- 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).
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Composite Materials
- Controls
- Design
- Energy Systems
- Ergonomics & Safety
- Fluid Mechanics
- Heat Transfer
- Manufacturing
- Microsystems & Nanosystems
- Thermodynamics
- Robotics
- Solid Mechanics
Future Graduate Students
Future Graduate Students
Welcome Prospective Students! Please use the links below to learn more about our programs and how to apply:
Graduate Degree Programs
Application Deadlines and Instructions
Graduate Visitation Weekend
Virtual Tours
Contact Us
Department Chair Welcome
With 38 regular faculty and growing, 5 full-time research faculty, and 15 staff members, the department is committed to educating tomorrow’s engineering leaders and producing leading edge research. The Department has experienced significant growth over the last decade – we are now educating over 1,000 undergraduate students and 245 (110 MS, 135 PhD) graduate students annually.
The graduate program has an extensive course list that complements the research mission. In addition to the standard graduate classes, the department has classes areas of growing demand such as composite materials, sustainability, experimental methods, ergonomics, wearable robotics, additive manufacturing, and micro/nanoscale systems. Both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered.
Our faculty members conduct a wide variety of innovative research. Thematic areas of research excellence include micro/nanoscale devices and heat transfer, sustainability, environmental fluid dynamics, biomechanics, computational mechanics, composite materials, ergonomics and safety, microfluidic systems, tribology, advanced manufacturing, and robotics. These research activities complement our educational mission, address the everchanging needs of industry and society, and contribute to the economic and social development of Utah and the nation.
The Department moved into the newly renovated Rio Tinto Kennecott Mechanical Engineering Building during the summer of 2015. This 80,000 sqft building includes faculty and staff offices, clean labs, a 47-seat computer lab, a 187-seat lecture hall, conference rooms, meeting areas, a student advising center, a tutoring center, student group meeting rooms, and a café. The building is designed to encourage informal student-faculty interactions through its many gathering spaces. Construction started in December 2020 on an addition that will add another 15 research labs, graduate student spaces, teaching labs, and meeting areas. The entire department will then be housed in a state-of-the-art space.
Come join us as we embark on world-leading research that makes a difference in people’s lives.
Dr. Bruce Gale
Professor and Chair
Graduate Program
Program Information
Our students and faculty members conduct a wide range of innovative research. Some of our areas of excellence include: robotics, aerospace, biomechanics, sustainability, environmental fluid dynamics, computational mechanics, composite materials, micro/nanoscale heat transfer, ergonomics and safety, microfluidic systems, manufacturing, and systems engineering.
Mechanical Engineering
We offer thesis-track MS with a research focus, or a non-thesis MS based on in-depth coursework in a focus area. The PhD program is designed to give students an in-depth study in a particular research emphasis.
SIME
We offer MS degrees in Systems, Industrial, and Management Engineering, along with a graduate certificate in Systems engineering. Many of these programs are available on-campus or online.
Robotics
The Robotics Center boasts interdisciplinary research with faculty from Utah’s Kahlert School of Computing, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.
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”
Aerospace
The Aerospace Research and Education in the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering conducts fundamental and system level research toward next generation aerospace and aeronautical systems. Specific strengths include computational design methods, aerodynamics, compressible flow, combustion, and aeroelasticity. We also offer an undergraduate emphasis in Aerospace Engineering.
Advanced Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education in the U’s Department of Mechanical Engineering examines materials produced using innovative technologies, and the leveraging of innovative technologies to create existing and new products. Core strengths include additive manufacturing, materials forming, materials joining, and nanomaterials.
Biomechanical Engineering
Biomechanical Engineering Research and education in the U’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is applying mechanics to biological systems, including the study of how the human body responds to the application of force. Core strengths include biomaterials, bionics, medical device design, microfluidics and structure of injury and disease.
Computational Mechanics
Computational Mechanics Research and Education in the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is developing mathematical models to represent physical phenomena and applying modern computing methods to analyze these phenomena. Core strengths include fluids, solids, multiscale materials, and acoustics and vibrations.
Data Science
Data Science Research and Education in the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is developing and applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to generate new models and learn governing equations using simulated or physical data sets.
Environmental Fluid Dynamics
Environmental Fluid Dynamics Research and Education in the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is studying the properties of the Earth’s atmosphere and its relation to the science of fluid dynamics, including large scale simulations and field experiments. Core strengths include dynamics, mechanics, pollutant dispersion, computational analysis, large scale simulations, and atmospheric boundary layers.
Micro Nano
Professors in the Micro/Nano Research Area investigate engineering developments and scientific questions related to the micro- (10-6 m) and nano- (10-9 m) scales. These developments can be related to materials such as 1D or 2D materials (i.e. nanofibers or graphene), biomedical systems such as point-of-care diagnostic devices or biomimetic tissue engineering, sensing and actuation devices such as accelerometers or ultrasound imaging devices, energy and thermal systems such as micro- batteries and fuel cells, manufacturing methods including additive manufacturing, micro-robotics, and much more. The key connecting theme of all Micro/Nano research is that it investigates phenomena that occur at these small scales and/or device implementation methods relevant to these small scales.
Robotics
Robotics Research and Education in the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering has close ties with the School of Computing. The research program focuses on design, construction, operation, and use of robots. Core strengths include healthcare robotics, bioinspired design and control, manipulation and motion control, physical human robot interaction, micro/nano robotics, haptic interfaces, VR interfaces, and teleoperation. You can find out more about the Robotics Track here.
Solid Mechanics
Solid Mechanics Research and Education in the U’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is characterizing, designing, and predicting mechanics of soft and hard structures. Core strengths include composites, computational mechanics, fracture and fatigue mechanics, high strain-rate mechanics, and soft tissue biomechanics.
Sustainable Energy
Sustainable Energy Research and Education in the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering focuses on developing clean energy systems, including direct energy production, energy storage, and the integration of energy efficient technologies. Core strengths include wind energy, thermophotovoltaic power generation, computational analysis and data sciences, multi-scale heat transfer (nano to geologic scales), and energy storage.
Systems Engineering
Developing, analyzing, optimizing and managing complex engineered systems to improve their productivity and efficiency. We also offer a Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate.
Thermal Science
Thermal Sciences Research and Education in the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering studies thermodynamics and heat transfer physics in a wide range of length and time scales that impact engineering and biological applications. Core strengths include microfluidics, computational fluid dynamics, radiative energy transfer, and nanoscale.
Specific Research Topics Include: