Graduate Programs

To be accepted into the Mechanical Engineering Graduate program, you must satisfy the admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the Mechanical Engineering department. Specific requirements for the Mechanical Engineering department include:

1. A baccalaureate degree in Mechanical Engineering or in a closely related field
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 computed for all undergraduates or a 3.0 GPA computed for the last 60 undergraduate credits
3. A minimum GRE combined (verbal + quantitative) score of 304 with a minimum GRE quantitative score of 153

The minimum requirements for the Graduate College may be found in the Graduate Admissions Requirements in the graduate catalog. Admission is competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Apply for the Masters Program now

Application for admission to the MBE Graduate Program for U.S. citizens is through the Graduate College. Applicants must complete the materials in this checklist:

Admissions Checklist

Apply for the Masters Program now

Submit application and admission materials well in advance to ensure that your application is complete by the deadlines listed here:

• January 15 (fall priority), April 15 (fall final)
• August 15 (spring priority), October 15 (spring final)

Once the applicant’s file is complete, it will be evaluated by the MBE Graduate Committee and an admission recommendation (regular, provisional, or denial) will be forwarded to the Dean of the Graduate College. In order to ensure proper mentoring of all graduate students, a recommendation for regular or provisional admission will not be forwarded unless a faculty member of the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering is available to serve as the major advisor. The graduate dean will make the final admission decision and notify the applicant and the MBE Graduate Committee. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing and evaluation.

Masters with thesis option

Students pursuing the Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering must complete at least 30 graduate credits distributed as shown in the degree requirements table. The Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics Core requirement constitutes the foundation for the masters program. Students are expected to complete this requirement in the first two semesters of study.  A written thesis proposal and  presentation to the supervisory committee is required prior to admission to candidacy. Work on the thesis can only be undertaken after approval of the thesis proposal by the supervisory committee. The thesis must constitute an original contribution to knowledge in mechanical engineering and must be successfully defended at a final oral examination. All work directly related to the thesis must be represented by at least 6 credits of ME 593.

Degree Requirements Table

* The graduate committee has recently approved MATH 527 as the preferred class to meet the Mathematics core requirement.

Masters without thesis option

Students pursuing the Masters of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering must complete at least 31 graduate credits distributed as shown in the degree requirements table. The Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics Core requirement constitutes the foundation for the masters program. Students are expected to complete this requirement in the first two semesters of study.  A maximum of 3 credits of ME 596 Independent Study may be applied to meet the degree requirements. The comprehensive examination cannot be attempted prior to the last semester of the program. If the comprehensive examination is failed on the first attempt, then the student will be permitted a second attempt. Failure on the second attempt will result in dismissal from the program.

Degree Requirements Table

* The graduate committee has recently approved MATH 527 as the preferred class to meet the Mathematics core requirement.

The MBE Graduate Program has compiled a resource to help you navigate the requirements of a Masters degree.

Graduate-Student-Handbook (PDF)

Graduate Coordinator

Trevor Lujan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor/Graduate Program Coordinator
Charles P. Ruch Engineering Building, Room 235
trevorlujan@boisestate.edu
(208) 426-2857

Program Support

Ashley Holden
Administrative Assistant
Charles P. Ruch Engineering Building, Room 201
ashleyholden@boisestate.edu
(208) 426-4095

This accelerated program gives outstanding bachelor’s degree students in Mechanical Engineering a “fast-track” option to pursue their master’s degree (Master of Science, M.S. or Master of Engineering, M.Engr.).

Students accepted into the accelerated program will register for up to three graduate courses (i.e., 500 level) during the last two semesters of their bachelor’s degree program, all of which will apply towards master’s degree requirements. In addition, two of these graduate courses will count towards the three ME technical elective requirement to obtain a bachelor’s degree; one undergraduate technical elective will still be needed to satisfy the three ME technical elective requirement. Students have to meet all requirements for both the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. A clear benefit of this program is that two graduate courses (6 credits) will count towards both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This gives students the flexibility to receive their master’s degree with one more year of study beyond their bachelor’s degree.

