Part-time & Graduate Enrollment Services
Mechanical Engineering MS
Program overview
The master of science degree in mechanical engineering is awarded upon successful completion of an approved graduate program consisting of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours (24 semester credit hours of course work and 6 semester credit hours of thesis). A limited number of credit hours may be transferred from graduate courses taken outside the university, provided such courses complement a student’s proposed graduate program in the mechanical engineering department. An adviser will review course work for possible transfer credit. Upon matriculation into the MS program, the student should formulate a plan of study in consultation with an adviser.
Curriculum
The program includes core courses, focus area courses, elective courses, and a thesis. All full-time MS students are required to attend the weekly graduate seminar each semester they are on campus.
Mechanical engineering, MS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| MECE-601 | Math I For Engineers | 3 |
| Focus Area Courses | 9 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| MECE-602 | Math II For Engineers | 3 |
| MECE-790 | MSME Thesis | 6 |
| MECE-795 | Graduate Seminar | 0 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 30 | |
Focus area courses
All students must develop a focus area of study, with prior approval from their adviser and the department head. The focus area should consist of at least 9 semester credit hours of graduate study in mechanical engineering and be related to the student’s technical and professional development interests. Examples of focus areas include controls, materials science, thermo/fluids, and mechanics/design.
Independent study
A student also may earn a limited number of credits by doing an independent study with guidance from a member of the graduate faculty. Areas for independent study include selected topics in applied mathematics, analytical mechanics, nonlinear mechanics, fracture mechanics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, control systems, optimal control, thermal stresses, composite materials, and biomechanics.
Thesis
Students should prepare and present a formal thesis proposal to their faculty adviser prior to completing their course work. An acceptable proposal (including a statement of work, extensive literature search, and proposed timeline), signed by the student and approved by their faculty adviser and department head, is required prior to registering for thesis credits. Students must form a graduate thesis committee in coordination with their adviser and present their proposal to their committee for review and approval during the first semester in which they have registered for thesis credit. Students are required to deliver a successful written and oral presentation of their thesis.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to the MS program in mechanical engineering, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university in mechanical engineering (or a related field),
- Submit official transcripts (in English) from all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work,
- Have an GPA of 3.0 or higher,
- Submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (with minimum scores of 306 (V&Q) and 3.0 (writing) are required),
- Submit two letters of reference from individuals well qualified to judge the candidate's ability for graduate study, and
- Complete a graduate application.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Career Outcomes
Job TitlesMechanical engineer, design engineer, manufacturing engineer, systems engineer, R&D specialist, product/process engineer, project engineer, consulting engineer, application/sales engineer, project engineer
FunctionsMachine/system design (incl. DFM/A; modeling), product R&D, capital project coordination, field engineering functions, manufacturing process development, Q.A. programs, controls specification/development, maintenance program development
Recent EmployersAriel Corporation, Bausch & Lomb, Boeing, Borg Warner Morse TEC, Constellation Energy, Cummins Engine, Delphi, Fisher Price, General Dynamics, Getinge, Hamilton Sundstrand, Harris RF, Honda R&D, Impact Technologies, ITT, Johnson & Johnson, Lighting Services, Lockheed Martin, Lord Corporation, Moog, NASA, Parker Hannifin, PPC, Precision Castparts (PCC), Special Metals Corp, The Raymond Corporation, Toyota, Vicor, Wegmans Food Markets, Welch Allyn, Xerox,