Graduate Program
Master of Science Degree Program
The program leading to the Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering requires completion of a minimum of 30 points of approved course work consisting of no fewer than ten courses. A thesis based on either experimental, computational, or analytical research is optional and may be counted in lieu of up to 6 points of course work. In general, attainment of the degree requires one academic year of full-time study, although it may also be undertaken on a part-time basis over a correspondingly longer period. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required for graduation.
The student’s program of
study is developed in consultation with a faculty adviser to reflect the student’s
special interests. Typical choices include such subjects as mechanics of solids and
fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, manufacturing engineering, robotics, kinematics,
dynamics and vibrations, controls, and power generation. Nevertheless, the following
guidelines must be adhered to:
2. All courses must be at the graduate level, i.e., numbered 4000 or higher, with some 6000-level courses included.
3. Every program must contain at least one course in mathematics (APMA or MATH designators) or their equivalent, covering material beyond what the student has taken previously. It should appear early in the sequence in order to serve as a basis for the technical course work.
4. Out-of-department study is encouraged, but at least five courses should be in mechanical engineering.
Doctoral/Professional Degree Programs
Students who wish to continue
their studies beyond the master’s degree level but are unwilling to embark upon a
program of research of the kind required for a doctoral degree may continue in a program
leading to the professional degree of Mechanical Engineer (MECE). The course of study
consists of a minimum of 30 points of work beyond the master’s degree, combining courses
of an analytical nature with those emphasizing the applied aspects of one or more fields
in mechanical engineering. For the professional degree, the student must have a grade
point average of 3.0 or better.
When a student becomes a
prospective candidate for either the Doctor of Engineering Science (Eng.Sc.D.) or Doctor
of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree, a faculty adviser is assigned whose task is to help choose
a program of courses, provide general advice on academic matters, and monitor academic
performance.
The doctoral candidate is expected
to attain a level of mastery in some area of mechanical engineering, and must therefore
choose a field and concentrate in it by taking the most advanced courses offered. This
choice of specialty is normally made by the time the student has completed 30 points of
credit beyond the bachelor’s degree, at which time a complete course program is prepared
and submitted to the departmental doctoral committee for approval. The student must
maintain a grade point average of 3.2 or better in graduate courses.
The department requires the
prospective candidate to pass a qualifying examination. Given once a year, in January,
it is usually taken after the student has completed 30 points beyond the bachelor’s
degree. However, it may not be delayed past the next examination given after completion
of 45 points. The examination comprises a written test, given in two parts over two
days, in which questions may be selected from a broad set in all areas of mechanical
engineering and applied mathematics, devised to test the candidate’s ability to think
creatively. There is also an oral examination based on some research project the student
has undertaken. A candidate who fails the examination may be permitted to repeat it once
in the following year.
After passing the qualifying
examination, the student chooses a faculty member in the pertinent area of
specialization who then serves as the research adviser. This adviser helps select a
research problem and supervises the research, writing, and defense of the dissertation.
Once a specific problem has been identified and a tentative plan for the research
prepared, the student submits a research proposal and presents it to a faculty
committee. The committee considers whether the proposed problem is suitable for doctoral
research, whether the plan of attack is well formulated and appropriate to the problem,
and whether the student is adequately prepared. It may approve the plan without
reservation, or it may recommend modifications or additions. This is the last formal
requirement until the dissertation is submitted for approval.
All doctoral students are required
to successfully complete four semesters of the mechanical engineering seminar MECE E9500.