Degree Programs

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the University of Michigan offers graduate programs leading to Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics. The CoE also offers a Master of Engineering in Automotive Engineering (MEng AutoE) degree.

For graduate students interested in multidisciplinary degrees, MEAM offers an interdepartmental degree program entailing a single MSE in two disciplines (for example, Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering). Or, through special arrangement, interested students may complete a dual degree program earning two distinct degrees.

As a graduate student, you will work closely with MEAM faculty and staff to meet your individual needs and interests. Your faculty advisor will especially guide you on a course of action that best prepares you for your future plans.

For further information about MEAM's graduate programs, please contact the MEAM Academic Services Office (ASO) at the address listed on page one of this handbook. Or, look us up on the World Wide Web: http://www.engin.umich.edu/dept/meam/academics.html.
For the U-M's Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, use the URL: http://www.rackham.umich.edu.


Degree Requirements
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING
Mechanical Engineering

As a graduate student in the ME Master's Program, you may choose from one of three options: coursework only option; limited research option, consisting of coursework with an individual research study project; and the master's thesis option. Master's students receiving financial aid from MEAM must select within the limited research option or the master's thesis option. To be awarded the master's degree, you must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours with a "B" average.

  • The coursework option--
    • This option is essentially an extension of the undergraduate degree that enables students to deepen their knowledge in one or more specialized areas. It is recommended for students who plan a career in industry. This option can be completed in 10 months by, for example, taking four courses each during Fall and Winter Terms and two courses during the Spring Half Term. Requirements include:

  • 18 credits in mechanical engineering courses, 12 at the 500 level or above and 6 at the 400 level or above;
    •
  • 6 credits of advanced mathematics courses;
    •
  • 6 additional credits elected as cognate courses, outside MEAM, as approved by your graduate advisor.


    •

  • Limited research option:coursework with an individual research study project--
    • This option provides a student some exposure to an engineering research project, which typically includes design and analysis. It is aimed at students who plan a career in industry or who are unsure about continuing for a PhD degree.

    This option requires students to find a faculty advisor and jointly formulate an individual study topic. Students are required to write a research report at the end of their study. Requirements include:

  • 12 credits in mechanical engineering courses at the 500 level or above;
    •
  • A maximum of 6 credits of ME 590 (individual study project);
    •
  • 6 credits of advanced mathematics courses;
    •
  • 6 additional credits elected as cognate courses, outside MEAM, as approved by your advisor.


  • The master's thesis option--
    • This option allows students to include extensive research experience as part of their graduate program. It is designed for students who plan a career in industrial research and development, teaching, or possibly continuing for their PhD. Requirements include:

  • 12 credits in mechanical engineering courses at the 500 level or above;
    •
  • 6 credits of advanced mathematics courses;
    •
  • 9 credits in ME 595 and ME 695 and a written research thesis approved by a committee of at least two Department faculty members;
    •
  • 3 credits in cognate courses

    • Note:ME 590 cannot be taken for credit with this option.

    Applied Mechanics
    In the AM Master's Program, students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits with a "B" average. Requirements include:

  • 9 credits elected in AM 443, 511, and 520 (or their equivalents);
    •
  • 9 additional credits in applied mechanics courses at the 500 level or above;
    •
  • 6 credits in advanced mathematics courses;
    •
  • 6 credits in cognate courses.
    •  Note: With Department approval, a master's thesis may be substituted in place of 6 of the 12 credit hours which are not specific course requirements.

    Read about Julie Reyer, PhD Student in Mechanical Engineering...


    MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

    The Master of Engineering in Automotive Engineering (MEng AutoE) is an advanced professional degree program for engineers who would like to pursue careers in the automotive industry or in government laboratories with automotive research programs. It is also suited for the industry engineer who may not be able to take a full-time leave away from work.

    Obtain further information about the Automotive Engineering program...

    To attain the degree, students must complete 30 graduate credit hours with a "B" average. A full-time student can complete the program in one calendar year. Requirements include:

  • 9 credits with one course each being selected from Power and Propulsion, Dynamics and Controls, Aerodynamics and Structural Mechanics, or Electronics;
    •
  • 6 credits with two courses taken in other engineering disciplines of choice;
    •
  • 9 credits with three courses taken in the Management and Human Factors core with emphasis on such areas as business, management, ergonomics, law, professional ethics, and operations research;
    •
  • 6 credits in Automotive Engineering seminars and industrially-relevant team projects.
    •  Prerequisites for admission into the Automotive Engineering Master's Program are: a bachelor's degree in engineering or science; two years of college engineering mathematics; undergraduate coursework in at least three of the engineering core areas of Automotive Engineering; and the equivalent of two years of full-time industrial experience in automotive engineering.

