Graduate Student Handbook

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Updated 08/12/2026

Introduction

This handbook is published as a guide for graduate students who are seeking a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) or a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering–Industrial & Systems Engineering Option.

The purpose of the handbook is to inform graduate students about the ME department's regulations, requirements, and procedures for the MSME degree. The handbook is intended as a supplement to the University Graduate School catalog; however, you should review the University Graduate Catalog for general rules and regulations governing the University's graduate programs.

Advising & Registration

All new students will meet with the Graduate Program Director (GPD) before starting the first semester to get an orientation on the program and department, and register for classes. The GPD is the student's academic advisor until the student chooses a thesis or project advisor. At that time, the thesis or project advisor will become the student's academic advisor. If the student selects the coursework-only option, the GPD will remain as the student's advisor until graduation.

All students are required to meet their advisor a minimum of once per semester. Typically, a student meets the advisor mid-semester after receiving a request from the University to register. The advisor monitors the student's progress towards the completion of course requirements and advises the student on course registration for the next semester.

A tracking sheet is retained in the student's folder and is used to certify the student for graduation. Students are encouraged to seek additional meetings with their advisor as needed.

Course Load Guidelines

Course load requirements are clearly spelled out in the university graduate catalog. A course load of nine credits per semester is considered full-time in a graduate program. Students awarded full-time graduate assistantships may take no fewer than 6 credits and no more than 9 credits (including research and thesis or dissertation) per semester, unless approval is obtained in writing from the GPD. Twenty (20) hours per week of assistantship and three (3) courses are considered a normal load. A course load of at least 7 credits is required for 3/4 time status and of at least 4 1/2 credits for half-time status. A student who has completed their course requirements but has not completed the thesis or project may be given an in-progress grade “IP,” and may continue the thesis/project.

Recommendation: Students who work full-time should take only one course per semester.

Degree Requirements & Academic Progress

Each full-time candidate for the MSME Degree must obtain a minimum of 30 graduate credits (all tracks: Thesis, Project, or Coursework-only), maintaining a GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00 with no more than two course grades below B- before the degree is awarded.

Only courses with a C or better grade will be accepted toward fulfilling the degree requirements. Students receiving three or more grades below B- are normally dismissed from the program.

Required Core Course (3 credits)

Students in all tracks must complete one of the following two courses:

Elective Graduate Courses (18–27 credits)

The number of elective credits, which must be from approved graduate (500-level or above) courses, depends on the track:

No more than six of these credits may be in graduate courses offered outside the Mechanical Engineering Department. Only graduate courses from approved departments (COE departments and the Math department) are accepted, or by the approval of the MNE Graduate Program Director. The graduate electives may be selected by the approval of the thesis/project advisor.

Seminar Requirement

All new Mechanical Engineering MS students in the Thesis and Project tracks are required to enroll into MNE 500 – Mechanical Engineering Seminar and attend the seminars for two semesters (1 academic year). MNE 500 carries 0 credits.

No student can miss more than one seminar per semester. If the student misses a semester of seminar, they have to make it up before they graduate.

Part-time, working students who are unable to attend the seminar series are required to make two separate presentations at the seminar series — one explaining their work and one on their research topic.

Note: MNE 500 – Mechanical Engineering Seminar is NOT required for students in the Coursework-only track.

Additional Requirements — Thesis or Project Tracks

Journal Paper (Thesis Track)

Because students completing the Thesis Track are required to complete original research that "advances the state of the literature", students in the Thesis Track are expected to prepare a journal paper manuscript to the satisfaction of their thesis advisor prior to graduation. It is not required that the manuscript be accepted for publication prior to graduation; but the student should continue to work with the advisor to complete the peer-review process.

Continuous Enrollment: A student must remain continuously enrolled in the program or receive approval for a leave of absence in order to maintain their status as a degree candidate. Failure to do this may result in dismissal from the program.

