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
Advisers: Profs. Vijay Modi and Arvind Narayanaswamy
The concentration in energy systems provides the M.S. 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 into the course sequence. This concentration is a suitable preparation for careers in energy production and energy consultation.
Requirements: While satisfying the general mechanical engineering requirements**,
take at least five courses from:
MECE E4210: Energy infrastructure planning
MECE E4211: Energy: sources and conversion
MECE E4302: Advanced thermodynamics
MECE E4304: Turbomachinery
MECE E4305: Mechanics and thermodynamics propulsion
MECE E4312: Solar thermal engineering
MECE E4314: Energy dynamics of green buildings
MECE E6100: Advanced mechanics of fluids
MECE E6104: Case studies in computational fluid dynamics
MECE E6313: Advanced heat transfer
APPH E4130: Physics of solar energy
EAEE E6126: Carbon sequestration
EAEE E6208: Combustion chemistry or processes
INTA W4200: Alternative energy resources
ARCH A4684: Sustainable design
SIPA U4727: Environmental politics and policy management
SIPA U6060: International energy systems and business structures
SUMA K4260: Dynamics of Energy Efficiency
EAEE E4190: Photovoltaic Systems Engineering
ELEN E4510: Solar Energy and Smart Grid Power Systems
**OTHER MECH ENG REQUIREMENTS:
All courses must be at the graduate level, i.e., numbered 4000 or higher, with at least two 6000-level courses included
At least one 6000 level courses in Mech Eng
Every program must contain at least one course in mathematics (APMA or MATH or STAT designators), 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.
Out-of-department study is encouraged, but at least five courses should be in Mechanical Engineering.
A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required for graduation.
One 3-point research course can be counted towards the concentration if the research is approved by advisor and is energy related.
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