Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in engineering science are offered through an interdepartmental program. The program is intended only for students whose research is best supported by a collection of courses that is interdisciplinary and so would not meet course requirements for any other major. As part of the application process, the applicant must choose an Engineering Science concentration from either Aerospace, Biomedical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering programs. The student’s departmental home is that of the chosen concentration and of the student’s major professor.
Admission
Applicants for admission to the engineering science program are expected to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate program in engineering or physics. Students from other appropriate disciplines (e.g. chemistry, mathematics, etc.) can be admitted but additional engineering courses may be required. Entering students must have, as a minimum, competency in mathematics through ordinary differential equations. Submit online application to the Graduate Admissions Office.
Requirements
A student, with the concurrence of his/her advisory committee, may choose between a thesis option and a non-thesis option. All course work must be approved by the student’s major professor and committee.
Thesis Option
Specific requirements of the thesis option are a minimum of 30 semester hours including:
- Engineering courses – 12 hours minimum (may include, but is not restricted to, courses offered by the home department).
- Mathematics (400-level or above) - 6 hours minimum.
- Related courses – 6 hours maximum (may include additional courses in mathematics, computer science, or the physical and life sciences).
- Master’s thesis – 6 hours through the department of the major professor.
- A final oral examination covering the thesis and related course work.
Non-Thesis Option
Specific requirements of the non-thesis option are a minimum of 30 semester hours including:
- Engineering courses – 15 hours minimum (may include, but is not restricted to, courses offered by the home department).
- Mathematics (400-level or above) – 6 hours minimum.
- Related courses – 9 hours maximum (may include additional courses in mathematics, computer science, or the physical and life sciences).
- A final written examination covering the course work.
For both options:
Note 1: At least two-thirds of the minimum required hours must be taken in courses numbered at or above the 500 level.
Note 2: Other 500-level engineering courses that are approved by the student’s advisory committee and the home department’s Director of Graduate Studies may be substituted for the mathematics courses.
