Admissions to the Mechanical Engineering: Automotive Engineering, MS have been suspended as of spring 2024 and will be discontinued as of fall 2025. If you have any questions, please contact the department.
This is a named option within the Mechanical Engineering MS.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering MS named option Automotive Engineering is an accelerated on-campus degree program (completed in 12 months) geared toward preparing students for a career in the automotive industry. With a strong emphasis on in-cylinder energy conversion processes, graduates of this program will be poised to immediately participate in engine development programs in the automotive, heavy duty, or recreational engine sectors.
Admissions
Admissions to the Mechanical Engineering: Automotive Engineering, MS have been suspended as of spring 2024 and will be discontinued as of fall 2025. If you have any questions, please contact the department.
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 15 |
| Spring Deadline | October 1 |
| Summer Deadline | This program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not Required.* |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3** |
- *
Submitted scores will not be used in admission decisions.
- **
Applicants earning a BS degree from UW-Madison are not required to obtain any letters of recommendation. Within the Graduate School application, in the letters of recommendation section, you will need to enter at least one contact.
Application Requirements and Process
All applicants must satisfy requirements that are set forth by the Graduate School. Admitted applicants without Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science degrees may be required to complete one or more courses in addition to degree requirements to satisfy any deficiencies (this requirement cannot be determined prior to admission).
Degree
Most applicants have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Applicants with a Bachelor of Science in other engineering or physical and natural science disciplines will be considered for admission. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited US bachelor’s degree.
GPA
The Department of Mechanical Engineering prefers a 3.2/4.0 GPA. The minimum GPA to be reviewed by the admission committee is 3.0/4.0.
Application Materials
Each application must include the following:
- Graduate School Application
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- Resume/CV
- Three letters of recommendation (see below for exception)
- English proficiency score (if required)
- Application fee
Academic Transcript
Within the online application, upload undergraduate transcript(s) and, if applicable, the previous graduate transcript. Unofficial copies of transcripts are required for review, but official copies are required for admitted applicants. Please do not send transcripts or any other application materials to the Graduate School or the Mechanical Engineering department unless requested. Review the requirements set by the Graduate School for additional information about degrees/transcripts.
Statement of Purpose
In this document, applicants should explain why they want to pursue further education in Mechanical Engineering (see the Graduate School for more advice on how to structure a personal statement).
Resume
Upload your resume in your application.
Three Letters of Recommendation
These letters are required from people who can accurately judge the applicant's academic and/or work performance. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically to graduate programs through the online application. See the Graduate School for FAQs regarding letters of recommendation.
Applicants earning a BS degree from UW-Madison are not required to obtain any letters of recommendation. Within the Graduate School application, in the letters of recommendation section, you will need to enter at least one contact.
English Proficiency Score
Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide an English proficiency test score. The UW-Madison Graduate School accepts TOEFL, IETLS, or Duolingo English Test scores. Your score will not be accepted if it is more than two years old from the start of your admission term. Country of citizenship does not exempt applicants from this requirement. Language of instruction at the college or university level and how recent the language instruction was taken are the determining factors in meeting this requirement.
International degree-seeking applicants must prove English proficiency using the Graduate School's requirements.
Application Fee
Submission must be accompanied by the one-time application fee. See the Graduate School for FAQs for fee information.
Fee grants are only available through the conditions outlined here by the Graduate School. The Department of Mechanical Engineering is unable to offer fee grants for applicants to this program.
Reentry Admissions
If previously enrolled as a graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, have not earned the degree, but have had a break in enrollment for a minimum of a fall or spring term, applicants must re-apply to resume studies. Please review the Graduate School requirements for previously enrolled students. The previous faculty advisor (or another Mechanical Engineering faculty advisor) must be willing to supply advising support and should e-mail the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Services Coordinator regarding next steps in the process.
If previously enrolled in a UW-Madison graduate degree, completed that degree, have had a break in enrollment since earning the degree and would now like to apply for another UW-Madison program, applicants must submit a new student application through the UW-Madison Graduate School online application. For Mechanical Engineering graduate programs, you must follow the entire application process as described above.
