Mechanical Engineering
Chair: Ronald. A.L. Rorrer
Office: North Classroom 2024
Telephone: 303-315-7500
Website: ucdenver.edu/mechanical
Overview
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is to contribute to the economic development of the state of Colorado and the Denver metropolitan area by providing high-quality bachelor’s, master’s (BS, MS and MEng) and PhD programs in mechanical engineering for a diverse group of working students.
Program Educational Objectives
The programs offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Colorado Denver can generally be completed in the afternoon and evening hours to accommodate both working and traditional students. The department seeks to graduate a diverse population of students with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, who within a few years of graduation are able to:
- be employed by a diverse group of industries, research laboratories, and educational institutions
- pursue careers in engineering, interdisciplinary areas, research and education, and
- pursue postgraduate education and advanced degrees
The focus areas in which a student may undertake studies at the Denver campus include fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, additive manufacturing, biomechanics, renewable energy, thermodynamics, composite materials, and outdoor recreational gear.
Graduate
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers graduate courses, a master of science (MS) degree program and a master of engineering (MEng) program. In addition, the multidisciplinary engineering and applied science doctor of philosophy degree is available through the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The areas of research interest in which a student may undertake studies at the Denver campus include manufacturing processes, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, bioengineering, energy thermodynamics, and composite materials.
As a student in the MS, MEng, or PhD program, you must meet with your graduate advisor before or during your first semester and design a sequence of elective courses that form a coherent program plan.
Concurrent Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees
Students wishing to obtain a BS degree with a major in mechanical engineering and either the MS or the MEng degree in mechanical engineering may do so with up to 12 credit hours of 5000-level or above courses applying to both degrees. The 5000-level courses must meet the degree requirements for the graduate degree and must be suitable technical electives for the undergraduate degree. This option is open only for students seeking both degrees at CU Denver. Students must meet admission requirements to be accepted into the graduate program. Completion of four 5000-level courses does not guarantee admission into the graduate program. Please see an advisor for restrictions and guidelines.
Engineering and Applied Science PhD Program
The engineering and applied science doctor of philosophy program consists of studies in engineering and engineering-related disciplines. It is a multidisciplinary program in keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of modern research. The degree is conferred by the College of Engineering Design and Computing. However, applicants to the degree program apply to and enter the program through one of four departments, called the host department, of the college. The applicant chooses their host department based on their intended primary concentration of study. The four departments of the college that serve as host departments are Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Each host department offers several concentrations. The secondary concentration is chosen in consultation with your PhD advisor. The coursework in the primary and secondary areas must consist of ten courses (30 semester hours). In addition to other courses, a student must take at least five courses in his/her primary area of concentration and at least three courses in a secondary area of concentration. Other courses may be recommended by the student’s advisor. Research that spans across two or more of the five college departments is strongly encouraged and is a major strength of the program.
Admissions to Mechanical Engineering
All applicants should apply online at: www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Graduate-School/prospective/Pages/apply.aspx
Inquiries about graduate study in mechanical engineering should be addressed to:
CU Denver Department of Mechanical Engineering
Campus Box 112
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364
mechanical@ucdenver.edu
Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States should make application through the
Office of International Admissions
Campus Box 185
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217- 3364
(See the International Students section of the catalog.) All applicants for admission must submit complete credentials as outlined in the instructions that accompany the application materials.
Faculty
Full Professors:
Kristin Wood, PhD, California Institute of Technology
Associate Professors:
R. Dana Carpenter, PhD, Stanford University
Kannan N. Premnath, PhD, Purdue University
Kai Yu, PhD, Georgia Tech Ronald A. L. Rorrer, PhD, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, PE-Colorado
Samuel W. J. Welch, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Christopher M. Yakacki, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder
Assistant Professors:
Brecca Gaffney, PhD, University of Denver
Guoying Dong, PhD, McGill University
Linyue Gao, PhD, Iowa State University
Maryam Darbeheshti (clinical teaching track), PhD, University of Denver
Senior Instructor:
Joseph F. Cullen Jr., MS, University of Colorado
Instructor:
Douglas Gallagher, BS Engineering Physics, Colorado School of Mines
Professors Emeriti:
James Gerdeen, PhD, Stanford University
Peter E. Jenkins, PhD, Purdue, MBA, Pepperdine, PE-Texas
J. Kenneth Ortega, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder