Mechanical Engineering, Master of Science
A focus area must be chosen for this program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study, as outlined in the Admission Requirements section.
The applicant’s prior education must include a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related technical discipline. Applicant's prior education should include the following prerequisites:
1. Three semesters of collage calculus (Calculus I, II and III)
2. Two semesters of collage physics (Physics I and II)
3. A course or practical knowledge of a programing language (such as Python, Matlab, or C++)
Applicants whose prior education does not include the prerequisites listed above may still enroll under provisional status, followed by full admission status once they have completed the missing prerequisites with a letter grade B- or higher. Missing prerequisites may be completed with Johns Hopkins Engineering or at another regionally accredited institution.
Enrolled students typically have earned a grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (B+ or above) in their undergraduate studies, though this is not a requirement for admission, nor is it a guarantee. Transcripts from all college studies must be submitted. When reviewing an application, the candidate’s academic and professional background will be considered in its totality, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. It is strongly advised that applicants submit a maximum of two page curriculum vitae listing their relevant professional background.
Program Requirements
Students can choose one of two options to fulfill their Master's degree requirements: the "All-Course" option or the "Thesis" option. The requirements for both options are summarized below.
All-Course Option:
Students completing the “all-course” option must take a coordinated sequence of ten courses. All courses must be completed within five years from the start of the student’s first class. Students are required to choose a focus area to follow. The focus area selected does not appear as an official designation on the student transcript. The curriculum consists of one core course in mathematics, two core courses from Group 1 and three other courses from Group 2 of the student’s chosen focus area, and four technical electives. At least two of the four electives must be from a core engineering discipline, and at most two can be chosen from the Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Information Systems Engineering, Healthcare Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Financial Mathematics, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, or Environmental Planning and Management programs.
One of the four elective courses can be substituted for EN.535.820 - Masters Graduate Research. This course is intended to give a research experience to those pursuing an “all-course” master’s degree. The research must be approved by the student’s research supervisor, which can be an academic advisor, a current full-time faculty member at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, a research staff member at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, or an active instructor affiliated with one of the Engineering for Professionals programs. Prior written approval of the advisor and the program chair must be received before enrolling in this course.
Courses from the full-time program (EN.530.XXX) may be substituted for a relevant requirement with advisor approval. One computationally-oriented course is strongly recommended and can serve as a technical elective or as a substitute to one of the three courses required from Group 2 of the student’s chosen focus area. Only one C-range grade (C+, C, or C–) can count toward the master’s degree. All course selections outside of the Mechanical Engineering program are subject to advisor approval.
Thesis Option:
Students completing the “thesis” option must take a coordinated sequence of eight courses and prepare and submit a Master’s thesis. All requirements should be completed within five years. Students are required to choose a focus area to follow. The focus area selected does not appear as an official designation on the student transcript. The curriculum consists of one core course in mathematics, two core courses from those listed in Group 1 and three courses from those listed in Group 2 of the student’s chosen focus area, two technical electives, and a thesis. The thesis should expand the body of theoretical or applied knowledge in the field of the student's chosen focus area. At least one of the two electives must be from a core engineering discipline, and at most one can be chosen from the Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Information Systems Engineering, Healthcare Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Financial Mathematics, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, or Environmental Planning and Management programs. Only one C-range grade (C+, C, or C–) can count toward the master’s degree. All course selections outside of the Mechanical Engineering program are subject to advisor approval.
Students electing to choose the thesis option should get prior written approval from both their academic advisor and the program chair and must work with an approved research advisor. The research advisor can be any current full-time faculty member at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Prior written approval should be secured from the program chair if the research advisor will be a research staff member at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory or an active instructor affiliated with the Engineering for Professionals Mechanical Engineering program. An electronic version of the master thesis should be delivered to the Milton S. Eisenhower (MSE) library after its approval by the thesis committee. The thesis committee consists of the thesis research advisor and one other member who is an expert in the research area of the thesis and to be selected by the program chair. The research work should generally start after the student finishes all the course requirements for their chosen focus area and should not take more than 3 consecutive semesters. While working on the thesis, students must enroll in the two-course sequence EN.535.820 - Master's Graduate Research and EN.535.821 - Master's Thesis Writing, where the research advisor serves as the instructor for both. The prerequisite for these courses is the completion of all course requirements in the student's focus area and the approval of the program chair. The approval of the program chair follows the submission of a research proposal by the student that is approved by their research advisor. Hence, the student must contact a research advisor and discuss potential research topics of interest to both parties, conduct a literature survey, and present a maximum of three-page research proposal to be approved by the program chair. The latest a proposal can be submitted for consideration is during the third to last semester of the five-year limit.
