MIE Graduate Programs

The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department (MIE) offers M.S. degree programs in Mechanical Engineering and in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Ph.D degree programs are offered in both Mechanical Engineering and in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Brief outlines of the degree programs follow. Full details of the degree requirements and procedures for completing degrees are included in the Graduate School Bulletin and the department Graduate Student Information booklet, copies of which are provided to each entering student.

M.S. Degree Programs
Incoming students may choose one of two options for earning their Master's of Science in Mechanical Engineering: (1) The Thesis option or the (2) Coursework option. Students must declare which option they are pursuing when applying to UMass. Students are not generally permitted to switch from one option to the other; they may only switch options with the permission of the MIE Graduate Program Director.

Thesis option
The thesis or project can be oriented toward research, design or development allowing students and their advisors to design programs which are responsive to the objectives of the students and consistent with the goals of research programs and sponsors. The program of coursework typically includes seven or eight courses selected from the student's major area and from core disciplines in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering.

Coursework only option
The coursework only option is a degree based entirely on coursework and independent study credits. This tends to be a broader degree because the students typically take courses from all areas of the department, as well as some from outside the department. The student must complete at least thirty graduate credits. Coursework only MS students are not normally considered for Assistantships, but may receive funding if they graduate and continue for a Ph.D.

Fast Track Acceptance
UMass ME undergraduates who would like to continue their ME studies in our Coursework Only MS degree may qualify for a simplified admissions process. The details are explained here.

The 5 year BS/MS plan
Students may complete the requirements for both a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering in 5 years. The details, requirements, and an FAQ are explained here.

Wind Energy Graduate Certificate
The Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department offers a Wind Energy Graduate Certificate program in the U.S. This 15 credit, 5 course certificate program allows students to obtain in-depth knowledge of all aspects of wind energy. The Certification can be obtained concurrently with any ME Graduate degree. Application to the Certificate program occurs after acceptance into one of the MIE Graduate degree programs.

Ph.D. Degree Programs
The principle requirement of the Ph.D programs is the submission, approval, and successful oral defense of the doctoral dissertation. Students are guided in the preparation of their dissertation by their research advisors and by committees which review and approve oral and written presentations of a prospectus and which administer a preliminary qualifying examination. The student's committee also recommends and approves a program of coursework relevant to the student's major area and to a minor area or core areas as appropriate to the student's background.

Our department has five major areas of graduate research. Applicants who plan to pursue research-oriented graduate degrees should choose the area that best fits their interests.

Industrial Engineering and Operations Research is the study of logistics, queuing, supply chain management and human performance in engineering applications.
Thermofluids and Energy: This topic includes fluid dynamics, energy conservation, renewable energy generation, and rheology.
Materials and Manufacturing is the study of advanced material synthesis, testing, and properties along with micro- and nano-scale engineering.
Mech. Design and Bioengineering: This topic covers design processes, knowledge management and hierarchies, and application of engineering to assistive technologies, prosthetics, and evolutionary biology.
Controls and System Dynamics is the study of complex dynamics, often for modeling biological systems, automatic controls theory, and system identification.

For application information please visit the Graduate Admissions Office.

For further information contact:
Dorothy Adams
Academic Advisor