The department offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Mechanics.

Master of Science

The master's program emphasizes the enhancement of professional knowledge and skills including research techniques. It is granted after completion of 24 credits beyond the BS degree.

The program is designed to meet each candidate's needs and interests and is selected under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Most students complete the master's degree in three semesters. A thesis is optional. Specific degree requirements may be obtained from the department office.

Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD is a research degree for exceptional students. It is granted after an extensive program of study involving advanced course work, qualifying and preliminary examinations, and original research presented in a PhD dissertation. The course work is based on the interests and needs of the candidate, in consultation with an advisor.

The qualifying examination is mostly written and is based on subject matter appropriate to the degree. This is followed by the preliminary examination, in which the student submits a report describing his or her proposed dissertation research and defends it in an oral examination. The dissertation research is carried out under the guidance of an adviser and is defended in an oral examination.

The Graduate School residence requirement for the doctoral degree is three years. Most students complete the program in five to six years beyond the BS degree. Specific degree requirements may be obtained from the department office.