Department of Mechanical, Environmental, and Civil Engineering

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Description

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is an industry-focused, practice-oriented degree that will deepen mechanical engineering skills in design, manufacturing, controls, robotics, energy, sustainability, and much more. What sets our program apart is its strong emphasis on integrating applied mechanics, computer simulations, design, and energy science and technology. The graduate program provides a strengthened technical background for mechanical engineering and other multidisciplinary problems that we intend to us as a thread in the curriculum.

Admission to the master's mechanical engineering program requires a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field of study from an accredited institution. Students not meeting this requirement will be considered for admission on an individual basis and may be admitted subject to the completion of appropriate undergraduate courses to remove any deficiencies in preparation.

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better, and make grades of C or better in all courses on the degree plan. Grades for courses completed at other institutions, or at Tarleton before the start of the master's degree, are not included in the degree plan GPA, but they are still subject to the requirement of C or better. No undergraduate courses can be counted towards the master's degree (Tarleton rule). A maximum of 12 graduate credit hours may be transferred.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering 

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Required Courses
Required Courses
MEEN 5310Advanced Solid Mechanics3
MEEN 5320Optimization of Engineering Systems3
MEEN 5330Mechanics of Viscous Flow3
MEEN 5333Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics3
MEEN 5332Advanced heat transfer3
MEEN 5360Introduction to Robotics3
Choose one from the following:3
Statistical Models
Dynamical Systems
Mathematical Modeling
Numerical Analysis
Advanced Engineering Mathematics
Any other approved 5000 level course in MATH
Total hours21
Additional Required Courses for Concentrations
Thesis
MEEN 5088Master's Thesis6
Choose one from the following:3
Finite Element Analysis: Theory and Practice
Computational Methods for Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
Choose one from the following:3
Lean Six Sigma
Advanced Energy Systems
Advanced Materials Engineering
Total Hours12
Professional (non-thesis)
MEEN 5311Finite Element Analysis: Theory and Practice3
MEEN 5325Advanced Materials Engineering3
Choose one from the following:3
Lean Six Sigma (Choose one from the following:)
Advanced Energy Systems
MEEN 5331Computational Methods for Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer3
Total Hours12
1

Admission to the MEEN-MS program requires a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Students not meeting this requirement will be considered for admission on an individual basis and may be admitted subject to the completion of appropriate undergraduate courses to remove any deficiencies in preparation.

2

After receiving admission to graduate studies, the student choosing thesis option will consult with the graduate program coordinator concerning appointment of the chair of their advisory committee. The chair, in consultation with the student, will select the remainder of the committee, which will consist of no fewer than three members of the faculty. The chair of the committee must be from the MECE department, and at least one member must have an appointment to a department other than MECE. The duties of the chair include responsibility for the research proposal, the thesis, and the final examination. 

3

The graduate program coordinator, in consultation with the student, will develop the degree plan, which must specify the thesis or non-thesis option. The degree plan may include additional coursework, if it is deemed necessary by the faculty in order to address deficiencies. The degree plan must be completed and filed in accordance with the Tarleton Office of Graduate Studies requirements. In addition, the graduate program coordinator is responsible for advising the student on all academic matters, and, in the case of academic deficiency, initiating recommendations to the Office of Graduate Studies.

4

For the thesis option, the student must prepare a thesis proposal for approval by the advisory committee and the head of the MECE department. The Thesis Manual, which contains details regarding the preparation and submission of a thesis for approval, is available on the Graduate College website. Students who plan to pursue a thesis should obtain a copy of this manual early in their graduate program.  A thesis proposal must be submitted to the Graduate Office at least one semester prior to thesis submission. Preparation and submission of a thesis must be in accordance with Tarleton Office of Graduate Studies.

5

Courses used toward any degree at Tarleton or another institution may not be applied for graduate credit. If the course to be transferred was taken prior to the conferral of a degree at another institution, a letter from the registrar at that institution, stating that the course was not applied for credit toward the degree, must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies. A maximum of 12 credit hours may be transferred.

Civil & Environmental Engineering Courses

CIVE 5082. Internship. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Preapproved and supervised work experience consisting of a minimum of 240 hours (6 weeks) in a Civil and/or Environmental Engineering related position with public or private industries. Each credit hour of coursework is equivalent to 80 hours (2 weeks) of work experience. May be repeated for a total of 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing with approval of Program Coordinator.

CIVE 5088. Master's Thesis. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Required each semester in which a student is working and receiving direction on a master’s thesis. Minimum two semesters (6 hours) required for master’s thesis option. Prerequisite: department head approval.

