Engine Systems

Be an Engine Design & Development Leader

Turn your passion for engines into a fulfilling career. Get the key skills you need to become a chief engineer of new engine programs with the only online master of engineering degree program focused on combustion engines.

The Master of Engineering in Engineering with an emphasis in Engine Systems degree is equal to 10 years of engine design experience. When you finish the degree, you’ll be a respected engine expert. You’ll have the skills to drive engine innovations that benefit customers, suppliers, employees and the environment.

Know Every Aspect of the Engine

Get more experience in engine design, controls, performance and emissions. Design an engine of your choice during the required capstone project. Past students have received a patent for their project work

You can apply what you learn at work every day, especially when you study combustion, controls, and thermodynamics. You’ll also collaborate with other engineers who are active in different areas of the engine industry—including big engines, small engines and the vehicle industry. Ultimately, this degree will help you understand the big picture while becoming an expert at the component level.

Benefit from Engine Experts

Learn and interact with faculty from UW–Madison’s renowned Engine Research Center, industry leaders and experienced colleagues working in the internal combustion industry. You’ll have regular access to experts and insights from the largest research center devoted to internal combustion engine research in the U.S., and among the largest in the world.

Led by Engine Research Center faculty, the Engine Systems master’s degree program integrates thermal sciences, design and mechanics, electronics and control, applications and service, as well as manufacturing, into a three-and-a-half-year online graduate degree with five-day summer residencies on the lively UW–Madison campus.

Aaron Foege

He was among three students to receive a patent for work in the Engine Systems program.

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Get Access to the Engine Research Center

You’ll have regular access to leading research at the university’s Engine Research Center—the largest research center devoted to internal combustion engine research in the U.S., and among the largest in the world. Learn and interact with faculty from UW–Madison’s renowned Engine Research Center and Powertrain Control Research Laboratory, industry leaders and experienced colleagues working in the internal combustion industry.

Learn in a Supportive, Collaborative Environment 

Awards

Access Your Courses Anytime, Anywhere

Our online platform gives you the ability to access live interactive web conferences from anywhere around the world. UW’s Engine Systems program also enables flexible learning time outside the live conferences.

We ensure our comprehensive course outline keeps you on track to complete your degree and be exposed to classes and projects with direct and immediate applicability to real-world work.

Typical Weekly Schedule

In a typical week, you will engage in online project work, readings and presentations designed to address industry challenges and further your problem-solving skills.

The weekly assignments afford you the flexibility to choose when to complete them, but weekend deadlines and structured support help keep you on track. Course web conferences are the only time-constrained course activities.

We pair flexibility with a fixed curriculum and semester schedule that will help you maintain focus and consistent progress. This versatile but structured approach produces graduates with valuable new skills.

Each course will engage you in extensive, meaningful interaction with the instructor and other engineers without interruption to your work and travel plans. Depending on your background, you can expect to spend approximately 12-18 hours per course per week doing coursework and participating in project activities.

You can complete your Master of Engineering: Engine Systems degree in seven semesters and one summer, taking four credit hours each semester.

Apply Your Learning Immediately on the Job

In the Engine Systems graduate program, we understand that to be a successful engineering leader, you must be able to integrate and apply knowledge from different areas to engine development projects that meet market demands and are cost-effective.

Nearly every subject in the mechanical engineering curriculum finds application in the engine. Our research-oriented faculty incorporate topics from electronics and chemical engineering into real-world assignments and group projects.

Curriculum

Engine manufacturers, suppliers, and vehicle manufacturers using internal combustion engines will value the immediate applicability of the skills you will learn in this online Engine Systems program.

The curriculum for the Engine Systems master’s program will prepare you to:

• Manage the complete development process for a new engine

• Clearly articulate customer and application requirements

• Effectively integrate engine design with various manufacturing processes

• Select the combustion system, fuel, and engine system configuration that will best fit a particular application; among many other critical skills

Degree Requirements

You will earn a Master of Engineering in Engineering with an emphasis in Engine Systems degree upon completion of 30 graduate credits required by the University of Wisconsin.

This is a 3-1/2 year program that involves completing four credit hours per semester in the spring and fall with one 2-credit summer course.

