MS in Mechanical Engineering
The MS degree in mechanical engineering requires 30 hours of graduate credit. Students are also required to complete a thesis (Plan A) or an oral exam (Plan B).
No more than 10 credits can be transferred from non-matriculated study at Rochester or from an outside institution. See the ME Graduate Handbook for steps on how to request transfer credit.
All students need to complete the Program of Study Form, available from the graduate coordinator, by the end of their second semester of study.
Plan A, Thesis Option
Plan A requires a written dissertation prepared by the student under the supervision of his/her advisor. Of the 30 required credit hours, this option requires:
- Between 6 to 12 hours of thesis research
- At least 16 hours of courses 400 level or higher
- At least 12 of these 16 course must be ME courses
The formal defense of the dissertation takes place after the completion of all coursework, and the student must be registered for the semester in which the defense takes place.
See the ME Graduate Handbook for more information about Plan A and the thesis defense.
Plan B, Coursework Option
Plan B requires 30 total credits for the MS degree, including:
- At least 24 credits of formal coursework at the 400 level or higher.
- At least 20 coursework credits in Mechanical Engineering (ME) courses at the 400 level or higher.
- The remaining 4 required coursework credits in a formal course at the 400 level or higher offered by Mechanical Engineering or another department.
- Up to 6 research credits at the 400 level or higher may count toward the 30-credit degree requirement. Research credits do not count toward the 24-credit coursework requirement.
Plan B students must complete a comprehensive oral examination at the end of their coursework. Students should consult the graduate coordinator and their faculty advisor to schedule the exam.
See the ME Graduate Handbook for additional information about Plan B and the oral examination.
Tuition Benefits
No stipend support is available for MS degree candidates, but a limited number of partial tuition scholarships are available.
Full-time MS students who also work as teaching assistants are eligible for a competitive tuition discount . Federal work-study program funds, government or personal loans, or part-time employment may sometimes be used to meet expenses.
The details of a particular student's financial offer can vary depending upon specific circumstances and will be specified in a letter sent to each student at the time that an admission offer is made.