Master of Science (M.S.)

The M.S. program stresses innovative engineering research and advanced levels of engineering and project management skills. Candidates for the degree acquire:

basic competency in applied mathematics and engineering
breadth of engineering knowledge through a range of courses
depth of engineering knowledge through focused research

Prerequisites

M.S. students generally hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or one of the physical sciences.

Residency

Students are required to be in residence a minimum of 3 terms.

Number of Courses

M.S. students usually complete 9 approved graduate-level courses, including 5 engineering courses. Courses taken previously (e.g., as an undergraduate) may be used in satisfaction of the core requirements but do not reduce the number of courses required.

A student admitted with advanced standing may need only 6 graduate-level courses for the degree.

Advisors

A faculty advisor aids each student in developing a program, which is submitted and approved by the Thayer School Program Committee during the student's first term of residency.

Master of Science Program Plan (PDF)

Degree Requirements

Applied mathematics (choose 1)

ENGS 91 Numerical Methods in Computation
ENGS 92 Fourier Transforms and Complex Variables
ENGS 100 Methods in Applied Mathematics I
ENGS 103 Statistical Methods in Engineering
ENGS 104 Optimization Methods for Engineering Applications
ENGS 105 Computational Methods for Partial Differential Equations I
ENGS 106 Numerical Linear Algebra
ENGS 200 Methods in Applied Mathematics II
ENGS 202 Nonlinear Systems
ENGS 205 Computational Methods for Partial Differential Equations II

Engineering (choose 2)

ENGS 110 Signal Processing
ENGS 112 Modern Information Technologies
ENGS 116 Computer Engineering: Computer Architecture
ENGS 120 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
ENGS 130 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
ENGS 131 Science of Solid State Materials
ENGS 132 Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Condensed Phases
ENGS 140 Applied Mechanics: Dynamics
ENGS 150 Computational Fluid Dynamics
ENGS 155 Intermediate Thermodynamics
ENGS 156 Heat, Mass, and Momentum Transfer
ENGS 158 Chemical Kinetics and Reactors
ENGS 161 Metabolic Engineering
ENGS 162 Methods in Biotechnology
ENGS 190/290: Engineering Design Methodology and Project Initiation/Project Completion

Electives (choose 6)

Graduate-level engineering courses

Thesis

The M.S. thesis demonstrates a depth of knowledge in a specific field of engineering research or design. A thesis committee typically consists of 3 faculty members from the student's program of study (including the thesis advisor); one of the 3 may be from outside the program of study.

The candidate also presents a public oral defense of the thesis, which is conducted by the candidate's thesis committee. A two-week notice of the defense is required — you must submit 45 copies of the notice to the Thayer Registrar for distribution to the faculty and for posting.

Thesis Guidelines (PDF)

Dual Degrees

B.E./M.S.

B.E. and M.S. degrees may be awarded simultaneously to the student who has taken a substantial portion of the undergraduate program at Dartmouth or in one of its official exchange programs. Students should plan their programs to satisfy both the M.S. requirements and the ABET criteria for the B.E.

At least one month prior to the scheduled M.S. thesis defense, the B.E./M.S. candidate submits a petition, endorsed by the thesis advisor, to the faculty for the approval of the Graduate Program Committee. Petition forms are available from the Registrar.

M.E.M./M.S.

Students who WANT to qualify both in research and in the practical application of engineering and management may earn the M.S. and M.E.M. degrees simultaneously by completing all the requirements of both degrees.

At least one month prior to the scheduled M.S. thesis defense, the M.E.M./M.S. candidate submits a petition, endorsed by the thesis advisor, to the faculty for the approval of the Graduate Program Committee. Petition forms are available from the Registrar.

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