Committee Composition

The members of student’s thesis or project committee will be selected by the faculty advisor in consultation with the student. The masters thesis or project committee shall consist of at least three members:

1. At least one member must be MNE faculty
2. The second member must be either MNE faculty or faculty affiliated to MNE department
3. The third member may be a senior scientist or engineer from outside the university or a faculty in another department/university

All thesis or project committees must be approved by the Graduate Program Committee.

Three Phases of Thesis/Project Preparation

1. Proposal: Submit the thesis/project proposal. The committee is formed in this phase.
2. Research & Writing: Research and writing resulting in a thesis/project document.
3. Defense: Oral Thesis/Project Defense. The Dean of the College of Engineering must be notified two weeks in advance by the principal advisor.

Coursework-only Track: Students in the Coursework-only track are NOT required to take a comprehensive oral exam. This track has no thesis, project, or additional course requirements beyond the elective credits listed above.

Policy for Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress

A student admitted to an MS degree program in Mechanical Engineering must maintain a 3.00 or higher GPA.

A. Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation if the student's GPA falls below 3.00. A student will return to academic good standing by obtaining a minimum 3.00 GPA by the time the next nine hours are completed. Coursework such as research and thesis/dissertation registration that are for IP grade cannot be included in these nine hours.

B. Dismissal

A student may be recommended for dismissal from a graduate program if:

• The student fails to increase the GPA to a minimum of 3.00 by the time they complete the next nine credit hours; or
• The student receives a grade below C while on academic probation.

Credit Transfer

Should a student take a course at another university for credit transfer, the student must fill a Mechanical Engineering Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form prior to taking the course.

A maximum of six (6) credits may be transferred from another institution upon approval by the chairperson and dean/designee. The transferred course must have a B- or better grade.

Course Repeat

The ME department allows a student to repeat a specific course once if it is offered at UMass Dartmouth. The grade of the repeated course will be used to calculate the student's GPA. Both grades will remain as part of the student's record.

Teaching and Research Assistantships

Students awarded an assistantship will work with a faculty advisor on a research project leading to a thesis under the Thesis Track. A student should complete a program of study by the end of the first or second semester indicating the thesis advisor.

Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to apply due diligence toward completion of their degree. This includes progress on research projects in addition to coursework. It is a matter of courtesy to discuss with the advisor when the student wishes to have time away from campus.

Work Hours & Funding

In general, students are limited to funding from university sources not to exceed 20 hours per week during academic semesters or 40 hours per week during summer and intersession. In certain special cases, exceptions may be granted with permission from their advisor and the GPD.

Research Assistantship Expectations

A student with a research assistantship is expected to spend 20 hours per week on thesis project work and 20 hours per week on courses and thesis writing. Students supported with an RA should work approximately half time on research when taking courses and full time when only thesis credits are taken and during the summers.

Outside Employment

Full-time students and any students with full RA stipend support are discouraged from seeking other employment. It is within the rights of individual departments or faculty advisors to forbid students to be otherwise employed, or to require notification before the student considers outside employment.

Program Requirements

The student should ensure they are meeting all departmental, programmatic, and university requirements for the degree. This includes coursework, scheduling of required examinations, and completion of the thesis or project by the required dates. Students are also expected to participate in required seminars.

Data & Intellectual Property

The collected data and products of analysis of research projects is the property of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and will be stored in accordance with university regulations. Students are obligated to provide their advisor with laboratory notebooks, computer files, and other materials as requested. This is a requirement of funding agencies, and UMass Dartmouth is held accountable for data from funded projects.

Publication & Authorship

If the research has potential for publication, the student will jointly write up the study with the advisor for submission. If completed before the student leaves or within the agreed timeframe, in most cases, the student will be assigned first authorship. After that date, the advisor retains the option to prepare the article with authorship order at his or her discretion.

To be listed as an author, a person must have made a direct, substantial academic contribution to at least two of the four main components:

1. Conception or design
2. Data collection and processing
3. Analysis and interpretation of data
4. Writing sections of the paper

Anyone listed as an author should critically review successive drafts of the paper and approve the final version. Anyone listed as author should be able to defend the paper as a whole (although not necessarily all the technical details).

