Overview
The Master of Science in Sports Engineering program is designed to provide students with a robust foundation in engineering principles and their application to the sports and human performance sectors. This program integrates advanced mechanical and bioengineering techniques with a focus on the unique challenges of sports technology, biomechanics, and sports equipment design. Graduates will be equipped to address the growing demand for engineering expertise in both industry and academia, focusing on the development and evaluation of technologies that enhance athletic performance, reduce injury risk, and promote long-term health.
The curriculum is designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the sports technology industry. Courses cover topics such as sports equipment materials and manufacturing, data acquisition, real-time performance analysis, and product testing, giving students the practical skills to address real-world challenges faced by companies specializing in sports equipment, performance wearables, and biomechanics.
For students interested in pursuing careers in academia or research, the program emphasizes scientific research methods, computational biomechanics, and experimental design. Opportunities to work on faculty-led projects, contribute to peer-reviewed publications, and present at international conferences prepare students for advanced doctoral studies or research-based careers.
Admission Requirements
A bachelor's degree in a STEM related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Curriculum Requirements
- One academic year, or equivalent, spent in full time graduate study will be the minimum time necessary for a student to fulfill the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Sports Engineering.
- The student is required to complete only graduate-level courses, 600-level or 700-level, to fulfill the course requirement.
- Both a 30 credit hour thesis option and a 30 credit hour non-thesis option are available.
- M.S. with Thesis Option: The student is required to complete 24 credits of course work and 6 credits of thesis in their chosen area of specialization. The thesis involves research-type work completed under the supervision or guidance of a faculty advisor. At the completion of the thesis, the student is required to write a thesis and make an acceptable oral presentation of the thesis before a committee of three faculty members that includes the faculty thesis advisor as the Chair of the committee. The faculty advisor is required to be from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or the Department of Kinesiology.
- M.S. with Non-Thesis Option: The student is required to complete 27 credits of course work and 3 credits of an independent project in an area of his/her interest under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor should be from the College of Engineering or the Department of Kinesiology. After completing the project, the student is required to submit a project report to the faculty advisor and also make an oral presentation of the project before two faculty members, including the faculty advisor. The student will receive a grade for the project. The independent project credits do not count toward the required minimum of two 700-level courses to be completed as part of the total expected credits of coursework required in their chosen option.
Curriculum Requirements: Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (take all 3) | ||
| NEW COURSE: MAE 686 Introduction to Sports Engineering | 3 | |
| NEW COURSE: MAE 687 Materials in Sports Equipment | 3 | |
| KIN 735 | Methods in Biomechanical Analysis | 3 |
| Physiology (choose 1-2) | 3-6 | |
| Biochemistry and Cellular Physiology for Engineers | ||
| Human Physiology for Engineers | ||
| Neurophysiology for Engineers | ||
| Advanced Systemic Exercise Physiology | ||
| Cellular Exercise Physiology | ||
| Laboratory Techniques in Functional Evaluation of Skeletal Muscle | ||
| Neurophysiology in Exercise Science | ||
| Electives (choose 2-3) | 6-9 | |
| Materials | ||
| Advanced Mechanics of Solids | ||
| Introduction to Composite Materials | ||
| Manufacturing | ||
| Design for Manufacturability | ||
| Scientific and Engineering Foundations of Additive Manufacturing | ||
| Additive Manufacturing of Engineering Materials | ||
| Additive Manufacturing Lab | ||
| Manufacturing Analysis and Design I | ||
| Manufacturing Analysis and Design II | ||
| Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Engineering Techniques | ||
| Medical Imaging Systems: X-ray and CT | ||
| Medical Imaging Systems: MRI, NMI and Ultrasound | ||
| Microcomputer-Based Medical Instrumentation | ||
| Advanced Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Finite Element Analysis for Engineers | ||
| Advanced Computing for Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Digital Image Processing | ||
| Introduction to Applied Data Analytics | ||
| Design of Experiments | ||
| Diagnostic Imaging Techniques in Sports Medicine | ||
| Management | ||
| Engineering Management | ||
| Engineering Entrepreneurship | ||
| Management of Technological Innovation | ||
| Research and Clinical Rotations | ||
| BME 725 | Special Problems | 1 |
| MAE 651 | Special Problems | 1 |
| KIN 690 | Special Topics in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences | 1 |
| Thesis Option | ||
| MAE 810 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Curriculum Requirements: Non-Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| NEW COURSE: MAE 686 Introduction to Sports Engineering | 3 | |
| NEW COURSE: MAE 687 Materials in Sports Equipment | 3 | |
| KIN 735 | Methods in Biomechanical Analysis | 3 |
| Physiology (choose 1-2) | 3-6 | |
| Biochemistry and Cellular Physiology for Engineers | ||
| Human Physiology for Engineers | ||
| Neurophysiology for Engineers | ||
| Advanced Systemic Exercise Physiology | ||
| Cellular Exercise Physiology | ||
| Laboratory Techniques in Functional Evaluation of Skeletal Muscle | ||
| Neurophysiology in Exercise Science | ||
| Electives (choose 3-4) | 9-12 | |
| Materials | ||
| Advanced Mechanics of Solids | ||
| Introduction to Composite Materials | ||
| Manufacturing | ||
| Design for Manufacturability | ||
| Scientific and Engineering Foundations of Additive Manufacturing | ||
| Additive Manufacturing of Engineering Materials | ||
| Additive Manufacturing Lab | ||
| Manufacturing Analysis and Design I | ||
| Manufacturing Analysis and Design II | ||
| Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Engineering Techniques | ||
| Medical Imaging Systems: X-ray and CT | ||
| Medical Imaging Systems: MRI, NMI and Ultrasound | ||
| Microcomputer-Based Medical Instrumentation | ||
| Advanced Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Finite Element Analysis for Engineers | ||
| Advanced Computing for Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Digital Image Processing | ||
| Introduction to Applied Data Analytics | ||
| Design of Experiments | ||
| Diagnostic Imaging Techniques in Sports Medicine | ||
| Management | ||
| Engineering Management | ||
| Engineering Entrepreneurship | ||
| Management of Technological Innovation | ||
| Non-Thesis Option | ||
| Research and Clinical Rotations | ||
| BME 725 | Special Problems | 1 |
| MAE 651 | Special Problems | 1 |
| KIN 690 | Special Topics in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences | 1 |
| MAE 751 | Master's Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Sample Plan of Study: Thesis Option
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MAE 686 Introduction to Sports Engineering | 3 | |
| KIN 735 | Methods in Biomechanical Analysis | 3 |
| Physiology Course | 3 | |
| Research rotation | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MAE 687 Materials in Sports Equipment | 3 | |
| MAE 810 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MAE 810 | Master's Thesis | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Sample Plan of Study: Non-Thesis Option
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MAE 686 Sports Engineering and Entrepreneurship | 3 | |
| KIN 735 | Methods in Biomechanical Analysis | 3 |
| Physiology Course | 3 | |
| Research rotation | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MAE 687 Materials in Sports Equipment | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MAE 751 | Master's Project | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Mission
The mission of the graduate program is to prepare students to become knowledgeable and skilled engineers and researchers with an understanding of the ethical and other professional aspects of sports engineering.
Goals
The goal of the M.S. program in Sports Engineering is to prepare students for successful careers in industry, academia, or government, or for further study in doctoral or other engineering-related programs. The educational objective of the program is to graduate engineers with advanced skills and knowledge in sports engineering and to train, motivate, and inspire our graduates to become leaders in their fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate competence in the theoretical and practical knowledge of sports engineering.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate the results of their scientific research in writing and in oral presentations.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically in learning and/or research.
