Mechanical Engineering, MS

Program Coordinator: Brian Sylcott (208 Slay Hall; 252-737-4652; sylcotb15@ecu.edu)

The Mechanical Engineering, MS is a research-oriented degree that is administered by the Department of Engineering in the College of Engineering and Technology. The program has two focus areas of research - advanced energy systems and mechanics of biomaterials. Students are prepared for employment in a variety of areas of industry and the program provides training and research experience for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD degree in mechanical engineering or related fields.

I. Admission

Application for admission to the graduate program in mechanical engineering must meet the general requirements of admission set forth by the Graduate School. Advanced, highly motivated undergraduate students, may apply to the Engineering, BS/Mechanical Engineering, MS .

A. Requirements for admission

Applicants for study in mechanical engineering are expected to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a minimum 3.0/4.0 grade point average in the last two years of undergraduate study. The following preparatory courses are recommended:

Mathematics - calculus through differential equations, probability and statistics
Physics - one semester
Chemistry - one semester
Biology - one semester
Engineering - one course in basic thermodynamics
Engineering - one course in basic materials science
Engineering - one course in basic electrical engineering
Engineering - one course in three of the following five areas: biomaterials, fluid mechanics, heat and/or mass transfer, mechanics of materials, energy systems
Engineering research or design experience

B. Conditional admission

Applicants may be granted conditional admission if they do not qualify for regular admission. Students entering from disciplines other than engineering may find it necessary to take preparatory undergraduate and/or graduate level courses that serve as prerequisites. Preparatory courses that are for undergraduate credit only may not be applied toward credit hours required for a graduate degree.

II. Degree Requirements

The university confers the Mechanical Engineering, MS when the candidate has earned at least 32 s.h. of graduate credit. Students choosing the nonthesis option complete an approved selection of coursework. Students choosing the thesis option must complete a research-based thesis, a comprehensive defense of thesis proposal, a seminar based on thesis research, and a thesis defense in addition to their coursework.

The degree requires a minimum of 32 s.h. as follows:

A. Core courses - 9 s.h.

B. Advanced mathematics requirement course - 3 s.h.

All students must complete one 3 semester hour graduate level course in advanced mathematics. Contact the program director for a list of approved mathematics courses.

C. Area of focus courses - 9 s.h.

Choose three of the following engineering courses related to the major area of study and/or intended research in consultation with the program coordinator.

D. Options - at least 11 s.h.

1. Thesis option - 11 s.h.

a. Research skills (2 s.h.)

MENG 6000 - Introduction to Engineering Research

b. Thesis (6 s.h.)

Students must pass the thesis defense and complete the thesis. MENG 7000 may be repeated as needed, but only a maximum of 6 s.h. may count towards the degree.

MENG 7000 - Thesis

c. Electives (3 s.h.)

Electives must be at the 5000-level or higher and must be approved by the program coordinator. Electives should be in an academic, professional, or geographic field related to the thesis. Courses used as an area of focus course may not be used to fulfill this elective requirement.

2. Nonthesis option - 11 s.h.

Students complete 11 s.h. of program coordinator approved coursework at the 6000 or higher level in an academic, professional, or geographic concentration, but not limited to, the following concentrations and related courses. Students are encouraged to ask the program coordinator about the possibility of completing a graduate certificate in the chosen area of study or in a related field of study. Courses used to fulfill the core, advanced mathematics, or area of focus requirements may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

All ECU graduate programs require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. The assessment for the thesis option is the successful completion of a research-based thesis and thesis defense. The assessment for the nonthesis option is a curated portfolio submitted by students that showcases their work over the course of their degree program. Portfolio items may include key coursework from multiple courses as well as other items of evidence (posters, reports, projects) that demonstrate synthesis resulting from the program of study. Please contact the graduate program director for more information.