Courses from the full-time program (EN.530.XXX) may substitute a relevant requirement with the advisor approval. One computationally-oriented course is strongly recommended and can serve as a technical elective or as a substitute to one of the three courses required from Group 2 of the student’s chosen focus area. Only one C-range grade (C+, C, or C–) can count toward the master’s degree. All course selections outside of the Mechanical Engineering program are subject to advisor approval.
Program Course Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Course | ||
EN.535.641 | Mathematical Methods For Engineers 1 | 3 |
Recommended (At least one of these computationally-oriented courses is strongly recommended in place of one of the three required courses from Group 2) | ||
EN.535.609 | Topics in Data Analysis | 3 |
EN.535.610 | Computational Methods of Analysis | 3 |
EN.535.742 | Applied Machine Learning for Mechanical Engineers | 3 |
EN.535.766 | Numerical Methods | 3 |
Focus Areas | ||
Select one of the following Focus Areas: | ||
Advanced Manufacturing | ||
Biomechanical Engineering | ||
Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Science | ||
Hypersonic Technologies | ||
Robotics, Dynamics, and Controls | ||
Solids/Mechanics of Materials |
- 1
This course must be taken in the first semester of the student’s program, unless the advisor explicitly allows the student to do otherwise.
Focus Area Courses
Students are required to choose one of six focus areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Biomechanical Engineering, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Science, Hypersonic Technologies, Robotics, Dynamics, and Controls, and Solids/Mechanics of Materials. The focus area selected does not appear as an official designation on the student transcript. Each focus area has five required courses. Of these courses, at least two must be completed from Group 1. Post-master’s certificate students are not limited to one focus area but can choose their courses among all the courses offered by the program.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
Study the automation of design and manufacturing systems including computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and robotics. Understand the relationships between process machinery, process conditions, and material properties. Learn to design precision machines, instruments, and mechanisms through an understanding of gears, bearings, actuators, and sensors. Develop a clear understanding of positional repeatability and accuracy as well as sources of machine and instrumentation errors. Explore the latest manufacturing processes in high-tech industries.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select five of the following of which two must be from Group 1: | ||
Group 1 (must select two) | ||
EN.535.628 | Computer-Integrated Design and Manufacturing | 3 |
EN.535.659 | Manufacturing Systems Analysis | 3 |
EN.535.660 | Precision Mechanical Design | 3 |
EN.535.673 | Mechanized Assembly: Hardware and Algorithms | 3 |
Group 2 (must select three) | ||
EN.515.601 | Structure and Properties of Materials | 3 |
EN.515.622 | Micro and Nano Structured Materials & Devices | 3 |
EN.515.655 | Metal Additive Manufacturing | 3 |
EN.515.658 | Design for Additive Manufacturing | 3 |
EN.515.661 | Introduction to Polymer Science | 3 |
EN.535.606 | Advanced Strength Of Materials | 3 |
EN.535.607 | Mechanics of Solids and Structures: Theory and Applications I | 3 |
EN.535.623 | Intermediate Vibrations | 3 |
EN.535.627 | Computer-Aided Design | 3 |
EN.535.633 | Intermediate Heat Transfer | 3 |
EN.535.638 | Mechanical Packaging for Electronics Systems | 3 |
EN.535.642 | Control Systems for Mechanical Engineering Applications | 3 |
EN.535.672 | Advanced Manufacturing Systems | 3 |
EN.535.684 | Modern Polymeric Materials | 3 |
EN.535.720 | Mechanics of Composite Materials and Structures | 3 |
BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Study the human body, modeled as a mechanical system. Apply fundamental mechanical engineering principles to explore the body’s structure and functions. Use deformable solid mechanics to study bone and soft tissues, fluid mechanics in exploring biofluidics, and statics and dynamics in musculoskeletal biomechanics applications. Learn about the biocompatibility of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and even other biological materials that come in contact with tissue and biological fluids. Study biomechanical sensors and signals, the design of orthopedic implants, the principles of joint reconstruction, and emerging biomechanics frontiers.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Group 1 (must select two) | ||
