Options and Requirements for Masters of science (M.S.) in Engineering Mechanics
Program Options:
The University provides three different options for earning
an M.S. degree.
Option I (Thesis Option): This option is recommended to students
getting a M.S. degree with plans to continue for a Ph.D. degree, or with
plans to work in a research and development position. This option is the
only accepted option for students holding a research or teaching assistantship.
The requirements for Option I are:
Total credits needed: at least 30
EM credits needed: at least 15
EM credits must include:
Advanced Dynamics (847) or Vibration Theory and Application (875)
Advanced Mechanics of Materials (848)
Engineering Mechanics Seminar (ENGM 996 [formerly listed as ENGM 978]; students must register for seminar
every semester, but only one credit will count toward the minimum total
of 30 credits)
In addition, it is recommended that students take at least one course from each of the following areas:
Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
Vibration or Dynamics
Laboratory Course
Mathematics (Math 821 does not earn graduate credit and will not count
toward the minimum total of 30 credits)
Graduate only credits needed: at least 8
“Graduate only” refers to 800 level courses without 400 level equivalents
and 900 level courses
Math 821 does not earn graduate credit
Engineering Mechanics Seminar (996) will count for only one “graduate only”
credit
Thesis credits: at least 6
No more than 6 credits will count toward the minimum total of 30 credits
A student has the option of getting a minor by taking at least 9 credits in another field.
Option II (Nonthesis Option): This option is only recommended
for students considering the M.S. degree as their terminal degree.
The requirements for Option II are:
Total credits needed: at least 36
EM credits needed: at least 18 if one minor, at least 15 if two minors
EM credits must include:
Advanced Dynamics (847) or Vibration Theory and Application (875)
Advanced Mechanics of Materials (848)
Engineering Mechanics Seminar (ENGM 996 [formerly listed as ENGM 978]; students must register for seminar
every semester, but only one credit will count toward the minimum total
of 30 credits)
In addition, it is recommended that students take
at least one course from each of the following areas:
Mechanics of Continuous Bodies
Vibration or Dynamics
Laboratory Course
Mathematics (Math 821 does not earn graduate credit and will not count
toward the minimum total of 30 credits)
Graduate only credits needed: at least 12
“Graduate only” refers to 800 level courses without 400 level equivalents
and 900 level courses
Math 821 does not earn graduate credit
Engineering Mechanics Seminar (996) will count for only one “graduate only”
credit
Minor: at least 9 credits in each minor (at least one minor is required)
Option III (Nonthesis Option): This option is recommended
for students planning to continue scholarly work. The University
requirements for Option III are:
Total credits needed: at least 36
EM credits needed: at least 18
EM credits must include:
Advanced Dynamics (847) or Vibration Theory and Application (875)
Advanced Mechanics of Materials (848)
Engineering Mechanics Seminar (ENGM 996 [formerly listed as ENGM 978]; students must register for seminar
every semester, but only one credit will count toward the minimum total
of 30 credits)
In addition, it is recommended that students take
at least one course from each of the following areas:
Mechanics of Continuous Bodies
Vibration or Dynamics
Laboratory Course
Mathematics (Math 821 does not earn graduate credit and will not count
toward the minimum total of 30 credits)
Graduate only credits needed: at least 18
“Graduate only” refers to 800 level courses without 400 level equivalents
and 900 level courses
Math 821 does not earn graduate credit
Engineering Mechanics Seminar (996) will count for only one “graduate only”
credit
Policy for Masters of Science in Engineering Mechanics
A student admitted to the M.S. program (Option I) is required
to select a thesis advisor within his/her first semester.
Before completing nine hours of graduate work (in addition
to those which he/she may have already completed prior to acceptance to
the M.S. program) the student must, in consultation with his/her advisor,
prepare a study program for the M.S. degree. This study program and
subsequent changes must be reviewed and approved by the Graduate Committee.
The initial review includes determining acceptability of graduate credit
hours that were completed prior to its submission.
A Memorandum of Courses, required for Candidacy, must be filed
and approved before grades (letter grades, no reports or incompletes) have
been received in more than one?half of the student's program. The
Memorandum of Courses must be recommended by the major and minor departments
and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.
A written comprehensive examination and/or oral examination
is required to cover the student's approved memorandum of courses.
The written examination, if administered, must be successfully taken within
the 10 months prior to the date of graduation.
Option I students normally will have the written comprehensive waived in
lieu of a mandatory final oral exam during which the thesis will be defended.
If a student's performance on course work has been marginal, the Graduate
Committee may request a written examination of the student for further
evaluation.
Option II and Option III students will be required to take a written comprehensive
examination within 10 months prior to the date of graduation. A written
examination for those working under Option II will be requested by the
advisor from the minor department. It is the responsibility of the
minor department to set criteria for waiving this examination and standards
for passing. The written comprehensive examination may not be waived if
any of the grades in the minor are below a B. The final oral examination
will normally be waived. However, if a student's performance on course
work has been marginal, the Graduate Committee may request an oral examination
of the student for further evaluation.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all published
deadlines are met.
Nothing in this policy statement is intended to supersede any University
or Graduate College policy. The student is directed to the Graduate
Studies Bulletin for further details.
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