MSE-Mechanical Engineering

INTRODUCTION

The graduate program in Mechanical Engineering is designed to provide advanced studies for the graduate engineer who wishes to continue preparation for effective participation in the mechanical engineering profession. The program also provides continuing education in advanced subjects for the working engineer who acknowledges the need to stay abreast of the rapidly changing technological world. Emphasis is placed on the development of the engineer’s capacity for independent study and continued professional growth.

DEGREE OFFERED

The program offers a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited program or its equivalent with a QPA of 2.5 or better.

2. Applicants without the appropriate Mechanical Engineering degree may be admitted and required to take additional course work as determined by the program director.

3. Applicants must submit the following:

   • Completed application

   • Transcripts for all prior college coursework

   • Three recommendation letters

   • TOEFL/other scores if English is not a first language.

CURRICULUM

The student will be assigned an initial academic advisor. The advisor and the student will select appropriate courses to satisfy the programs degree objectives and will obtain approval for the curriculum through the academic approval sequence. Within the first two academic semesters, students must take the following two courses:

• GME 565 Computer Assisted Engineering

• GENG 603 Engineering Analysis 1

NOTE: A student may replace GENG 603 Engineering Analysis 1 with another approved GME or GENG course by passing an exam conducted during the first week of class. The exam time will be announced at the first GENG 603 class.

After the student has completed 12 credits of study, the student will be assessed relative to their preparedness to begin thesis or project work. The candidate must maintain a 3.0 GPA to continue in the program. The candidate must then choose one of the three project/thesis plans below for completion of their degree; an advisor will be assigned to guide the candidate for the completion of the degree work.

The advisor (thesis or project) will recommend a program of study and advise the student regarding the thesis/project subject, act as the academic advisor, and determine when to recommend the student for final examination, at which time this recommendation will be transmitted for approval through the academic approval sequence.

Plan A (Thesis)

The student will be required to submit a six-credit thesis as part of the 30 credits of graduate course work and pass a final oral examination on the thesis material and related subjects. The thesis work must be approved by the academic approval sequence prior to the commencement of the research work. The thesis advisor will direct the student’s work and determine when to recommend the manuscript for review by a faculty committee. The review committee will be appointed by the usual academic approval sequence and will consist of three full-time Gannon Mechanical Engineering faculty members familiar with the subject material. In some cases, one committee member may be from outside the Mechanical Engineering Department. The advisor will be the chair of the review committee.

Plan B (Project)

The student will be required to complete a design project and to pass a final oral examination covering the student’s project and related subject areas. The project will be worth three graduate credits as part of the 30 credits of graduate work. The project must be approved by the usual academic approval sequence prior to the commencement of the project work. The project advisor will direct the student’s work and determine when to recommend the manuscript for review by a faculty committee. The review committee will be appointed by the usual academic approval sequence and will consist of three fulltime Gannon Mechanical Engineering faculty members familiar with the subject material. In some cases, one committee member may be from outside of the Mechanical Engineering Department. The advisor will be the chair of the review committee.

Plan C (Project Course)

The student will be required to complete a three-credit course designated as a project course as part of the 30 credits of graduate work. The project course will be approved by the usual academic approval sequence prior to the commencement of the course and must include a significant project for its completion. The course instructor will inform the student of the complete requirements for the project course and be responsible for seeing that they satisfy these requirements.

Professional Track (Work-Study Program)

The objective of the professional track is to present an academic program combined with application training on actual industrial problems to give students a targeted education, complemented by hands-on, real-world development exposure. Students are selected for this track based on academic background, leadership skills, and communications skills. The student is assigned a Gannon professor as a mentor while working at the industrial site. The mentor advises the student on his academic work and guides the student on industrial engineering projects. The projects are carefully chosen to reinforce classroom work and to develop students into outstanding engineers. In addition to the mentorship in technical areas, the professor also mentors the student in leadership skills, work and personal ethics, and communication skills that are needed in the industrial workplace. The student is also assigned an engineering mentor from the industrial sponsor. This track requires that the student work on these projects half-time during the school year and full-time during the summer. The number of students in this track is dependent on the availability of industrial sponsorship.

Five-Year Accelerated B.S./M.S.

The Five-Year Bachelor of Science/Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering is designed to allow outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate and a graduate degree within five years. Admission into the accelerated Five-Year B.S./M.S. program will be based on several factors, including past academic performance, and considerations of overall aptitude and maturity. Students in the second semester of their junior year (or one semester before reaching senior standing) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA are eligible to apply for this program. Students accepted into this program should plan to complete specific first-year graduate courses during the senior year, and in the following summer term, with completion of all degree requirements in the following academic year. Students admitted to the Five-Year B.S./M.S. program may apply up to 6 graduate credits towards completion of the B.S. degree.

Five-year Accelerated B.S. in Industrial and Robotics Engineering (IRE)/ M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (ME)

The five-year IRE Bachelor of Science/ME Master of Science degree is designed to allow outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate and a graduate degree. The programs may be completed in five years of full-time study (includes one summer). Students in the first semester of their sophomore year with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA can apply for this program. The students accepted into this program should plan to complete specific propaedeutic courses in Mechanical Engineering (12 credits) during their undergraduate period. 6 credits can be counted as Technical Electives for IRE. A set of Liberal Studies courses are required during the summer after their junior year. A set of first year graduate courses will be taken during the senior year. No more than 7 graduate credits are allowed prior to the completion of the B.S. degree.

Five-year Accelerated B.S. in Biomedical Engineering (BME)/ M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (ME)

The five-year BME Bachelor of Science/ME Master of Science degree is designed to allow outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate and a graduate degree. The programs may be completed in five years of full time study (includes one summer). Students in the first semester of their junior year with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA can apply for this program. The students accepted into this program should plan to complete specific propaedeutic courses in Mechanical Engineering during their second semester of junior year and a set of Liberal Studies courses during the summer after their junior year. A set of first year graduate courses will be taken during the senior year. No more than 7 graduate credits are allowed prior to the completion of the B.S. degree.

CO-OP Track

The objective of the CO-OP track is to present an academic program combined with application training on actual industrial problems in engineering environments. This is to give students a targeted education on real-world problems. Students may join this program after completing sufficient coursework to be successful in an industrial environment and receiving approved industrial sponsorship. International students participating in a CO-OP are required to contact the Office of Global Support and Student Engagement to apply for Curricular Practical Training before engaging in any CO-OP activity.