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School-Wide Graduate Program

Master of Science in
Applied Science

The master of science in applied science (MSAS) is a school-wide interdisciplinary degree program administered by the Watson School's graduate studies committee. In the MSAS degree, a student with a baccalaureate degree in science, engineering, or technology may design an individualized course of graduate study under the direction of a guidance committee.

Requirements

Applicants for the MSAS program must possess a baccalaureate degree in a scientific, engineering, or technological discipline, and should supply a proposed plan of study along with the application, which explains the educational objectives, proposed courses, and educational project to be pursued.
The student must maintain at least a B average in the following plan of study:
1. Eight graduate courses, approved by a guidance committee, which constitute a coherent plan of study.
2. Either of the following options:
a. Thesis - oral presentation and defense of the thesis is required.
b. Nonthesis - with guidance committee approval, the thesis requirement may be replaced by an approved elective course and a four-credit project.

Specializations

There are three areas of specialization available:
Engineering Materials-The engineering materials specialization affords students with varied technical backgrounds the opportunity to design a materials-oriented program which draws on courses from the disciplines of mechanical, industrial, and electrical engineering, as well as chemistry and applied physics. The following conditions must be met by the proposed program:
1. At least seven courses are approved materials courses. (Such courses may come from the offerings of several departments, within or external to the Watson School, and approval will be graded by the student's evaluation committee.)
2. At least five courses must be obtained from courses in the Watson School. (Note: Conditions (1) and (2) are not mutually exclusive.)
3. No more than six courses may be obtained from a single department of the University. (This condition is imposed to enhance the interdisciplinary nature of the degree.)
Applied Science-Students may develop an interdisciplinary program which bridges between two or more of the traditional disciplines taught in the Watson School or, at times, with other departments on campus. Such a program is directed by a guidance committee appointed by the Watson School graduate studies committee.
Mechanical Engineering-The master of science in applied science (MSAS) with a mechanical engineering (ME) specialization is a degree option available to those students wishing academic preparation beyond the bachelor's degree, but whose interests are not in pursuing a research career. It is structured to consist of coursework such that those students available for full-time study may, depending on course selection, complete the requirements in three academic semesters. The student pursuing the MSAS-ME will typically choose, in addition to the depth provided by courses in his or her area of ME concentration courses outside of ME, e.g., in other areas of engineering, or management, to broaden his or her career preparation.

Coursework

The student should complete 10 advisor-approved courses and should adhere to the following criteria in the selection of the courses:
a. Four of the courses must be in the student's chosen area of concentration in mechanical engineering (mechanics and design, thermofluids, materials and manufacturing are the three areas of concentration within the Mechanical Engineering Department).
b. Two mechanical engineering courses are to be chosen outside the student's area of concentration.
c. Four technical electives.

The student must maintain at least an overall B average (GPA 3.0/4.0 or better) for his or her graduate coursework to be eligible for the MSAS degree.

Further Information

To learn more about admission and other program details contact: director of graduate studies, Mechanical Engineering Department.