Mechanical Engineering M.S.M.E.

Total Semester Credit Hours = 30

Admission Requirements

Students entering the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) program are expected to have a background equivalent to that of students graduating from the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) program offered at The University of Texas at Tyler, or to obtain such background through specified prerequisite coursework.

In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants to the Mechanical Engineering program must meet the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from a Mechanical Engineering program accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission. Students who have not earned a Mechanical Engineering degree will be required to complete prerequisite (leveling) coursework before starting the MSME program as determined by the MSME Graduate Coordinator. If the degree is granted by a non-ABET accredited university, the approval of the committee and Graduate Coordinator will be required.
2. A demonstrated proficiency in the use of the English language, both spoken and written.
3. Approval of the MSME Graduate Coordinator and the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Graduation Requirements

There are two tracks to earn the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME): Regular-Track and Fast-Track (4+1). Both tracks allow the student to select either the Thesis or the Non-thesis option.

Regular track: This is the traditional pathway to the MSME degree and is intended for students who have completed a BSME degree. Students apply to the program after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Fast-track: Also known as the Five-Year BSME/MSME (Accelerated BSME/MSME) Program, this pathway allows undergraduate Mechanical Engineering students at UT Tyler to earn a master's degree with as little as one additional year of study beyond the requirements for the BSME degree. Students may begin taking approved graduate-level coursework during their undergraduate studies, enabling them to accelerate completion of the MSME degree. Students interested in this program must obtain department approval and maintain GPA of 3.0 or higher. They can take up to three graduate courses (nine credit hours) during their undergraduate studies. These courses will be counted toward their undergraduate degree, replacing technical electives, and will also be transferred as graduate courses if they receive a grade “B” or better. These students will also benefit from programs which could be active in their year of admission such as the fast-track Patriot Admit program and a Graduate School application fee waiver. This option is also available to undergraduate students in the Honors Program in mechanical engineering.

The two pathways to earning the MSME degree are described below:

1. Thesis option. This degree option is intended primarily for students who wish to conduct research and expand mechanical engineering knowledge. Successful completion of thesis is required. This is the only degree option for which graduate assistantship opportunities might be available.
2. Non-thesis option. This degree option is intended primarily for the professional working engineer who wants to further his/her knowledge by taking advanced technical courses. Students who select this option will have the possibility of completing an advanced engineering project.

Regardless of the option selected, a student must complete:

1. A graduate course in advanced mathematics (e.g. MATH 5311) or Analysis, or equivalent, approved by the Graduate Coordinator.
2. At least one of the courses from the following list:
   1. MENG 5314 - Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
   2. MENG 5328 - Advanced Finite Element Analysis
   3. MENG 5347 - Polymer Science and Engineering

Note: MENG 5328 - Advanced Finite Element Analysis satisfies both requirements.

Of the 30 credit hours required for the degree, at least 18 credit hours, including thesis or project credits, must be taken within the Department of Mechanical Engineering and in the student's major area of study. Up to 9 credit hours may be selected outside the department, college, or university.   

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has identified three major study areas listed below:  

1. Thermo-fluids and heat
2. Design and Mechanics
3. Mechanical Systems and Control

Any combination of courses from these areas is allowed for MSME students.  However, three courses from one major area would constitute a certificate, and three certificates would fulfill the MSME degree requirements.  A project course and an internship course can be taken by permission of the Graduate Coordinator and the Department Chair and would count towards the MSME degree.

To graduate, students must earn at least a 3.0 grade point average on all coursework used for the graduate degree.

Both degree options require completing 30 semester hours:

Thesis Option (30 SCH): Students must successfully complete at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit coursework, including six hours of thesis credits. In addition to the required coursework and thesis, students in this option must successfully pass a proposal and a final oral examination administered by the student’s graduate academic committee.

Non-Thesis option (30 SCH): Students must successfully complete at least 30 semester credit hours of graduate coursework, which may include three hours in a project course that culminates in an engineering report on a significant design or analysis project performed by the student, under the supervision of a faculty member.

An internship course is also allowed, by permission of the Graduate Coordinator and the Department Chair, to be counted towards the degree. 

Regardless of the degree option selected, students may take an internship course and apply its credits toward degree requirements, subject to approval by the Graduate Coordinator and the Department Chair. 

 

 

 

An annually updated list of approved technical electives and a list of approved courses from outside the Department are available from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Program Outcomes 

1.    Apply fundamental knowledge of specialized mechanical engineering concepts and modern engineering tools in solving engineering problems.

2.    Demonstrate independent self-learning and research capabilities for solving engineering problems.

3.    Recognize their professional responsibility with the society, environment, engineering ethics, and lifelong learning.

4.    Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate results from engineering problems or other intellectual products.

Transfer of Credit

A student may transfer a maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit in which a grade of "B" or better has been earned from approved institutions. Transfer credit is subject to the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator and the departmental chair. Transfer credits will count towards the nine credits allowed from outside the Department of Mechanical Engineering.