Program Overview
The University of New Mexico is pleased to offer a fully online master's program in Space Systems Engineering, leading to a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME). This program is one of the first master's level space systems engineering programs in the country. The Space Systems Engineering concentration was developed with input from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate to provide graduates with the advanced skills to further their careers in the aerospace industry. All courses for the Space Systems Engineering Accelerated Online Program are offered in an 8-week format.
All applicants are expected to have college-level proficiency in English (reading and writing), programming, and mathematics. Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
Possible Careers
Students who successfully complete the curriculum will be prepared for master's level engineering positions at the Department of Defense, NASA, and private sector aerospace companies. Students will be prepared for space systems program career paths such as:
- spacecraft design
- navigation and structural analysis
- mission planning
- project management
- spacecraft integration activities
Read about awards UNM Engineering students are winning.
UNM's Space Systems Engineering program was recently recognized as the #1 Most Affordable Online Master's in Mechanical Engineering Degrees for 2020 and among the top Online Master's in Mechanical Engineering Degrees of 2020 by OnlineU.org
Disclosures
Students receiving an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering will:
1) Exhibit knowledge of engineering and science fundamentals appropriate for the Mechanical Engineering discipline and/or specialization.
2) Be able to communicate effectively.
3) Demonstrate the ability to critically assess information in the Mechanical Engineering discipline and/or specialization.
Admissions
Tuition and Fees
Total cost per credit hour is $533.38 and is comprised of: $428.12 base tuition + $105.26 college differential. There is a student technology fee charged each semester. It is $150 in the Fall, $150 in the Spring, and $20 in the Summer. There may be additional costs, depending on the class. Additional costs are often for textbooks, supplemental course materials, and proctoring fees.
About the Program
The Space Systems Engineering Accelerated Online Program is an exciting new program offered at UNM. Prospective students must have an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. All applicants are expected to have college-level proficiency in English (reading and writing), programming, and mathematics.
All courses are offered in an 8-week format, with terms starting 5 times per year. A sequence of courses has been developed to optimize a student’s progression through the curriculum. Most courses can be taken in any order to complete the degree.
Seven courses are required for the Space Systems Engineering concentration. An additional 15 hours of core coursework is required to complete the MSME degree.
Look for the courses in the current schedule of classes with a course comment that reads "Limited to accelerated [or "managed"] online program students only." For more information, contact the program coordinator.
Admissions Requirements:
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test - The GRE scores are required and should be submitted to the University directly by ETS (Institution code: 4845; no department code is needed). During the online application process, please report your scores unofficially for review. The GRE scores are considered for general benchmarking purposes and are examined in the context of all other application requirements; these include the GPA, letters of recommendation, and statement of intent. As such, a minimum required score has not been set.
- Three Letters of Recommendation - UNM BSMEs with a GPA of 3.5 (or higher) on their last 60 credit hours of coursework have the option of submitting only two (2) letters of recommendation. The letters must be written by professional references such as instructors and supervisors, not friends and relatives. Letters should be submitted directly by your recommenders through the online system. Specific directions are included within the application system.
- Statement of Intent (or Letter of Intent) - This document must be submitted through the online application system. The presence of an overlap of the applicant's interests with the expertise of one or more of our faculty members is given significant weight in terms of the application acceptance decision. So, this statement should show clear evidence of such overlap.
- Updated CV (Resume) - This document must be submitted through the online application system.
- Official Transcripts - Follow the instructions on the online application system
- Language Skills for International Students: International students must meet all UNM Graduate Admissions Requirements including tests for English proficiency. For more information regarding international students, please see International Students and Online Education. For international students, the minimum Graduate TOEFL Scores (Paper/Computer) are: 550/213, minimum Graduate IELTS Score: 6.5. Official test results must be sent directly from ETS to the University of New Mexico (code #4845). Further information and the minimum score requirements can be found at the UNM Global Education Office website.
The following deadlines for admission to the program apply. For both domestic and international applicants, admission applications must be completed by:
- April 30 for the Summer semester of the same calendar year,
- July 1 for the Fall semester of the same calendar year,
- November 1 for the Spring semester of the following calendar year.
To apply for the program, in the Program of Interest section within the UNM Graduate Admissions Application, select the following:
College/School: School of Engineering
Department: Mechanical Engineering (Online only)
Program/Major: Mechanical Engineering (Online only)
Degree: MS Mechanical Engineering (Online only)
Interest: Space Systems Engineering
Degree Requirements
The MSME Space Systems Engineering Accelerated Online Program is offered as a Masters Plan III Option (course work only).
MS in Mechanical Engineering - Space Systems Engineering Concentration
Degree Requirements:
- A minimum of 34 credit hours (including the graduate seminar)
- A minimum of 24 credit hours of 500-level courses.
- A minimum of 1 credit hour for the graduate seminar course (students must register for a 0 credit hour graduate seminar during one term).
Space Systems Engineering Concentration Courses (16 credit hours):
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
ME 594 | Introduction to Space Situational Awareness | 3 |
ME 595 | Orbital Mechanics | 3 |
ME 596 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Controls | 3 |
ME 597 | Small Spacecraft Design I | 3 |
ECE 535 | Satellite Communications | 3 |
ME 591/ME 592/ECE 590* | Graduate Seminar in Space Systems | 0-1 |
*The Graduate Seminar must be taken twice - once for 0 credit hours and once for 1 credit hour
MSME Core Courses (9 credit hours):
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
ME 500* | Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering | 3 |
ME 501* | Advanced Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
ME 520 or ME 530 | Advanced Thermodynamics or Theoretical Fluid Mechanics I | 3 |
*If you successfully completed ME 400 and ME 401, do not enroll in ME 500 and ME 501. Contact your advisor for alternatives.
Additional Courses (9 credit hours selected from the following):
Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
ME 520 | Advanced Thermodynamics | 3 |
ME 530 | Theoretical Fluid Mechanics I | 3 |
ME 538 | Space Propulsion | 3 |
ME 542 | Deformation Analysis and Modeling | 3 |
ME 562 | Machine Learning in Aerospace | 3 |
ME 572 | Aerospace Structures and Materials | 3 |
Learning Goals
Students receiving an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering will:
1) Exhibit knowledge of engineering and science fundamentals appropriate for the Mechanical Engineering discipline and/or specialization.
2) Be able to communicate effectively.
3) Demonstrate the ability to critically assess information in the Mechanical Engineering discipline and/or specialization.