On-Campus Residency Requirement

You will meet with your fellow students and instructors in a week-long residency on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus each August. These on-campus sessions will provide software training and hands on projects to lead you into your fall courses each year.

During these sessions you will develop a clear understanding of the program goals, course requirements and university resources available to you as a distance student. You will also form teams for group projects and build the relationships that will help you enjoy the program, maximize its benefits, and expand your professional network.

Courses

You can often tailor your learning by selecting projects that use problems and challenges from your own workplace. Courses in the Engine Systems program focus on problems and applications that you can use immediately in your current projects while preparing you for future responsibilities and roles.

Course web conferences are the only time-constrained course activities; all other weekly assignments can be accomplished on days and times of your choice. You also will have the opportunity to visit the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus during the week-long summer residency scheduled each August.

Required Courses

Approach to Online Learning

UW’s online Engine Systems master’s program is designed for working professionals. The learning environment is flexible—allowing you to make the best use of your time, without interruption to work, family or other commitments.

Experience a Rich Learning Environment 

Learning in our program does not all happen in front of a computer. You will get the chance to provide insight in discussions, interact with expert speakers, and use a variety of computer applications.

As a student, you will also have access to the UW-Madison academic libraries, which offer you 10 percent of the world’s library resources. Our students often highlight how regular check-in times, access to the Engine Research Center, and networking opportunities with fellow students, faculty and staff in the engine industry, enrich their experience in our program. 

A Supportive, Collaborative Environment 

Faculty

In this online graduate Engine Systems program, faculty from UW’s Engine Research Center and Powertrain Control Research Laboratory team up with leaders from the engine industry to offer a unique learning opportunity.

Emily Book, PhD

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Emily Book, PhD

Emily Book received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, her M.B.A. from Clarke College, her Master of Engineering in Engine Systems from the University of Wisconsin, and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University. She completed internships at Caterpillar, Ford and GM. She worked for John Deere for eight years in the Construction and Forestry Division as well as the Power Systems Division. She worked for Cummins in the High Horse Power group for two years. During research for her PhD, she studied exhaust gas emissions from diesel engines. She looked at the particulate matter and studied the size distribution and particle count from different diesel engines including an exhaust aftertreatment. Her research and interests’ areas include high-pressure combustion, internal combustion engines, and engineering education. She is currently an Assistant Professor at The Citadel in the Mechanical Engineering department in Charleston, SC.

Bruce Dennert, ME

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Bruce Dennert, ME

Instructor

Dennert is the president and principal engineer of CamCom, Inc., an engineering consulting company specializing in cam profile design, valve train analysis, engineering educational training programs, and custom engineering software. He previously had a 34-year career at Harley-Davidson, where he held many powertrain engineering positions, including Principal Engineer – Powertrain Concepts. He also worked at Waukesha Engine in an analytical engineering function. He has bachelor's degrees in math and physics from Carroll College, a Master of Science and Engineering from UW-Milwaukee, and a Master of Engineering in Professional Practice (Engineering Management) degree from UW-Madison.

Neil A. Duffie, PhD

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Neil A. Duffie, PhD

Instructor

Duffie is a  professor emeritus of Mechanical Engineering and past department chair for the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UW-Madison. His research interests are in machine, process, and system control, particularly distributed system control. He received a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a master’s degree in engineering, and a PhD in mechanical engineering from UW-Madison. Duffie is a fellow of ASME, CIRP, and SME. He is a fellow of CIRP (International Academy for Production Engineering), ASME, SME, and is a past president of SME. In 2008, he was Mercator Guest Professor at the University of Bremen, Germany.

Eric Fluga, MS

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Eric Fluga, MS

Instructor

Fluga has developed engines and powertrains for 37 years. He joined Caterpillar in 1981 and has had numerous positions including Engineering Technical Fellow in Research and Division Manager in the Engineering Product Group. He led the initial group developing the ACERT technology that was used in most Caterpillar diesel engines. He was a developer of Caterpillar’s diesel engine performance simulation program and combined it with the powertrain simulation program enabling complete vehicle performance modeling. He led joint programs between Caterpillar and the US Department of Energy to improve engine fuel efficiency. He developed Alternative Fuel vehicles at Ford Motor Company in 1979. He has 24 patents and has presented at SAE and US DOE conferences. He holds a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, both from the University of Illinois.

