE 591 — Offshore Wind Farm Engineering

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