Masters Program
Graduate Program
Master of Science Degree Program
The program leading to the Master of Science degree in mechanical
engineering requires completion of a minimum of 30 points of approved course
work consisting of no fewer than ten courses. A thesis based on either
experimental, computational, or analytical research is optional and may be
counted in lieu of up to 6 points of course work. In general, attainment of the
degree requires one academic year of full-time study, although it may also be undertaken
on a part-time basis over a correspondingly longer period. A minimum grade
point average of 2.5 is required for graduation.
The M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering requires a student to take a sequence
of courses that shows a “clearly discernible specialty or concentration.” In
consultation with his/her advisor, an M.S. student can develop a concentration
specifically tailored to his/her interests and objectives, and we refer to this
as the Standard Track. Alternatively, M.S. students can pick from
a set of pre-defined concentrations, or Special Tracks.
Typical choices of concentration in the Standard Track include such subjects as
mechanics of solids and fluids, thermodynamics, heat transfer, manufacturing
engineering, robotics, kinematics, dynamics and vibrations, controls, and power
generation. Nevertheless, the following guidelines must be adhered to:
1. The sequence of courses selected must show a clearly discernible specialty
or concentration.
2. All courses must be at the graduate level, i.e., numbered 4000 or higher, with some 6000-level courses included.
3. Every program must contain at least one course in mathematics (APMA or MATH designators) or their equivalent, covering material beyond what the student has taken previously. It should appear early in the sequence in order to serve as a basis for the technical course work.
4. Out-of-department study is
encouraged, but at least five courses should be in mechanical engineering.
Rather than apply for the Standard Track, students can apply for a Special
Track in either Energy Systems or in Micro/Nanoscale Engineering. The
requirements for a Special Track are identical to those of the Standard Track,
with the exception a special track student must take at least 15 of his/her
points from a list determined by a Special Track Advisor in consultation with a
Special Track Advisory Committee. The name of the special track will be listed
on a student’s transcript. The currently available Special Tracks are listed
below.
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with Concentration in Energy Systems
Advisors: Profs. Daniel Attinger and Vijay Modi
The concentration in energy systems provides the MS candidate with a global
understanding of current energy challenges. Advanced thermofluidic knowledge is
provided to design and optimize energy systems, with a strong emphasis on
renewable energies. Courses related to energy and environmental policy, two
strong areas of Columbia as a global university, can be integrated to the
course sequence. This concentration is a suitable preparation for careers in
energy production and energy consulting.
Requirements: While satisfying the general mechanical engineering requirements,
take at least five courses from:
MECE E6100 Advanced mechanics
of fluids
MECE E6104 Case studies in
computational fluid dynamics
MECE E4302 Advanced Thermodynamics
MECE E6313 Advanced heat
transfer
MECE E4211 Energy:
sources and conversion
MECE E4312 Solar thermal
engineering
MECE E4314 Energy dynamics of
green buildings
APPH E4130 Physics of solar
energy
EAEE E6126 Carbon
sequestration
INTA W4200 Alternative energy
resources
EAEE E6208 Combustion
chemistry and processes
ARCH A4684 Sustainable Design
SIPA U6060 International
Energy Systems and Business structures
SIPA U4727 Environmental
Politics and Policy Management
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with Concentration in Micro/Nanoscale
Engineering
Advisors: Profs. James Hone and Jeff Kysar
The concentration in Micro/Nanoscale Engineering provides the MS candidate with
an understanding of engineering challenges and opportunities in micro- and
nano-scale systems. The curriculum addresses fundamental issues of mechanics,
fluid mechanics, optics, heat transfer, and manufacturing at small size scales.
Application areas include MEMS, bio-MEMS, microfluidics, thermal systems, and
carbon nanostructures.
Requirements: While satisfying the general mechanical engineering requirements,
take at least five courses from:
MECE E4212 Microelectromechanical
systems
MECE E4213 bioMEMS
MECE E6700 Carbon nanotubes
MECE E6710 Nanofabrication
laboratory
MECE E8990 Small scale
Mechanical Behavior
MECE E6105 Transport
phenomena in the presence of interfaces
MECE E6720 Nano/Microscale
thermal transport processes
ELEN E4503 Sensors, actuators, and electromechanical systems
ELEN E6945 Device
nanofabrication
BMEN E4590 BioMEMS: Cellular
and Molecular Applications
MSAE E4090 Nanotechnology