gradstudents.degree options

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science offers highly individualized programs supporting both the Master of Science and the Ph.D. degree in two major areas of specialty:

• mechanical engineering, and
• materials science

Each graduate student's program is developed individually within very broad limits and is carefully designed to meet his or her needs and objectives.

Students can also pursue a graduate Certificate in Biologically Inspired Materials and Material Systems. To earn this Certificate, students must successfully complete at least 5 graduate elective courses in addition to 2 required core courses. See the CBIMMS Web site for more information. Note, students must apply to participate in this program through the Graduate School.

The Department emphasizes a highly research-oriented Ph.D. degree program, and numerous opportunities for Research Assistantships are available for qualified graduate students in a wide range of study track areas and are directly related to the student's research for his or her degree.

Full-time Ph.D. students may be asked to serve as a Teaching Assistant - which typically involves supervising a teaching laboratory one afternoon a week for approximately two hours.

Most master's degree aspirants write a research-based thesis, but a non-thesis option is also available. Students in the Ph.D. degree program who do not already have a master's degree are urged to meet the course and other general requirements for this degree and to obtain it during completion of their program. There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. degree.

Within the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, the faculty-student ratio is high, and programs of study are unusually flexible in meeting the needs of individual students. Student course work for each degree is decided upon in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and the student's faculty research supervisor.