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Mechanical Engineering M.S.M.E.

Total Semester Credit Hours = 30-36

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.

To be admitted to the MSME program a student must meet the following admission requirements.

  1. Satisfactory score on the General Test (verbal and quantitative) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  2. Satisfactory grade point average on the student’s last four semesters of academic study and last 60 semester credit hours of upper division undergraduate or graduate courses.
  3. A bachelor’s degree in a Mechanical Engineering program accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission. Students who have not earned such a degree will be required to complete prerequisite (leveling) coursework before starting the MSME program as determined by the MSME Graduate Coordinator.
  4. A demonstrated proficiency in the use of the English language, both spoken and written.
  5. Approval of the MSME Graduate Coordinator and the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Consideration for admission to the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering program will also be given to one or more of the following: the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study, socioeconomic background, first generation college graduate, multilingual proficiency, geographic region of residence, and level of responsibility in other matters including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, and family responsibilities.

Graduation Requirements

There are four options to earning the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME):

  1. Thesis option. This degree option is intended primarily for students who wish to conduct research and expand mechanical engineering knowledge. A thesis is required. (This is the only degree option for which graduate assistantships are available.)
  2. Non-thesis option. This degree option is intended primarily for the professional working engineer who wants advanced technical courses but would benefit more from completing an advanced engineering design project than a research thesis.
  3. Professional development option. This degree option is intended primarily for students who want to take only advanced technical courses. A comprehensive exam is required.
  4. Five-year BSME/MSME (4+1) Option: Undergraduate students in mechanical engineering at UT Tyler can chose this option to get a master’s degree in one additional year after completing the BSME graduation requirements.

Regardless of the option selected, a student must complete a graduate course in advanced mathematics (MATH 5311) or equivalent approved by the Graduate Coordinator. At least eighteen hours (including the thesis or report) must be in the major area; at least six hours must be in a supporting area (CENG, EENG, MANA) and can include courses outside the department, college or university. The supporting courses may be in mechanical engineering but must represent a specialty distinct from the major courses. At least two-thirds of the credit hours applied to the degree must be taught by a department in the College of Engineering.

To graduate, students must earn at least a 3.0 grade point average on all coursework used for the graduate degree.  They must also complete a core curriculum consisting of MENG 5306, MENG 5343 or MENG 5338 or MENG 5341, and MENG 5344. Elective courses approved by the department chair may be substituted for the required courses.

The program options and additional degree requirements are as follows:

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 the research option must successfully pass 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, including at least three hours in a project course that culminates in an engineering report on a significant design or analysis project performed by the student. In addition to completing all required coursework and the advanced engineering design project, students electing the non-thesis option will also be required to pass a final oral examination that is administered by the student’s graduate academic committee.

Professional Development Option (36 SCH): Students must successfully complete at least 36 semester credit hours of graduate coursework, and a comprehensive exam administered by the student’s graduate academic committee. For the required 36 graduate semester credit hours, at least 30 hours must be in Mechanical Engineering. Up to 6 hours of Non-Mechanical Engineering course work approved by the Graduate Coordinator are permitted for the degree option.

Five-year BSME/MSME (4+1) Option: Undergraduate students in mechanical engineering at UT Tyler can chose this option to get a master’s degree in one additional year.  Students may chose thesis or project under this option and they are required to take 6 credits of graduate-level courses in their senior year.  Students interested in this option must obtain department approval to enroll in this program.  Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 will be provisionally admitted to this program in the fall semester of their senior year, and will receive full admission to the graduate program under this option after they complete all BSME graduation requirements.  Students must obtain an average “B” grade in all the graduate-level courses taken during their senior year. 

Five-year BSME/MSME (4+1) Option: BSME Curriculum has a listing of the graduate-level courses required under this option.  Five-year BSME/MSME (4+1) Option: MSME Curriculum has a listing of the graduate courses required under this option.

Program Outcomes

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering students at the time of graduation are expected to:

  1. Apply fundamental knowledge of specialized mechanical engineering concepts in the following areas: system dynamics, solid mechanics and thermos-fluids.
  2. Apply modern engineering tools for analysis and design of engineering problems.
  3. Demonstrate independent self-learning and research capabilities for solving engineering problems.
  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 student's advisor and departmental chair.