About

The Program

Program Overview

The UC Irvine Master of Engineering degree can be completed in as little as three quarters/ nine months, or extended to five quarters/15 months. It is a full time program with classes held in-person. Some concentrations offer a “work friendly” schedule to accommodate working professionals who enroll in the program. Please check with the admissions team on specific schedule options.

Leadership and Entrepreneurship

Classes deliver innovative and strategic content to train students on the intricacies of leading as an engineer. Through experiential learning, based upon real world environments, Master of Engineering students learn concepts and apply them on actual projects that create tangible value, require people management, and grow leadership skills.

In Innovate- Build- Launch sequence, each quarter students will take a deeper look into an aspect and stage of a business, and how it applies to their professional journey. 

Students can also enroll in courses to strengthen their people and project management skills opening paths to become a technical leader. 

Engineering Courses

Master of Engineering students enroll in 6 technical courses specific to their concentration and track. The classes deepen students technical expertise while showing how the knowledge is applied directly to industry.

M.Eng also offers interdisciplinary courses that students in every concentration are eligible to enroll.

Click on each concentration listed below to see information about each track and course topics. 

The list of course information is subject to change.

Capstone Project

M.Eng focuses on learning by doing. Interdisciplinary teams of M.Eng students are paired with corporate partners to work on an industry driven project that is formulated to address real world unmet needs in the marketplace. Oversight and mentorship provided by the company allow students to gain not only valuable  technical skills, but also work experience enhancing their resume. Through this experiential learning course, students get a feel for what it takes to be a technical worker and leader. 

Students enroll in two quarters of the Capstone Project course. Enrollment can be over Winter and Spring, or Summer and Fall. 

Click HERE to view past capstone projects.

Professional Development

Professional development is a key pillar of the M.Eng degree. Student enroll in the Proseminar course each quarter that focuses on career management, helping you gain the skills necessary for sustained career success.

This course is lead by the dedicated Career Advisor and provides students with practical skills for success by teaching career planning, job search tactics and strategies, resume building, interviewing preparation, approaches to networking, salary negotiation, public speaking and networking.

SaMPLE ScHEDULE

Fall

Engineering 
Leadership

Engineering Course

Engineering Course

ProSeminar

Winter

Engineering  Leadership

Engineering Course

Engineering Course

ProSeminar

Capstone Project *

Spring

Engineering  Leadership

Engineering Course

Engineering Course

ProSeminar

Capstone Project *

Summer & Fall

Capstone Project *

* Students will enroll in 8 units for their capstone project and can elect either Winter & Spring or Summer & Fall. 

Concentrations & Courses

Advanced Manufacturing:

This concentration addresses the national discussion of manufacturing as a significant and key strategic priority of the country. It also encompasses the addition of artificial intelligence/machine learning to develop next-generation processes and products. 

Our strong relations with manufacturing industry across the nation will be incorporated in the capstone project endeavor and curriculum.

Courses

  • Additive Digital Manufacturing
  • Advanced Manufacturing and Design
  • Robotics and Controls
  • Fundamentals of Microfabrication 
  • Engineering Design & Simulation: Tools and Process
  • Introduction to Machine Learning

Biomedical Engineering:

This department has strong ties to the local biomedical device industry, with a Corporate Advisory Board whose members include the most reputable biomedical industry leaders in the region.  Their mission is to “Inspire Engineering Minds to Advance Human Health.” 

The M.Eng program with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering, also known as BioENGINE, is a real-world product development and training program that harnesses the collective creativity of MedTech industry and UCI.

BioEngine

  • Biomedical Big Data
  • Biomedical Imaging & Biophotonics
  • Molecular and Cellular Engineering
  • Clinical Medicine for BME
  • Functional Medical Device Development
  • Brain Computer Interface 
  • Engineering Medical Optics
  • Analysis of Neural Time Series
  • Intro to Orthopedic Implant Technology
  • Biomedical Engineering for Astrospace
  • Bioinstrumentation
  • Fabrication of Biomedical and Wearable Microdevices

Civil and Environmental Engineering:

CEE offers two tracks: Sustainable Infrastructure and Data Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering. The Sustainable Infrastructure track equips professionals with the skills needed to design more environmentally responsible and efficient critical infrastructure from buildings to transportation systems.

