Graduate Study in Mechanical Engineering
Our program is directed towards preparing motivated students to become professionally competent in one of several sub-disciplines of mechanical engineering, including solid mechanics, materials, biomedical engineering, and the fluid/thermal sciences. On admission each student is assigned a faculty advisor who will help outline an individual course of study tailored to fit that person's particular background and interests.
A prospective candidate for the Master of Science degree may be enrolled in Plan "B", a non-thesis option which requires completing 32 credits of graduate-level coursework and passing a comprehensive examination, or Plan "A" which requires completing 30 credits including up to 9 credits of research and a thesis.
Ph.D. candidates work closely with a thesis advisor to determine their course of study and dissertation topic. Near the end of the first year of formal coursework, each candidate must pass a qualifying examination to demonstrate mastery of a wide range of topics in mechanical engineering. An individual dissertation committee is then established to aid progress toward the successful defense of the Ph.D., during which the candidate is examined on both the dissertation itself and on related topics. In addition to the dissertation, the degree requires a minimum of 72 graduate credits, comprising 48 credits of coursework and 24 credits of dissertation research.