    For further information, please contact:

    Aleda Thomas / MEng AutoE
    MEAM / Univ of Michigan
    2033 Lay Auto Lab
    1231 Beal St
    Ann Arbor MI 48109-2121
    Phone: (313) 763-1134
    Fax: (313) 764-4256
    e-mail: meng.auto.e@umich.edu
    http://ott-outreach.engin.umich.edu/automotive-engineering/auto.html

    Read about Judy Che, PhD Student in Mechanical Engineering...


    DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE
    Mechanical Engineering;
    Applied Mechanics

    The PhD degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics are the highest awarded by the MEAM Department. The degrees focus on research, and are designed primarily for students who are interested in careers in teaching and/or research, either in academia or industry. Requirements for the PhD degrees include:

  • 18 academic credits of graduate work beyond the master's degree, or 48 hours beyond the bachelor's degree;
    •
  • Successful completion of qualifying examinations, in four areas, selected by the student from among these nine: Design, Dynamics and Vibrations, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Manufacturing, Materials, Solid Mechanics, Systems and Controls, and Thermodynamics. (Applied Mechanics students must choose three of the four areas as Solid Mechanics, Dynamics, and
    Fluid Mechanics.);
    •
  • Successful completion of a preliminary examination on the research subject of a student's dissertation. This test is usually given after the student prepares a thesis proposal and completes coursework;
    •
  • Completion of an independent research investigation in an area of Departmental activity and interest;
    •
  • Presentation of the student's in-vestigation results as an original, publishable research dissertation;
    •
  • Oral presentation and defense of the dissertation;
    •
  • Fulfillment of the 68 Rackham Graduate School Fee Totals.
    •  For more information, please see http://www.umich.edu/~rackband/Final/StudInfo/handbook.html.


    MEAM also
    participates in other
    degree programs...

    INTERDEPARTMENTAL MASTER'S DEGREE AND
    DUAL MASTER'S DEGREE

    For an interdepartmental degree, graduate students may earn a single master's degree from two graduate programs. Candidates must complete 40 credits of graduate work in an approved course of study.
    For a dual degree, graduate students may earn two distinct master's degrees. Students must complete 50 credits of work satisfying the requirements of both departments.

    With either an interdepartmental or a dual master's degree, students must receive approval from both departments and the Rackham Graduate School.


    PROGRAM IN MANUFACTURING (PIM)

    Established in 1993 by the College of Engineering (CoE), the Program in Manufacturing (PIM) is designed to enhance and coordinate education, research, and service activities in the area of manufacturing. MEAM is one of eight engineering departments participating in PIM.

    PIM is an interdisciplinary program offering graduate studies leading to degrees of Master of Engineering in Manufacturing, Doctor of Engineering in Manufacturing, and a joint Master of Engineering in Manufacturing and Master of Business Administration.

    PIM's goal is to prepare engineers to improve the quality and efficiency in manufacturing systems by giving them advanced skills in their engineering discipline, breadth across engineering disciplines, and an understanding of the complete product development and manufacturing process, including its management.

    For further information about PIM, please contact:

    Henia Kamil / PIM
    2219 GG Brown Lab
    Univ of Michigan
    2350 Hayward St
    Ann Arbor MI 48109-2125
    Phone: (313) 764-3312
    Fax: (313) 647-0079
    E-mail: pim@engin.umich.edu
     http://www.engin.umich.edu/prog/pim/

    CONTENTS OF 1997-98 MEAM GRADUATE HANDBOOK

    Text-only version

    Letter from the President | Letter from the Graduate Programs Chair |Introduction
    Admissions | Financial Assistance | Media Union | College of Engineering |University of Michigan
    Ann Arbor Community |Degree Programs | MEAM Research | CoE Research |MEAM Faculty
    MEAM Courses| CoE Courses
    Academic Programs Information and Admissions | MEAM Home Page
    This page was last updated: 25 July, 1998. Please direct questions or comments about administration of this Web Site to meam-www@umich.edu. Academic questions or requests should be addressed to the contacts provided at the beginning of this Web Site.