MS Mechanical Engineering
MS in Mechanical Engineering
The MS in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) is a research-oriented degree program that is administered by the Department of Engineering in the College of Engineering and Technology.
The program has two focus areas of research:
- Advanced energy systems: research includes sustainable and efficient energy systems, wind-energy, ocean wave energy generation and storage, energy harvesting, and energy transport and conversion processes, and
- Mechanics of biomaterials: research includes mechanical behavior of structural tissues, cellular materials, metals for medical implants and biological tissues.
Students are prepared for employment in a variety of areas of industry and the program provides training and research experience for students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or related fields.
Program
ECU MSME is a two-year program with a minimum of 32 semester hours of coursework and thesis. At least 14 semester hours of the coursework will come from the Department of Engineering, with an additional 6 semester hours of thesis credit and additional courses from the Departments of Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Biostatistics, and other disciplines as required to support the interests and research of individual students and faculty.
Required Courses
Required mechanical engineering courses include MENG 6000, MENG 6100, MENG 6220, MENG 6310, four MENG electives, and MENG 7000. One graduate level technical elective, approved by the program director, may be substituted for a MENG elective. In addition to the courses offered in the Department of Engineering, all students must complete one graduate level course in advanced mathematics. Contact program director for approved list of graduate courses offered outside of the Department of Engineering.
Engineering Core Courses:
- MENG 6000 Introduction to Engineering Research
- MENG 6100 Finite Element Analysis of Solids and Fluids
- MENG 6220 Advanced Thermodynamics
- MENG 6310 Advanced Mechanics of Materials
- MENG 7000 Thesis Research
Six (6) semester hours of thesis are required for this program. Students must complete a graduate level course in advanced mathematics.
Engineering Electives Courses:
- MENG 6210 Thermal Systems Design
- MENG 6230 Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems
- MENG 6320 Advanced Engineering Design
- MENG 6330 Advanced Vibration and Structural Dynamics
- MENG 6340 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
- MENG 6343 Advanced Composite Materials
- MENG 6350 Theory of Elasticity
- MENG 6410 Bioheat and Mass Transfer
- MENG 6700 Selected Topics in Mechanical Engineering
Application
How to Apply:
Application for admission to the graduate program in mechanical engineering must meet the general requirements of admission set forth by the Graduate School. Advanced, highly motivated undergraduate students may apply to the integrated bachelor’s/master’s in mechanical engineering.
Requirements for Admission
Applicants for study in mechanical engineering are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a minimum 3.0/4.0 grade point average in the last two years of undergraduate study.
The following preparatory courses are recommended:
- Mathematics – calculus through differential equations, probability and statistics
- Physics – one semester
- Chemistry – one semester
- Biology – one semester
- Engineering – one course in basic thermodynamics
- Engineering – one course in basic materials science
- Engineering – one course in basic electrical engineering
- Engineering – one course in three of the following five areas: biomaterials, fluid mechanics, heat and/or mass transfer, mechanics of materials, energy systems
- Engineering research or design experience
Conditional Admission
Applicants may be granted conditional admission if they do not qualify for regular admission. Students entering from disciplines other than engineering may find it necessary to take preparatory undergraduate and/or graduate level courses that serve as prerequisites. Preparatory courses that are for undergraduate credit only may not be applied toward credit hours required for a graduate degree.
Faculty
Dr. Brian Sylcott, Graduate Program Director
Accelerated BS/MS
This program will be initiated while undergraduates are completing the BS degree in engineering and is intended for outstanding engineering undergraduates who have worked with a thesis advisor during their undergraduate studies. For this program, graduate student coursework will begin in the students’ fourth year of undergraduate study and be completed with one academic year of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. It is anticipated that a full year of study beyond completion of undergraduate engineering requirements will be required to complete this program. Engineering students may apply to the program after completion of a minimum of 80 eligible undergraduate credit hours, and can enter the program after completion of a minimum of 95 eligible undergraduate credit hours (a minimum of 128 credit hours is required for the bachelor of science in engineering degree). The minimum GPA at the time of admission and entry to the program is 3.5.
Students applying to the integrated bachelor’s/master’s in mechanical engineering program will go through the regular graduate application process with the following exceptions:
- On the application form indicate “Integrated BS/MS”.
- Personal statement should address applicant’s specific interest in mechanical engineering graduate education and the integrated program.
Resources
Pre-Thesis or Dissertation Research Approval Form (DOCX)
MS Thesis Proposal Evaluation Rubric (pdf)
Contact
For additional information please contact CET Graduate Advising.