Graduate programs

The MME Department offers three graduate degrees: Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME), Master of Science in Materials Science (MSMSE), and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Each program is designed to help students achieve career goals, meeting industry, or research interests.

 

Master’s students who plan to work or who are currently working in industry have the ability to earn a master's degree by completing coursework and foregoing research, while students seeking research opportunities or advancement to a PhD program have the option to perform research with a variety of faculty members, and complete either a thesis or project. PhD students are required to conduct research and complete a dissertation.

Focus areas, research possibilities, faculty and lab information can be found here: Graduate Focus Areas.

Admission requirements

Mechanical Engineering M.S.

Materials Science and Engineering M.S.

Mechanical Engineering Ph.D.

Semiconductor Materials & Manufacturing

Admission requirements

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

Applicants who have received a Bachelor of Science degree, and who meet University graduate admission requirements, will be considered for admission as outlined below:

Regular admission:

  • Applicants who have a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or in a closely related engineering field
  • Applicants who have a Bachelor of Science in a related field such as materials science, physics, chemistry, or biology who have also completed the following undergraduate courses (or equivalents) based on focus area:
    • Design & Manufacturing: ME 313 Analysis of Mechanical Components, ME 314 Analysis and Design of Machine Elements, and ME 351 Vibrations and System Dynamics
    • Thermal & Fluid Science: ME 320/L Fluid Mechanics, ME 321 Engineering Thermodynamics I, and ME 323 Heat Transfer

Conditional admission:

  • Applicants who have received a Bachelor of Science degree in a related field such as materials science, physics, or chemistry, but have not completed the recommended pre-admission courses listed above.

Applicants will need to provide three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume or curriculum vitae.


Note: The MME Department does not provide conditional admission for English language proficiency deficiencies.

 

Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering (MSMSE)

Applicants who have received a Bachelor of Science degree, and who meet University graduate admission requirements, will be considered for admission as outlined below:

 

Regular admission

  • Applicants who have a Bachelor of Science in Material Science & Engineering or in a closely related engineering field
  • Applicants who have a Bachelor of Science in a related field such as mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, or biology who have also completed the following undergraduate course (or equivalent):
    • ME 213/L Properties of Materials

Conditional admission:

  • Applicants who have received a Bachelor of Science degree in a related field such as mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, or biology, but have not completed the recommended pre-admission courses listed above.

Applicants will need to provide three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a resume or curriculum vitae.


Note: The MME Department does not provide conditional admission for English language proficiency deficiencies.

Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

A Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, is required for students applying to the mechanical engineering PhD program. Applicants will need to provide three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a resume or curriculum vitae, and current GRE scores. GRE scores are not required if the master's degree was completed at PSU. Additional admission requirements and details are published on the MME department web site at https://www.pdx.edu/mechanical-materials-engineering/.

We require that qualified PhD applicants be assigned a faculty advisor who is in the applicant’s related area of research interest in order to be admissible.

Note: The MME Department does not provide conditional admission for English language proficiency deficiencies.