Mechanical and Energy Engineering

Master's Degree Program

Graduate opportunities

Where will you make your mark in future innovations? Will you help provide cleaner and more sustainable energy, improve human health, or devise better technologies for ground and air transportation or even space exploration?

The Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering offers a Master of Science degree in Mechanical and Energy Engineering. A concentration in Mechanical and Energy Engineering is also available in the Materials Science and Engineering doctoral program. These visionary, innovative and interdisciplinary programs produce specialists with a strong education in the fundamentals of engineering.

We are committed to academic excellence and research in all areas of mechanical and energy engineering. You will study the fundamentals and applications of engineering and develop life-long learning skills within a research/project-oriented environment.

With small class sizes, you can work closely with distinguished faculty members to solve complex problems faced by businesses and consumers. Our faculty members have been honored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. You also will have networking opportunities through the valuable contacts we have established with leading companies and corporate partners.

Employment possibilities

Engineers are in high demand in academia and the workplace to solve major challenges in sustainable energy provision, the development of innovative medical devices and the mechanics of new materials for the next generation of vehicles.

Mechanical engineering is the most general of the engineering disciplines, which prepares students for positions in aerospace, gas production and distribution, manufacturing, and nanotechnology, among others.

Research opportunities

The College of Engineering has laboratories with cutting-edge research equipment and instructional facilities. The department also supports top-ranked research laboratories that offer exciting possibilities for study and research. Working with faculty members, you may research:

• Advanced structural materials, technologies for conventional and alternative energy sources
• Energy efficient engineering devices, equipment and building systems
• Computational heat transfer and fluid flow
• Renewable energy (solar, wind and geothermal)
• Biomaterials and biocomposites
• Polymer nanocomposites
• Biomedical devices
• Optoelectronics

The university offers more than 80 research centers and cross-disciplinary research clusters, including clusters focusing on renewable energy and conservation and renewable bio-products. These clusters conduct research to develop energy and technology strategies that address the region’s and nation’s energy and sustainable development needs.

Attending UNT

Admission requirements

You must apply for admission through the Toulouse Graduate School® or the International Admissions Office. For details, visit the Graduate School website or the UNT-International site.

You also must submit the following materials directly to the department:

• A detailed résumé with educational experience, relevant work history and research experience
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official GRE scores

Degree requirements

You will plan your degree program with the assistance and approval of your major professor and advisory committee. The requirement for graduation is completion of at least 31 credit hours with a B average in all courses.

Thesis option

• 18 credit hours of mechanical and energy engineering course work
• 6 credit hours may be chosen from other departments
• 6 credit hours of master’s thesis (An oral presentation of the thesis is required. A decision on acceptance of the thesis is made by your advisory committee. Preparation guidelines are on the Graduate School site)
• 1 credit hour of seminar

Non-thesis option

• 21 credit hours of mechanical and energy engineering course work
• 9 credit hours may be chosen from other departments
• 1 credit hour of seminar
• A report on an independent research problem (A formal seminar/presentation to your advisory committee is required. A decision on acceptance of the independent research problem is made by your advisory committee. Preparation guidelines are on the Mechanical and Energy Engineering website.)

Financial assistance

Teaching and research assistantships funded by the department and faculty research grants support many students. Out-of-state and international students who are funded at least half time are eligible for in-state tuition rates. Only master’s students who select the thesis option are eligible for teaching or research assistantships. A number of in-state tuition scholarships also are available.

Information about other financial assistance programs is on the Financial Aid site.