EN.535.661 | Biofluid Mechanics | 3 |
EN.535.663 | Biosolid Mechanics | 3 |
EN.535.667 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
EN.535.750 | Biomechanics of the cell: From nano- and micro-mechanics to cell organization and function | 3 |
EN.585.601 | Physiology for Applied Biomedical Engineering I | 3 |
EN.585.631 | Introduction to Biomechanics | 3 |
Group 2 (must select three) | ||
EN.515.606 | Chemical and Biological Properties of Materials | 3 |
EN.525.786 | Human Robotics Interaction | 3 |
EN.535.607 | Mechanics of Solids and Structures: Theory and Applications I | 3 |
EN.535.720 | Mechanics of Composite Materials and Structures | 3 |
EN.585.631 | Introduction to Biomechanics | 3 |
EN.585.708 | Biomaterials | 3 |
EN.585.710 | Biochemical Sensors | 3 |
EN.585.720 | Orthopedic Biomechanics | 3 |
EN.585.726 | Biomimetics in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
EN.585.729 | Cell and Tissue Engineering | 3 |
EN.585.747 | Advances in Cardiovascular Medicine | 3 |
FLUID MECHANICS AND THERMAL SCIENCE
Learn to solve practical engineering fluid flow problems. Examine laminar and turbulent flows, plus vorticity and circulation. Understand a variety of experimental methods. Study transient heat conduction from both free and forced convection, in external and internal flows. Learn to perform the tradeoffs studies associated with thermodynamic and head transfer systems that arise in power and refrigeration systems, electronics cooling, distillation columns, heat exchangers, and co-generation systems. Apply computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to an array of complex flow and heat transfer phenomena.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Group 1 (must select two) | ||
EN.515.602 | Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials | 3 |
EN.535.620 | Fluid Dynamics I | 3 |
EN.535.621 | Intermediate Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
EN.535.633 | Intermediate Heat Transfer | 3 |
EN.535.634 | Applied Heat Transfer | 3 |
EN.535.735 | Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
EN.575.601 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
EN.615.761 | Intro To Oceanography | 3 |
Group 2 (must select three) | ||
EN.515.622 | Micro and Nano Structured Materials & Devices | 3 |
EN.535.614 | Fundamentals of Acoustics | 3 |
EN.535.625 | Turbulence | 3 |
EN.535.652 | Thermal Systems Design and Analysis | 3 |
EN.535.661 | Biofluid Mechanics | 3 |
EN.535.662 | Energy and Environment | 3 |
EN.535.670 | Advanced Aerodynamics | 3 |
EN.535.737 | Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Mechanical Systems | 3 |
EN.535.773 | Acoustical Oceanography | 3 |
EN.565.680 | Marine Geotechnical Engineering | 3 |
HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGIES
Study the complex engineering and physics challenges associated with hypersonic flight (speeds over Mach 5.0). Learn about emerging hypersonic technologies, the governing fundamental physics of hypersonic flight, analysis approach, and how to design new and advanced hypersonic vehicles.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Group 1 (must select two) | ||
EN.535.608 | Hypersonic Technologies and Systems | 3 |
EN.535.752 | Advanced Flight Dynamics and Control of Aerospace Vehicles | 3 |
Group 2 (must select three) | ||
EN.535.620 | Fluid Dynamics I | 3 |
EN.535.627 | Computer-Aided Design | 3 |
EN.535.633 | Intermediate Heat Transfer | 3 |
EN.535.634 | Applied Heat Transfer | 3 |
EN.535.670 | Advanced Aerodynamics | 3 |
EN.535.735 | Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
EN.575.601 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
ROBOTICS, DYNAMICS, AND CONTROLS
Study an array of aspects of robot motion planning including both rigid and compliant motion, coordinated motion, error detection and recovery, and motion in an unknown environment. Analyze the kinematics and dynamics of robotic manipulators. Apply classical control systems to mechanical engineering applications that span mechanical, electrical, fluid-flow, and process control systems. Develop an understanding of advanced control theory that includes reinforcement learning, also known as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Group 1 (must select two) | ||
