Mechanical Engineering (BSME/MSE)
Integrated Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering/Master of Science in Engineering Program
The integrated degree program results in simultaneously awarding a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree offered by the J. Mike Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering. The objective of the Integrated BSME/MSE Program is to enable prepared undergraduates in Mechanical Engineering to earn two degrees in a shortened time period. By applying for AP and Credit by Exam courses, having students take recommended summer courses, and allowing seniors to enroll in graduate-level engineering courses reserved for graduate credit, the program enables graduates to complete both degree requirements in five years.
Admissions
Current undergraduate mechanical engineering (ME) students may begin the application process to the Integrated BSME/MSE Program option in the second term of their third year. Admission includes the two steps outlined below. Undergraduate students not in the mechanical engineering major are not eligible to apply. It is expected that all students selected for the program in Step 1 and who have been successful in their first graduate-level coursework will be selected for admission in Step 2. Successful completion will be evaluated and determined by the department’s Domestic Graduate Admission Committee and the graduate advisor.
Step 1. Students complete the first step in the application for admission to the Integrated BSME/MSE Program in the second term of the third year. The Step 1 application is internal through the department and includes a resume, statement of purpose, and letter of recommendation. Qualified applicants will be selected based on the applicant’s progress to degree completion, grade point average, and other qualifications included in the application materials. Selected students will be notified before the first term of the fourth year of their admission status for the integrated program, allowing them to meet with an academic advisor to plan graduate coursework in the first term of their fourth year.
Step 2. Students complete the second step in the application in the first term of their fourth year. The Step 2 application is formal through the Office of Graduate Admissions (OGA). Admission to the integrated program will be based on a review of the applicant’s undergraduate record and GPA, GRE scores, performance in graduate coursework, letters of recommendation, personal statement, TOEFL score (if required), and research experience.
If a student in their fourth year is taking graduate courses and would be on track to complete the integrated program but did not apply in their third year through Step 1, they may apply by completing Step 1 and Step 2 together. These students will be evaluated for admission on the same criteria.
Total Hours Required: 150
Undergraduate: 120
Graduate: 30
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| M E 302 | Introduction to Engineering Design and Graphics | 3 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| PHY X03K & PHY X05M |
Engineering Physics I and Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K |
4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| E M 306 | Statics | 3 |
| M 427J | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| M E 316T | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHY X03L & PHY X05N |
Engineering Physics II and Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L |
4 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| E M 319 | Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
| M 427L | Advanced Calculus for Applications II | 4 |
| M E 318M | Programming and Engineering Computational Methods | 3 |
| M E 314D | Dynamics | 3 |
| E S 333T | Engineering Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| M E 330 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| M E 130L | Experimental Fluid Mechanics | 1 |
| M E 334 | Materials Engineering | 3 |
| M E 134L | Materials Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
| M E 335 | Engineering Statistics | 3 |
| Career Gateway Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| M E 338 | Machine Elements | 3 |
| M E 339 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| M E 139L | Experimental Heat Transfer | 1 |
| M E 340 | Mechatronics | 3 |
| M E 140L | Mechatronics Laboratory | 1 |
| Career Gateway Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| M E 344 | Dynamic Systems and Controls | 3 |
| M E 144L | Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory | 1 |
| M E 353 | Engineering Finance | 3 |
| M E 366J | Mechanical Engineering Design Methodology | 3 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| MSE course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| M E 466E | Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design | 4 |
| MSE course | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Approved Mathematics/Natural Science Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| MSE course | 3 | |
| MSE course | 3 | |
| MSE course | 3 | |
| MSE course | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| MSE course | 3 | |
| MSE course | 3 | |
| MSE course | 3 | |
| MSE course | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 150 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
Degree-Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | ||
| M E 130L | Experimental Fluid Mechanics | 1 |
| M E 134L | Materials Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
| M E 139L | Experimental Heat Transfer | 1 |
| M E 140L | Mechatronics Laboratory | 1 |
| M E 144L | Dynamic Systems and Controls Laboratory | 1 |
| M E 466E | Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design | 4 |
| M E 302 | Introduction to Engineering Design and Graphics | 3 |
| M E 314D | Dynamics | 3 |
| M E 316T | Thermodynamics | 3 |
| M E 318M | Programming and Engineering Computational Methods | 3 |
| M E 330 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| M E 334 | Materials Engineering | 3 |
| M E 335 | Engineering Statistics | 3 |
| M E 338 | Machine Elements | 3 |
| M E 339 | Heat Transfer | 3 |
| M E 340 | Mechatronics | 3 |
| M E 344 | Dynamic Systems and Controls | 3 |
| M E 353 | Engineering Finance | 3 |
| M E 366J | Mechanical Engineering Design Methodology | 3 |
| CH 301 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| E M 306 | Statics | 3 |
| E M 319 | Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
| M 408C | Differential and Integral Calculus | 4 |
| M 408D | Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| M 427J | Differential Equations with Linear Algebra | 4 |
| M 427L | Advanced Calculus for Applications II | 4 |
| PHY 303K | Engineering Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 303L | Engineering Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 105M | Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | 1 |
| PHY 105N | Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | 1 |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| E S 333T | Engineering Communication | 3 |
| Approved career gateway electives | 12 | |
| Approved natural science/mathematics elective | 3 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 102 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 24 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | ||
| College Requirements - Engineering | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 126 | |
Graduate Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Engineering Requirements | ||
| Graduate Coursework | 30 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Additional Requirements and Policies
In order for integrated program students to complete both the BSME and MSE degrees in five years, the department waives six semester credit hours (SCH) of technical area electives and replaces them with six SCH of graduate engineering coursework taken in the fourth year. This reduces the BSME requirement from 126 to 120 SCH.
Students in the integrated program complete 12 SCH of graduate coursework in their fourth year and 18–24 SCH in their fifth year, totaling 30–36 SCH for the MSE degree. Students may choose the coursework, report, or thesis option for the MSE, and course selection is determined with the graduate and academic advisors to ensure degree compliance and alignment with career goals.
Students who do not complete the integrated program, or who choose to discontinue the MSE, may obtain the BSME by applying for a change of major back to the standalone program and fulfilling all standalone degree requirements. Students leaving the integrated program remain on track to graduate with the regular BSME in the same timeframe as originally planned.