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2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Master of Science in Engineering

Website: www.gvsu.edu/grad/mse

The Master of Science in engineering (M.S.E.) degree program graduates engineers with the sophisticated education needed to design complex engineered systems. These engineers drive innovations, explain the value of high-technology systems, and sustain their employer's global competitiveness. This degree program is available with the following emphases:

  1. Biomedical engineering
  2. Electrical and computer engineering
  3. Manufacturing operations
  4. Mechanical engineering
  5. Product design and manufacturing

Offered by the School of Engineering in the Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, the M.S.E. program is designed to meet the technical and professional development needs of practicing engineers, as well as of students interested in applied research and in preparation for advanced study. The program focuses on engineering design, development, and manufacturing, as well as production, and capitalizes on the industrial experiences of the students. Plans of study, as well as course and culminating projects, can be tailored to the needs of each student to provide a richer, personalized educational experience.

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

M.S.E. Location

Pew Grand Rapids Campus, John C. Kennedy Hall of Engineering

Admission to the Master of Science in Engineering Program

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 flexibility in selecting options that further their professional objectives. Candidates can be admitted to the program in any semester; no application deadline is imposed. Applications are reviewed just as soon as they are complete.

Application requirements and admission standards:

  • 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, the program must be accredited by the EAC of ABET Inc. Applications must include official, original academic transcripts and degree certificates from all secondary schools or universities previously attended.
  • U.S. students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework. At their discretion, they may elect to present additional evidence of academic achievement through high GRE scores.
  • International students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) that is equivalent to at least 3.0, when linearly scaled on a 0.0 - 4.0 scale, in all undergraduate coursework. They must also submit GRE scores, which must be satisfactory, independent of their cumulative undergraduate GPA.
  • International students must also show evidence of proficiency in the English language. GVSU recognizes the following English proficiency tests:
    • TOEFL: 80 or better
    • International English Language Test System (IELTS): 6.5 or better
  • Three confidential letters of recommendation from informed sources such as current and/or former professors and employers. The letters should address the applicant's academic skills, analytical and problem-solving abilities, professionalism, maturity, integrity, and potential for success in graduate studies.
  • An essay, not exceeding two pages in length, detailing an applicant's career plans and academic goals. International applicants are requested to add an essay, not exceeding two pages in length, on the following topic: "What will I do to bring cultural and international perspectives to Grand Valley that will enhance the learning environment for the entire GVSU community?"

Candidates should have a base of underlying knowledge relevant to graduate study in the chosen area. 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 technical work training as a substitute for academic preparation.

Once admitted to the M.S.E. program, students are expected to demonstrate initiative as well as effective 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 director 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.

Good Standing

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 fulfill graduation requirements for the M.S.E. degree. If a student earns a grade lower than a C in any such course, the student must take remedial action depending on whether the course is required or elective. If the course is required, the student must repeat that course until an acceptable grade is earned. If the course is an elective, the student may repeat that course or take another approved graduate elective and earn a grade of at least C in the course.

Graduate Assistantships

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

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

The M.S.E. program requires a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate coursework for each of the available M.S.E. emphases. Every semester, an appropriate set of courses is scheduled to allow students to complete their M.S.E degree programs in the stated number of semesters or calendar years. In each emphasis, the coursework is distributed in the following clusters.

1. Professional Practice

The courses in this cluster transcend specific majors.

2. Emphasis-specific Courses

Students select five graduate courses from a list of emphasis-specific courses. Within these courses in the M.S.E. emphases on electrical and computer engineering, manufacturing operations, mechanical engineering, and product design and manufacturing engineering, students may also select special topics courses with approval of the graduate program director. The emphasis-specific courses are chosen by students in consultation with their respective advisors to achieve a coherent selection.

3. Elective Graduate Courses

The elective graduate courses may be chosen from any of the available graduate engineering courses, including the emphasis-specific courses, or other graduate courses from different disciplines. The graduate electives from disciplines other than engineering must be pre-approved by the graduate program director of the School of Engineering.

