Program of Study - Mechanical Engineering (MSE)
The Mechanical Engineering Department offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Science in engineering degree. The program has a general Mechanical Engineering concentration and a Materials Engineering concentration, with a thesis option and a coursework only option in each. Coursework is offered in areas including mechanics and design, materials, and thermal/fluid sciences. Potential research opportunities exist in combustion, nanotechnology, MEMS and NEMS, smart structures, biomechanics, robotics, mechatronics, acoustics and vibrations, materials science, solid mechanics, laser material processing, experimental heat transfer and fluid mechanics, thermal and dynamic analysis of railroad bearings, and bearing condition monitoring.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in mechanical engineering, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a Bachelor’s degree in another field with courses and/or experience that prepare the applicant for graduate work in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science Engineering, depending upon the track the student opts to follow.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- Letter of intent detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Resume.
- GRE General Test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Applicants who do not satisfy the specific program criteria above will be considered for conditional admission. Those with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than mechanical engineering may be admitted subject to completion of a set of undergraduate leveling courses prescribed by the graduate program director. Students admitted conditionally must successfully complete all leveling courses, if any, and successfully complete their first six hours of graduate work with a grade of B or higher.
Leveling Courses
Students whose undergraduate major is not mechanical engineering are required to take some or all of the leveling courses from the list given below with approval of the Graduate Program Director.
Leveling courses are determined for each student by the Graduate Program Director based on his/her course background and experience in mechanical engineering. Students must also have the prerequisites required to take the leveling courses.
Mechanical Engineering General Track
Materials Track
Program Requirements
Choose one Concentration option
General Concentration:
Required Courses (12 Credits)
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis Option:
Designated Electives (6 hours must be in Mechanical Engineering) (6-12 Credits)
Free Electives (0-6 Credits)
Students can select up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework from any of the other departments within the College of Engineering and Computer Science but MUST have the written consent of the Graduate Program Director.
Capstone Requirement
Thesis (6 Credits)
Note: Students in this option MUST produce a written thesis in a relevant Mechanical Engineering topic of study and defend their thesis in front of their formed Thesis Committee.
Non-Thesis Option:
Designated Electives (18 hours must be in Mechanical Engineering) (18-24 Credits)
Chosen from the following:
Free Electives (0-6 Credits)
Students can select up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework from any of the other departments within the College of Engineering and Computer Science but MUST have the written consent of the Graduate Program Director.
Capstone Requirement
Oral Comprehensive Exam (administered as part of MECE 6190 Engineering Seminar Course)
Written Comprehensive Exam (students MUST successfully pass a written exam in each one of the four required (core) courses with a grade of >70%.
Materials Concentration:
Required Courses (12 Credits)
Choose one of the following options:
Thesis Option:
Designated Electives 18 hours must be in Mechanical Engineering 18-24 Credits
Chosen from the following:
Free Electives (0-6 Credits)
Students can select up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework from any of the other departments
within the College of Engineering and Computer Science but MUST have the written consent of the Graduate Program Director.
Capstone Requirement
Thesis (6 Credits)
Note: Students in this option MUST produce a written thesis in a relevant Mechanical Engineering topic of study and defend their thesis in front of their formed Thesis Committee.
Non-Thesis Option:
Designated Electives (18 hours must be in Mechanical Engineering) (18-24 Credits)
Chosen from the following:
Free Electives (0-6 Credits)
Students can select up to 6 credit hours of graduate coursework from any of the other departments within the College of Engineering and Computer Science but MUST have the written consent of the Graduate Program Director.
Capstone Requirement
Oral Comprehensive Exam (administered as part of MECE 6190 Engineering Seminar Course)
Written Comprehensive Exam (students MUST successfully pass a written exam in each one of the four required (core) courses with a grade of >70%.
Total Credit Hours: 30-36