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Note: This page provides a general overview. For complete and accurate information, please consult with your advisor. For current course offerings and information, refer to the Cornell University Registrar: Courses of Study.
Program Overview
The two-year M.S. program combines academic rigor with a strong research component. Working with faculty advisors, M.S. students tailor their studies to their particular interests and backgrounds, incorporating core topics in mechanical engineering as well as specialized courses.
Our M.S. students undertake a substantive body of research in the research group of a field faculty member. They document their research in a master’s thesis, which they defend in a formal examination by a faculty committee. Research projects are chosen in consultation with the supervising faculty member and enable students to benefit from Cornell’s powerful combination of an unusually collaborative and interdisciplinary culture and outstanding research facilities. Mechanical engineering has vibrant research programs in many research areas.
Degree Requirements
The M.S. program results in a “terminal” master’s degree. It is not related to the Ph.D. program and is not a pathway into the Ph.D. program in mechanical engineering. This program is not recommended for students wishing to pursue at Ph.D. at Cornell. Financial aid is not provided for the M.S. degree program, this includes research assistantships and teaching assistantships.
- 48 credits total.
- 20 credits of research credit (MAE 8900).
- Complete MAE 7999 two times.
- Exclusive of MAE 8900 and MAE 7999, students must complete 15 credits at 5000 level or above; 6 credits of which must be at 6000 level or above.
- Four term duration.
- M.S. thesis required. The collective academic expectations of the committee are that an M.S. thesis should be publishable as independent research or be a significant secondary author contribution to a publication with postdoc/grad student/PI as first author.