2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Mechanical Engineering, MS
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 Return to: Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science
The Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department offers graduate programs in the broad field of mechanical engineering. The program leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree provides the balance of advanced theory and practical knowledge necessary for either practice within the profession or for advancement to a doctoral program.
While there are no officially designated tracks or concentrations, students are required to complete the degree requirements listed below and will choose one of the following areas of emphasis (AOE), based on their interests.
Areas of Emphasis (AOE)
- Design and Manufacturing - computer-aided design, optimal design, design with reliability, additive manufacturing, micro-and nano-fabrication
- Solid Mechanics and Mechanical Design - mechanics of materials and structures, computational mechanics, biomechanics, waves and vibration, computer-aided design, design optimization, design with reliability, design for additive manufacturing
- Transport Phenomena and Energy - heat and mass transfer in biological/environmental/industrial applications, microfluidics/nanofluidics, complex fluids, interfacial phenomena/wetting, additive manufacturing, energy generation, energy storage, energy efficient space heating and cooling, smart electronics and data center cooling, small-scale power harvesting
- Materials - materials characterization, microstructure/property relationships, thin films, computational materials, interfacial phenomena, functional materials, materials processing
- Dynamics and Mechatronics - electromechanical system dynamics, microstructural vibrations, rigid-body dynamics, MEMS/NEMS, novel acoustic measurement techniques, mechatronics, robotics, microscale vibrations and acoustics, nonlinear dynamics, sensors and actuators, control systems
The MS in Materials Science and Engineering is described under Materials Science and Engineering, MS in the Graduate School section of the Academic Guide.
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Program Requirements
Each student in the MS program must select and obtain the consent of a full-time ME faculty member to serve as his or her advisor.
To complete the MS in Mechanical Engineering, students must maintain at least a B average in all graduate coursework.
Residency Requirements
- All MS students must complete 24 letter-graded (A-F) credits.
- 4+1 BS/MS students must complete a minimum of 18 credits after completion of the BS degree.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
All rules of the Graduate School apply regarding probation and academic jeopardy, except probation may not last more than two semesters.
MS with Project Option
Students pursuing the MS project option should decide their area of emphasis (AOE) and vet their course selection periodically with the director of graduate studies, who serves as their de facto advisor.
Students pursuing the Project Option must complete a minimum of 10 graduate courses. Nine of the 10 courses must be ME courses, as follows:
Core Curriculum (3 courses)
Advanced Mathematics Course (1 course)
Complete one course from the following list:
Computational Course (1 course)
Complete one course from the following list:
Mechanics Course (1 course)
Complete one course from the following list:
Area of Emphasis Courses (4 courses)
Complete four ME courses selected from one area of emphasis (AOE).
Technical Electives (2 courses)
Complete two technical elective courses. One of these courses may be taken outside of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Project or Industrial Internship (1 course)
Complete either the ME Project (ME 598) or Industrial Internship (ME 594).
Details for this requirement should be discussed with the Graduate Director or Faculty Advisor.
Notes:
- One additional independent study (ME 597) or internship course (ME 594) may be applied to the technical elective requirements.
- Note that independent study (ME 597) and internship (ME 594) courses are generally graded as S/U and cannot be used to meet residency requirements.
MS with Thesis Option
Students pursuing the Thesis Option must complete a minimum of 8 graduate courses and 6 credits of thesis (ME 599). Seven of the 8 courses must be mechanical engineering courses, as follows:
Core Curriculum (3 courses)
Advanced Mathematics Course (1 course)
Complete one course from the following list:
Computational Course (1 course)
Complete one course from the following list:
Mechanics Course (1 course)
Complete one course from the following list:
Area of Emphasis Courses (3 courses)
Complete three ME courses selected from one area of emphasis (AOE).
Technical Electives (2 courses)
Complete two advisor-approved technical elective courses. One of these courses may be taken outside of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Important Information: Thesis Defense and Research Publication
- Three committee members are required for the MS defense, including the advisor, and must be assigned at least one month before the defense.
- The written thesis and oral defense must be approved by the student’s research committee before they are eligible for the degree.
- Publication of the student’s research in an archival journal is expected.
Research Committee
Students pursuing the MS thesis option should work with their advisor to form a research committee to supervise their work. The research committee is composed of the advisor as chair and two other appropriate members, at least one of whom must be a full-time ME faculty member. An up-to-date biographical sketch must be provided to the director of graduate studies for any proposed committee member who is not a full-time ME faculty member.
Timing
- Full-time students should complete the process of advisor selection, study plan creation, and research committee formation by the end of the second semester of full-time study.
- Part-time students should complete the process of advisor selection, study plan creation, and research committee formation before they have completed three graduate courses.
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Return to: Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science
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