Currently Enrolled Graduate Student Admissions
Applicants currently enrolled as a graduate student at UW-Madison, whether in Mechanical Engineering or a non-Mechanical Engineering graduate program, wishing to apply to this degree program should contact the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Admissions Team to inquire about the process and deadlines several months in advance of the anticipated enrollment term. Current students may apply to change or add programs for any term (fall, spring, or summer).
Questions
If you have questions, contact megradadmission@engr.wisc.edu.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.
Additional Resources
Student Loans
Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be eligible to receive some level of funding through the federal direct loan program. Private loans may also be available. Learn more about financial aid at the Financial Aid website.
International Student Services Funding and Scholarships
For information on International Student Funding and Scholarships, visit the International Student Services website.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 18 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Students must earn a C or above in all formal coursework. Students may not have any more than two incompletes on their record at any one time. |
| Assessments and Examinations | None. |
| Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
Required Courses
A minimum of 24 formal course credits* are required (minimum of 15 credits in Mechanical Engineering taken at UW-Madison).
*Formal credits are any course offering that is not a seminar course, thesis research course, or independent study course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| M E 903 | Graduate Seminar (Two semesters are required and must be taken the first two semesters.) | 0 |
| A minimum of 12 credits (4 courses) must be taken from the courses listed: | ||
| Thermal Systems Modeling | ||
M E 466 | ||
| Internal Combustion Engines | ||
| Intermediate Thermodynamics | ||
| Intermediate Fluid Dynamics | ||
| Heat Transfer | ||
| Applied Combustion | ||
| Intermediate Gas Dynamics | ||
| Computational Fluid Dynamics | ||
| Topics in Thermodynamics | ||
| Advanced Heat Transfer I-Conduction | ||
| Combustion Processes | ||
| Advanced Experimental Instrumentation | ||
| Chem Kinetics of Combust Systems | ||
| Turbulent Heat and Momentum Transfer | ||
| During the summer term, students are required to enroll in the following 6 credits: | ||
| M E 669 | Engine Experiments | 3 |
| M E 673 | Internal Combustion Engine Simulations | 3 |
Advisor Approval of Study Plan
The faculty advisor must always approve the courses a student takes in the MS program. Students should schedule an appointment with their adviser when selecting their courses. During the final semester, the faculty advisor will review the courses taken again and if approved, sign the warrant request form.
Other Policy
Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
With faculty advisor approval, students may transfer up to 12 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions toward the minimum credit requirement and the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. No credits from other institutions can be counted toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
- Undergraduate credits from UW-Madison: With faculty advisor approval, a maximum of 7 credits from a UW-Madison undergraduate degree may be applied toward the minimum credit requirement. Only coursework that is applicable to the degree curriculum is eligible. These credits are not allowed to count toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement unless taken in courses numbered 700 or above. No credits can be counted toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
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Undergraduate credits from other institutions: Undergraduate credits from other institutions are not permitted to be used in this degree program.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special student at UW–Madison
With faculty advisor approval, students may transfer up to 15 credits of coursework taken as a UW–Madison Special student toward the minimum credit requirement. Only coursework that is applicable to the degree curriculum is eligible. UW–Madison coursework taken as a University Special student would not be allowed to count toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement unless taken in courses numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the “Grad 50%” attribute. Coursework earned ten years or more prior to admission is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
The Department of Mechanical Engineering graduate programs satisfactory academic progress policy may be reviewed in the Graduate Handbook (see Contact box for link).
Advisor / Committee
All students will be assigned a mechanical engineering faculty advisor who assists them in planning a course sequence that meets degrees requirements and who will discuss career objectives with the students.
