Introduction
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is making a final decision (by
September 22, 2008) to continue offering the 5 year combined BS/MS program.
If approved by the faculty, the details are described below:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers
a 5 year combined BS/MS program. This
program for Berkeley ME Undergraduates allows them to broaden their education
experiences at
Berkeley. It is distinguished from the existing Berkeley Mechanical Engineering
M.S. program, by a cornerstone interdisciplinary study and/or professional
disciplines such as business, law, or public policy as well as the option for
course oriented study.
Admission Process
You will need to complete and submit the on line application located at
the Graduate Division web site:
http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admis
The deadline to apply is:
October 1, 2008
for Fall 2009 admission
Your Draft Course of Study Plan, official transcript(s) and 1 letter of
recommendation all must be submitted in a single package to the Student
Services Office, 6189 Etcheverry Hall no later than October 1, 2008.
A sub-set of applicants will be selected for a faculty interview and
only a sub-set of those interviewed will be admitted by the Department.
Admission to this program is highly competitive.
- Sustained outstanding
performance in ME and related courses at UCB (cumulative 3.5 GPA
preferred).
- A well-written and
compelling personal essay illustrating the student's rationale for
entering such a program, and his or her ability to communicate it well
in written form.
- If selected, a faculty
interview affording an opportunity to assess the student's technical
background, life experiences, and ability to communicate orally.
- One letter of
recommendation, from faculty or industrial supervisor, who knows the
applicant well and has seen evidence that he or she can benefit
significantly from a program of this kind.
- A non-binding
"draft" course of study plan, indicating that the applicant
has carefully considered areas of technical depth and skills breadth he
or she wishes to pursue if admitted to the program.
Application Deadlines and Documents
Deadline:
Students apply to the Department during the fall semester of their senior
year and are recommended for admission to the 5-year program based on the
criteria above. Junior college transfers should apply in the senior year
after completing 2 semesters at
Berkeley.
The Department will render its decision in sufficient time so students can
plan their spring senior year programs to take advantage of the flexibility
gained by the program. The application deadline is:
· October 1: Complete and submit
on-line application for admission at Graduate Division http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admis
Timeframe:
- Mid-October:
Applicant interviews will take place
- Mid
November: Notification of Admission
decisions
-
Application Documents:
Required forms and supporting documents for the ME Department application
are to be submitted in a single envelope to the ME department. Applications
with incomplete documents will be automatically rejected.
1. Draft
Course of Study Plan
2. Official transcript(s) – one official transcript from
each school attended
3. 1 Letter of Recommendation
NOTE: For
Berkeley students admitted to the 5-year
program, the normal departmental requirement of the GRE is waived when
applying for the Masters program.
Students selected for the program are required to meet all of the normal
requirements for applying for an M.S. degree during their senior year, with
the understanding that as long as they maintain good performance in their
courses, their admission recommendation to the Graduate Division is pro
forma.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this program different from the existing M.S. program?
The combined Bachelors/Masters program encourages an interdisciplinary
focus, with concentrations in ME and allied fields like the sciences, other
engineering, or business, law, or public policy. The program is structured to
develop future leaders in industry, exhibiting interdisciplinary technical
skills as well as a broader understanding of the business, legal, and social
context of technology development and use.
What is the application process and what are the requirements?
You will
apply to the program in the Fall of your Senior year on-line at the Graduate
Division web site http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/admis. This on-line application as well as the supporting
documents to your application listed below must be submitted by the October
1, 2008 deadline.
1. Draft Course of Study Plan
2. Official transcript(s)
3. 1 Letter of Recommendation
All supporting documents must be
delivered to 6189 Etcheverry in a single envelope.
I don't quite meet the GPA requirement
of 3.5. Will exceptional applicants be considered with a cumulative GPA of
less than 3.5?
Chances of admission are not good with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.5.
However, demonstrated leadership and interdisciplinary (technical or
otherwise) skills could augment a slightly lower cumulative GPA.
I don't have any research experience. How important is this for my
application?
Undergraduate research is definitely a plus, but is not required for the
application.
When are participants admitted?
Typically, students will apply and be recommended for admission by the
Department in the first semester of their senior year. Students in the final
semester of undergrad are not eligible to apply.
I'd like to take some time off between completing my bachelor's degree
and starting the master's degree. Is this possible?
No. This program will not accommodate leaves of absence. Admitted students
are expected to transition immediately from the undergrad program to the grad
program in order to complete the entire program in five consecutive years.
You are encouraged to apply to the regular graduate program.
I recently graduated from ME with my B.A./B.S.. Can I apply for this
program?
No applications will be accepted from students not currently enrolled in
our undergraduate degree program. These students are encouraged to apply to
the regular graduate program.
Can 5th Year Students Receive Assistantship Support?
In principle, the answer is yes, but in practice the answer is very likely
to be no. Completing the requirements for the M.S. degree in two semesters
will be very challenging and time consuming (unless the student can transfer
units from the final semester of his or her undergraduate study that were not
counted toward his or her Bachelor degree requirement), and the student will
not have time to commit to teaching. However, if a faculty member wishes to
support a 5th year student to complete his or her M.S. program within two
semesters, then that is the decision of the individual professor.
How Do I Find a Research Advisor?
Because of the requirement to complete the Masters portion of the program
in only one year, it is essential that the student have identified a research
advisor among the faculty during the Spring semester of their senior year (if
not sooner!). Several faculty will actively seek students from this program.
In general, students may pursue independent projects, or join a project team,
but they are required to submit an independently written masters report that
makes clear their own independent contribution to the research.
If I choose the option for course oriented study, is there additional
requirement to graduate?
Students who choose the option for course oriented study will need to pass
an oral comprehensive exam before a M.S. degree can be granted.
Is this program well suited for someone who eventually wants a Ph.D.?
This program is not intended for students who want a Ph.D. It is intended
as a terminal M.S. degree.
I am considering applying to the Five Year Bachelor/Master Program,
but I may also apply for a Ph.D. program at other schools and Berkeley as
well. If I am accepted into the Five Year Program, how will that affect my
potential Ph.D. application?
Acceptance to the ME Five Year Bachelor/Master Program, will neither
positively nor negatively affect your application to
Berkeley's M.S./Ph.D. or Ph.D. program.
However, applying for admission to
Berkeley's
M.S./Ph.D. or Ph.D. program, automatically forfeits your admission to the
Five Year Bachelor/Master Program. NOTE: Once admitted to the 5th year
program, students may change his or her degree goal from M.S. to Ph.D by
applying to the department during or after their MS studies with all required
materials, including statement of purpose, 3 recommendation letters, GRE and
official transcript. However, if the student is truly interested in a PhD, he
or she should apply to the PhD program directly through the existing
processes.
Am I allowed to apply into this program and, if not admitted, apply
into the regular M.S./Ph.D. program later?
Yes.
I am studying abroad as an exchange student and won't be able to
attend the face-to-fact interview process if selected
We will arrange phone interview in this case.
My scheduled graduation date is in Fall semester and not the regular
Spring semester, when should I apply for the ME Five Year Bachelor/Master
Program?
The ME department does not admit new students in Spring semester.
Therefore, you need to apply in the Fall semester one year before your
graduation. If admitted, you can petition to defer your enrollment as a MS
student for one semester so there is no gap between your Bachelor/Master
studies.
What is the MS degree requirement and this will help me to design my
draft of course plan?
The department has two types of degree requirements:
Master of Science (PLAN I) Thesis
Minimum number of units: 20 semester units. Must be either 200 or 100 upper
division series. (One third of total units may be taken
satisfactory/unsatisfactory.)
Minimum number of mechanical engineering units: 8 semester units must be in
200 series and can include 4 Semester units or ME 299.
Minimum number of specialty area (e.g. bioengineering, controls, fluids,
etc.) units: 8 semester units must be in major field area
Master of Science (PLAN II) Project/Presentation
Minimum number of units: 24 semester units. Must be either 200 or 100 upper
division series. (One third of total units may be taken
satisfactory/unsatisfactory)
Minimum number of mechanical engineering units: 12 semester units must be in
200 series and can include 4 Semester units or ME 299.
Minimum number of specialty area (e.g. bioengineering, controls, fluids,
etc.) units: 12 Semester units (200 or 100 upper division series)
Mater of Science (PLAN II) Course
Oriented/Comprehensive Exam
Minimum number of units: 24
semester units. Must be either 200 or
100 upper division series. (One third
of total units may be taken S/U)
Minimum number of Mechanical Engineering Units: 12 semester units (must be 200 series)
letter graded.
Backdating Graduate Standing: You can backdate your Graduate Standing and use courses taken in your
last undergraduate semester, not used towards your BS degree.
Oral Comprehensive Examination: You must arrange for your Comprehensive Examination Oral Exam at the
time you Advance to Candidacy for the MS Degree. You will Advance to Candidacy for the MS
degree in your second semester following admission. Indicate the examination date at the top
righthand corner of the Advancement to Candidacy application.
Your Examination Committee consists of 2 professors. One member must be from the Department of
Mechanical Engineering, the other may be from outside the Department. However, both must be members of the
Berkeley Academic Senate.
The Oral Comprehensive Exam must be scheduled at least 45 days before
the end of your second semester. The
exam will be scheduled for ½ hour periods. Contact our Student Services Office to reserve a conference room for
the examination.
At the conclusion of your examination the faculty will sign your
Application of Completion. Should you fail
the examination, you are eligible to reschedule a second examination within 2
weeks of your first examination. This
second examination must be conducted with your original examination committee
members.
I am interested in course-oriented study. How should I fill in names of
research Professors in the application form?
Please fill in with "course-oriented study"; you don't need to
write down any names of Professors.
If you have any other questions, please contact Pat Giddings at
giddings@me.berkeley.edu or stop by the graduate study office, located at
6189 Etcheverry Hall. |