The Data Science track focuses on programming, data analytics, and data-informed decision-making skills needed to better leverage data for improving civil infrastructure such as smart cities and efficient energy networks. It provides cutting-edge skills for those looking to advance in civil engineering and contribute to a more sustainable and data-driven future.

Sustainable Data-Driven Infrastructure

  • Life Cycle Assessment Methods
  • Green Building Design
  • Organizational Pollutant Emissions Accounting
  • Fundamentals of Sustainable Engineering
  • Sustainable Transportation
  • Transportation Policy and Technology
  • Smart Cities 
  • Data Science Programming and Optimization
  • Data Analytics for Civil Engineers
  • Data Analytics for Flexible Electricity Distribution systems
  • Data Analytics for Building Energy Operations Optimization
  • GIS and Spatial Data Analytics
  • Remote Sensing of the Environment 

Electrical Engineering and computer science:

The curricula were developed through the EECS department’s close ties to industry and are constantly refined to meet real world demands and today’s rapid changes in technology. Laboratories in both hardware and software are integrated within the curriculum.

The M.Eng program offers specializations in Digital & Image Signal Processing as well as Communications Circuits & Systems, and Machine Learning & Data Science.

Digital & Image Signal Processing

  • Digital Image Processing
  • Computer Architecture
  • DSP Architecture & Design
  • Random Processes
  • Digital Communications
  • Digital Signal Processing

Communications Circuits & Systems

  • Random Processes
  • Digital Communications
  • Wireless Communications
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Analog Integrated Circuit Design
  • Optical Communications

Machine Learning and Data Science

  • Introduction to Machine Learning
  • Machine Learning and Data Mining
  • Deep Learning Accelerator Design
  • Data Analytics over Networks
  • Data Privacy
  • Law and Tech

Semiconductor Microelectronics (Coming Fall 2025)

Mechanical and aerospace engineering:

You will work with some of the brightest minds in the world, in cutting-edge experimental and computational facilities.

The M.Eng program offers specializations in Autonomous & Intelligent Machines & Systems, Sustainable Energy Systems, and Nanotechnology & Microsystems. 

Autonomous and Intelligent Machines and Systems 

  • Professional Engineering Fundamentals
  • Robotics and Control
  • Model-Based System Engineering & Design 
  • Cyber-physical Systems and Computer Vision
  • Engineering Design & Simulation

Sustainable Energy Systems

  • Sustainable Energy
  • Solar & Renewable Energy Systems
  • Professional Engineering Fundamentals
  • Energy Efficiency in Built Environment
  • Engineering Design & Simulation

Nanotechnology and Microsystems

  • Micro-System Design
  • Professional Engineering Fundamentals
  • Micro-Sensors and Actuators
  • Engineering Design & Simulation: Tools and Process

Interdisciplinary Courses

These classes are open to All Concentrations and Tracks:

  • Introduction to Machine Learning
  • Personalized Medical Devices

Why Choose UCI?

Consecutive years Irvine has been named America's Safest Big City

Among the Nation's Best Public Schools

82°F Summer

70°F Winter

Mild Temperatures Year Round

Why Choose Samueli School of Engineering?

The schools faculty members are scholars and leaders in their disciplines and have achieved worldwide honors and recognition for their pioneering research and dedicated teaching. Nearly a third are fellows in professional societies. The school has eight endowed chairs, eight Distinguished Professors and four Chancellor’s Professors.

Why Choose UCI?

The University of California, Irvine is located in heart of Southern California, with an average of 281 days of sunshine per year!

We are surrounded by global and national companies, such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Broadcom, Blizzard Entertainment, Edwards Lifesciences, and many fast growing startups in Southern California.

We also have a vast alumni network and resources to help you apply for venture capital like  The Cove.