The Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (ME-UMBC) offers programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mechanical Engineering.
The Ph.D. program focuses on performing fundamental research in Mechanical Engineering, culminating with a Ph.D. dissertation. The Ph.D. program aims to train engineering scientists who will devote their professional careers to the development of fundamental knowledge and technology from which applications will emerge. These engineering scientists will fill research positions in government and industrial laboratories as well as teaching and research positions in universities. Talented and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a research career are encouraged to pursue the Ph.D. degree directly after obtaining the B.S. degree.
The M.S. Program focuses on providing students advanced training in the fundamental sciences and technology of Mechanical Engineering to enable them to pursue careers in applied research and development. An M.S. degree will enable students to pursue careers in government and industrial laboratories, advanced technology firms, or to teach in community colleges. The M.S. program is also a useful springboard toward the Ph.D. program. The M.S. program has a thesis and a non-thesis option. All full-time students are encouraged to take the thesis option.
An accelerated BS/MS program is available to exceptional UMBC students. While still enrolled in their undergraduate program, BS/MS students must complete the Request for Approval for Undergraduates to Take Courses for Graduate Credit form for each graduate level course in which they wish to enroll. Once students are admitted to Graduate School and are enrolled, they must complete a Transfer of Credit form to transfer approved graduate credits taken as an undergraduate into the graduate program. Note that only the credits are transferred, not the grade received.
To meet our goal broadening the graduate degree offerings to meet the needs of industry and local professional engineers for updated skills, the Mechanical Engineering department also offers graduate certificate programs. These programs each consist of a sequence of four graduate courses in a highly focused technical area.
Financial Assistance
Substantial external funding, as well as University funded Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships, enable the Department to offer financial aid to outstanding students intent on pursuing the Ph.D. degree. Some financial aid is available for some exceptionally qualified M.S. students. Please review our opportunities for financial assistance.
For additional information on the UMBC Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program contact the Mechanical Engineering Department by emailing megrad@umbc.edu or review the Graduate Program Admission Process and Requirements.