Faculty Responsibilities

Faculty who mentor graduate students have an obligation to provide students with the support they need to be successful:

• Providing guidance on degree requirements, course selection, research topics, progress evaluation, and time expectations.
• Arranging and maintaining a mutually agreeable schedule to discuss coursework and research progress.
• Ensuring that objectives related to the student's program are attainable with due diligence. Typically, thesis students should expect to graduate within six semesters (including summer).
• Participating in regular meetings for appropriate guidance and progress monitoring.
• Informing the graduate student if extramural funding is in jeopardy.
• If possible, providing professional development opportunities including conferences, workshops, and teaching experience.

Leave of Absence & Voluntary Withdrawal

The policy and procedure for leave of absence or voluntary withdrawal from the program are articulated in the University's Graduate Catalog, available online, and are to be followed in the Mechanical Engineering MS Program, including all its options and tracks.

Credit Longevity

The credit longevity policy is articulated in the University's Graduate Catalog, available online, and is to be followed in the Mechanical Engineering MS Program, including all its options and tracks.

MS in Mechanical Engineering — Industrial & Systems Engineering Option

I. Program Definition — Objectives

The College of Engineering at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth offers a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with option in Industrial & Systems Engineering. This program is designed to provide education to working engineering professionals to advance in their careers in industrial and systems engineering.

The program provides an integrated approach to engineering and management of production systems and engineering organization. Graduates will achieve professional competence in concepts, knowledge, methodologies, and skills required for production system design/operations, quality assurance, and management.

Admission

A BS or an equivalent degree in engineering or a closely related field is required. Admission of applicants with non-engineering undergraduate degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Professional Master's Program Committee.

Required Graduate Courses

Total credit requirement: 30 credits

• Five graduate courses (15 credits) from Mechanical Engineering Department — see Group I for suggested courses
• Three graduate courses (9 credits) from Group II offered by Charlton College of Business
• Masters project (MNE 590 - 6 credits) under academic advisors — may be related to student's current workplace position

II. Program Implementation

Administration

The program will be administered by the Graduate Program Committee of the Mechanical Engineering department with inputs provided by the Professional Master's Program Committee. This committee will consist of faculty teaching production/manufacturing courses and will report to the Graduate Program Committee.

Advising

Upon admission, each student will be assigned to a temporary advisor by the GPD. The temporary advisor will assist the new student in selecting courses in the first semester. After one semester of taking courses, the student will choose a permanent advisor.

Masters Project (ISE Option)

After one semester of taking courses, the student will choose a permanent advisor capable of advising them on the chosen project. Frequently, projects are related to student's engineering duties in the workplace. Students who do not have a work-related project will choose a faculty advisor who may sponsor a project.

The Masters Project requires approval of the Professional Master's Program Committee.

Committee

The masters project committee shall consist of at least three members following the same composition requirements as the standard ME program. The committee members will be selected by the faculty advisor in consultation with the student. The project and committee must be approved by the Graduate Program Committee.

Three Phases of Project Preparation

1. Proposal: Submit the project proposal. The committee is formed in this phase.
2. Research: Conduct research and prepare a project report.
3. Defense: Oral Project Defense. The Dean of the College of Engineering must be notified two weeks in advance by the principal advisor.

Mechanical Engineering Faculty & Specialization

Afsoon Amirzadeh Goghari

PhD University of Toronto · MS University of Toronto · BS University of Tehran

Specialization: Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Mechanical System Design and Control

Sankha Bhowmick

PhD University of Minnesota · MS Villanova University · BS Jadavpur University

Specialization: Heat and mass transfer, bioengineering, MEMS

Vijay B. Chalivendra

Chairperson

PhD University of Rhode Island · MS and BS Sri Venkateswara University College of Engineering

Specialization: Mechanical Behavior of Emerging Advanced Materials, Damage Sensing, Composites, Additive Manufacturing

Hangjian Ling

PhD and MS Johns Hopkins University · BS University of Science and Technology of China

Specialization: Experimental fluid dynamics in turbulence, boundary layers, multiphase flows; Super-hydrophobic surfaces; Collective behavior (bird flocks, fish schools, human crowds, cell colonies); 3D Imaging technologies

