M.S. Program
The graduate degree in mechanical engineering builds on a solid undergraduate background and is open to students with degrees in physics, applied mathematics, or any branch of engineering. Graduate students can expect to cover dynamic systems and controls, engineering design practice and methods, and the mechanics of materials to thermodynamics.
The option to pursue a research-oriented degree or enroll in a coursework-only option with no thesis is available. Both degrees have identical requirements and expectations to the master's programs. In general, M.S. Thesis students are required to complete 24 hours of coursework and six hours of master’s level research credits. For M.S. Non-Thesis, 33 hours of coursework (11 courses) are required.
Focus Areas
- Design and Manufacturing (DM)
- Dynamical Systems and Controls (DSC)
- Engineering Mechanics (EM)
- Thermal and Fluid Sciences (TFS)
-
Learning Objectives
Students in the M.S. program attain:
- Ability to apply fundamental knowledge of Mechanical Engineering
- Ability to effectively communicate research through oral presentation
- Ability to communicate research through scholarly publications
-
Degree Requirements
It is the student's responsibility to be aware of and complete all ME Department and Graduate School requirements for the M.S. degree, as listed in the Graduate Handbook. Students graduating should refer to the deadlines listed on the Graduate School website.
Master's Degree, Thesis option
Students enrolled in the M.S. thesis option must prepare and defend an M.S. thesis. The purposes of the M.S. thesis are to demonstrate the capability of the student to:
- Formulate engineering problems within a research project.
- Utilize engineering knowledge relevant to a meaningful resolution of a specific issue.
- Effectively plan and carry out the work leading to the completion of the project.
- Report (orally and in writing) the project's results in a concise, precise professional style.
Mechanical Engineering degree-seeking master’s students are required to satisfy the following graduation requirements:
- 24 credit hours of coursework ( 8 courses total), 6 credit hours of research
- At least 4 out of 8 courses taken must be offered by the ME department
- At least 4 out of 8 courses must be offered at the 8000-level
- At least three ME core courses must be taken to meet the departmental core requirements. The core courses are listed below:
- ME 8010 Foundations of Fluid Mechanics
- ME 8100 Macroscopic Thermodynamics
- ME 8310 Convective Heat Transfer
- ME 8180 Intro to Finite Element Analysis
- ME 8220 Applied Optimal Control
- ME 8200 Modern Control Engineering
- ME 8210 Advanced Control Engineering
- ME 8350 Continuum Mechanics
- ME 8370 Theory of Elasticity
- ME 8460 Intermediate Dynamics
- ME 8610 Materials Selection in Engineering Design
- ME 8700 Advanced Design Methodologies
- ME 8710 Engineering Optimization
Master's Degree, Non-Thesis option
Mechanical Engineering students enrolled in the M.S. non-thesis program are not required to pass a final examination or defend their thesis (GS-7). These students are required to complete 33 hours of coursework to meet the requirements for graduation candidacy. A non-thesis advisory committee typically comprises the departmental leadership team, with the graduate programs coordinator as the chair.
Similar to M.S. thesis students, all Mechanical Engineering degree-seeking master’s non-thesis students are required to satisfy the following degree requirements:
- 24 credit hours of coursework ( 8 courses total), 6 credit hours of research
- At least 4 out of 8 courses taken must be offered by the ME department
- At least 4 out of 8 courses must be offered at the 8000-level
- At least three ME core courses must be taken to meet the departmental core requirements.
-
Applying to the M.S. Program
The GRE is not required but is highly recommended. Competitive GRE scores help strengthen the application for admission and funding purposes. Unofficial transcripts can be accepted during the application process.
How to Apply
Students interested in applying to the ME master's program must be accepted to the Clemson University Graduate School. Application information and forms can be found on the Graduate School website. International students are welcome to apply and must meet Graduate School requirements for TOEFL and GRE scores.
Additional information concerning deadlines, application requirements, and program contacts can be found on the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Admissions page. Enrollment in the M.S. programs is open to all students with degrees in physics, applied mathematics, or any branch of engineering.
Apply | Graduate School
