Master of Science Degree Program

The Master of Science (MS) in engineering sciences degree program at Dartmouth stresses innovative research, advanced levels of engineering skills, and extensive project management experience.

Candidates for the MS in engineering sciences degree acquire basic competency in applied mathematics and engineering, a breadth of knowledge through a range of coursework, and a depth of knowledge through both focused coursework and research. MS candidates are required to complete a thesis for graduation, and students are encouraged to arrange their thesis research topic in advance with a faculty willing to sponsor the student in the program.

Areas & Options

Ice Core Drilling

Program Areas

Dartmouth offers a diversity of concentrations with collaborative synergies between engineering disciplines. Graduate students are expected to propose a plan of study that supports their interests on a path unconstrained by disciplinary boundaries. Both faculty and students draw from these multiple areas of expertise for maximum human-centered impact:

Jifeng Liu with students

Matching Interests to Faculty

Engineering MS students are funded through a professor’s sponsored research or a fellowship throughout the thesis phase of their studies. Applicants interested in pursuing a particular area of research are encouraged to reach out to individual faculty members to discuss potential projects.

Arrangement of a thesis research topic is done with the individual faculty member who sponsors the student in the program.

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BE+MS Degree Program

With advance planning and pending a willing Dartmouth faculty sponsor, Dartmouth undergraduate students interested in also pursuing the MS may be able to earn the degree within one year after finishing the requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering (BE). Students may use up to six applicable graduate courses for both their BE and MS programs. Those courses must be beyond the requirements for the AB (typically in the fifth year) and students must have taken a substantial portion of the undergraduate program at Dartmouth or in one of its official exchange programs. Students should discuss their plans to satisfy both program requirements with the MS program director. At least one term prior to their thesis defense, the BE/MS candidate submits to the registrar a BE program plan approved by both their advisor and the BE program director.

For available projects that can satisfy BE+MS degree requirements, see the MS projects list.

D Souza at Williamson

MS+MD Degree Program

Dartmouth's MS+MD program, offered by Thayer and The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, is designed for students intending to pursue clinical practice and want to develop research skills in a related engineering area. It is also well suited to students who want to better understand technologies they will employ as practicing physicians. The program provides a funded research experience in engineering that is expected to lead to a research publication and provides practice in engineering design and analysis.

MEM Students IMG 6484 p 1600

MEM+MS Degree Program

Students who want to qualify in both research and the practical application of engineering and management may earn the MS and the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) degrees simultaneously by completing all the requirements of both degrees. A separate application to the MEM program is required; the student should work out course choices and funding plans for each degree. Interested students should contact the MEM Director.

Courses & Requirements

Required Coursework

All students entering the program are required to take six graduate-level courses, beyond the AB degree, which may simultaneously be counted for the BE degree.

Courses taken previously, e.g., as an undergraduate, can be used in satisfaction of the degree requirements, but do not reduce the total number of courses required unless admission is with advanced standing.

Applied Mathematics (choose at least one course, from the following)

  • ENGS 91: Numerical Methods in Computation
  • ENGS 92: Fourier Transforms and Complex Variables
  • ENGS 93: Statistical Methods in Engineering
  • ENGS 100: Methods in Applied Mathematics I
  • ENGS 105: Computational Methods for Partial Differential Equations I
  • ENGS 106: Numerical Linear Algebra

Engineering Depth (choose at least three courses, from the following)

Courses in the area of the student's research should be chosen to increase the student's depth of expertise and knowledge. These courses should be chosen in concert with the thesis advisor from the graduate engineering listings. Engineering Management courses are not permitted.

    Engineering Breadth (choose at least two courses, from the following)

    The remainder of the courses may be any graduate course listing area, with approval of the thesis advisor and the graduate program committee.

    Research & Written Thesis

    In addition, students are also required to complete research that leads to a written thesis that demonstrates a depth of knowledge in a specific field of engineering research or design.

