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2011-2012 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Science in Engineering

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing in this catalog.

Graduate Programs Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.)

The School of Engineering offers the Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) degree program with four emphases: (1) biomedical engineering program, (2) electrical and computer engineering, (3) product design and manufacturing engineering, (4) manufacturing operations, and (5) mechanical engineering.

In addition, the School of Engineering offers post-baccalaureate engineering certificate programs in each program area as well as in professional practice. All credits earned in a certificate program can be applied toward the M.S.E. degree.

The program leading to the M.S.E. degree is designed to meet the technical and professional development needs of practicing engineers as well as of students interested in applied research and in preparing for advanced study. The program focuses on engineering design, development, manufacture, and production. The program capitalizes on the industrial experiences of the students. Plans of study as well as course and capstone projects can be tailored to the needs of each student to provide a richer, personalized educational experience.

Most courses are offered in a one night per week format during the fall, winter, and spring/summer semesters. Some courses are offered on Saturday or in the late afternoon. Students completing two courses per semester can complete the degree in two calendar years of part time study. Full time students can complete the M.S.E. degree in as little as four semesters. A certificate program may be completed in one year.

Website: www.gvsu.edu/engineering

M.S.E. Location

Pew Campus, John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering

Admission to the Master of Science in Engineering

The School of Engineering seeks motivated and intellectually inquisitive graduate students who desire to deepen their professional education in engineering. The School of Engineering expects candidates to make effective use of opportunities to obtain academic and program advice from the faculty and to make maximum use of program exibility in selecting options that further their professional objectives. Candidates can be admitted to the program in any semester.

  • A Bachelor of Science degree from a four-year undergraduate program in engineering or closely-related field. For students graduating from a program in the United States (U.S.) the program must be accredited by ABET.
  • U.S. students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework. Additional evidence can be presented in the form of high scores on the GRE test, through this is not required.
  • International students must submit GRE scores. International students must have a satisfactory score on the GRE test regardless of their cumulative undergraduate GPA.
  • Three confidential letters of recommendation from informed sources such as current and/or former professors and supervisors. These letters should add res the applicant's academic skills, analytical and problem solving abilities, professionalism, maturity, integrity, and potential for success in graduate studies.

Candidates should have a base of underlying knowledge relevant to graduate study in the chosen area of focus. This can be demonstrated by previous academic records or relevant work experience. Consultation with the Graduate Program Director may be necessary to verify the appropriateness of work experience as a substitute for academic preparation.

Once admitted to the M.S.E. program, students are expected to demonstrate initiative and teamwork, and to devote sufficient time to complete the work assigned in each course. They must be willing to imaginatively and creatively engage academic challenges. Although the demands are rigorous, the results can be exciting and rewarding. Students are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times.

Academic Advising

Candidates seeking the M.S.E. degree can meet with the graduate program chair to discuss career interests, professional objectives, and program plans.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of nine semester hours of transfer credit may be given for appropriate graduate courses completed with a grade of B (3.0) or above at another college or university.

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required in all graduate-level courses. A candidate must receive a grade of C or better in all courses used to fulll graduation requirements for the M.S.E. degree. In the case of required courses, a grade lower than a C will result in the candidate having to repeat the course until an acceptable grade is achieved. Elective courses may either be repeated or other courses may be substituted to meet the minimum overall grade point average requirement.

Graduate Assistant ships

Graduate assistants work with the School of Engineering faculty and staff to provide quality education, research, and service. Qualified full-time candidates are selected on the basis of aptitude, interest, and background.

Requirements for a Certificate

Completing the requirements for an program area as well as the professional practice area completes the requirement for a certificate program. The last two courses used to complete a certificate program must be taken at Grand Valley State University. Each of the program areas requires at least three courses that provide sustained coverage of an engineering topic. An engineering course may not be used to meet the course requirements of more than one certificate.

Admission criteria for a certificate program are identical to admission criteria for the M.S.E. degree program. Should a certificate candidate decide to change to the M.S.E. degree program, all coursework taken toward the certificate will apply to the corresponding engineering program area in his or her M.S.E. degree program.

Requirements for the M.S.E. Master of Science in Engineering

The M.S.E. program requires 33 semester hours of graduate coursework. This coursework is distributed as follows:

1. Professional Practice (9 credit hours)

2. Program

The student must pursue an electrical and computer engineering, product design and manufacturing engineering, manufacturing operations, or mechanical engineering program.

A. Biomedical Engineering Program:

a. Complete the foundation component

b. Complete the Biomedical Engineering component

c. Complete the Medical Device Design and Development component

d. Complete the capstone experience (research component)

B. Electrical and Computer Engineering Program:

a. Complete one of the following content areas (10-11 credit hours).

No more than two courses in a content area may be at the 400 level. Select any three courses, presented below by interest area.

Communications, Signal Processing and Control Systems

Electrical Energy Systems

Digital and Computer Systems

b. Complete approved graduate elective courses, including independent studies

  • 7 or 8 elective credit hours for those taking the EGR 692/693 or EGR 696/697 Capstone
  • 10 or 11 elective credit hours for those taking the EGR 690 Capstone

c. Complete the capstone experience (3 or 6 credit hours).

C. Product Design and Manufacturing Program:

a. Complete the following content area (3 courses for 9 credit hours).

b. Complete approved graduate elective courses, including independent studies.

  • 9 elective credit hours for those taking the EGR 692/693 or EGR 696/697 Capstone
  • 12 elective credit hours for those taking the EGR 690 Capstone

c. Complete the capstone experience (3 or 6 credit hours).

D. Manufacturing Operations Program:

a. Complete the following content area (4 courses for 12 credit hours).

b. Complete two approved graduate elective courses (6 credit hours).

c. Complete the capstone experience (6 credit hours).

E. Mechanical Engineering Program:

a. Complete the following content area (three courses for 9 credit hours).

b. Complete approved graduate elective courses, including independent studies

  • 9 elective credit hours for those taking the EGR 692/693 or EGR 696/697 Capstone
  • 12 elective credit hours for those taking the EGR 690 Capstone

c. Complete the capstone experience (3 or 6 credit hours).

Engineering Program Description

Click here for the program description.


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