Mechanical Engineering - Graduate
Graduate Programs
The Mechanical Engineering Department conducts graduate programs in the broad fields of mechanical engineering and materials engineering. The program leading to the master of science degree provides a balance of advanced theory and practical knowledge necessary for either practice within the profession or for advancement to a doctoral program. Within the broad field of mechanical engineering, students may specialize in one of the following three departmental areas of emphasis: 1) mechanics and design (with emphasis on solid mechanics/stress analysis, vibrations, simulation/control), 2) thermofluids (with emphasis on heat transfer, lubrication, microfluidics and environmental/biological transport phenomena), or 3) materials engineering (with emphasis on microstructural/property relationships, thin films and materials processing). This program is coupled to the graduate programs in materials science (listed under Harpur College). Specialization is achieved by selecting a set of courses from one of the three areas of emphasis. Electronics packaging is a technical area of research concentration in the department.
The academic environment of the department is enriched by the appointment of research faculty and adjunct faculty members employed in local industry. Under appropriate circumstances, thesis research activity may be carried out in industrial laboratories.
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Protocol
Each student in the MS program must select and obtain the consent of a full-time ME faculty member to serve as his or her adviser. The student works with the adviser to create a study plan and fill out the MS Proposed Course of Study Form. With the cooperation of the adviser, the student forms a research committee to supervise his or her work. The research committee is composed of the adviser as chair and two other technically qualified members, at least one of whom must be a full-time ME faculty member. An up-to-date biographical sketch must be provided to the director of graduate studies for any proposed committee member who is not a full-time ME faculty member. The student then fills out the MS Research Committee Registration Form and obtains the signed approval from the director of graduate studies and the chair of the department.
The processes of adviser selection, study plan creation and research committee formation should be completed by the end of the student’s first semester of full-time study. (For part-time students, the process of adviser selection, study plan creation and research committee formation should be completed before the student has completed three graduate courses.) Copies of both the MS Proposed Course of Study Form and the MS Research Committee Registration Form must be filed with the director of graduate studies (for department files) and the Watson School Dean’s Office (for Watson School files).
Degree Requirements — Thesis Option
The student must complete a minimum of eight adviser-approved graduate courses, exclusive of the thesis. Six of the eight courses must be mechanical engineering courses, as follows:
• Student selects from the mechanical engineering (ME) offerings to satisfy a three-course core curriculum of:
— an advanced mathematics course (e.g., ME 535);
— a numerical analysis, computational mathematics or computational materials science course (e.g., ME 517, ME 536, ME 541, ME 609);
— a continuum mechanics course (e.g., ME 510, ME 511, ME 550, ME 554).
• Three of the remaining five required courses must be ME courses, selected from one of the three areas of emphasis.
• Student completes two adviser-approved technical electives (these courses may be taken outside the Mechanical Engineering Department).
A maximum of two independent study courses may be applied to the degree requirements. The student must have adviser approval of each element in his or her course of study.
Research
For the thesis option, students pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering must complete a research thesis. The written thesis and an oral presentation defending the thesis must be approved by the student’s research committee before he or she is eligible for the degree.
Financial Support
MS students receiving financial support in the form of a teaching assistantship or a research assistantship are normally eligible to apply for a tuition scholarship. This is arranged by the student’s adviser and the Watson School Dean’s Office. All those receiving financial support must be registered as full-time students.
Degree Requirements — Thesis Option
The student must complete a minimum of 10 adviser-approved graduate courses. Seven of the 10 courses must be ME courses, as follows:
• Student selects from ME offerings to satisfy a three-course core curriculum consisting of:
— an advanced mathematics course (e.g. ME 535, ME 635);
— a numerical analysis, computational mechanics or computational materials science course (e.g. ME 536, ME 517, ME 541, ME 609);
— a continuum mechanics course (e.g. ME 510, ME 511, ME 550, ME 554).
• Four of the remaining seven required courses must be ME courses, selected from one of the three areas of emphasis.
• Student completes three adviser-approved technical electives (these courses may be taken outside the Mechanical Engineering Department).
A maximum of two independent study courses may be applied to the degree requirements. The student must have adviser approval of each element in his or her course of study.
Master of Science in Materials Engineering
Degree Requirements — Thesis Option
The requirements for the degree include a total of eight courses (24 credits), plus six credits of thesis, for a total of 30 credits.
Course requirements include:
• a course in materials structure and properties (MTLE 562, EE 571, CHEM 544, PHYS 572)
• thermodynamics of materials (MTLE 560);
• materials synthesis/kinetics or phase transformations (ME 561, MTLS 566);
• one graduate course in analytical methods (ME 535)
Electives
• two elective materials courses (must be MTLE/MTLS courses)
• two adviser-approved elective courses in engineering or science.
A maximum of two independent study courses may be applied toward the degree requirements. The student must have adviser approval of each element in his or her course of study.
Research
Students pursuing a master’s degree in materials engineering must complete a research thesis. The written thesis and an oral presentation defending the thesis must be approved by the student’s research committee before he or she is eligible for the degree.
Master of Engineering with Specialization in Mechanical Engineering
Protocol
All MEng students must complete the Master of Engineering Proposed Course of Study Form and obtain the approval of the director of graduate studies. This should be completed when the student registers for his or her first semester of full-time study (part-time MEng students should complete this form before completing their first graduate course).
Degree Requirements
The requirements for the degree include the completion of 10 graduate courses as follows:
• five graduate mechanical engineering courses in the any of the department’s three areas of emphasis;
• five approved elective graduate courses. These courses must be approved by the director of graduate studies.
A maximum of two independent study courses may be applied to the degree requirements. The student must maintain at least an overall B average (GPA 3.0/4.0 or better) for his or her graduate coursework to be eligible for the MEng degree.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
All rules of the Graduate School apply regarding probation and academic jeopardy, except probation may not last more than two semesters. More information on the MEng degree is listed under “Graduate Information” at the beginning of the Watson School section of this publication.
Doctoral Programs in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering
The PhD program in either mechanical engineering or materials engineering is described above under “Graduate Information” pertaining to the Watson School. A related PhD program in materials science is described in the Materials Science and Engineering section listed under Harpur College.