Advanced

Manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing plays a vital role in all aspects of our economy, from biotechnology to green energy, aerospace to automotive, pharmaceuticals to nanotechnology, and more. Innovations in technology are rapidly changing the way products are conceived, designed, fabricated, distributed, and supported.

Pursuing an education in advanced manufacturing at CSU will expand your knowledge of automation and simulation, manufacturing applications, and processing of materials. World class faculty lead four hands-on academic programs and will guide you through the understanding of engineering disciplines such as additive manufacturing, polymer composites, metal and ceramic 3D printing, and robot mechanics and controls. In addition, courses related to materials selection, digital product design and development, biotechnology, and integrated supply chains are available.

Academic Programs & Advising Contacts

Teaching Faculty

Careers & Internships

Organizations, Programs & Clubs

Academic Programs & Advising Contacts

UNDERGRADUATE

Undergraduate Concentration in Advanced Manufacturing

Earn an Undergraduate Concentration in Advanced Manufacturing when you complete 12 credit hours (four technical electives) of approved coursework.

How to declare

To declare a concentration in advanced manufacturing, you must be a declared mechanical engineering major. If you decide you would like to declare the concentration, email your academic advisor and they will initiate the process.

Coursework

Students who complete 12 credit hours from the lists of courses below will earn a concentration in advanced manufacturing. The 12 credit hours fulfill the technical elective requirement for mechanical engineering students. Courses can be selected from a single theme or multiple. To enroll in 500-level courses, students must have a 3.0 GPA or instructor approval.

Foundational

MECH 411 – Manufacturing Engineering

MECH 502 – Advanced/Additive Manufacturing Engineering

*Students are required to take one of the two foundational courses.

Processing of Materials

MECH 432 – Engineering of Nanomaterials

MECH 434 – Materials Selection for Mechanical Design

MECH 530 – Advanced Composite Materials

MECH 531 – Composites Product Development

MECH 537 – Processing of Polymer Composites

MSE 502A – Structure and Properties of Materials

MSE 502B – Computational Materials Methods

MSE 502C – Materials Microscopy

MSE 502D – Materials Spectoscopy

MSE 502E – Bulk Properties and Performance

MSE 502F – Experimental Methods for Materials Research

Automation & Simulation

MECH 407 – Laser Applications in ME

MECH 417 – Control Systems

MECH 428 – Probabilistic Design

MECH 464 – Injection Molding

MECH 513 – Simulation Modeling and Experimentation

MECH 529 – Advanced Mechanical Systems

MECH 564 – Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls

ENGR 510 – Engineering Optimization: Method/Application

GRADUATE

M.E. Master of Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing Specialization

The Master of Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing Specialization is an on-campus or online degree program that provides students with the competencies, skills, and experience to advance in careers in the manufacturing industry. The curriculum includes courses in manufacturing processes and controls, factory systems and supply chains, business fundamentals and product development processes. The program is intended for professional students who have an undergraduate degree in engineering and are working in the manufacturing industry. This is a coursework-only degree program with no thesis requirement.

Admissions Criteria

Admissions criteria and requirements can be found here.

Coursework

View course catalog here.

Apply

To apply, visit graduateschool.colostate.edu/apply.

M.S. Mechanical Engineering with Master's Thesis in Advanced Manufacturing

Students pursuing a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering conduct research under the supervision of a faculty advisor who is usually the Principal Investigator for a government- or industry-sponsored project. The student’s research, in conjunction with coursework and advanced manufacturing thesis credits, will culminate in an article for submission to a peer-reviewed journal and a final thesis. This degree is available on campus only.

Admissions Criteria

Admissions criteria and requirements can be found here.

Coursework and Requirements

Details on program coursework and requirements can be found here.

Apply

To apply, visit graduateschool.colostate.edu/apply.

Graduate Certificate

Our Advanced Manufacturing Graduate Certificate provides students with the competencies, skills, and experience needed to advance their careers in the manufacturing industry. The certificate requires completion of 9 credits of 500-level and above graduate coursework. Students may apply for and complete just the certificate, or may apply for both the certificate and a degree program. The certificate is available on campus or online, and is intended for working professionals looking to stay competitive in their field, advance their knowledge, and obtain additional training.

Admissions Criteria

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related discipline
Prerequisites: Calculus 1, 2, and 3; Ordinary Differential Equations; Physics 1 and 2 (calculus based)
Strongly recommended 3.0 or higher GPA
International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS that meet Graduate School minimums

Coursework

View course catalog here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for CSU Graduate Certificate FAQs.

Apply

To apply, visit graduateschool.colostate.edu/apply.

“My mechanical engineering degree from CSU gave me the needed foundation to build a fulfilling career in manufacturing. Thanks to the hands-on skillset I gained at CSU, I have the fundamental know-how that is crucial to bridging the gap between textbook and reality. I was able to enter the workforce immediately as a strong contender.”

- Kyle McGraw, Project Manager, Lincoln Electric Automation

ADVISING CONTACTS

Undergraduate Academic Advising Team

Connect with undergraduate academic advising here.

Graduate Advising Contact

Connect with the graduate academic advisor here.

Faculty

Doug Fankell

Kaka Ma

David Prawel

Don Radford

Walajabad Sampath

Azer P. Yalin

Jianguo Zhao

Careers & Internships

Manufacturing forms the basis of wealth creation in the United States and around the world. The improvement of manufacturing processes is key to raising global standards of living. Education in advanced manufacturing can lead to employment at many diverse, tech-forward companies and industries from medical devices to consumer electronics and even parts for spacecraft.

Many Colorado manufacturing companies offer internships that lead to employment opportunities. Some that have participated in CSU’s internship program include Northrup Grumman, Ball Corporation, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Sierra Nevada, Raytheon Technologies, and Woodward.

Internship opportunities come and go on a rotating basis and are advertised through Handshake, or you can apply directly with the company.

APPLY DIRECTLY!

$94,515

Average industry salary of advanced manufacturing engineers in 2020 – Glassdoor

Organizations, Programs and Clubs

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

CSU’s ASME chapter brings mechanical engineering students together in a professional community to promote the engineering discipline and ensure success through extracurricular activities.

“We provide students with exposure to professionalism through fun activities, industry tours, and PLI sessions. The key word here is fun! Professionalism is often put into a very rigorous setting whereas here we can embrace a less formal environment. Engineering is fun and that’s why we all do it!”

Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE)

CSU’s SAMPE chapter educates students and stimulates their interest in the fields of advanced materials and process engineering. The society serves as a means of professional networking for career opportunities, including opportunities for student researchers to present their results at conferences and symposia. Members also serve the community through joint volunteer activities and programs.

CSU Robotics

The purpose of Ram Robotics is to provide an initial point of contact with robotics industry leaders by organizing industry tours, hosting guest speakers, providing small-scale robotics design opportunities for students, and promoting participation in industry-related events.

Ram Robotics fosters a community where robotics enthusiasts and engineers can enhance their skills and obtain insight into the industry. Ram Robotics also functions as a gateway for students to participate in CSU’s NASA Robotic Mining Competition.

Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University is about using our knowledge of materials, energy, and health to solve society’s global engineering challenges.

Join Us.

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