Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

M.S. Mechanical Engineering Degree Options:
  • M.S. - Thesis: 24 hours of coursework + 2 semesters of Thesis
  • M.S. - Report: 30 hours of coursework + 1 semester of Report
  • M.S. - Coursework: 36 hours of coursework

Students generally follow the thesis option, which requires thirty semester hours of credit, including six hours in the thesis course. Students who are appointed as teaching assistants or research assistants are expected to choose the thesis option. The report option requires thirty-three semester hours, including three hours in the report course. The option without thesis or report requires thirty-six hours of course work. For all three options, at least eighteen hours (including the thesis or report, if any) should be in the major area; and at least six hours should be in a supporting area. The supporting courses may be in mechanical engineering but must represent a specialty distinct from the major courses. Some areas of study have required core courses.

100% Online Executive M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

This 30 credit-hour, non-thesis program is geared toward engineering professionals and administered through UT Austin Texas Engineering Executive Education (TxEEE). For more information or to apply, please see the TxEEE website.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering

  • PhD without an M.S. degree: 24 hours of graduate coursework in the area of specialization
  • PhD with an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related field): at least 12 hours of graduate coursework in the area of specialization
  • PhD with an M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin: no additional graduate coursework

These are minimum requirements – committees, advisors, or areas may require additional courses. The courses are recommended by the dissertation committee so they can be taken as part of the Program of Work. Students must pass qualifying examinations before forming their committee for dissertation proposal and defense.

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Operations Research and Industrial Engineering

Operations research is a mathematical science concerned with optimal decision making and the modeling of deterministic and probabilistic systems. Its focus and field of application are interdisciplinary, embracing a broad range of quantitative techniques. Industrial engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of personnel, material and equipment. Together, operations research and industrial engineering provide a rational approach to engineering and managerial problem solving through deliberate application of scientific methods.

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