Mechanical Engineering, (MS)

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MS Degree Program

Admission Standards and Procedures

The following are minimum requirements for admission:

A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related program;
Three (3) letters of recommendation from persons capable of assessing the applicant’s suitability for graduate work in mechanical engineering;
An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 from an accredited college or university;
The GRE is waived for students with a GPA of 3.25 or greater; for students with a GPA of less than 3.25, the following minimum GRE scores are required:
- Verbal = 146,
- Quantitative = 156,
- Analytical Writing = 3.0;
Applicants whose native language is other than English must meet one of the following minimum requirements:
- TOEFL = 85,
- IELTS = 6.5
- Duolingo = 110,
- PTE = 57.

Applications can be evaluated based on unofficial transcripts and test scores; however, official test scores must be provided before the student can be formally admitted and official transcripts will have to be provided by the end of the student’s first semester of enrollment.

An applicant who lacks a mechanical engineering bachelors degree may be required to complete undergraduate deficiency courses. If the number of deficiency courses is large, the applicant may be required to complete an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering before seeking admission to the graduate program.

Applicants whose highest degree is from an international university may be required to have their credentials (transcripts) evaluated. The department will accept evaluations done by any credentialing agency listed on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services web site (http://www.naces.org). A course-by course report is required.

Applicants are advised that meeting the minimum admission standards does not entitle an applicant to admission; meeting the standards only insures consideration of the application.

Program Requirements

A more detailed description of the information listed below will be given by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies to students admitted into the Mechanical Engineering MS program.

Thesis Option:

Successful completion of 30 semester hours to include 6 hours in MECH 7996 for thesis and 3 hours each in MECH 7341 and MECH 7342 . Of the remaining 18 hours, no more than 9 hours of 6000-level MECH courses or collateral courses may be used in satisfying degree requirements. Only courses in mathematics, the physical sciences, or another engineering discipline may serve as collateral courses; each course must receive prior approval by the departmental graduate coordinator for it to be used in satisfying degree requirements. With prior approval, up to 3 hours of 7000-level collateral courses may be used in satisfying degree requirements.

MECH 7996 - Thesis Credit Hours: (1-6)
MECH 7341 - Engineering Analysis I Credit Hours: (3)
MECH 7342 - Engineering Analysis II Credit Hours: (3)

Non-Thesis Option:

Successful completion of 30 semester hours total to include 3 hours each in MECH 7341 and MECH 7342 . Of the remaining 24 hours, no more than 9 hours in 6000 level MECH or collateral courses may be used in satisfying degree requirements. Only courses in mathematics, the physical sciences, or another engineering discipline may serve as collateral courses; each course must receive prior approval by the departmental graduate coordinator for it to be used in satisfying degree requirements. With prior approval, up to 3 hours of 7000-level collateral courses may be used in satisfying degree requirements. With prior approval, up to 3 hours of MECH 7992 may be used in satisfying degree requirements.

MECH 7341 - Engineering Analysis I Credit Hours: (3)
MECH 7342 - Engineering Analysis II Credit Hours: (3)
MECH 7992 - Research Project Credit Hours: (1-6)

The department’s graduate coordinator may approve transfer credit

The department’s graduate coordinator may approve transfer credit of up to 12 credit hours previously earned at another institution. For these hours to be used in satisfying degree requirements, appropriate documentation must be provided by the student, and approval granted, not later than the end of the student’s second semester of enrollment.

Students selecting the thesis option

Students selecting the thesis option will be required to complete an independent research project culminating in a masters thesis. Upon completion of the thesis, the student must successfully pass an oral examination to assess mastery of the thesis topic and to evaluate the student’s knowledge in mechanical engineering. Students should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before beginning to write.

Students selecting the non-thesis option

Students selecting the non-thesis option must pass an oral comprehensive examination to demonstrate mastery of mechanical engineering topics commensurate with the degree to be awarded.

Retention Policy

A student must maintain a GPA of 3.00 or higher throughout the program. If a student’s GPA is below 3.0, that student will be on probation during the following semester. Failure to improve the GPA above 3.0 by the end of the probationary semester will result in dismissal from the program.

Graduation Requirements

Refer to “Minimum Graduate Degree Requirements ” for University graduation requirements.