Kihan Park

PhD Georgia Institute of Technology · MS and BS KAIST

Specialization: Medical Robotics, Micro-scale Sensing/Actuation

Mehdi Raessi

Graduate Program Director

PhD and MASc University of Toronto · BSc University of Tehran

Specialization: Computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer, Interfacial flows, Two-phase flows with phase change, Microscale transport phenomena, Numerical methods for modeling multiphase flows

Hamed Samandari

PhD Middle East Technical University · MS University of Tabriz · BS Isfahan University of Technology

Specialization: Computational Mechanics, Mechanical Systems Modeling, Nonlinear Vibrations, Nanoelectromechanical systems, Biomedical Devices

Banafsheh Seyedaghazadeh

PhD University of Massachusetts Amherst · MS and BS University of Tabriz

Specialization: Fluid-Structure Interactions, Flow-Induced Vibration, Experimental Fluid Dynamics, Vibrations, Renewable Energy

Caiwei Shen

PhD University of California at Berkeley · MS and BS Tsinghua University

Specialization: Multifunctional composites, Energy storage materials, Nanomaterials, Sensors, Electrochemistry

Appendix I — ISE Option: Group I Courses (Mechanical Engineering)

MNE 510 — Manufacturing Systems Design

3 Credits

Advanced topics in manufacturing systems design and analysis with emphasis on modeling and integration methodologies. Topics include production flow analysis, group technology, manufacturing cell design, material handling systems and automated guided vehicles, flexible manufacturing systems and systems evaluation. Team-oriented design projects using computer tools are required.

MNE 530 — Simulation Modeling

3 Credits · Prerequisites: EGR 301 and computer programming or equivalents

Concepts and principles associated with systems simulation and modeling using contemporary software such as Simulation with Arena. Topics include probability and statistics, discrete event simulation, statistical techniques in simulation modeling, and continuous simulation of industrial and manufacturing systems using SIMAN language.

MNE 532 — Advanced Robotics

3 Credits · Prerequisite: MNE 482 or equivalent

Advanced course in kinematics, dynamics and control of robots. Topics include trajectory generation, position and force control of open and closed chain manipulators, kinematic redundancy, link flexibility, artificial intelligence and integration of industrial robots in integrated manufacturing systems.

MNE 533 — Manufacturing Automation

3 Credits · Prerequisite: MNE 345 or equivalent

A study of the different components of an automated manufacturing system. Design of hardware and software used in manufacturing systems. Analysis, modeling, performance and economics of flexible manufacturing systems and cells. Design of parts to facilitate automatic assembly.

MNE 535 — Advanced Statistical Quality Control

3 Credits

Introduction of statistical principles and advanced techniques in statistical process control and quality improvement. Emphasis on Shewhart control charts for variables and attributes, short run, Cusum and EWMA charts, multivariate process control and diagnosis techniques.

MNE 537 — Manufacturing Systems Design

3 Credits · Prerequisite: MNE 345 or equivalent

Advanced topics in manufacturing systems design and analysis. Topics include production flow analysis, group technology, manufacturing cell design, facilities location and work design, material handling systems, flexible manufacturing systems, and systems evaluation. Term design projects required.

MNE 538 — Manufacturing Planning and Control

3 Credits · Prerequisite: EGR 301 or equivalent

Advanced topics in manufacturing production planning and control with emphasis on design and resource utilization. Topics include operations planning and control, linear programming, and capacity planning.

MNE 539 — Engineering Optimization

3 Credits · Prerequisite: EGR 301 or equivalent

Advanced topics in engineering optimization. Topics include linear and nonlinear optimization, mathematical modeling, constrained optimality criteria, transformation methods, constrained direct search, quadratic approximation methods, and comparison of constrained optimization methods.

MNE 540 — Advanced Simulation Modeling

3 Credits · Prerequisites: MNE 530 or equivalent, and skill in one programming language

Verification, validation, and statistical analysis of simulation models. Topics include simulation run lengths, confidence intervals, variance reduction techniques, comparison of systems performances, experimental designs and simulation optimization.

