|
Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers programs leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. There are three primary areas of emphasis within the department:
- Thermal/Fluids Engineering
- Systems and Design Engineering
- Materials Science Engineering
Graduate study in the department may be highly focused in a single area or be an individually designed interdisciplinary program. Graduate courses offered in the Department of Mechanical Engineering are listed on pages 115-116 in the Graduate Studies Bulletin on the Office of Graduate Studies web site.
Master of Science Degree
The department offers a broad program of study leading to the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. The thesis-based program ("Option I") requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit, including at least 24 hours of course work and at least 6 hours of thesis credit. Of the 24 hours of regular course work, at least 12 hours must be taken within the Mechanical Engineering Department, at least 9 hours must be in advanced level courses, and at least one 3-hour Mechanical Engineering course must be taken in an area outside the student's primary area of interest. In addition, all first year graduate students (except those taking only undergraduate deficiency courses) must take Advanced Analysis of Mechanical Engineering Systems, MECH 890. A transfer of a maximum of 6 credit hours is allowed with approval from the Departmental Graduate Committee. In some cases (requiring specific permission), students may complete their degree under "Option II" which substitutes additional course work and a comprehensive exam in place of the thesis.
Students may obtain a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with an Area of Specialization in Materials Science Engineering, or, with an Area of Specialization in Metallurgical Engineering, by following a prescribed program of courses emphasizing the materials area. Further details regarding requirements for the specialization in the areas of Materials or Metallurgy can be obtained by contacting the Departmental Graduate Chair.
A full graduate course load is considered to be 9 to 12 credit hours per semester. The length of time necessary to complete the Master's Degree varies, but 18 months is typical.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Students in the doctoral program may obtain the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering degree with a designated field of either "Mechanical Engineering" or "Chemical and Materials Engineering". A Ph.D. supervisory committee, in consultation with the student, arranges an appropriate program of studies for completion of the doctoral course work requirements. A minimum of 90 graduate credit hours (including Master's degree credit hours) is required for a doctoral degree. At least 45 hours must be completed at the University of Nebraska, and 27 credit hours must be completed within 18 consecutive months to satisfy the Ph.D. residency requirement. The University's language and research tool requirements are ordinarily waived for the Engineering Ph.D. program. After graduate course work has been substantially completed, the doctoral student must pass a written comprehensive examination administered by the supervisory committee.
In addition to graduate course work, doctoral students must complete a written Ph.D. dissertation with an oral presentation and defense. The dissertation topic must be approved by the supervisory committee and the Graduate Chair. The dissertation itself should reveal a capacity to perform independent research and should represent a significant advancement of knowledge.
The time necessary to complete the doctoral degree varies greatly, but three years beyond the Master's degree is typical.
Admission Requirements
Students applying for the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy programs in Mechanical Engineering should have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent. Ph.D. applicants must also have an M.S. in a closely related field. Students with other backgrounds may be required to take additional prerequisite course work. There are no test requirements for students with degrees from U.S. institutions. Foreign students without degrees from United States institutions are required to take the TOEFL and GRE general examinations. (The minimum TOEFL score required for admission is 550. The minimum required GRE scores are 600 quantitative, 450 analytical, and 1200 combined quantitative and analytical.) After minimum requirements are met, faculty in the student's area of interest evaluate each case on an individual basis.
Students intending to study for the degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an Area of Specialization in Materials Science are expected to have undergraduate training in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related areas of Chemistry or Physics. Students applying for the Ph.D. program in Chemical and Materials Engineering should have an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related areas. There are no test requirements for students with degrees from U.S. institutions. Foreign students without degrees from United States institutions are required to take the TOEFL and GRE general examinations. Each applicant's case will then be individually evaluated by the Materials faculty.
Applications are evaluated as they arrive, and full processing of an
application requires approximately two months. On line applications
and information request forms may be obtained from the
Office of Graduate Studies web site.
Financial Aid
Approximately three-quarters of the department's full-time graduate students are currently supported by research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or fellowships. Applicants are considered for such awards on a competitive basis.
For further information regarding the graduate program, contact the Departmental Graduate Chair.
|
|
