Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Mechanical Engineering, M.S.E.


Return to the Department of Mechanical Engineering .

See also Mechanical Engineering, M.E.  

The main objectives of the Master of Science in engineering (M.S.E.) degree in mechanical engineering are to advance the student’s technical and professional skills and to develop the ability of graduates to conduct research projects. The M.S.E. degree requires a thesis and offers the opportunity for independent investigation and creative research.

Admission


Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in engineering from an accredited institution. Successful applicants typically have a minimum score of 148 (or 600 for tests prior to August 1, 2011) on the Quantitative Reasoning Section of the GRE General Test. Applicants must also satisfy the general admission requirements of the Graduate School. All applicants from non-English speaking countries who have not received a degree from a U.S. university must demonstrate English proficiency through a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based exam, or 550 on the paper-based test. Applicants may substitute a score of 6.0 on the IELTS examination to fulfill the English proficiency requirement.

An undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 is normally required. However, a student who does not satisfy this requirement but has at least a 3.0 grade point average in his or her major field may be admitted on probation at the discretion of the Graduate School. Probationary status is removed by completing nine hours of approved graduate study with a 3.0 grade point average within a specified time period.

Master of Science in Engineering Thesis Program


Courses taken for graduate credit in this programs shall be selected from those offered by the Graduate School and are subject to the approval of the advisor.

At least one 6000 or 7000-level course in thermal sciences and one in solid mechanics areas are required.

Minimum total credit hours 30
Minimum credit hours in mechanical engineering, excluding thesis 12
Minimum credit hours outside mechanical engineering 6
Credit hours of thesis 6
Minimum credit hours of at least 7000-level courses (excluding thesis) 15
Minimum credit hours of 6000-level or 7000-level mathematics 3
Maximum credit hours of approved 6000-level courses 9
Maximum credit hours of independent study 3

Upon completion of the thesis, the student must pass a comprehensive oral examination. After consulting with the student, the advisor recommends, for the Dean of the Graduate School’s approval, an oral examination committee consisting of the advisor and two other graduate faculty members. At least one member of this committee must be from outside the mechanical engineering faculty and may be a qualified expert in the research area from outside the University. The comprehensive oral examination covers the student’s entire graduate program with emphasis on the research work and content of the thesis.