Graduate Study


Degree Programs

The Mechanical Engineering Department offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.).

The degree of Master of Science is awarded for studies carried out either under Plan I or Plan II. Plan I consists of a minimum requirement of 20 units of course work completed while in graduate study plus a thesis approved by a committee of three faculty members. Of these 20 units, a minimum of eight must be completed in graduate courses in the major field, and a maximum of 12 are completed in other graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in a program of study approved by the major field advisor. Plan II carries a minimum requirement of 24 units. Of these a minimum of 12 must be completed in graduate courses in the major field, and a maximum of 12 may be completed in other graduate or advanced undergraduate courses approved by the major field advisor. An independent research project is normally pursued which requires a final written report and an oral presentation. Four units for individual study and research may be credited towards the total requirement of 24 units. The Master of Science degree can be completed in one to one and one-half years.

The degree of Master of Engineering is awarded for a program of study containing a minimum of 40 units consisting of upper division graduate and professional courses. The program shall include at least:

Four to eight units are credited for individual study or research culminating with a written report and oral presentation. A maximum of 16 units previously credited towards the Master of Science degree at the University of California may be accredited towards one of the program categories listed above.

The requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) include successfully passing the preliminary examination as well as completing a sequence of

Students must pass an oral qualifying examination covering the major and minor fields.

After passing this examination the student becomes a candidate for the doctoral degree. The writing of the doctoral dissertation remains for completion of the Ph.D. program. The normal time required to complete the Ph.D. for students entering with a B.S. degree is four to five years. The requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.) are similar to those of Ph.D. except that the independent research program is focused towards engineering design.

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Examinations

The objective of the preliminary examination is to provide both the student and the department with an early assessment of the likelihood that the student can successfully complete the doctoral program. All students entering the doctoral programs are required to pass three examinations selected from the following areas:

Preliminary examinations are written each semester during the week before classes begin. A schedule of the day and time assigned for each area is available from the department's graduate office. The subject matter of the area examinations is at the Berkeley undergraduate level. Previous examination questions are available to all students. The examination must be taken following two semesters of registration for those entering with bachelor's degrees. Students entering with a master's degree will take the examination at the beginning of the second semester of registration. Some flexibility is allowed for students who do not have undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering or closely related areas. Also for students who have worked for an extended time in industry before returning to graduate studies, these students may petition the Preliminary Examination Committee to take the examination at a later time.

The qualifying examination is an oral examination given on behalf of the Graduate Council to ensure that the student has sufficient command of his major and minor fields to conduct successful doctoral research. This examination is normally taken by doctoral students in the second or third year of residency.

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Major and Minor Fields

The areas of concentration which normally constitute Ph.D. major and minor fields in the Department of Mechanical Engineering include:

Students, together with their graduate advisors, plan their individual programs of study in the major and minor fields leading to the qualifying examination. Courses completed while in graduate standing at other universities may be included in the program upon approval of the graduate advisor. All doctoral students are assumed to have a preparation in engineering mathematics equivalent to the course E230A, Engineering Analysis.
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Advising

Each graduate student is assigned a graduate advisor according to his/her field of specialization. The graduate advisor counsels the student in planning an academic program, approves courses of study, ensures that the academic program prepares the student for the qualifying examination in the major and minor fields, and recommends the qualifying examination committee to the Graduate Division of the University. The research advisor, chosen by mutual agreement between the student and that faculty member, guides the research or independent study. The foreign student advisor at International House counsels foreign students on matters of visas and special problems of financial assistance.

Confirmation of Class Schedule (pdf form)
Confirmation of Class Schedule (Word document)

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Financial Support

Graduate students may be supported, while following a program of study in the department, by means of Fellowships, Graduate Student Instructorships, Research Assistantships or a combination of these awards. University Fellowships are awarded based on a campuswide competition. To be eligible for such support the applicant must have a very strong undergraduate record and outstanding Graduate Record Examination scores and letters of recommendation. Instructor and research assistant positions are open to a larger group of applicants and are awarded on a similar basis by the department.

Fellowships and graduate scholarships are administered through the Graduate Division of the University. Requests for information concerning these scholarships should be addressed to the Committee on Fellowships and Graduate Scholarships. Recipients of fellowships normally have all University fees and tuition paid and are free to follow a full program of study.

The Graduate Student Instructors assist the faculty in teaching courses in several ways including: preparing solutions to assigned problems, supervising the grading of homework by readers, holding office hours for individual or group discussions with the students, and assisting in laboratory experiments. They are paid for the academic year in ten monthly payments and are free for other employment during the summer period, including support as a Graduate Student Research Assistant.

A Graduate Student Research Assistant is supported by an individual faculty member for research on an externally funded project. The research undertaken is an integral part of the degree program and support may be received up to a half time basis during the academic year and full time during the summer.

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Latest update: September 16, 2002
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