4. Culminating Experience

The culminating experience requires one of three routes:

  • A culminating design project, EGR 690, for three academic credits.
  • A culminating M.S.E. project for six academic credits.
  • A culminating M.S.E. thesis for six academic credits.

The culminating experience route for each student must be approved by the graduate program director. From among the three routes, students typically select either the culminating M.S.E. project or the culminating M.S.E. thesis, which are equivalent culminating experiences. Students will select the master's project route if they work on proprietary industry projects; they will select the master's thesis route if they work on nonproprietary projects. Students continuously register for either EGR 693 - Master's Project or EGR 695 - Master's Thesis, in either case, for a total of six credits. If after completing these six credits, students need additional time to finish their culminating work, they must continuously register for a continuation course, EGR 696, of which the credits, following university policies, do not count toward the required minimum of 33 M.S.E. credits.

The courses in these clusters are at the 500- and 600-level and depend on the specific M.S.E. emphasis. In any M.S.E. emphasis, students may take up to three 500-level courses and no more than nine credits from dual-listed courses may be applied toward the M.S.E. degree, in consonance with university standards. Students should follow the sequence of courses recommended for each emphasis, yet substitutions are possible depending on students' backgrounds and specific interests. Students may apply for such substitutions with the graduate program director. Students select one of the following emphases for their M.S.E. program.

A. Biomedical Engineering Emphasis

In this emphasis, students should complete the following courses.

a. Professional Practice (Credits: 6)

b. Emphasis-specific Courses (Credits: 21)

In the biomedical engineering emphasis, students take the focus courses specified as follows, which consist of five required courses and two elective courses.

Required Courses:

Elective courses in the biomechanical stream (choose two):

Elective courses in the bioelectrical stream (choose two):

c. Culminating Experience (Credits: 6)

The culminating experience route for each student must be approved by the graduate program director. The Culminating Design Project, EGR 690, is not an option in the biomedical engineering emphasis. Students select either the culminating M.S.E. project for six credits or the culminating M.S.E. thesis for six credits. The project and thesis routes are equivalent: the master's project is reserved for proprietary work, whereas the master's thesis is reserved for nonproprietary work. The culminating experience requires the following courses:

Students may register for EGR 693 more than once, for a combined total of six credits.

OR EGR 695 - Master's Thesis (1 to 6 credits) (maximum of 6)

Students may register for EGR 695 more than once, for a combined total of six credits.
Students who need to complete their culminating thesis after finishing the six credits of EGR 695 must continuously register for EGR 696 - Continuation of Master's Project or Thesis Research (1 credit)

B. Electrical and Computer Engineering Emphasis

In this emphasis, students should complete the following courses.

a. Professional Practice (Credits: 9)

b. Emphasis Area Courses (5 courses)

Students select five required emphasis-specific courses from the list given below in any coherent combination. These courses are typically offered in a two-year rotation to allow students to complete their M.S.E. program in the stated number of semesters or calendar years.

c. Elective Graduate Courses

The elective graduate courses may be chosen from any of the available graduate engineering courses, including the emphasis-specific courses, or other graduate courses from different disciplines. The graduate electives from disciplines other than engineering must be preapproved by the graduate program director of the School of Engineering.

d. Culminating Experience (Credits: 3 to 6)

The culminating experience route for each student must be approved by the graduate program director. From among the three culminating experience routes, students typically select the Capstone M.S.E. project route for six credits or the culminating M.S.E. thesis route for six credits. The project and thesis routes are equivalent: the master's project is reserved for proprietary work, whereas the master's thesis is reserved for nonproprietary work. The culminating experience requires the following courses:

Students may register for EGR 693 more than once for a combined total of six credits.

