Departments & Divisions > Mechanical Engineering > Students > Prospective Graduate > Degree Programs

Degree Programs

The department offers M.Sc., Ph.D. and M.Eng. degree programs.

Master of Science (M.Sc.)
M.Sc. degree requirements include:

  • completion of a minimum of 15 credit units (e.g., five 3 credit courses),
  • completion of GSR 960,
  • completion of GSR 961 (only if research involves human subjects),
  • completion of GSR 962 (only if research involves animal subjects),
  • completion of the ME 990 graduate seminar course, and
  • an oral defense of a thesis. 

M.Sc. students must maintain continuous registration in the ME 994 course. The residency requirement for the M.Sc. degree is one year.

Students are expected to complete their M.Sc. program in 20 to 24 months.  For the thesis component of the M.Sc. degree program, the student pursues independent research and study under the supervision of a professor in the department.  The thesis research topic will be closely related to the professor's research expertise and interests.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Ph.D. degree requirements include:

  • completion of a minimum of 6 credit units beyond a M.Sc. degree (e.g., two 3 credit courses),
  • completion of GSR 960, 
  • completion of GSR 961 (only if research involves human subjects),
  • completion of GSR 962 (only if research involves animal subjects),
  • completion of the ME 990 graduate seminar course,
  • successful completion of candidacy and comprehensive exams, and
  • an oral defense of a thesis. 

Ph.D. students must maintain continuous registration in the ME 996 course. The residency requirement for the Ph.D. degree is one year.

The duration of the Ph.D. program is typically four years.  For the thesis component of the Ph.D. degree program, the student pursues independent research and study under the supervision of a professor in the department.  The thesis research topic will be closely related to the professor's research expertise and interests.

Students are admitted to the Ph.D. program only after completion of a M.Sc. (thesis) degree (or equivalent).  If a M.Sc. student shows great promise both in terms of academic accomplishments and research potential, they may be recommended for a transfer from a M.Sc. to a Ph.D. program. Further information about the requirements and process for this transfer can be found in Section 5.1.4 of the College of Graduate Studies and Research’s Policies and Procedures Manual.

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
M.Eng. degree requirements include:

  • completion of a minimum of 24 credit units (e.g., eight 3 credit courses),
  • completion of a project report,
  • completion of GSR 960, 
  • completion of GSR 961 (only if research involves human subjects),
  • completion of GSR 962 (only if research involves animal subjects), and
  • completion of the ME 990 graduate seminar course. 

M.Eng. students must maintain continuous registration in the ME 992 course. The residency requirement for the M.Eng. degree is one year.

The duration of the M.Eng. program is typically 20 to 24 months of full-time studies. The M.Eng. degree may be of interest to students who wish to complete courses and a project to increase their knowledge in a particular area of mechanical engineering. The M.Eng. project topic will be related to the student and supervising faculty's professional and research interests. M.Eng. students are expected to be self-supported financially and are not eligible for graduate scholarships.

More information on graduate degree requirements can be found in the Mechanical Engineering graduate program section of the University Calendar and the College of Graduate Studies and Research website.