http://www.rit.edu/kgcoe/mechanical/grad/msme
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 45 quarter credit hours. A minimum of 36 credits are to be earned in course work and 9 credits of thesis. A maximum of 9 quarter credits 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. Upon matriculation into the MS program, the student should formulate a plan of study in consultation with his or her 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 quarter they are on campus. At least 28 credit hours of graduate-level course work, including the core and focus area courses, must be taken in the mechanical engineering department. Eight credits may be taken as upper-level undergraduate electives (a course number beginning with 0304-6xx) or as technical courses outside of the department, with prior approval. Typical out-of-department courses include advanced engineering, mathematics, and science courses.
Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their academic advisers with questions regarding planning and course selection.
Mechanical engineering, MS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 0304-870 | Mathematics for Engineers I | 4 |
| 0304-871 | Mathematics for Engineers II* | 4 |
| Focus Area Course I, II | 8 | |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Focus Area Course III | 4 | |
| Electives | 8 | |
| Thesis | 9 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 45 | |
* An alternative course may be approved by an adviser and/or department head.
Mechanical engineering, MS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| MECE-601 | Math I For Engineers | 3 |
| MECE-xxx | Focus Area Course I, II | 6 |
| Elective I, II | 6 | |
| MECE-602 | Math II For Engineers | 3 |
| MECE-789 | Graduate Seminar | 0 |
| Second Year | ||
| MECE-xxx | Grad Focus III | 3 |
| MECE-xxx | Grad Elective III | 3 |
| MECE-790 | MSME Thesis | 6 |
| MECE-789 | Graduate Seminar | 0 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 30 | |
Focus area courses
All students must develop a graduate focus area of study, with prior approval from their adviser and the department head. The focus area should consist of at least 12 credits of graduate study in mechanical engineering (0304-7xx or higher) 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.
Electives
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
Prior to completing 20 quarter credit hours of graduate work, students should prepare a formal thesis proposal and discuss it with the faculty adviser. 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 quarter 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 (minimum scores of 1200 (V&Q) and 3.0 (writing) are required),
- Submit three 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).