Master's Program Research Track
Every year, the Mechanical Engineering department reserves the right to invite a small number of the best-qualified MS applicants to enter into the MS Thesis / Research Track.
This Track is intended for MS students who intend to pursue research as part of their degree. A student participating in this Track can take advantage of the following opportunities:
- Ability to enroll in at least one semester of MECE E4998 “MS Projects in Mechanical Engineering” to carry out research for credit under the supervision of a Mechanical Engineering faculty member.
- Contingent on satisfactory performance during the first semester of research, ability to enroll in a second semester of a research project, either under MECE E4998 “MS Projects in Mechanical Engineering” or under MECE E8020 “Masters Thesis”, under the supervision of a Mechanical Engineering faculty member. A student enrolling in MECE E8020 is expected to complete a thesis meeting the expectations set by their research advisor.
- Priority consideration for MS TA positions for courses offered in the Mechanical Engineering department. Please note that MS TA positions offer a stipend, but no tuition reduction or coverage. For additional details, please contact the ME Student Affairs office.
- A one-time reimbursement of up to $1,000 in expenses for either research equipment or attending a scientific conference. The reimbursement must be approved in advance by the research supervisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does participation in the Thesis / Research Track preclude choosing a Concentration?
No, participation in the Thesis / Research Track is independent of the MS Concentration chosen by the student. Therefore, a student participating in the Track can also choose a Concentration, if they wish, and must then meet the posted requirements of their chosen Concentration.
Will participation in the Thesis / Research Track appear on the official MS Transcript?
No. However, any courses taken on the Track (MECE E4998 “MS Projects in Mechanical Engineering” or MECE E8020 “Masters Thesis”) will appear on the transcript. If a student participating in the Thesis / Research Track also chooses a Concentration (see above) then the Concentration will appear on the transcript.
How many research credits can I sign up for?
As per the general MS program guidelines, a maximum of six total credits of research (MECE E4998, MECE E8020, or any other research course) may be counted towards the degree requirements. Please note that this is a ceiling and not a floor; it is also possible to take fewer than six research credits over the duration of the program.
Is the Thesis / Research Track the only way for MS students to participate in research?
No. Each year, all MS students have the opportunity to apply for research projects with our faculty, and many of them engage in such projects. However, for students not on the Thesis / Research Track, the availability of such projects is not guaranteed.
If I am participating in the Thesis / Research Track, how can I choose a research supervisor?
Our Graduate Committee and Student Affairs Office will work with you to find a faculty member in our department that you will work with for research. While we can not guarantee in advance that any one specific faculty member will be available in any given semester, every effort will be made to find a research position in a topic that is exciting and interesting to you.