Degree Requirements
The MS (thesis) degree emphasizes graduate research and culminates in the creation of a thesis and associated oral defense. A minimum of 30 graduate credits must be earned for the MS degree with the following requirements:
Mechanical Engineering Core (9 Credits)
Any 500 or above level ME course as well as specific non-ME courses approved by the graduate committee. These courses are grouped according to disciplinary area emphasis to help student decide which courses to take based on interest.
Mathematics/Statistics (3 Credits)
Any 300-level or higher Math or Statistics class labeled “non-major graduate credit” (EXCEPT Math 307 and Math 317) will count towards this requirement. Non-Math/Stat courses with strong math or statistics content that are approved by the graduate education committee may also count towards this requirement. See approved courses.
Electives (6 Credits)
500 or higher level ME courses, 300 and higher level courses outside ME labeled “non-major graduate credit.” As part of meeting their electives, students are encouraged to take at least one course that addresses skill sets aimed at professional development (e.g. teaching/research program building, project management, globalization, engineering law, communication etc.) for academia and/or industrial positions.
Research (12 Credits)
ME 699
Additional requirements
- Up to 6 credits of Independent Study (ME 590/690) may be included in the Program of Study to count towards the 18 total course credits. These 6 credits will by default count towards the elective requirements.
- Students must also meet the ME Graduate Seminar (ME 600) requirement each semester.
