Program Description
The Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering is primarily intended for students with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering or a closely related discipline obtained from a recognized accredited institution. The program offers Mechanical Systems, Thermofluids and Accelerated BS to MS tracks.
This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CECS-Mechanical-Engineering-MSME-June2020.pdf.
Program Tracks
- Mechanical Engineering MSME, Accelerated BS to MSME Track
- Mechanical Engineering MSME, Guidance Control and Dynamics Track
- Mechanical Engineering MSME, Mechanical Systems Track
- Mechanical Engineering MSME, Thermofluids Track
Curriculum
The Mechanical Engineering program offers both thesis and nonthesis options in the Accelerated BS to MS, Mechanical Systems, and Thermofluids tracks. Each track requires 30 credit hours of courses, of which 24 credit hours must be formal course work, exclusive of thesis and research.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
Students may choose from the following MSME tracks: Accelerated BS to MS, Mechanical Systems, and Thermofluids. Each track offers both thesis and nonthesis options with the thesis option requiring 24 credit hours of formal courses, and six credit hours of thesis. The nonthesis option requires 30 credit hours of courses.
All students must identify an adviser and file an official degree program of study prior to the completion of 9 credit hours of study. Students should consult with the MAE Graduate Program Director for assistance in filling out their program of study. The program of study must be met with departmental approval.
A student with an undergraduate degree outside of the selected departmental discipline may be required to satisfy an articulation program. Substitutions to the program of study must meet with the approval of the adviser and the department. More information is available from the MAE departmental website listed above.
For the Accelerated track, the Mechanical Engineering BS is awarded after completion of 120 university credit hours and 71 hours of engineering courses and all other university requirements, and the Mechanical Engineering MS is awarded upon completion of the master’s program. Courses designated in General Education Program and Common Program Prerequisites are usually completed in the first 60 hours (see engineering major requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog).
Thesis
The thesis option requires 30 credit hours, at least half of which must be at the 6000 level and will include 6 credit hours of thesis credit. A student pursuing the thesis program may not register for thesis credit hours until an advisory committee has been appointed and the committee has reviewed the program of study and the proposed thesis topic.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science requires that all thesis defense announcements be approved by the student’s adviser and posted on the college’s website (www.cecs.ucf.edu) and on the Events Calendar at the College of Graduate Studies website at least two weeks before the defense date.
At least 24 credit hours of the program of study must be course work, exclusive of thesis and research.
Nonthesis
The nonthesis option is primarily designed to meet the needs of part-time students and requires 30 credit hours of course work, at least one-half of which must be at the 6000 level. In addition, students pursuing the nonthesis option are required to take EML 6085 Research Methods in MMAE or EML 6918 Directed Research as part of their 30-credit-hour course requirement. At least 24 credit hours of these programs of study must be course work, exclusive of research and thesis credit hours.
Equipment Fee
Students in the Mechanical Engineering MSME program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $45 per semester.
MAE Department Graduate Seminar Requirement
The MAE Graduate seminar is a zero (0) credit hour (S/U) course that is offered each Fall and Spring academic semesters. All MAE graduate students who are pursuing the MSME are required to register, participate, and receive a satisfactory (S) grade for two (2) semesters of MAE Graduate seminar prior to graduation.
Independent Learning
The Independent Learning Requirement is met by successful completion of a master’s thesis for the thesis option. The nonthesis option independent learning experience is provided by the required course, EML 6085 - Research Methods in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (3 credit hours). For students who are not on campus and upon prior approval from the graduate coordinator, EML 6918 Directed Research (3 credit hours) may be substituted as the student’s independent learning experience. In the case substitution EML 6918 is approved, a letter must be provided by the member of the faculty supervising the directed research certifying independent learning.
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
Applicants must choose a track in this program. Track(s) may have different requirements.
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
