Engineering

Office: Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science
Mail Code: 2155 E. Wesley Ave, Room 277, Denver, CO 80208
Phone: 303-871-3041
Email: mmeinfo@du.edu or eceinfo@du.edu
Web Site: https://ritchieschool.du.edu/academics-education/departments/mechanical-materials-engineering and https://ritchieschool.du.edu/academics-education/departments/electrical-computer-engineering

Master's and Doctoral Degrees

Why study engineering at the University of Denver?

The University of Denver’s Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science is creating the future of technology by providing a graduate education emphasizing cross-disciplinary knowledge. Engineering graduate students join the faculty in conducting cutting-edge research in emerging disciplines to develop unique solutions to old and new problems and opportunities.

The well-equipped laboratories contain state-of-the-art equipment and software to support research in biomedical engineering, advanced materials, robotics, mechanical design, and AI/machine learning, among others. Small classes support our multidisciplinary and real-time focus by providing close contact between students and faculty, which allows us to meet students’ individual career goals.

The general engineering graduate student can choose courses from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, materials science, and bioengineering.

Denver is a first-rate location for business, governmental and laboratory partnerships, and technology employment. The Colorado Front Range is consistently rated as one of the top high-tech areas in the country, and the University of Denver is located just minutes from the Denver Tech Center, site of many top technology companies. The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering is committed to active collaboration with these industry leaders. As a result, our students graduate with relevant research experience and a network of employment contacts in the technology sector.

Time Commitment

Our department recognizes that a student may be employed full-time while studying for a degree. Therefore, many courses are offered at times and on days that will permit a student to complete the program by taking courses either late in the day or outside normal business hours. Many employers will permit additional flexibility by releasing employees early to attend classes. We also can provide hybrid and Zoom-based course options.

The master's program offers thesis and non-thesis options and can be completed in one (non-thesis track only) to four years depending on the number of courses taken per quarter. The choice of thesis or non-thesis can be made at any time, although a delay in declaration may impact the completion date.

The doctoral program is generally completed in three to seven years, depending on the number of courses taken per quarter and whether the student enters with a BS or MS.

A student not interested in pursuing a degree, but interested in taking an occasional course, may register as a special status student by following an abbreviated admissions process. If at a later time the student chooses to enter a graduate degree program at DU, you may apply up to 15 special status credits to your degree, with departmental approval. Just follow the regular graduate application requirements, including submitting the application fee, to get started.

Degree Programs

The following are our general engineering degrees. Please see the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Programs for our other graduate engineering degrees.

  • Master of Science in Engineering (MS ENGE)

  • Master of Science in Engineering with a Concentration in Engineering Management (MS ENGE (CM))

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD ENME)

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD ENGE) program prepares students to contribute to the advancement of science, engineering, and technology through independent research. The PhD students of the 21st century may pursue academic, research, or industry careers. Individualized plans of study are based on students’ previous experience and desired research areas. The plan of study allows students to work on interdisciplinary research, while also satisfying the PhD in engineering degree requirements.

The interdisciplinary Engineering PhD program offers opportunities for a student to develop a plan of study combining engineering and a complementary discipline (e.g. natural sciences). In the plan of study, coursework in the complementary discipline can be included up to the maximum number of technical elective credits. The student’s plan of study must be approved by the PhD committee and the department chair. When the student is completing research and coursework in a complementary discipline, the student’s PhD committee must include a faculty member from the related department or division/school.

For a part-time student who is working in an industry position, a topic related to the job function may be acceptable as the dissertation research topic. Furthermore, a student may request for a qualified staff member at the place of employment to serve as a special committee member on the dissertation committee.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD BME) program combines cross-disciplinary course work in engineering and life sciences. It trains students to carry out independent research in fields related to human health and well-being. The training combines engineering principles with sciences to further our understanding of health-related problems and to design and create novel methods, devices, and software to bring innovative solutions to these problems.

Master of Science in Engineering

The Master of Science in Engineering (MS ENGE) is designed to advance the knowledge of students in areas differing from those in which they received their bachelor’s degree. The program is particularly intended for students with bachelor’s degrees in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science or engineering who are making a change of discipline or wanting to develop expertise in an engineering area, often one that is of emerging importance or interdisciplinary in nature. The program combines a solid background in an area of engineering with a distinctly personal specialization. It enables the student to focus on a particular area of engineering, while providing breadth through its technical elective requirement addressing the student’s specific interests.

A Master of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Management (CM) is also offered (see below).These engineering and management courses are focused on developing core knowledge and competencies in innovation and entrepreneurship, and providing concrete tools to successfully translate ideas and initiative into marketplace success.

Master of Science in Engineering with a Concentration in Engineering Management

The degree of Master of Science in Engineering allows students to pursue a concentration in engineering management (MS ENGE(CM)).This is an engineering degree with both engineering and management focuses. The concentration in engineering management is designed to meet the increasing needs of students to enhance their career opportunities as managers or as entrepreneurs by supplementing advanced engineering knowledge with a fundamental understanding of business principles within the context of technology enterprises. Drawing upon the strengths of both RSECS and the Daniels College of Business, the program provides the relevant content for graduates to lead technology enterprises. Candidates for the degree of master of science with a concentration in management will be on the non-thesis track only.