Masters Program
Graduate Program
Master of Science Degree Program
The program leading to the Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering requires completion of a minimum of 30 points of approved course work consisting of no fewer than ten courses. A thesis based on either experimental, computational, or analytical research is optional and may be counted in lieu of up to 6 points of course work. In general, attainment of the degree requires one academic year of full-time study, although it may also be undertaken on a part-time basis over a correspondingly longer period. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required for graduation.
The M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering requires a student to take a sequence of courses that shows a “clearly discernible specialty or concentration.” In consultation with his/her advisor, an M.S. student can develop a concentration specifically tailored to his/her interests and objectives, and we refer to this as the Standard Track. Alternatively, M.S. students can pick from a set of pre-defined concentrations, or Special Tracks.
Typical choices of concentration in the Standard Track include such subjects as mechanics of solids and fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, manufacturing engineering, robotics, kinematics, dynamics and vibrations, controls, and power generation. Nevertheless, the following guidelines must be adhered to:
1. The sequence of courses selected must show a clearly discernible specialty or concentration.
2. All courses must be at the graduate level, i.e., numbered 4000 or higher, with some 6000-level courses included.
3. Every program must contain at least one course in mathematics (APMA or MATH designators) or their equivalent, covering material beyond what the student has taken previously. It should appear early in the sequence in order to serve as a basis for the technical course work.
4. Out-of-department study is encouraged, but at least five courses should be in mechanical engineering.
Rather than apply for the Standard Track, students can apply for a Special Track in either Energy Systems or in Micro/Nanoscale Engineering. The requirements for a Special Track are identical to those of the Standard Track, with the exception a special track student must take at least 15 of his/her points from a list determined by a Special Track Advisor in consultation with a Special Track Advisory Committee. The name of the special track will be listed on a student’s transcript. The currently available Special Tracks are listed below.
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with Concentration in Energy Systems
Advisors: Profs. Daniel Attinger and Vijay Modi
The concentration in energy systems provides the MS candidate with a global understanding of current energy challenges. Advanced thermofluidic knowledge is provided to design and optimize energy systems, with a strong emphasis on renewable energies. Courses related to energy and environmental policy, two strong areas of Columbia as a global university, can be integrated to the course sequence. This concentration is a suitable preparation for careers in energy production and energy consulting.
Requirements: While satisfying the general mechanical engineering requirements, take at least five courses from:
MECE E6100 Advanced mechanics of fluids
MECE E6104 Case studies in computational fluid dynamics
MECE E6313 Advanced heat transfer
MECE E4211 Energy: sources and conversion
MECE E4312 Solar thermal engineering
MECE E4314 Energy dynamics of green buildings
APPH E4130 Physics of solar energy
EAEE E6126 Carbon sequestration
INTA W4200 Alternative energy resources
EAEE E6208 Combustion chemistry and processes
ARCH A4684 Sustainable Design
SIPA U6060 International Energy Systems and Business structures
SIPA U4727 Environmental Politics and Policy Management
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with Concentration in Micro/Nanoscale Engineering
Advisors: Profs. James Hone and Jeff Kysar
The concentration in Micro/Nanoscale Engineering provides the MS candidate with an understanding of engineering challenges and opportunities in micro- and nano-scale systems. The curriculum addresses fundamental issues of mechanics, fluid mechanics, optics, heat transfer, and manufacturing at small size scales. Application areas include MEMS, bio-MEMS, microfluidics, thermal systems, and carbon nanostructures.
Requirements: While satisfying the general mechanical engineering requirements, take at least five courses from:
MECE E4212 Microelectromechanical systems
MECE E4213 bioMEMS
MECE E6700 Carbon nanotubes
MECE E6710 Nanofabrication laboratory
MECE E8990 Nanoscale mechanics
MECE E6105 Transport phenomena in the presence of interfaces
ELEN E4503 Sensors, actuators, and electromechanical systems
ELEN E6945 Device nanofabrication
BMEN E4590 BioMEMS: Cellular and Molecular Applications
MSAE E4090 Nanotechnology