Tom Harris, PhD

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Tom Harris, PhD

Instructor

Tom Harris is Technical Specialist with Tenneco Automotive in Jackson, Michigan. He has more than 21 years of industrial experience, the last 15 in aftertreatment design and development. His aftertreatment experience includes aspects of manufacturing and quality control of 3-way catalysts, the design of light-duty diesel DOCs and catalyzed DPFs, and all aspects of the design and development of heavy-duty diesel aftertreatment systems for off-highway applications. At Tenneco, as a member in the Core Science Department, he is researching novel insulation materials, exhaust thermal management systems, and mechatronics technologies related to aftertreatment systems and emissions control. He has written or contributed to 15 peer-reviewed publications, and has been awarded 9 patents. He has a master’s and PhD in Metallurgy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and is also a graduate of UW-Madison’s Master of Engineering Engine Systems program.

Kevin Hoag, MS

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Kevin Hoag, MS

Instructor

Hoag holds the position of Institute Engineer, Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research at the Southwest Research Institute and a former program director for the Department of Engineering Professional Development at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has more than 35 years of experience in diesel and spark-ignition engine development, 16 of which were with Cummins Inc., where he held a variety of leadership roles in engine performance and mechanical development. He also has more than 15 years of experience in course development and teaching in continuing engineering education. Hoag holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Chi Binh La, ME

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Chi Binh La, ME

Instructor

La is business unit director of Gasoline and Alternative Fuel Engines at IAV in Northville, Michigan where he is responsible for strategy and project delivery.  Previously, he worked for Ricardo, Inc. as the Director of Powertrain Development and Calibration.  He has more than 20 years of experience in engine development covering a broad range of topics including: NVH, Mechanical Development, Analysis and Simulation, as well as Controls and Calibration. Chi Binh holds a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a master’s in Engineering in Engine Systems from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mark Millard, MS

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Mark Millard, MS

Instructor

Mark Millard is Director of Learning Design and Technologies for the Department of Engineering Professional Development at UW–Madison. Mark has published extensively on online education and educational innovation, and leads courses at UW-Madison to teach faculty effective practices for online instruction. Previously, Millard was Assistant Director of the Office of Instructional Consulting in the School of Education at Indiana University. Millard holds an MS in information science from Indiana University. mark.millard@wisc.edu

Christine G. Nicometo, MS

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Christine G. Nicometo, MS

Instructor

Christine Nicometo is nationally known and respected for her ability to teach effective communication and presentation skills to technical professionals. She has taught at Michigan Technological University, University of Minnesota (Iron Range Engineering), and Finlandia University. Nicometo’s book on technical presentations was published in 2014 by IEEE-Wiley. An active member of ASEE and IEEE, she also worked on a multi-year National Science Foundation study about how people learn engineering. Nicometo received her MS in Rhetoric and Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University. nicometo@wisc.edu

Brian Price, PhD

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Brian Price, PhD

Instructor

Price is a lecturer in the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Aston University, UK. He has more than 35 years of experience in the design and development of powertrains in a variety of technical and commercial leadership positions at Harley-Davidson, Mercury Marine, Cosworth Engineering, Lotus Engineering, and Jaguar Rover Triumph. He is a regular invited guest speaker at international conferences on engineering practice and has been a corporate representative on several joint industry and government technology and business steering groups. He has a master’s degree Engineering Design from Loughborough University in the UK and is a graduate of UW-Madison’s Master of Engineering: Engineering Management program (formerly known as MEPP). Price has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.