Students who wish to enroll in this program should submit an application the second semester of their junior year (there is no requirement on the number of years an applicant has been enrolled in undergraduate studies). Applicants are not required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test.

Students in the program must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Completion of at least 75 undergraduate credits applicable to the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program at the time of application.
2. Overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
3. Completion of ME 302, ME 330, ME 350, ME 320, ME 380, and ME 352 with a GPA computed for these 6 courses of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale at the end of semester during which the application is made. Students may submit their application while taking ME320, ME380 and ME352.

Meeting these eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the accelerated master’s degree programs and the Dean of the Graduate College will make the final decision on whether an undergraduate student is accepted into this program. When students in the accelerated program complete their undergraduate degree requirements, they will receive their bachelor’s degree and will then be classified as graduate students to continue their studies in the master’s program. At which time they are eligible to receive financial support with a Graduate Assistantship. To be considered for these competitive Graduate Assistantship positions, students should apply in the senior year of their bachelor’s degree. Students are subject to all academic performance requirements of the Graduate College, including semester GPA, program GPA, and individual course grade requirements. These requirements include maintaining a 3.0 GPA in the graduate level courses taken during their bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate students at other colleges and universities are not eligible to participate in this program.

Undergraduate mechanical engineering students interested in pursuing an accelerated master’s degree will apply during the 2nd semester of their junior year in order to start the 1st semester of their senior year. Interested students need to submit the following application materials:

1. Application Form: Verify eligibility and graduate courses to be taken during senior year (not to exceed nine credits).
2. Statement of Purpose: Articulate career goals and academic preparation, 1-2 pages (if MS applicant, must include discussion of possible thesis topics and name of prospective thesis advisor).
3. Two Letters of Recommendation (if MS applicant, one letter must be from prospective thesis advisor).
4. Copy of Unofficial transcript

Apply for the Accelerated Masters Program

Please submit applications via the online form by the deadline stated on the application, during the semester when the required classes will be completed. At the end of the semester, after final grades have been posted in ME 320, ME 380, and ME 352, the graduate committee will evaluate applications. Applicants will then be notified by Friday of the second week in June (for Spring applications) or by the end of the holiday break (for December applicants) whether or not they are being recommended for the accelerated program.

Once notified of acceptance into the program, students must immediately take the following steps:

1. Submit a graduate application and application fee to Graduate Admission and Degree Services (GADS).
2. Consult with either the graduate program coordinator or your prospective graduate advisor (if already identified) to choose the graduate courses you wish to take.
3. Complete the “Permit for Seniors to Take Graduate Courses” form (available at the registrar’s web site) for each graduate course you are taking. Be sure to choose Option III on that form and designate either “MS in Mechanical Engineering” or “MEng in Mechanical Engineering” for your program.
4. Obtain the instructor’s signature on the form and return it to the MBE office for processing. We’ll take it from there.
5. The Registrar’s Office will handle the enrollment for you. Do not try to enroll in these graduate courses yourself.

NOTES

• Please be aware that you will be charged graduate tuition and fees for those graduate classes in which you enroll.
• ME 350 and other courses may have approved equivalent courses
• By university policy, only the graduate dean can actually admit students to graduate programs. Official acceptance will come from the graduate college and be conditional on completion of the BS degree.
• Download Permit for Seniors to Take Graduate Courses (PDF)

Apply for the Accelerated Masters Program

“I chose to do the Accelerated Masters program, because I knew that I wanted to pursue a graduate degree, and that I had unfulfilled electives my Sr. year that could be filled with the graduate courses. Having heard that this would enable me to obtain my Masters degree within about a year after my undergraduate degree was very attractive. I could look at it with the mindset of elevating my bachelors degree to a masters degree with only about another year of commitment.”

“The biggest draw was the ability to complete my master’s 1 year after graduating with my bachelors, additionally, I was involved in research and because of that, it was a smooth transition into graduate school. Being able to ‘try out’ graduate school before committing to it is another advantage I saw.”

“I chose to do the Accelerated Masters program because it gave me the ability to advance my career aspirations while saving me a year of school. Another factor in choosing to do the Accelerated Masters was that I would not have to take the GRE.”