Credits per Term Allowed
15 credits
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Mechanical Engineering Grievance Procedures
If a student feels unfairly treated or aggrieved by faculty, staff, or another student, the University offers several avenues to resolve the grievance. Students’ concerns about unfair treatment are best handled directly with the person responsible for the objectionable action. If the student is uncomfortable making direct contact with the individual(s) involved, they should contact the advisor or the person in charge of the unit where the action occurred (program or department chair, section chair, lab manager, etc.). Many departments and schools/colleges have established specific procedures for handling such situations; check their web pages and published handbooks for information. If such procedures exist at the local level, these should be investigated first. For more information see the Graduate School Academic Policies & Procedures: https://grad.wisc.edu/acadpolicy/?policy=grievancesandappeals. The Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs (engr-dean-graduateaffairs@engr.wisc.edu) provides overall leadership for graduate education in the College of Engineering (CoE), and is a point of contact for graduate students who have concerns about education, mentoring, research, or other difficulties.
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The student is encouraged to speak first with the person toward whom the grievance is directed to see if a situation can be resolved at this level.
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Should a satisfactory resolution not be achieved, the student should contact the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies or the John Bollinger Chair of Mechanical Engineering to discuss the grievance. The Graduate Committee Chair or Department Chair will facilitate problem resolution through informal channels and facilitate any complaints or issues of students. The first attempt is to help students informally address the grievance prior to any formal complaint. Students are also encouraged to talk with their faculty advisors regarding concerns or difficulties if necessary. University resources for sexual harassment, discrimination, disability accommodations, and other related concerns can be found on the UW Office of Compliance website. Other campus resources can be found above.
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If the issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction the student can submit the grievance to the Graduate Committee Chair in writing, within 60 calendar days of the alleged unfair treatment.
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On receipt of a written complaint, a faculty committee will be convened by the Graduate Committee Chair to manage the grievance. The faculty committee will obtain a written response from the person toward whom the complaint is directed. This response will be shared with the person filing the grievance.
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The faculty committee will determine a decision regarding the grievance. The Graduate Committee Chair will report on the action taken by the committee in writing to both the student and the party toward whom the complaint was directed within 15 working days from the date the complaint was received.
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At this point, if either party (the student or the person toward whom the grievance is directed) is unsatisfied with the decision of the faculty committee, the party may file a written appeal. Either party has 10 working days to file a written appeal to the School/College.
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Documentation of the grievance will be stored for at least 7 years. Significant grievances that set a precedent will be stored indefinitely.
The Graduate School has procedures for students wishing to appeal a grievance decision made at the school/college level. These policies are described in the Graduate School’s Academic Policies & Procedures: https://grad.wisc.edu/acadpolicy/?policy=grievancesandappeals.
Other
Students are strongly discouraged to pursue positions as Project Assistants, Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants during their time in this program, as the rigor and accelerated nature of this program may not accommodate those work time commitments. Students in this program will not receive the tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship.
People
Professors
Darryl Thelen (Chair) Peter Adamczyk Mark Anderson Riccardo Bonazza
Curt Bronkhorst
Wendy Crone Christian Franck Jaal Ghandhi Sage Kokjohn Dan Negrut Gregory F. Nellis Frank Pfefferkorn Xiaoping Qian Douglas Reindl David Rothamer Scott T. Sanders Krishnan Suresh Mario F. Trujillo Lih-sheng Turng Fabian Waleffe
Michael Zinn
Associate Professors
Lianyi Chen
Melih Eriten
Jennifer Franck
Katherine Fu
Corinne Henak
Tom N. Krupenkin
Ying Li
Franklin Miller
Sangkee Min
Wenxiao Pan
James Pikul
Pavana Prabhakar
Alejandro Roldan-Alzate
Shiva Rudraraju
Ramathasan Thevamaran
Assistant Professors
Yunus Alapan Joseph Andrews Eric Kazyak Xiao Kuang Allison Mahvi Luca Mastropasqua Jacob Notbohm Josh Roth Eric Tervo Dakotah Thompson Michael Wagner Wei Wang Jinlong Wu Xiaobin Xiong Xiangru Xu Lei Zhou