Roy Primus, MS

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Roy Primus, MS

Instructor

Primus has worked as a reciprocating engine technologist and researcher in the areas of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, combustion, emissions and thermodynamics for over 30 years. He worked for Cummins during the first 25 years of his career. As executive director of Cummins Technical Systems, he was responsible for the worldwide coordination of technical tools, methods and training. In 2002, he left Cummins to become chief technologist–advanced cycles at the General Electric Global Research Center. Primus became a Society of Automotive Engineers Fellow in 2001. He has been a member of the governing board of the Central States Section of the Combustion Institute and a licensed professional engineer in Indiana. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Bapi Surampudi, PhD

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Bapi Surampudi, PhD

Instructor

Surampudi has more than 25 years of experience in the powertrain controls industry. In addition to the 14 years he has spent on the staff of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), he has worked at Caterpillar, Combat Vehicle Research and Development in India, and Tata consulting Engineers in India. In his role at SwRI, he has built control systems for engines, transmissions, hybrid vehicles, and autonomous vehicles. His academic background includes a PhD from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in Technology from IIT Madras India, and a bachelor’s degree from REC Surathkal in India. He is a senior member of IEEE and a member of SAE.

Shainah Greene, MA

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Shainah Greene, MA

Graduate Programs Coordinator

Greene is the Graduate Programs Coordinator for Engineering Professional Development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. One of her main roles is to provide admission assistance to all prospective students and aid each current student through their program. Previously, she has been in higher education roles that consisted of registrar's assistance, admission counseling, and strategic planning for graduate programs. With this experience, she prides herself on advising students and addressing any issues that arise. She also chairs the admission committees for Engineering Professional Development programs. With a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she is a proud alum that practices the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is excited to aid each fellow Badger on their path to success within their program

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the Master of Engineering in Engineering with an emphasis in Engine Systems degree program are listed below.

Exceptions to standard admission requirements are considered by the admissions committee on an individual basis.

• A BS degree from a program accredited by the ABET or the equivalent.*

• A minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Applicants from an international institution must have a strong academic performance comparable to a 3.00 for an undergraduate or master’s degree. All GPAs are based on a 4.00 scale. We use your institution’s grading scale; do not convert your grades to a 4.00 scale.

• Applicants whose native language is not English must provide scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 580 on the written version, 243 on the computer version, or 92 on the Internet version.

• International applicants must have a degree comparable to an approved U.S. bachelor’s degree. 

GRE is not required. Applicants who have taken the test are encouraged to submit their scores.

*Equivalency to an ABET accredited program: Applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree from an ABET accredited program may also qualify for admission to the program. Such applicants must have a BS in science, technology, or a related field with sufficient coursework and professional experience to demonstrate proficiency in engineering practice OR at least 16 credits of math and science coursework. Registration as a professional engineer by examination, if achieved, should be documented to support your application. 

All applicants are advised to determine whether this program meets requirements for licensure in the state where they live. See the National Society of Professional Engineers website for contact information for state licensing boards

Application Overview

The admissions process has been designed to conduct a holistic review of your likelihood of success in the program. Decisions are based on your academic and professional background.

To start the process, please read the admission requirements to determine your eligibility. If you have questions about your eligibility, please request an eligibility review by e-mailing Shainah Greene. This e-mail should include a copy of your current resume and informal transcripts.

Applications are accepted for admission during the Fall and Spring terms. Applications are reviewed in the order received until the July 15 deadline for Fall admissions and November 1 for Spring admissions. Admission is competitive and selective. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit application materials prior to the deadline.

Steps to Apply Now 

Tuition and Financial Aid

Federal Loans

Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to receive some level of funding through the federal direct loan program. These loans are available to qualified graduate students who are taking at least four credits during the Fall and Spring semesters, and two credits during Summer. Private loans are also available. Learn more about financial aid.

Employer Support

Many students receive some financial support from their employers. Often, students find it beneficial to sit down with their employer and discuss how this program applies to their current and future responsibilities. Other key points to discuss include how participation will not interrupt your work schedule.

High Return on Investment 
Your investment immediately begins paying back as your employee becomes a more effective contributor of engineering projects.

No Interruption to Employee’s Availability 
All students are full-time, working engineers, and most travel extensively for their jobs. The online format enables your employee to pursue world-class graduate engineering studies without interruption to his/her work schedule and availability to travel. This internet-based program allows students to continue their studies from anywhere in the world.

Proven Program from a Top-Ranked University 
The UW–Madison degree your employee will earn via distance learning has the same high-quality standards and academic status as a degree earned on-campus. The only difference is that UW’s program is conveniently delivered online for working professionals.