Power Up Your IC Engine Systems Knowledge at Michigan Tech.
From heavy-duty trucks and agricultural machinery to shipping fleets, aviation, and power generation, internal combustion engines STILL remain indispensable to both global infrastructure and mobility. Although electric and hybrid vehicles are on the rise, IC engines continue to dominate industries where durability, energy density, and refueling speed are critical.
The future, then, isn’t about internal combustion engine versus electric vehicle; it’s about integration. Even in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), IC Engines remain the backbone of extended range and efficiency, making them central to the transition toward cleaner transportation.
Michigan Tech's online internal combustion engine certificate gives you the advanced skills to improve performance, cut emissions, and drive innovation where IC engine expertise remains vital for both today and for decades to come.
What Courses Will You Take?
To complete your certificate, you'll enroll in 6 credits of required courses and 3 credits of electives. This compact certificate can fit around the demands of your life, your job, and your other responsibilities.
In your courses, expect a mix of lectures, applied problem-solving, and hands-on analysis activities designed for working professionals. You’ll engage with faculty through structured learning modules and practical assignments that connect theory to industry-relevant engine challenges, technological innovations, and national and global trends.
Currently, the course Internal Combustion Engines is scheduled to run in Spring 2026 whereas Thermodynamics for Engine Systems is on deck for Fall 2026.
When choosing your courses and electives, though, always remember to check the course registration page for the availability of classes.
Two Required Courses
One Elective (Choose From the Following)
What Skills Will You Learn?
By the end of the certificate, you’ll be able to
- Analyze engine thermodynamics and cycle performance to identify efficiency gains
- Evaluate trade-offs across power, fuel economy, emissions, durability, and cost
- Apply core concepts in air handling, fueling, combustion, and heat transfer to real systems
- Interpret engine test data to support calibration, diagnostics, and optimization decisions
- Explain how IC Engine tech fits into hybrid powertrains and emerging low-carbon strategies
Why Choose MTU to Study Internal Combustion Engine Systems?
When you earn your online certificate from us, you'll get a quality education.
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You'll Work With Esteemed Faculty.
Michigan Tech’s IC engine courses are delivered by an expert instructional team who have decades of development knowledge, research, and innovation in internal combustion engines, as well as a wealth of diverse industry experience. All are MAE faculty who have deep connections to APS LABS. Learn from Dr. Jeffrey Naber, Dr. Andrea Strzelec, Dr. Scott A. Miers, and Rick Davis, MSME.
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You'll Receive a Rigorous Online Experience
Take the same, robust classes as do students in our in-person programs while being supported by interactive instruction and practical application.
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You'll Be Joining One of MTU's Strongest Departments
By pursuing this online certificate, you will be joining the largest department and the biggest academic community at Michigan Tech. The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, which comprises nearly one-fourth of the entire university student population, is home to innovative, cross-disciplinary research.
Who Should Enroll in This IC Engine Certificate?
This certificate is a great fit if you
- Work with engines, powertrains, testing, controls, emissions, or thermal systems
- Need credible, engineering-first training you can apply immediately
- Required focused graduate-level depth without committing to a full degree (yet)
- Want to stack this certificate with others from the MAE department, such as Automotive Systems and Controls, in order to build a customizable master's degree in Mechanical Engineering
Ideal For Engineers in These Fields
- Air Handling and Fuel Delivery Systems
- Combustion System Development and Optimization
- Control and Calibration
- Emissions Reduction and Aftertreatment Technologies
- Engine and Component Design
- Instrumentation, Testing, and Diagnostics
- Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis
- System Level Integration and Application
Start Learning About Internal Combustion Engine Systems Now!
Take the next steps on your educational journey at Michigan Tech. We are here to answer your questions and to help you succeed in your online program. Hit the buttons below to tell us more about you. Or begin the FREE online application process right away!