Master of Science

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is offered with a thesis and a non-thesis option.

The Master of Science non-thesis option is for students seeking to further their depth and/or breadth of knowledge through advanced coursework and classroom instruction. M.S. non-thesis students are able to select coursework aligned with specialized technical areas of interest.

The M.S. non-thesis degree requires a minimum of 30 semester credit hours. Students can complete this degree in as little as 1 calendar year.

The Master of Science thesis option is for the student wanting to develop independent learning and research skills and function independently as a solver of “arbitrarily” hard engineering problems. The M.S. thesis is a research-intensive experience that includes advanced coursework. The Master of Science thesis degree requires a minimum of 32 semester credit hours. Due to the nature of thesis research, completion of the M.S. thesis option generally requires more time than the non-thesis option. 

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View Current Program Requirements

Degree Requirements

Non-Thesis Option Requirements

Thesis Option Requirements

Educational Outcomes The assessed educational goals of TAMU MEEN Graduate Program are:

• Graduates will have the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering,
• Graduates will have the ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems,
• Graduates will have the ability to communicate effectively,
• Graduates will have knowledge of contemporary issues and recognition of the need for lifelong learning, and
• Graduates will have the ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

It is strongly recommended that students producing a thesis or dissertation as part of their degree requirements use elements of that work or related research papers as the items used for assessment. Students orally defending their thesis/dissertation are encouraged to use that presentation as the assessment media for Educational Outcome C. Also, the Conclusions and Future Work (or similar) section of their thesis/dissertation is likely example work for assessing Educational Outcome D. M. Eng. students will need to build the portfolio over their course of study as appropriate work samples are produced in various classes.

For questions, contact the mechanical engineering graduate office.

Master of Science Non-Thesis Option Requirements

Committee requirements:

Master of Science students do not have a research committee. However, the degree plan system requires that each student list a committee chair. The committee chair for all M.S. non-thesis students is the Associate Department Head for Graduate Programs.

Curricular Requirements:

Master of Science Thesis Option Requirements

Committee requirements:

1. General Requirements:
   1. Minimum of three (3) faculty on the committee, including the committee chair and co-chair, if applicable.
   2. All committee members must be on Graduate Committee Faculty through OGAPS. A list is available at http://ogaps.tamu.edu/faculty-advisors/search.
   3. At least one member must be from outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
2. Committee Chair: may be tenure/tenure-track faculty in MEEN or joint/courtesy appointment to MEEN. Joint/courtesy appointment faculty chairs do not count as a non-MEEN committee member.
   1. Joint/Courtesy Appointment Chairs are required to fund student through GAR or a GAT position in the faculty member’s home department
3. Committee Co-chair: optional; student may choose to have a co-chair on their committee. This person can be from in or out of MEEN.
4. Committee Members: you must have at least one (1) committee member from MEEN. The remaining one (1) committee member must be from outside of MEEN. Note: If a MEEN faculty member has a joint/courtesy appointment in another department, they can count as your non-MEEN committee member.

Curricular Requirements: