Graduate Program - Mechanical Engineering

Challenge. Opportunity. Choice. Excellence. The Future.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah offers a premier graduate program within the state. Our graduate students are actively engaged in finding creative solutions to real-life problems. Working with state-of-the-art equipment and guided by faculty members, you can become part of a world-class research team. This leads to big opportunities for our graduates to produce the technology of the future and improve human lives. The University of Utah is consistently ranked among the top American Universities in overall funded research and graduate students are an essential part of every research team. Our nationally recognized faculty, research, and graduate programs provide an environment where fundamentals become reality.

“The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is to conduct innovative research and to provide a world-class education that instill the professional, technical, critical-thinking, and communication skills necessary for students and faculty to make impactful contributions to society.”

How does the U compare?
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The University of Utah is the flagship institution of higher education in Utah. The U currently serves over 31,000 students from all over the country and the world. The U offers over 90 majors at the graduate level. The U has been recognized on a national and global level by being ranked among the top 100 universities in the world.

“U of U Rankings”

The U of U is the only Research 1 University in the state of Utah;
The U of U is named the No. 1 research institution for starting technology companies based on university technology (2009 Association of University Technology Managers);
The U of U is ranked among the top 25 public U.S. Research Universities (2010 Top American Research Universities, Ctr. For measuring University Performance);
The U of U is ranked No. 34 in the world as a Top Comprehensive Research University (1998 – 2008 Top 100 Large Comprehensive Research Universities in the World, University of Groningen);
The U of U is ranked No. 47 in the U.S. and No. 82 in the world (2010 Academic Ranking of World Universities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University);
The U of U is ranked No. 51 in North America and No. 83 in the world (2010 – 2011 Times Higher Education, the World University Rankings);
The College of Engineering is ranked No. 60 in the nation (2011 U.S. News and World Report, Best Engineering Schools);
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is ranked No. 67 in the nation (2011 U.S. News and World Report, Best Mechanical Engineering Schools).

Read about rankings …

Leang soft robotics web

Robotics & Controls
Robotics is the intelligent connection of perception to action. The School of Computing and the Department of Mechanical Engineering are pleased to jointly offer the second graduate program in robotics in the US, with a curriculum that imparts fundamental knowledge about robotics and specific courses in perception, cognition, and action. Reflecting robotics’ interdisciplinary nature, the Robotics Track faculty and the curriculum show equal involvement from the School of Computing and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. A varied research program addresses diverse topics such as intelligent agents, hybrid mobile robots, humanoid robots, haptic interfaces, and personal assistive devices. Learn more . . .

Design, Ergonomics, Manufacturing, & Systems

Students in this division study a wide array of topics, from integrating computer aided design and manufacturing tools to crafting machines that help people work more safely and efficiently. The Center for Engineering Design is a world renowned organization which is extremely active in the area of applied robotics and micro-electrical-mechanical systems. Learn More…

Solid Mechanics

Students in Solid Mechanics study the behavior of solid materials and objects such as beams, shafts, columns, and structures. They research how these objects break, shatter, fracture, bend, and splatter. Then they learn how to make these objects fail-resistant and how to develop new materials for use by society. Learn more . . .

Thermal Sciences, Fluid Mechanics, & Energy Systems

The TFES Division has active, well-funded programs in the areas of environmental fluid dynamics, mico/nano-scale heat transfer, bioheat transfer, wind turbine design, air-born pollutant transport, acoustics, rocket propulsion, and the physics and modeling of turbulence. The Department also has strong research in sustainable energy application. We also have close connections to the Global Change and Sustainability Center (GCSC), which stimulates multidisciplinary research across campus. Learn more . . .

Specific Research Topics Include: