The Blended BS/MS program in Mechanical Engineering provides an accelerated route for academically excellent upper-division students in the BS degree program to complete the MS degree program while simultaneously completing the BS requirements. The main objectives of the program are:

• To provide an accelerated route to a graduate degree, with simultaneous awarding of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• To provide a seamless process whereby a limited number of student can progress from undergraduate to graduate status without having to apply through the Admissions Office.

Program Features

• Simplified application process
• BS and MS coursework can be taken concurrently
• 9 common 400 level elective units between BS and MS programs
• Access to graduate student facilities
• TA appointments (if available)
• The scheduling flexibility provided by the program enables students to complete the BS and MS degrees efficiently

Admission to the Blended BS/MS Program

The eligibility requirements for admission to the Blended BS/MS program are:

• Students must have completed of a minimum of 90 semester units of coursework.
• Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester units.
• Students must have completed the ME foundation required courses (CE 2010/ME 2010, CE 2050/ME 2050, ME 2070, CE 3030/ME 3030), ME 3039, ME 3120, ME 3200, ME 3260 and ME 3270) in the BS degree program with a minimum average GPA of 3.0. 
• Students must have completed the Graduation Writing Assessment Courses  (GWAR).

Students are selected by a faculty committee based on prior academic performance.

Admission Application

Applications for the Mechanical Engineering Blended BS/MS program are only accepted in the fall semester. Applications must be submitted in advance of the desired starting semester.

• Application.
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one of which should be from a Mechanical Engineering faculty member).
• After review by a faculty committee and if the application is accepted, a Graduate Degree Study Plan will be prepared and approved.
• The department chair will submit a GS-8 Form to the Registrar’s Office to change the degree objective from the BS to the BS/MS Blended program.
• The formal degree plan would specify the sixteen units of common electives to be listed on the BS and the MS program. 

Degree Requirements

• Successful completion of all requirements for the BS (122 units) and the MS (30 units) degrees with an overlap of 9 units in electives.
• A minimum 2.0 GPA for courses counting towards the bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA required for courses counting towards the master’s degree.
• Degrees awarded when requirements for both the bachelor’s and the master’s degrees are met by the student and recorded by the Registrar’s Office. Both degrees are awarded in the same semester.
• Students who select the Thesis Option must be enrolled during the term that they submit their approved graduate thesis/project to the Library.
• Students must apply to graduate in the  Blended Program (BS / MS) by submitting a Graduation Application to the Registrar’s Office. This request should be submitted at least two semesters prior to graduation.
• Students who fail to complete the requirements for the master’s degree, may petition to withdraw from the Blended Program, if the petition is approved, the bachelor’s degree will be granted when all the requirements for that degree are met.

 

Visit the program description pages of the Mechanical Engineering, B.S.  and the Mechanical Engineering, M.S.  programs.