MNE 560 — Methods of Experimental Research

3 Credits · Prerequisite: Graduate standing

The need and subject matter of research. Laws, truths, analogy and hypothesis. Identifying and clustering parameters. Use of models. Experimental setup. Induction, deduction, statistics, and conclusions. Presentation and use of findings.

MNE 561 — Systems Engineering

3 Credits · Prerequisites: Upper class standing, instructor approval

Introduction to basic concepts and methods of Systems Engineering. Topics include requirements management, system architecture and modular design, system modeling, decision making, design synthesis, design verification, and designing for the system lifecycle.

MNE 562 — Design and Control of Production and Service Systems

3 Credits

Design and control of production and inventory systems. Covers currently used planning and scheduling techniques (MRP, OPT, JIT), forecasting, scheduling, inventory control principles, lean production environments, and systems integration techniques.

MNE 564 — Continuous Process Improvement

3 Credits

Management/planning tools for continuous process improvement and quality assurance, including Six Sigma, Deming's 14 points, PDCA, Kaizen, and 7 MP tools (Affinity Diagram, Interrelationship Digraph, Tree Diagram, PDPC, Activity Network Diagram, Prioritization Matrices).

MNE 565 — Economic Analysis of Engineering Projects

3 Credits

Analysis of engineering costs and capital investments. Covers economic merits of alternatives including interest and income tax considerations, break-even points, sensitivity analysis, replacement analysis, and risk exploration techniques.

Appendix II — ISE Option: Group II Courses (Charlton College of Business)

POM 651 — Advanced Operations Analysis

3 Credits

Techniques for the analysis and improvement of value-adding activities. Focuses on efficient and effective management of processes in both manufacturing and service environments, transforming inputs into outputs to meet customer needs.

POM 675 — International Supply Chain Management

3 Credits

Management of materials flow in an international context. Investigates managing complexities such as long distances, currency fluctuations, variable infrastructures, diverse cultures, political instability, and dissimilar legal systems.

POM 676 — Business Process Design

3 Credits

Business processes for value-adding activities. Covers total quality management, time-based competition, business process reengineering, capacity management, lean and agile management systems, time compression, and inter-firm coordination.

POM 677 — Logistics Strategy and Management

3 Credits

Logistics operations from global perspectives. Topics include customer service, inventory management, information systems, transportation, third-party logistics, warehousing, performance measurement, and supply chain strategy.

POM 686 — Strategic Project Management

3 Credits

Managing projects from an organizational perspective. Covers aligning projects with business strategies, program management, portfolio management, and project management offices (PMO). Uses case study approach and project management software.

POM 688 — Risk Management in Projects

3 Credits

Risk reduction and quality improvement in project management. Students implement risk management processes including identification, qualitative and quantitative analysis, response planning, and monitoring and control.

MIS 671 — Managing Systems

3 Credits

Managing in information-intensive environments. Covers strategies for aligning information systems with business environments, IT leadership, reengineering, systems development, legacy and enterprise systems, and project management.

MGT 501 — Operations Management

3 Credits

Facets of management from ordering materials to delivery of finished goods and services. Qualitative and quantitative techniques with focus on strategic importance in global competitiveness.

MGT 671 — Management of Organizational Change

3 Credits

Knowledge, understanding, and skills for renewal and transformation processes within organizations. Examines how change occurs, the role of leadership, organizational development, and designing and implementing planned change.

MGT 677 — Leading, Motivating, and Empowering Others

3 Credits

Fundamentals of collaborative work in traditional, hierarchical, and empowered workplaces. Reviews theories of leadership, motivation, empowerment, communication, and learning with application to today's workplace.

ENL 605 — Persuasive Communication

3 Credits · Alternative to MGT 677 if unavailable

Persuasive writing and speaking. Surveys strategies from Aristotle through Madison Avenue, focusing on ethics, legality, and techniques of argumentative discourse. Emphasis on composing persuasive messages and giving oral presentations.