Master of Energy Engineering

Admission Requirements

Transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Degree and Field A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in an engineering discipline, mathematics, computer science, or a natural science, such as physics or chemistry, from an accredited college or university will be required, except in special cases. Candidates should have at least one course (equivalent to 3 hours) of Heat Transfer and one course (equivalent to 3 hours) of Thermodynamics in their transcripts. Students with first-year math (through differential equations), physics, and chemistry in their undergraduate studies, but with no prior exposure to thermo-sciences, may apply to this program. Students may take up to 9 hours of credit as a nondegree-seeking student, so it is possible to begin their studies before formal admittance into the program. These 9 hours of credit will provide fundamentals of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and math that are necessary to be successful in the program. Once students complete the prerequisite courses, they will move through the 36-hour Master of Energy Engineering curriculum. 
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study and any postbaccalaureate coursework.

  • English Proficiency Additional information on the English proficiency test requirement for international students can be found on the UIC Admissions website. Minimum test scores for this program are:

    • Exam Score Reading Listening Speaking Writing
      TOEFL iBT (exams taken on or after January 21, 2026) 4.5 4 4 4.5 4.5
      TOEFL iBT (exams taken prior to January 21, 2026) 80 19 17 20 21
      IELTS Academic 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
      PTE Academic 54 51 47 53 56
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required.
  • Personal Statement Required.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required 36 hours of coursework. No thesis is required.
  • Coursework
Required Courses (16 semester hours)
ENER/ME 453
Sustainable Energy Engineering and Renewable Energy
ENER 482/ME 422
Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning
ENER 483/ME 424
Energy Management Solutions for Industry: Theory and Practice
Select one of the following:
ENER/ME 420
Combined Heat and Power, Design, and Management
ENER/ME 451
Electric Power Generation
ENER 484/ME 429
Internal Combustion Engines
ENER 485/ME 450/CHE 450
Air Pollution Engineering
Electives (20 semester hours)
Select electives offered by the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Select 16 hours at the 500 level, and the remaining 4 hours at the 400 or 500 level. Excluding ME 596/IE 596, ME 598/IE 598, and ME 599/IE 599.

Other Requirements 

  • All elective courses must be approved first by the student's advisor and then by the director of graduate studies.
  • No graduation credit will be given for Credit/No Credit courses.
  • Students must get the approval of the director of graduate studies to take online courses.
  • Comprehensive Examination None.
  • Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Coursework only.