CIVE 5098. Research Project. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Graduate students conduct original research on a variety of topics in the Civil and/or Environmental Engineering. Prerequisites: Graduate standing with approval of Program Coordinator.

CIVE 5301. Advanced Structural Analysis. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course covers advanced techniques on analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate structures using matrix method of analysis that form the basis of structural analysis software. Finite element analysis is introduced for shell elements. The emphasis of this course is to learn analytical techniques to analyze complex structural systems and verify the results using software tools. Prerequisite: Mastery in statics or undergraduate degree in civil engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5304. Advanced Steel and Timber Design. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course covers topics on principles of the design of steel and wood structures using ASD/LRFD methods. Analysis and design of structural elements including steel beams, steel columns, and connections. Covers topics on types of wood, properties of wood, design criteria using structural lumber, glue laminated lumber and structural panels. Design bending and compression wood members, wood trusses and shear diaphragms. Emphasis is given to design steel and timber structures using building standards such as Steel Construction Manual, and National Design Specifications (NDS) for wood. Prerequisite: Mastery in solid mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5305. Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Theory and practice of reinforced concrete design. Theory and design of high strength concrete mixtures. Design of reinforced concrete beams, slabs and columns using the ultimate strength design code of the American Concrete Institute. Prerequisite: Mastery in solid mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5309. Design of Buried and Earth Structures. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course covers fundamental concepts for the analysis and design of most commonly used earth retaining structures, including reinforced concrete cantilever walls, sheet pile walls, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, geosynthetic-reinforced earth structures, and engineered earth slopes. Prerequisite: Mastery in soil mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5310. Water Resources Engineering. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Fundamentals of hydraulics applicable to open channel flow, natural streams and waterways; irrigation flow characteristics; hydrologic analysis; fluid measurement methods; introduction to hydraulic models including HEC-RAS; and economic aspects of water resources. Prerequisites: Mastery in fluid mechanics or or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5311. Soil Improvement & Remediation. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Engineered ground improvement; slurry trenches, dewatering systems; grouting; deep dynamic compaction, vibro compaction; stone columns; wick and vertical sand drains; deep mixing; composite foundation. Emphasizes basic principles and design methodology. Prerequisite: Mastery in soil mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5315. Bridge Design. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Course topics include general considerations for design and load capacity evaluation of highway bridges. Introduction to load and resistance factor design (LRFD) philosophy in designing bridges. Covers topics on AASHTO bridge loads, load distribution, design of bridge deck, analysis & design of prestressed concrete girders, design of composite steel bridges, design of abutments and substructures. Prerequisite: Mastery in solid mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5318. Pavement Material & Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Principles and theoretical concepts of rigid and flexible pavements for highways and airfields; effects of traffic loads, natural forces, and material quality; Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guideline (MEPDG), current design practices (including bituminous mixture design and pavement foundation design), test methods of pavement materials; and pavement management systems. Prerequisites: Mastery in intermediate level probability & statistics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5319. Unit Operations. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Physical operations in water and wastewater treatment are covered in this course. These include the design of lift stations and gravity sewers, screens, sedimentation tanks, clarifiers and holding basins. Prerequisites: Mastery in fluid mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5320. Chemical & Biological Processes in Water Treatment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course examines the chemical and biological phenomena and processes that are related to water and wastewater treatment. Selection and design of the various secondary and tertiary treatment mechanisms are covered. Prerequisites: Mastery in intermediate level organic chemistry & environmental biotechnology; or undergraduate degree in environmental engineering related field; or department head approval.

CIVE 5322. Surface Water Hydrology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced study of the hydrologic cycle, including rainfall-runoff mechanisms, hydrographs, reservoir and channel routing and the application of modeling software in watershed analysis. Prerequisites: Mastery in fluid mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5323. Ground Water Hydrology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Coverage of groundwater flow, well hydraulics, the exploration and management of groundwater resources, modeling of subsurface flow with software and the design of well fields. Prerequisites: Mastery in fluid mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5324. Surface water quality modeling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Coverage of fate and transport of contaminants in surface water. The course includes modeling of occurrence and transport of dissolved oxygen, chemicals and other substances in surface water as well as the interphase movement of chemicals between water and sediments. Prerequisites: Mastery in fluid mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5325. Advanced Foundation Engineering. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Design of foundations with emphasis on reinforced concrete, footings, caissons, piles, retaining walls, and mat foundations. Effect of bearing pressure on foundations. Prerequisite: Mastery in soil mechanics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5351. Environmental Biology and Bioremediation. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course presents information on the role of microorganisms in the design of treatment processes and explores the factors affecting biologically-mediated treatment of wastes in the surface and subsurface environments. Prerequisites: undergraduate degree in engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5352. Green Engineering. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course covers the design and use of non-traditional, greener alternatives in the treatment of wastes in various environmental media as well as the theoretical, practical and regulatory implications of such design. Prerequisites: undergraduate degree in engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5353. Environmental Case Studies. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Through case studies rooted in environmental issues, this course will offer a cross-disciplinary introduction to environmental studies. Environmental inquiry on political ecology, earth science, energy, economics, eco-literature, public health, ecological design, sustainability, policy, and environmental justice. Basic concepts—such as thermodynamics, biodiversity, cost-benefit analysis, contamination, governance, the Anthropocene, and the commons—are variously defined and employed within specific explorations of environmental challenges in the modern world. Prerequisites: undergraduate degree in engineering related field or department head approval.

