Design Program | Research | Faculty & Staff

MSME

Home / MSME

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Plan A (Thesis)

Credit Requirements:
A total of 30 credits of which a minimum of 21 credits are at the 800 level or above, including 6-8 thesis credits of ME 899. At least 22-24 credits of coursework must be taken.

Course Subject (Area) Requirements: A student must complete one course in three of the following four areas.

  1. Dynamical Systems:  ME 852, ME 860
  2. Solid and Structural Mechanics:  ME 820, ME 828
  3. Fluid Mechanics:  ME 830
  4. Thermal Sciences:  ME 802,  ME 812,  ME 814

Additional ME Courses:
In addition to satisfying the course subject (area) requirements, students must complete at least six more credits in ME courses at the 800 or 900 levels, not including ME 898 or ME 899. 
Major Professor and Program
During the first semester in the graduate program the student must file a master's degree program. By the end of the second semester of study the student must identify a major professor to serve as research supervisor/advisor.
Thesis Proposal Requirement
Early in the program the student is required to submit to the major professor and Department Chairperson a short written proposal on the thesis research.
Certifying Examination
The certifying examination will be an oral defense of the thesis to an examining committee consisting of the major professor and two other faculty members. At least two of the three members of the examining committee must be regular faculty members in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University. The major professor and the student will nominate, to the Department Chairperson or a designated individual, for approval, the two other faculty members of the examining committee. If the thesis defense is not successful the candidate will have one additional opportunity to defend the thesis. The timing and specific requirements to be met before the second attempt will be specified in writing by the examining committee. 
Master's Thesis
Submitted to the graduate school according to its regulations upon approval of the student's major professor.


Plan B (Course Work)

Credit Requirements
A total of thirty credits of which a minimum of 21 credits is at the 800 level or above.

Course Subject (Area) Requirements: A student must complete one course in three of the following four areas.

  1. Dynamical Systems:  ME 852, ME860
  2. Solid and Structural Mechanics:  ME 820, ME 828
  3. Fluid Mechanics:  ME 830
  4. Thermal Sciences:  ME 802,  ME 812,  ME 814

Additional ME Courses:
In addition to satisfying the course subject (area) requirements, students must complete at least six more credits in ME courses at the 800 or 900 levels, not including ME 898 or ME 899.
Program Advisor and Program
During the first semester in the graduate program the student must identify a program advisor and must file a master's degree program.


Plan B1 (Project)

Credit Requirements
A total of 30 credits required of which a minimum of 21 credits is at the 800 level or above including 3-6 project credits from ME 898 (Master's Project Research).

Course Subject (Area) Requirements:  A student must complete one course in three of the following four areas.

  1. Dynamical Systems:  ME 852, ME860
  2. Solid and Structural Mechanics:  ME 820, ME 828
  3. Fluid Mechanics:  ME 830
  4. Thermal Sciences:  ME 802,  ME 812,  ME 814

Additional ME Courses:
In addition to satisfying the course subject (area) requirements, students must complete at least six more credits in ME courses at the 800 or 900 levels, not including ME 898 or ME 899.
Major Professor and Program
During the first semester in the graduate program the student must file a master's degree program. By the end of the second semester of study the student must identify a major professor to serve as research supervisor/advisor.
Project Proposal Requirement
Early in the program the student is required to submit to the major professor and Department Chairperson a short written proposal on the project research.
Certifying Examination
The certifying examination will be an oral presentation of the project to an examining committee consisting of the major professor and two other faculty members. At least two of the three members of the examining committee must be regular faculty members in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University. The major professor and the student will nominate, to the Department Chairperson or a designated individual, for approval, the two other faculty members of the examining committee. If the exam is not successful the candidate will have one additional opportunity to present the project work. The timing and specific requirements to be met before the second attempt will be specified in writing by the examining committee. 
Project Report
Submitted to the Department according to its regulations upon approval of the student's major professor.