OR EGR 695 - Master's Thesis (1 to 6 credits) (maximum of 6)

Students may register for EGR 695 more than once for a combined total of six credits.
Students who need to complete their culminating thesis after finishing the six credits of EGR 695 must continuously register for
EGR 696 - Continuation of Master's Project or Thesis Research (1 credit)

C. Manufacturing Operations Emphasis

In this emphasis, students should complete the following courses.

a. Professional Practice (Credits: 9)

b. Emphasis Area Courses (5 courses)

Students select five required emphasis-specific courses from the list given below in any coherent combination. These courses are typically offered in a two-year rotation to allow students to complete their M.S.E. program in the stated number of semesters or calendar years.

c. Elective Graduate Courses

The elective graduate courses may be chosen from any of the available graduate engineering courses, including the emphasis-specific courses, or other graduate courses from different disciplines. The graduate electives from disciplines other than engineering must be preapproved by the graduate program director of the School of Engineering.

d. Culminating Experience (Credits: 3 to 6)

The culminating experience route for each student must be approved by the graduate program director. From among the three culminating experience routes, students typically select the culminating M.S.E. project route for six credits or the culminating M.S.E. thesis route for six credits. The project and thesis routes are equivalent: the master's project is reserved for proprietary work, whereas the master's thesis is reserved for nonproprietary work. The culminating experience requires the following courses:

Students may register for EGR 693 more than once for a combined total of six credits.

OR EGR 695 - Master's Thesis (1 to 6 credits) (maximum of 6).

Students may register for EGR 695 more than once for a combined total of six credits.
Students who need to complete their culminating thesis after finishing the six credits of EGR 695 must continuously register for
EGR 696 - Continuation of Master's Project or Thesis Research (1 credit)

D. Mechanical Engineering Emphasis

In this emphasis, students should complete the following courses.

a. Professional Practice (Credits: 9)

b. Emphasis Area Courses (5 courses)

Students select five required emphasis-specific courses from the list given below in any coherent combination. These courses are typically offered in a two-year rotation to allow students to complete their M.S.E. program in the stated number of semesters or calendar years.

c. Elective Graduate Courses

The elective graduate courses may be chosen from any of the available graduate engineering courses, including the emphasis-specific courses, or other graduate courses from different disciplines. The graduate electives from disciplines other than engineering must be pre-approved by the graduate program director of the School of Engineering.

d. Culminating Experience (Credits: 3 to 6)

The culminating experience route for each student must be approved by the graduate program director. From among the three culminating experience routes, students typically select the culminating M.S.E. project route for six credits or the culminating M.S.E. thesis route for six credits. The project and thesis routes are equivalent: the master's project is reserved for proprietary work, whereas the master's thesis is reserved for nonproprietary work. The culminating experience requires the following courses:

Students may register for EGR 693 more than once for a combined total of six credits.

OR EGR 695 - Master's Thesis (1 to 6 credits) (maximum of 6)

Students may register for EGR 695 more than once for a combined total of six credits.

Students who need to complete their culminating thesis after finishing the six credits of EGR 695 must continuously register for EGR 696 - Continuation of Master's Project or Thesis Research (1 credit)

E. Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering Emphasis

In this emphasis, students should complete the following courses.

a. Professional Practice (Credits: 9)

b. Emphasis Area Courses (5 courses)

c. Elective Graduate Courses

The elective graduate courses may be chosen from any of the available graduate engineering courses, including the emphasis-specific courses, or other graduate courses from different disciplines. The graduate electives from disciplines other than engineering must be preapproved by the graduate program director of the School of Engineering.

d. Culminating Experience (Credits: 3 to 6)

The culminating experience route for each student must be approved by the graduate program director. From among the three culminating experience routes, students typically select the culminating M.S.E. project route for six credits or the culminating M.S.E. thesis route for six credits. The project and thesis routes are equivalent: the master's project is reserved for proprietary work, whereas the master's thesis is reserved for nonproprietary work. The culminating experience requires the following courses:

Students may register for EGR 693 more than once for a combined total of six credits.

OR EGR 695 - Master's Thesis (1 to 6 credits) (maximum of 6).

Students may register for EGR 695 more than once for a combined total of six credits.
Students who need to complete their culminating thesis after finishing the six credits of EGR 695 must continuously register for
EGR 696 - Continuation of Master's Project or Thesis Research (1 credit)

Engineering Program Description

Click here for the program description.


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