CIVE 5360. Highway Planning & Design. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Basic concepts in highway planning and design. It includes highway planning process, rigid pavement design, flexible pavement design, and box culvert design. Students will apply the knowledge of estimating and scheduling to heavy construction projects such as highways, bridges, approaches, pipelines, or related structures. Prerequisites: Mastery in intermediate level probability & statistics or undergraduate degree in civil/environmental engineering related field or department head approval.

Civil Engineering Courses

CVEN 22325. DO NOT USE. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).

Engineering Courses

Environmental Engineering Courses

ENVE 5088. Master's Thesis. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Required each semester in which a student is working and receiving direction on a master’s thesis in ENVE-MS. Minimum two semesters (6 hours) required for master’s thesis option. Prerequisites: graduate standing.

ENVE 5302. Atmospheric Systems and Air Pollution Control. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Study of atmospheric impact on air pollution. Study of sources of air pollution and their control to include gases and particulate matter. Study of air pollution regulations and air pollution modeling. Design of systems to control and abate air pollution. Study and design of sampling systems to monitor air pollution. Prerequisite: CHEM 1409; ENGR 2322;.

ENVE 5310. Water Resources Engineering. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Fundamentals of hydraulics applicable to open channel flow, natural streams and waterways; irrigation flow characteristics; hydrologic analysis; fluid measurement methods; introduction to hydraulic models including HEC-RAS; and economic aspects of water resources. Prerequisite: ENVE 3300 or consent of instructor.

ENVE 5319. Physical Operations in Water and Wastewater Treatment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Physical operations in water and wastewater treatment are covered in this course. These include the design of lift stations and gravity sewers, screens, sedimentation tanks, clarifiers and holding basins. Prerequisite: ENVE 3000.

ENVE 5320. Chemical and Biological Processes in Water and Wastewater Treatment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course covers processes associated with water and wastewater treatment that are mediated chemically or using biological means as well as the design of systems that use such mechanisms. Design of secondary treatment systems, removal of nutrients and design of tertiary treatment systems are covered. Prerequisite: CHEM 2323 (coreq); ENVE 3350 (coreq);.

ENVE 5322. Surface Water Hydrology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced study of the hydrologic cycle, including rainfall-runoff mechanisms, hydrographs, reservoir and channel routing and the application of modeling software in watershed analysis. Prerequisite: ENVE 3300 or consent of instructor.

ENVE 5323. Ground Water Hydrology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Groundwater flow, well hydraulics, the exploration and management of groundwater resources, modelling of subsurface flow with software and the design of well fields. Prerequisite: ENVE 3300 or consent of instructor.

ENVE 5324. Surface water quality modeling. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Coverage of fate and transport of contaminants in surface water. The course includes modelling of occurrence and transport of dissolved oxygen, chemicals and other substances in surface water as well as the interphase movement of chemicals between water and sediments. Prerequisite: ENVE 3300 or consent of instructor.

ENVE 5325. Environmental Monitoring and Measurements. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 3 Hours).

Studying and analyzing environmental engineering processes and systems through appropriate experimental methods. The course will include sampling, protocol development and design of experiments, relevant measurement techniques and experimental methods. Emphasis on quality control, calibration, documentation and interpretation of results facilitating the development of best practice approaches for experimental design and analysis. Prerequisite: ENVE 3350 (coreq); ENVE 4320 (coreq) Lab fee: $2.

ENVE 5350. Solid and Hazardous Waste Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to provide students with the necessary background and knowledge pertaining to the engineering design of solid and hazardous waste management and disposal. Topics covered include landfill design, resource conservation recovery and reuse, hazardous waste management.

ENVE 5351. Environmental Biology and Bioremediation. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course presents information on the role of microorganisms in the design of treatment processes and explores the factors affecting biologically-mediated treatment of wastes in the surface and subsurface environments.

ENVE 5352. Green Engineering. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course covers the design and use of non-traditional, greener alternatives in the treatment of wastes in various environmental media as well as the theoretical, practical and regulatory implications of such design.

ENVE 5353. Environmental Case Studies. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Through case studies rooted in environmental issues, this course offers a cross-disciplinary introduction to environmental studies. Environmental inquiry on political ecology, earth science, energy, economics, eco-literature, public health, ecological design, sustainability, policy, and environmental justice. Basic concepts—such as thermodynamics, biodiversity, cost-benefit analysis, contamination, governance, the Anthropocene, and the commons—are variously defined and employed within specific explorations of environmental challenges in the modern world.

ENVE 5357. Environmental Bioprocess Technology. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will cover principles of microbiological, biochemical, and biophysical processes used in environmental waste treatment and remediation processes. Enzyme kinetics, fermentation and other engineering applications with particular emphasis on water quality control processes.

Mechanical Engineering Courses

MEEN 5088. Master's Thesis. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Required each semester in which a student is working and receiving direction on a master’s thesis in MEEN-MS. Minimum two semesters (6 hours) required for master’s thesis option. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

MEEN 5310. Advanced Solid Mechanics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Application of continuum mechanics to study the response of materials to different loading conditions; general principles common to all media such as conservation of mass, balance of linear momentum, conservation of momentum and energy; constitutive equations defining idealized materials for structural elements, mechanical energy considering stress and strain.

MEEN 5311. Finite Element Analysis: Theory and Practice. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Line, plane, solid, plate, and shell elements-theory; practical aspects of modeling; applications in mechanical engineering; final project.

MEEN 5320. Optimization of Engineering Systems. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Applications of optimization techniques to engineering design problems from a variety of fields, including aerospace, automotive, chemical, electrical, construction, and manufacturing; the focus is on using optimization techniques in a comprehensive manner, to enhance the creative process of conceptual and detailed design of engineering systems.

MEEN 5321. Lean Six Sigma. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A close examination of Lean Six Sigma tools and methodology, and its relationship to the engineering design, optimization, and validation processes for product development. Students will learn about translation of requirements, Taguchi’s robust design solutions, and failure mode-effect analysis for design and processes.

MEEN 5325. Advanced Materials Engineering. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Structure-property relationship in engineering materials is discussed in this course. Material structure is investigated at all length scales from the electron level to the macro scale. Besides, this course covers atomic structure and bonding; microstructure properties; crystal structures; imperfections in solids; material strength and strengthening mechanisms; mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties. Differences in properties of metals, polymers, ceramics, and composite materials in terms of bonding and crystal structure.

MEEN 5330. Mechanics of Viscous Flow. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The mechanics of Newtonian viscous fluids. The use of modern analytical techniques to obtain solutions for flows with small and large Reynolds numbers, particularly in the areas of boundary layer theory, laminar flows, and turbulent flows.

MEEN 5331. Computational Methods for Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Numerical methods for solving Navier-Stokes equations in complex geometries, including theory, implementation, and applications.

MEEN 5332. Advanced heat transfer. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

General problems of heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation; solution by the analog and numerical methods, thermal boundary layers, analysis of heat exchanges; problems on thermal radiation.

MEEN 5333. Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Concepts and laws of thermodynamics, including energy, entropy, and energy analysis, property relations, equilibrium conditions, and evaluation of properties; advanced special topics such as kinetic theory, statistical thermodynamics, radiation, and photovoltaic energy conversion .

MEEN 5340. Advanced Energy Systems. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Advanced energy conversion technologies that are currently on the market or under development; tools used by professionals to design energy systems and to evaluate their performance; related concepts from thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, geophysics, and chemistry.

MEEN 5360. Introduction to Robotics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to robotics through computational methods commonly used in this field; fundamentals of kinematics, dynamics, and control of robot manipulators, robotic vision, and sensing; mechanisms, actuators, sensors, controllers, and processors for engineering of mechanical manipulation; advanced concepts from mechanics, control theory, optimization, probabilistic inference, simulation, kinematics, and computer science.

MEEN 5390. Advanced Engineering Mathematics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Mathematical analysis techniques for the solution of engineering analysis problems and for the simulation of engineering systems; both continuous and discrete methods are covered; initial and boundary value problems for ordinary and partial differential equations.

School of Engineering Courses