EN.525.609 | Continuous Control Systems | 3 |
EN.525.610 | Microprocessors for Robotic Systems | 3 |
EN.525.626 | Feedback Control in Biological Signaling Pathways | 3 |
EN.525.645 | Modern Navigation Systems | 3 |
EN.525.661 | UAV Systems and Control | 3 |
EN.525.777 | Control System Design Methods | 3 |
EN.525.786 | Human Robotics Interaction | 3 |
EN.535.622 | Robot Motion Planning | 3 |
EN.535.630 | Kinematics & Dynamics of Robots | 3 |
EN.535.642 | Control Systems for Mechanical Engineering Applications | 3 |
EN.535.724 | Dynamics of Robots and Spacecraft | 3 |
EN.535.752 | Advanced Flight Dynamics and Control of Aerospace Vehicles | 3 |
EN.605.613 | Introduction to Robotics | 3 |
EN.605.716 | Modeling and Simulation of Complex Systems | 3 |
Group 2 (must select three) | ||
EN.535.603 | Applied Optimal Control | 3 |
EN.535.612 | Intermediate Dynamics | 3 |
EN.535.623 | Intermediate Vibrations | 3 |
EN.535.627 | Computer-Aided Design | 3 |
EN.535.635 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 3 |
EN.535.638 | Mechanical Packaging for Electronics Systems | 3 |
EN.535.645 | Digital Control and Systems Applications | 3 |
EN.535.659 | Manufacturing Systems Analysis | 3 |
EN.535.660 | Precision Mechanical Design | 3 |
EN.535.673 | Mechanized Assembly: Hardware and Algorithms | 3 |
EN.535.726 | Robot Control | 3 |
EN.535.741 | Optimal Control and Reinforcement Learning | 3 |
EN.535.782 | Haptic Applications | 3 |
SOLIDS/MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Study the deformation and failure of mechanical structures as well as the different classes of engineering materials. Perform tradeoff studies based upon design criteria including strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, manufacturability, and failure. Learn to use material properties to explore stress and strain in 3D, for both elastic and inelastic material behavior. Study transient and forced vibration of multi degree-of-freedom systems and incorporating vibration isolation. Learn to use finite element analysis as an extension of classical methods, performing an array of simulations that include linear and nonlinear structural, modal, buckling, random vibration, and even generative design analyses.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Group 1 (must select two) | ||
EN.535.606 | Advanced Strength Of Materials | 3 |
EN.535.607 | Mechanics of Solids and Structures: Theory and Applications I | 3 |
EN.535.623 | Intermediate Vibrations | 3 |
EN.535.632 | Applied Finite Elements | 3 |
EN.535.731 | Engineering Materials: Properties and Selection | 3 |
Group 2 (must select three) | ||
EN.515.601 | Structure and Properties of Materials | 3 |
EN.515.602 | Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials | 3 |
EN.515.606 | Chemical and Biological Properties of Materials | 3 |
EN.515.611 | Computational Molecular Dynamics | 3 |
EN.515.617 | Nanomaterials | 3 |
EN.515.622 | Micro and Nano Structured Materials & Devices | 3 |
EN.515.627 | Chemistry of Nanomaterials | 3 |
EN.515.655 | Metal Additive Manufacturing | 3 |
EN.515.658 | Design for Additive Manufacturing | 3 |
EN.515.661 | Introduction to Polymer Science | 3 |
EN.525.606 | Electronic Materials | 3 |
EN.535.612 | Intermediate Dynamics | 3 |
EN.535.618 | Fabricatology - Advanced Materials Processing | 3 |
EN.535.627 | Computer-Aided Design | 3 |
EN.535.643 | Plasticity | 3 |
EN.535.660 | Precision Mechanical Design | 3 |
EN.535.663 | Biosolid Mechanics | 3 |
EN.535.684 | Modern Polymeric Materials | 3 |
EN.535.706 | Mechanics of Solids and Structures: Theory and Applications II | 3 |
EN.535.711 | Symmetries of Crystalline Solids | 3 |
EN.535.720 | Mechanics of Composite Materials and Structures | 3 |
EN.535.732 | Fatigue and Fracture of Materials | 3 |
EN.535.748 | Stress Waves, Impacts and Shockwaves | 3 |
EN.565.604 | Structural Mechanics | 3 |
EN.565.680 | Marine Geotechnical Engineering | 3 |
EN.565.682 | Design of Ocean Structures | 3 |
EN.565.731 | Structural Dynamics | 3 |
Please refer to the course schedule (ep.jhu.edu/schedule) published each term for exact dates, times, locations, fees, and instructors.