Graduate Studies

Master of Science in Engineering: Mechanical Engineering

Program Options and Requirements
Concentration in Environmental Sustainability (ConcEnSus)
Tauber Manufacturing Institute
Planning Your Program
- Acceptable Math Courses for MSE(ME) (pdf)
- Degree Audit Form (pdf)

The Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree in Mechanical Engineering requires a Bachelor of Science (BSE) degree in Mechanical Engineering or its equivalent. There are several MSE degree program options described below. New graduate students are encouraged to discuss with their faculty advisor which option might be most suitable for their professional goals.

Program Options and Requirements

There are four separate MSE degree program options in ME: (i) coursework only, (ii) coursework with an individual study project, (iii) coursework with an M.S.E. thesis, and (iv) coursework with a practicum in industry. In the Notes section following the description of degree program options below, there is information that further describes course/program requirements. While the list is not all encompassing, the information may pertain to any one or all options. Please also refer to the audit sheet for further details. You are encouraged to go over the academic requirements with both your faculty advisor and the graduate student advisor.

Planning Your Program

In planning your program, it is strongly recommended that all incoming graduate students meet with their faculty advisor and/or the graduate student advisor as soon as possible. The MSE degree program provides the student with considerable flexibility. This flexibility also puts a lot of responsibility on the student to know what the requirements are and how the available programs and courses can best be utilized to meet individual educational and professional goals. Your faculty advisor and the graduate student advisor can provide considerable assistance in this regard, help minimize problems, and make sure you get the most out of your graduate studies.

The MSE program covers a broad range of topics and activities. You should identify an area of interest (e.g., fluid mechanics, biomechanics, manufacturing, etc.). Then, in consultation with your faculty advisor, plan your course selections. Consult the Time Schedule for dates, times, and location of courses. For course descriptions refer to the College of Engineering Bulletin. Rackham Graduate School policies and procedures can be found here and Departmental policies and procedures here.

Important Rules to Note:

All options require 30 graduate level credit hours.
For each category of the MSE Audit Sheet (A, B, C, D), only B may have credits that are not letter-graded. This category is where any research credits are placed, which most of the time have a grade of "S" (satisfactory). All other categories must have letter-graded credits.
Cognate credits are non-ME credits. To fulfill this requirement, you may take almost any course from the College of Engineering, which may also be cross-listed with ME. Or, credits may be from the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, or Biology. In some cases substitutions may be allowed in other scientific areas but require a written petition from the student and approval by the ME Graduate Program Chair.
It is possible to satisfy the cognate requirement and the math requirement simultaneously. This distribution merely allows for more ME courses in your curriculum.
ME 599 courses (Special Topics) must be taught by a UM faculty to satisfy a requirement. If not taught by a UM faculty, the 599 course may be used to satisfy an ME 400 level requirement if the math course is used to satisfy both a math and a cognate requirement.

Coursework only

This option is essentially an extension of the undergraduate degree and is recommended for those students who do not envision any involvement in industrial research and development or teaching. This degree can be completed in ten months by, for example, taking four courses each during Fall and Winter terms and two courses during the Spring half term.

12 credits ME courses at the 5xx or 6xx level
6 credits ME courses at the 4xx level or above
6 credits of non-ME courses at the 4xx level or above
6 credits mathematics or equivalent courses (see Acceptable Math list)

Coursework with an individual study project

This option provides an opportunity for some involvement by the student in an independent engineering design, analysis, or research project. The requirements are the same as the coursework only option, except that 3 to 6 credits of research (590) are taken in lieu of 400 level courses. This is recommended for students contemplating an engineering career in industry and who would like to gain some exposure to individual research. This requires that the student talk to faculty and find a potential faculty advisor and an individual study topic. This is typically done during the student's first term in the Master's program so that she/he can begin the individual study the second term. Typically this option may take twelve months, e.g., Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer terms.

12 credits ME courses at the 5xx or 6xx level
6 credits ME research course (590) (or 3 credits 590 and 3 credits ME courses at the 4xx level or above)
6 credits of non-ME courses at the 4xx level or above
6 credits mathematics or equivalent courses (see Acceptable Math list)

Thesis

This option requires the completion of a formal M.S.E. thesis, and is recommended for students interested in industrial research and development, teaching, or possibly continuing for the Ph. D. This option requires that the student find a faculty advisor who will supervise the thesis research. Research credits are taken under the advisor's independent study number and a formal thesis, acceptable to the thesis committee of at least two including the research advisor, is prepared. The thesis is defended before the committee in a public examination. (See the handout entitled "Thesis Option" for more information.)

12 credits ME courses at the 5xx or 6xx level
9 credits ME research courses (3 credits 595 followed by 6 credits 695) (typically 3 credits of 695 are taken per term)
3 credits non-ME courses at the 4xx level or above
6 credits mathematics or equivalent courses (see Acceptable Math list)

Coursework with an engineering practicum

This option provides an opportunity to work at companies on team projects for which they will be compensated by that company. Students interested in this option should meet with their faculty advisor and with the Interpro Program Manager (1539 DOW) during their first term to discuss possible opportunities. The Interpro Office will also advertise (mandatory) meetings regarding the procedures and possibilities for a practicum.

12 credits ME courses at the 5xx or 6xx level
3 credits ME courses at the 4xx level or above
3 credits team project in industry (ENG 600) - Interpro Office must register you
6 credits of non-ME courses at the 4xx level or above
6 credits mathematics or equivalent courses (see Acceptable Math list)

Concentration in Environmental Sustainability (ConcEnSus)

Students with interest in environmental sustainability should consider focusing their coursework towards related topics to receive an additional recognition on their transcript for the ConcEnSus. Detailed information is available here.

Tauber Manufacturing Institute

Admitted or current students with two years of work experience who are interested in manufacturing should consider applying to the Tauber Manufacturing Institute. This is a highly competitive program offered by the College of Engineering and the Business School. Detailed information is available here.