Master of Science in Engineering

The Rayen School of Engineering, as part of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science degree in engineering. Admission to any of the five engineering options, including chemical, civil and environmental, electrical, industrial and systems, and mechanical engineering, is granted to qualified applicants who have been judged to have a good chance of succeeding in the program and obtaining a graduate degree. Several technical concentration areas are available in each option. Students may select a thesis, non-thesis, or management curriculum plan. These opportunities serve the practicing engineer, as well as the student, who wants to pursue advanced graduate study and research. Courses offered on campus are usually held during the evenings. The educational opportunities include traditional classroom and laboratory courses, seminars, and research projects guided by experienced members of the graduate faculty.

Teaching or research assistantships are available to qualified applicants on a competitive basis upon review and recommendation by the home department. In addition, the College of Graduate Studies may offer scholarships or grants-in-aid to qualified students. Students desiring assis­tantships or scholarships must submit an application to the College of Graduate Studies by the specified deadlines.

This description provides an overview of admission and degree requirements, advising, and program plans. Information concerning course scheduling and prospective course offerings can be obtained from the YSU website or the individual engineering departments. Further as­sistance with any matter related to engineering graduate programs may be obtained by telephone, email, or personal visit to the program option coordinator in the student’s area of interest.

Graduate Assistantships

Students interested in a graduate assistantship position must submit a separate application along with three letters of recommendation to the College of Graduate Studies. Further details are provided elsewhere in the Graduate Catalog under Financial Assistance. The College of Graduate Studies will forward the application to the department. Each engineering department has established a process for evaluating applicants. Applicants should contact the option coordinator in their field of interest for details. Final recommendations are forwarded to the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Applicants are notified by mail of the dean’s decision.

In cases where the applicant is not fully prepared for their intended graduate program, completion of undergraduate deficiency courses may be required. This is common when the applicant’s undergraduate degree is in a different discipline than the intended graduate program. Such applicants may be granted provisional admission as long as they require no more than 9 semester hours of undergraduate deficiency courses. In addition, some programs may require stronger evidence of academic ability (e.g. higher GPA) for applicants having undergraduate degrees outside the discipline.

Non-Degree Admission

Students meeting all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies, but who do not intend to pursue a Master of Science degree, may apply for non-degree admission. In addition, an applicant whose academic record does not meet the required standards for admission to a Master of Science program may apply for non-degree admission to the College of Graduate Studies. For students wishing to pursue a Master of Science in Engineering degree, non-degree admission provides an opportunity to demonstrate his/her academic capability. Non-degree students completing nine semester hours of appropriate graduate courses with grades of B or better may apply for admission to a specific engineering degree option with regular or provisional status to continue his/her study for the Master of Science in Engineering.

Advisement

The Rayen School of Engineering requires an advisor for each individual graduate student. An advisor is recommended by the option coordinator in the student’s discipline and assigned by the College of Graduate Studies upon acceptance. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate contact with his or her advisor, and this should be done as soon as possible before registering for the first time and at the time of course registration each semester. The student, with the help of his or her advisor, shall develop a study plan that includes goals and desired outcomes, and a coursework plan. The plan may be revised, if necessary, as the study progresses, with the approval of the advisor and option coordinator.

Chemical Engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Mechanical Engineering