Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2018-2019 
    
University Catalog 2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mechanical Engineering, M.S.


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Admission to the Program

Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field with overall GPA of 3.0 or better to be considered for conditional admission. A promising applicant with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be admitted  as a special action student. Special action students must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 for four qualifying courses as approved in advance by the department. Prerequisite courses may be required for non-ME students or for students from non-ABET accredited ME programs. Applicants with GPA lower than 2.5 will not be considered for admission.

The Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Cal State L.A. is structured to prepare students for advancement in employment as a mechanical engineer as well as for further study at the doctoral level.

Requirements for the Degree (30 units)


A total of 30 units are required, with at least 15 in 5000-level courses. A thesis, major design experience, or comprehensive examination is required.

The advice and approval of the mechanical engineering graduate adviser must be obtained before enrolling in any course.  ME 4090  is required of all students who have not already completed these or a comparable course.

Area of Specialization (15-30 units)


Students must choose in advance a group of courses that fulfills their objectives. Approval of adviser and department chair is required. Suggested groupings of courses that cover programs in machine design and applied mechanics, manufacturing and materials, thermal and fluid science, and aerospace and control engineering are available from the department office.

Select a minimum of 15 units in 5000-level engineering courses; at least 15 units must be selected from the following list of mechanical engineering courses:

Electives (0-15 units)


Select from 4000 and 5000-level courses in engineering or related fields, with adviser approval.

Comprehensive Examination, Thesis, or Graduate Design Sequence (0, 6 units)


Students who select the comprehensive examination (ME 5960 ) should expect to take it the semester they complete all course work on their program, and must comply with college and department requirements.

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