Master of Science Degrees

Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering — Thesis Option

A student pursuing the MS degree (thesis option) is required to complete 30 semester hours of graduate credit.  Starting Fall 2013, new course requirements will include 9 credit hours in thesis research (MAE 695) and 21 hours of letter-grade courses, up to 9 hours of which can be chosen from approved non-MAE courses.  Three credit hours of the student’s non-major coursework (i.e. math, physics, ChE, CE, etc.) may be at the 400 level. All other courses taken should be included in the Plan of Work, which should be filed by the end of the first semester.

An option of a minor is available wherein the student takes 9 credit hours in non-departmental support courses. If a minor option is not chosen, 30 credit hours are still required and thus 9 credit hours of MAE or approved non-departmental courses must be taken at the recommendation of the student’s advisor.

MS thesis students are required to have a Plan of Work on file and a thesis committee composed of an advisor and two other members. A final oral examination (thesis defense) is required.

All students at NCSU are required to maintain continuous registration until completion of their degree program. A procedure for formally requesting a leave of absence is available.

Master’s students who hold an assistantship or fellowship are required to register for 9 credit hours for 3 semesters and then for at least 3 credit hours per semester until all requirements of their graduate program have been completed.

 

Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering — Non-Thesis Option

This degree is designed to allow a student to obtain an MS degree in 2 years but, in some cases, can be completed in as few as 18 months. It is intended for students pursuing careers in industry or perhaps those who have already begun their careers. Many non-thesis students work full-time and attend college part-time. These students provide for their own expenses.

The MSME (non-thesis) student will select one of two areas in which to focus: (1) Mechanical Sciences or (2) Thermal Sciences. The MSAE (non-thesis) student will select a program of study after meeting with an AE advisor. The curriculum for each will adhere to the following format:

  • 6 MAE courses (18 credit hours)
  • Up to 3 approved non-MAE electives (9 credit hours)
  • MAE 586 Project Work (3 credit hours)
  • 30 credit hours total

This program is an Option B program as defined by the Graduate School, operates with a single advisor, and requires neither an official final oral examination nor an officially designated minor. The program requires a Plan of Work on file and includes 30 semester hours. Course listings will be offered for the major areas of concentration. A faculty advisor, either selected by the student in consultation with a faculty member or appointed by the department, will guide the student through the program. In general, the MAE 586 faculty member will serve as the student’s advisor. The Graduate Office, and possibly the Director of Graduate Programs, should be consulted if a student is having difficulty identifying an advisor near the end of their third semester. An MS Plan of Work should be filed through MyPack Portal by the end of the first semester.

All students at NCSU are required to maintain continuous registration until completion of their degree program. A procedure for formally requesting a leave of absence is available.

Teaching assistantships are not generally available for non-thesis master’s students.