Online Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering in partnership with Penn State World Campus offers an online master's degree in mechanical engineering. Our online mechanical engineering program, delivered through Penn State World Campus, is identical to our resident instruction program — the same courses taught by the same graduate faculty who are active in research and experts in their fields of study. And when you graduate, your diploma will be identical to the one earned by our on-campus students.

The master of science in mechanical engineering (MSME) program has been ranked no. 3 by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information on courses, how to apply, and costs, please visit the Penn State World Campus website.

Requirements to Register

To register for a graduate level mechanical engineering course, you need to meet the minimum requirements below. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, please look at the core courses for our undergraduate program to confirm if there are any additional courses you might need based on your background. Suggested core courses for the master of science degree can be found on the program overview page.

Minimum Math Requirements:

• Calculus with Analytic Geometry I: Functions, limits; analytic geometry; derivatives, differentials, applications; integrals, applications
• Calculus with Analytic Geometry II: Derivatives, integrals, applications; sequences and series; analytic geometry; polar coordinates
• Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations: First- and second-order equations; special functions; Laplace transform solutions; higher order equations; Fourier series; partial differential equations
• Calculus of Several Variables: Analytic geometry in space; partial differentiation and applications. Students who have passed MATH 230 or MATH 230H may not schedule this course.
• Matrices: Systems of linear equations; matrix algebra; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; linear systems of differential equations

Minimum Physics Requirements:

• General Physics – Mechanics: Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of mechanics: motion, force, Newton's laws, energy, collisions, and rotation.
• General Physics – Electricity and Magnetism: Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of electricity and magnetism.
• Wave Motion and Quantum Physics – General Physics: Wave Motion and Quantum Physics (2) Calculus-based study of the basic concepts of wave motion, geometrical optics, interference phenomena, photons, wave mechanics, and the structure of matter.

Core Courses

For a list of required core courses in Penn State's undergraduate mechanical engineering program, visit the undergraduate core courses page. For a list of all required courses, view the undergraduate academic plan.