Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering program at Oregon State University offers Master of Science (MSME) degrees in a variety of specialty areas, including thermal–fluid sciences, dynamics, controls, design, mechanics, and materials engineering. MSME studies at OSU can be tailored to meet both broad and highly specialized interests, can involve applied or fundamental research, and can prepare students for employment in an industrial environment or for higher levels of academic study. In addition to formal course work, individual projects and/or research may constitute a significant part of an MSME candidate’s graduate program.

University-wide requirements for earning a Master's degree at Oregon State are detailed on the Graduate School Web site and in the Graduate Student Information section of the OSU Catalog. Procedures specific to the MSME graduate program are described below.

1. Program of Study. Before the end of their second term, MSME students must file an official program of study with the OSU Graduate School. This document must be approved by the student's major professor, the MIME school head, and the dean of the Graduate School. In addition to meeting the requirements listed below, the various components of the proposed plan of study must form a coherent program. All entering MSME students are assigned an advisor who assists them in designing their program of study.



2. Undergraduate Background. MSME candidates are expected to have completed formal undergraduate course work in each of the following areas:



• technical communications
• engineering mechanics
• electrical fundamentals
• thermodynamics
• metallurgy and materials
• fluid mechanics
• heat transfer
• mechanical laboratory
• design engineering

MSME candidates who have not taken undergraduate courses in these areas through an accredited U.S. Mechanical Engineering program may be required to complete undergraduate coursework here at OSU in addition to their graduate-level coursework.

3. Minimum Number of Credits. MSME degree candidates must complete a minimum of 45 hours of graduate credit. For an MSME thesis, these include 12 credits of Thesis (ME 503) and a minimum of 30 credits of coursework. For an MSME project, these include 6 credits of Projects (ME 506) and a minimum of 39 credits of coursework. Effective Fall 2005, at least 50% of the coursework in all programs of graduate study must comprise stand-alone graduate courses (500 level or above). The remaining credits may include the 500 component of 400/500-level courses.


4. Core Course Requirements. Students should follow the core curriculum from one of the specializations listed below.

DESIGN Three courses from: ME 511 CAD/CAM III ME 512 Kinematic Design of Linkages ME 515 Risk and Reliability in Design ME 516 Complex System Design ME 517 Optimization in Design ME 518 Concurrent Design IE 536 Lean Systems Engineering

MECHANICS 18 total credits from: ME 520 Applied Stress Analysis ME 522 Mechanical Vibrations ME 523 Advanced Stress Analysis ME 524 Finite Element Modeling Of Mechanical Engineering Systems ME 529 Selected Topics In Mechanics ME 533 Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis ME 535,536 Advanced Dynamics ME 553 Structure and Mechanics Laboratory ME 560 Intermediate Fluid Mechanics ME 584 Fracture of Materials BioE 550 Biomechanics CE 532 Finite Element Analysis CE 533 Structural Stability CE 534 Structural Dynamics CE 535 Introduction To Random Vibrations CE 585 Matrix Structural Analysis

DYNAMICS AND CONTROL Four courses from: ME 531 Linear Control Systems I ME 532 Linear Control Systems II ME 533 Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis ME 534 Nonlinear Control Systems ME 535 Advanced Dynamics ME 537 Learning-Based Control ME 538 Autonomous Agents and Multiagent Systems ME 575 Numerical Methods For Engineering Analysis

THERMAL FLUID SCIENCES Required Courses: ME 560 Intermediate Fluid Mechanics ME 546 Convection Heat Transfer ME 575 Numerical Methods For Engineering Analysis ME 552 Instrumentation EITHER ME 565 Incompressible Fluid Mechanics OR ME 566 Viscous Flow EITHER ME 547 Conduction OR ME 548 Radiation PLUS ME 508 TFS Seminar

MATERIALS Required Courses: ME 581 Thermodynamics Of Solids ME 582 Rate Processes In Materials ME 584 Fracture Of Materials ME 520 Applied Stress Analysis ME 553 Structure and Mechanics Laboratory



5. MSME Degree Options. When formulating their program of study, MSME students must select one of three degree options: thesis, project, or independent study.

• With the thesis option, students may apply up to 12 hours of ME 503 (Thesis) toward their MSME credit requirement.  Students may pursue this option only after reaching mutual agreement with a faculty member on a suitable thesis topic.



• With the project option, students may include up to 6 credits of ME 506 (Projects). As with the thesis option, mutual agreement must be reached with a faculty member who will direct the work.



• Students who choose the independent study option must complete 9 months of engineering practice beyond their BS degree, and get approval from the ME graduate program committee when submitting their program of study form. Three credits of ME 502 (Independent Study) must also be included in the program, and a written report must be submitted to the directing faculty member by the end of the program of study.  Note: Students who choose the Independent Study option are not eligible for a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) appointment.
7. Final Oral Examination. A final oral examination is required of every MSME candidate. The examining committee consists of at least four faculty members: the student’s major professor, another ME faculty member, a faculty representative from a field not directly connected with the candidate's studies, and a non-ME OSU faculty member who serves as the Graduate Council representative.

Additional information may be found in the MS Degree Checklist.