M.S. in Mechanical Engineering - Energy Conversion

Students with MS degrees in engineering or science disciplines can be accepted in these programs. Students must satisfy all other departmental degree requirements. Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for aerospace and mechanical engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Energy Conversion) prepares students to apply fundamental thermodynamic principles to modern energy systems, with an emphasis on efficiency and environmental stewardship. The program prepares students to practice engineering at an advanced level with a specialization within mechanical engineering and to recognize the benefit of solving problems using expertise from other engineering disciplines. Students improve their skills in setting up and solving problems by using contemporary tools and leveraging interaction with peers.

The M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Energy Conversion) program requires completion of a minimum of 27 units, with at least 18 units at the 500 level, and a 3.0 GPA overall. A minimum of 15 units must be AME 500-level courses including AME 525. See details below.

• 4 units of AME 525 Engineering Analysis
• 11-12 units of Core Requirement courses (see list below)
• 7-8 units of Core Elective courses (see list below)

Remaining units to add up to 27 can be from approved 400- or 500-level elective courses. Specifically, students are encouraged to consider electives from other Sustainable Infrastructure Systems programs.

• Elective courses may be from AME, Math, Physics, or other Engineering Departments (ASTE, BME, CE, CHE, CSCI, DSCI, EE, ENE, ENGR, ISE, ITP, MASC, PTE, SAE)
• No more than 3 units of AME 590 Directed Researchcan be taken as elective credit
• No more than 9 units can be taken at the 400 level

The current approved courses that comprise these core and elective requirements are listed below.

**Courses listed are either 3 or 4 units each.**

Applied Math Requirement (1 course = 4 units):
AME 525 Engineering Analysis (4 units)

Core Requirements (3 courses = 10 units):
AME 513a Fundamentals and Applications of Combustion I (4 units)
AME 577 Survey of Energy and Power for a Sustainable Future (3 units)
AME 578 Modern Alternative Energy Conversion Devices (3 units)

Core Electives (select 2 courses = 7-8 units):
AME 436 Energy and Propulsion (3 units)
AME 513b Fundamentals and Applications of Combustion II (4 units)
AME 515 Advanced Heat and Mass Diffusion (4 units)
AME 516 Thermal and Biological Transport Phenomena (3 units)
AME 530a Dynamics of Incompressible Fluids (4 units)