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| Mechanical Engineering Graduate Programs

 


Information for Prospective Students

 

Degrees Offered

The Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of New Mexico offers the following graduate degrees:

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

Plan I (Thesis)

Plan II (Non-Thesis)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Generally, admission to the Ph.D. program requires that the applicant has earned an appropriate M.S. degree and has demonstrated a high potential for research and graduate studies. The evidence of such achievement is, for example, publications in archival journals based on the applicant's Master's thesis work. Exceptional students may pursue a Ph.D. without first earning an M.S. (This is accomplished by enrolling in the M.S.M.E. program first, then changing to a Ph.D. program, if there is a match between the student’s interests and current departmental research activities.)

Faculty Specialties

Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (including Dynamic Systems, Controls, and Robotics)

Engineering Mechanics and Materials (including Solid Mechanics and Materials Science)

Thermal Sciences and Engineering (including Energy/Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer)

For additional information, please also visit our Faculty Technical Areas page.

Note: All degree requirements are explained in the ME Graduate Manual.

Accreditation

UNM Mechanical Engineering Department is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Application Information

We welcome applications from students who have earned distinguished academic records.

At this website you will find information about the ME Department's admission requirements and application procedures.  Please read the requirements carefully and follow the instructions.

The following deadlines apply:

    Domestic Applicants not Requesting Financial Aid (TA/PA positions only)   International Applicants and Domestic Applicants Requesting Financial Aid (TA/PA positions only)
  Fall July 30   March 1
  Spring November 30   August 1
  Summer      April 30   January 1

All ME Application Materials (please see the list shown below) as well as Admissions Office authorization form must arrive at the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Office before these deadlines (for priority consideration for TA/PA positions).  However, students who miss these deadlines will be placed on a wait list for Financial Aid (TA/PA). Also, TA/PA financial support is not available for Summer Terms. For RA (Research Assistant) positions, there is no set deadline; additional information about RA positions is provided below.

The Director of Graduate Programs makes admission decisions. Applicants must hold (or will have completed by the time they arrive) an accredited (ABET) Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree and at least a B (i.e., 3.0 / 4.0) average in their final two years (or their final, earned 60 credit hours) of their last degree. Applicants seeking admission to the PhD Program must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 / 4.0 in their master's degree. Meeting this minimum GPA requirement, however, does not constitute a guarantee of admission to the PhD program. Applicants seeking admission to the PhD program should secure the agreement and support of one of our faculty members to serve as their mentor before formally applying for admission. A large emphasis and weight is given to this kind of support when the application material of applicants are considered by the department. Applications without such support are normally not considered favorably.

Applications from individuals with a B.S. degree in other Engineering disciplines, Math, Computer Science, and  Physical Sciences (such as Physics or Chemistry) are also considered. To qualify for a graduate degree, applicants are expected to have at least an undergraduate-level exposure to most of the core ME disciplines. Those who are deemed deficient will be asked to take additional (leveling) courses. The ME Department does not offer "provisional,”  "probationary," or “conditional” admissions. For this reason, applicants who do not hold  a BSME degree should complete the leveling courses before formally applying for the degree program. This can be accomplished while in graduate, non-degree status (please see the information shown below).

Note: Degrees obtained from career/vocational schools do not constitute an acceptable background for admission to the MSME program at UNM.

Application Procedure

The application  procedure is a two-stage process:

1. Materials Required by ME Graduate Programs

The following must be submitted to the ME Department:

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (Institution Code: 4845; Department Code: 1502) - The GRE scores are considered for general benchmarking purposes and are examined in the context of all other application requirements; these include the GPA, letters of recommendation, and statement of intent. As such, a minimum required score has not been set.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation (pdf) - UNM BSMEs with a GPA of 3.5 (or higher) on their last 60 credit hours of coursework have the option of sending only two (2) letters of recommendation. DO NOT SEND THESE LETTERS TO THE UNM ADMISSIONS OFFICE. The letters must be written by professional references such as instructors and supervisors, not friends and relatives. You are responsible for completing the blanks at the top of each letter of recommendation (your name, etc.). The persons who recommended you may choose to return the sealed  recommendations to you or directly to the department. Letters that are being directly submitted should be sent to the address shown below. It is important that you provide each person (writing a recommendation) a stamped envelope addressed to the department. This ensures that all materials related to your application are easily identifiable. If the envelopes are returned to you, the references must sign on the seal. You may then send the letters (along with other Departmental material) to the address shown below.
  • ME Graduate Application Addendum (pdf) - DO NOT SEND THIS DOCUMENT TO THE UNM ADMISSIONS OFFICE. This document must be sent to the address shown below.
  • "Statement of Intent" -  DO NOT SEND THIS DOCUMENT TO THE UNM ADMISSIONS OFFICE. This document must be sent to the address shown below. The presence of overlap of applicant's interests with the expertise of one or more of our faculty members is given a significant weight in terms of application acceptance decision. So, this statement should show clear evidence of such overlap. 
  • Updated CV (Résumé) - DO NOT SEND THIS DOCUMENT TO THE UNM ADMISSIONS OFFICE. This document must be sent to the address shown below.
  • Optional: Web based Teaching (TA) and Project (PA) Assistantship Application

Mailing Address:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
MSC01 1150
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

Important Note: Faxed copies of the application documents are not acceptable.

2. Formal Application to the University of New Mexico

The applicant must formally apply for admission to the University of New Mexico:

CLICK HERE

Notes: (1) The TOEFL is required by the University of New Mexico of all international applicants whose "native" language is not English, unless the student has received a degree from a U.S. institution of higher education. (2) As part of this process, the applicant will be required to fill out a UNM application form. (3) The applicant will also be asked to submit the transcripts as well as diplomas from all institutions of higher education he/she has attended. The certified copies of these documents must be sent directly to the UNM Admissions Office at the address provided to you during the UNM application process.

Financial Support

For tuition rates please CLICK HERE.

New Mexico Residents Tuition Scholarships

The New Mexico Higher Education Department's Scholarships are tuition awards available for fulltime students who are New Mexico residents with demonstrable financial need.

Awards will be offered for two semesters (Fall and Spring) in the amount of nine hours of resident tuition per semester (graduate rate plus any tuition differential) and the GPSA fee (but no other course or program fees). Priority will be given to new students, assuming that continuing students will have more opportunities to seek other sources of support.

In order to be considered for this funding, students must have a current FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file at UNM. The Graduate Programs applicants are encouraged to file the FAFSA form. Filing opens in January through the U.S. Department of Education.

Research Assistantships

Research Assistantships (RA) are available to MS and PhD Students. These assistantships are awarded by individual faculty members who have the necessary research funding. Typically, students who have successfully arranged for an RA appointment have secured it by contacting a faculty member directly.

Research assistants typically receive tuition coverage and a salary (subject to state and federal tax withholding) in exchange for 20 hours of work per week. Some students opt to work fewer hours per week, and their salary and tuition benefits are adjusted accordingly.

Teaching and Project (Course Grading) Assistantships

A few TA  positions are available each semester. These positions typically provide recipients with tuition (and fees) coverage and a salary, requiring 20 hours of work per week. Reduced hours (10 hours per week) may also be available, with salary adjusted accordingly to serve as a grader for a course (PA). TA/PA-ships are offered by the ME Department. These positions are normally offered to applicants with a BSME (or equivalent) degree or to non-BSME applicants who have successfully completed the make-up courses.

Other Funding Sources

Information regarding other sources of funding and application packets can be obtained at the Office of Graduate Studies Web site.

UNM graduate students have benefitted from the support of Sloan Foundation, which has several programs to strengthen education in science and technology, specifically the program for underrepresented minority students working on a doctorate degree. Please see: Sloan Foundation Education Programs.
Comments Regarding International Applicants from Iran, China and Certain other Nations

US visa applications of international applicants from China, Iran, and certain other nations are normally not approved by US embassies and consulates, if the admission package does not include a financial aid (i.e., TA or RA) component.

Research Assistantships (RAs) are awarded by individual faculty members who have the necessary research funding. Typically, students who have successfully arranged for an RA appointment have secured it by contacting a faculty member directly.
 

For this reason, these applicants must carefully consider the wisdom of applying to our graduate program without first securing a tentative agreement for the needed financial support from our department or one of our faculty members. The department of Mechanical Engineering is keenly concerned about the enthusiastic commitment of mentorship from one (or more) of our faculty members secured by the applicant through direct communication.

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Information about MEME Program and Non-degree Status

Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering (MEME)

MEME degree is offered by the Manufacturing Engineering Program (MEP). This program is (administratively) separate from the ME Department at the University of New Mexico and is housed in the Manufacturing Technology and Training Center (MTTC), located in the South Campus. All inquiries about this degree/program (including admission and advisement questions) should be directed to contact persons listed on the above-linked, MEP's website.

Non-degree Status

Domestic students may enroll as graduate non-degree status before admission. Only up to 12 credits are acceptable for transfer from graduate non-degree to graduate degree status. (PhD students note: At least 18 hours graduate credit course work must be completed at the University of New Mexico after admission to the doctoral program.)

 

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