Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Martin Morris, Department Chair
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers opportunities for graduate study providing for advanced professional competency and leading to the degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. The main goal of the graduate program in mechanical engineering is to strengthen the ability of the student to solve complex technological problems in a creative way. To achieve this, the program of study is designed to broaden the student’s knowledge, to provide for in-depth study in an area of concentration, and to complement theoretical study with relevant and significant research and/or design. The student will ordinarily concentrate in either the mechanical systems design area or in the area of energy systems/thermosciences.
To qualify for unconditional admission, applicants should have the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Transcripts of all prior work at the college level and two letters of recommendation should accompany the application. Students with undergraduate degrees in related fields of science and engineering or those who do not meet the minimum grade point requirement can be admitted conditionally at the discretion of the department. Requirements for removal of conditional status will be specified in the letter of admission. For students whose primary language is not English, a TOEFL score of at least 550 is required for unconditional admission.
Students with undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering from institutions other than Bradley University may be required to take undergraduate coursework if their transcripts do not show a satisfactory level of preparation in certain areas.
New students who are planning to take their coursework at an off-campus site must submit copies of their transcripts for evaluation purposes with their first application for off-campus registration. To ensure that appropriate academic advising takes place, all continuing students, including those off-campus, will have their registration capability encumbered each semester until they have met with their advisor or appropriate faculty representative from the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The student must file an approved plan of study with the graduate program coordinator that describes the courses to be taken and any proposed research. It must be filed prior to registering for more than nine semester hours that will be applied toward satisfying degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the graduate program coordinator and by the student’s advisor.
Master’s Degree Curriculum Requirements
In order to graduate, students must complete 30 graduate credit hours with at least 24 graduate credit hours of coursework and a minimum of 3 graduate credit hours of research by taking ME 681, ME 682, or ME 699 Thesis. Students can appeal the research requirement to the graduate coordinator by documenting prior experience.
For all students, the total graduate credit hours must include one graduate mathematics course that must be approved by the student’s advisor. Courses in statistics, numerical methods, and engineering analysis are applicable to this requirement.
Each student must choose to focus on one specialty area out of the following: Mechanical Systems Design and Thermal Sciences.
Mechanical Systems Design students must take the following core courses:
- Systems (Vibration ME 540, Systems ME 544, or Advanced Controls)
- Dynamics (ME 502)
- Advanced Design of Machine Elements (ME 557)
- One fundamental graduate course in Thermal Sciences chosen from:
ME 501, ME 515, ME 521.
Thermal Science students must take the following core courses:
- Thermodynamics (ME 501)
- Heat Transfer (ME 515)
- Fluids (ME 521)
- One fundamental graduate course in Mechanical Systems Design chosen from:
ME 540, ME 544, Advanced Control, ME 502, ME 557.
The student’s advisor must approve the Program of Study, including any subsequent changes. All students are required to pass a Master’s Comprehensive Exam (MCE) in their respective area of concentration according to the policies described below.
Students should work with their advisor and the graduate program coordinator to create a course plan by the end of the first semester. The plan lists the courses required for completion of MSME. Courses not on the approved plan may not be counted towards the MSME degree. Changes in the plan should be discussed with the ME graduate program coordinator prior to registering.
Comprehensive assessment: Thesis or Research presentation and demonstrations
This is the official catalog for the 2022-2023 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.