Master of Science Thesis Program

Becoming an MS Thesis Student

The Master of Science Thesis is a degree program that is well suited for students pursuing a career in academia or industry with a research component. MS Thesis students may choose from focus areas including (but not limited to) air quality, biomedical, design, energy and environment, materials, mechanics of materials, microsystems, and robotics/control. Students can declare the MS Thesis program only after confirmation of a faculty member willing to serve as their thesis advisor (Find more information on suggestions of how to obtain an MS Thesis Faculty Advisor on Milestone 1 Document). 

PhD Program: 
If a student plans to earn a master's degree and then immediately continue on to a PhD, they can apply directly to the ; it is not necessary to earn a master's degree separately. With support from the thesis advisor, students in this program have the option of smoothly transitioning into the PhD program.

Research Focus Areas: 
Students can concentrate their research and thesis on many ME focus areas. Students typically coordinate with their MS Thesis Faculty Advisor to identify a focus area and then choose their MS curriculum courses based on the research area. Required courses as a part of the MS Thesis program are outlined below:

MS Thesis Minimum Degree Requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 30 cumulative graduate-level credits at the 5000 level or higher with a C or higher in all courses
    • Courses taken for pass/fail and/or no-credit grading option cannot apply towards the MS ME Degree Requirements
    • Majority of courses are 3-credits each so the degree is normally earned by completing 10 courses
    • Minimum of 18 credits (~6 courses) out of 30 credits must be mechanical engineering department courses (MCEN)
      • Up to 12 credits (~4 courses) may be taken outside of the department
      • Required Courses (included in the 30 cumulative credit minimum / 18 MCEN credit minimum):
        • MCEN 5030: Introduction to Research (3 Credits)
          • Offered in Fall semesters ONLY
        • MCEN 5020: Methods of Engineering Analysis (3 Credits)
          • Offered in Fall semesters ONLY
        • MCEN 6959: Master's Thesis (6 Credits)  
  • Must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to remain in good academic standing (B average) 

MS Thesis Milestones

Milestone 1: Thesis Faculty Advisor Obtainment
Milestone information and details can be found in the MS Thesis Milestone Progress Report and the individual Milestone documents on the ME Graduate Forms and Handbook website. 
All MS Thesis students MUST complete every milestone by posted deadlines as a part of the MS ME Thesis Degree Requirements.
Milestone 1: Thesis Faculty Advisor Obtainment

Before end of 1st year / 2 semesters

Immediately after Finding Thesis Faculty Advisor

2nd year / 3rd semester

  • Request Enrollment via the
    • Enrollment of credits and term submitted on form should match your POS
      • If something has changed, need to submit new POS at same time that the
        enrollment request is submitted
    • Typically, students enroll in 3 credits in their last two semesters
      • Example: Graduation in Spring 2030 so student would be enrolled in
        3 credits of MCEN 6959 in Fall 2029 and Spring 2030
  • Enrollment will also need to be requested for any future semester but this
    milestone is for the first semester that enrollment is requested
  • Sign Milestone 4 Document 

Graduate Program Mission

We establish an environment of respect and inclusive excellence where high-quality instruction, project-based learning and cutting-edge research are leveraged to educate and nurture the next generation of socially conscious, deeply knowledgeable engineers, scientists and problem-solvers.