Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mechanical Engineering (M.S.)/Nuclear Engineering (M.S.)


Master’s degree requirements


The department offers three degree options at the master’s level:

Thesis Option


The Program of Study should include a minimum of 30 credit hours, with the following additional requirements:

Required Curriculum


1.   The candidate should earn credit for at least 6 credit hours of Master’s Thesis Research (ME 899 or NE 899) 
      culminating in a successfully defended thesis.

2.   At least 18 hours, of the required minimum of 30 hours, should be at the 700 level and above, including ME 800 
      Graduate Seminar/Research Paper, and the thesis/research and the report/problems hours required by the thesis and
      report options. 

3.   The MS candidate must satisfy the 75% attendance requirement for on-campus students in at least two semesters of ME 800 (0 credit hours). Graduate Seminar/Research Paper. Refer to ME 800 course requirements.

4.   Courses at the 600-level may be included in the Program of Study, but 500-level courses in the student’s major area
      are expected to have been completed as undergraduate prerequisites to graduate study or as undergraduate deficiency
      courses assigned upon admission. The use of 500-level supporting courses in master’s programs is therefore restricted
      as follows: 

      (a) No course in the student’s major area may be at the 500 level 
           and 
      (b) normally no more than 6 credit hours may be at the 500 level
 
5.   A minimum of 18 credit hours of graded coursework (i.e., courses in which a letter grade is assigned)

6.   The graded coursework should include at least one 3 credit hour course in engineering mathematics or applied
      mathematical analysis. Courses that may be used to meet this requirement are:

Options for Completing 30 Credit Hour Requirement


In addition to the minimum graded coursework requirement (18 credit hours) and the minimum Master’s Thesis
Research requirement (6 credit hours), the candidate must complete 6 more credit hours to meet the minimum credit
requirement of 30 credit hours. This can be done through any combination of the following:

  • Up to 2 additional credit hours of Master’s Thesis Research (ME899 or NE899) 
  • Up to 3 credit hours of ME 800 Seminar/Research Paper (refer to ME800 course requirements) 
  • Up to 3 credit hours of independent study 
  • Up to 6 credit hours of additional coursework

Bettis Reactor Engineer School (BRES) graduates who enter the Nuclear Master program may transfer up to 4 courses (12 credits) toward fulfillment of degree requirements. The department maintains a list of course equivalencies. Naval Nuclear Power School graduates may be awarded transfer credits for Introduction to Nuclear Engineering (NE 620). Applicants with an undergraduate degree in NE may have this requirement waived.

Report Option


  • The Program of Study should include a minimum of 30 credit hours, including 28 credit hours of graded coursework and
    2 credit hours of Master’s Report. One credit hour of ME800 Seminar/Research Paper (earned by giving a successful
    seminar presentation) may be included in the 28 credit hours of required coursework. 
  • In addition, items (2), (3), (4), and (6) from the MS Thesis requirements above apply directly to the MS Report Option Program of Study.  
  • The MS Report Option must culminate in a successfully defended report.

Coursework Option


  • The Program of Study should include a total of 30 credit hours of graded coursework.
  • Items (2), (4), and (6) from the MS Thesis requirements above apply directly to the MS Course Work Option Program of Study.
  • The MS Course Work Option must culminate in a final oral examination.

Note


Students on self-support can choose whatever option they want. Students supported by research projects or the Department should take the thesis option.