    Candidates must also present a public oral defense of the thesis, which is conducted by the candidate's thesis committee. The MS thesis committee typically consists of three Dartmouth faculty members (including the student's thesis advisor); one of the three may be from outside the program of study.

    Research Course

    • ENGG 700: Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research

    Oral Defense

    Candidates must also present a public oral defense of the thesis, which is conducted by the candidate's thesis committee. Candidates are responsible for giving final, signature-ready copies of the thesis to each committee member to review at least two weeks prior to the defense. Candidates must submit an electronic notice of the defense to the registrar two weeks in advance for distribution to the faculty and for posting. A hard copy and an electronic copy (eg. PDF) of the thesis must be submitted to the registrar for archiving. Copyright to the thesis is held by the Trustees of Dartmouth College. Additional information is available from the Thayer registrar and the Thesis Guidelines.

    Advisors

    Faculty advisors aid MS candidates in developing their course of study, which is submitted to and approved by Thayer’s Graduate Programs Committee during the student’s first term of residency.

    Service to Society

    In the tradition of our founder Sylvanus Thayer, graduate students are encouraged to participate in service activities, such as those sponsored by the Tucker Foundation and Thayer Council.

    Academic Honor

    All students, upon matriculation, are required to attend a series of workshops in ethics and sign a statement that they agree to abide by the honor principles established by Dartmouth. See Graduate Academic and Conduct Regulations for a full statement of academic honor.

    Residency

    MS candidates are required to be in residence for a minimum of three terms. Students who are registered and enrolled in two or more courses a term are considered full-time and as being “in residence.”

    Prerequisites

    MS candidates are required to hold a bachelor’s level degree in engineering or a bachelor’s level degree, generally in engineering or in one of the physical sciences, from an accredited institution.

    Students admitted with engineering deficiencies must complete required undergraduate engineering courses. Students who need more than three courses will enroll initially as a special student. Students with insufficient engineering background may want to apply to the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) program.

    Tuition & Aid

    MS students are funded through research grants and faculty funding, which begins with the initiation of thesis research. Funding covers tuition, stipend, and health insurance, but does not cover the six graduate courses that MS students must have completed, either at Dartmouth or a prior institution, before commencing thesis work.

    Qualified students may be awarded stipends through positions as research or teaching assistants. Graduate research assistantships normally carry an award of full tuition, a monthly stipend, and credit toward medical insurance if purchased through the College.

    In addition, a number of scholarship, fellowship and grant programs offer financial awards that are also available to MS students.

    Aid for BE+MS Students

    Current Dartmouth BE students applying to the MS program may be eligible for need-based "BE aid" for the terms that they need to take classes and then covered by faculty research support. BE aid eligibility is determined through the CSS PROFILE and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

    Financial Aid & Scholarships

    Fellowships & Scholarships

    There are a number of fellowships offering financial awards that are available to graduate students. We have collected a list, organized by the application deadline, to help you navigate some of the opportunities available.

    Graduate Scholarships

    PhD & Graduate Student Fellowships

    Admissions

    Start Your Application

    Financial Aid & Scholarships

    NOTE - Having earned an MS is not a requirement to applying for the PhD degree at Thayer School. If the PhD is your ultimate degree objective, consider applying to that program.

    Application Instructions

    Only complete applications will be considered for admission. (See application instructions for full details).

    A complete application includes:

    • the online application form
    • a $50 application fee
    • three letters of recommendation
    • the essay(s)
    • a transcript from each college and/or university attended
    • TOEFL or IELTS scores for those applicants whose native language is not English.

    Note: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for MS applicants will NOT be required nor considered.

    Application Deadline

    December 15: deadline to receive all application materials for priority consideration.

    In most cases the Admissions Committee will render decisions by April 30.

    Testing Requirements

    Students whose native language is not English must also submit results for either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). GREs are not required or considered.

    Part-Time & Special Students

    Part-time studies are available for local residents who can meet the requirements for admission.

    Help & Guidance

    Information and advice on applying to graduate school is available through Thayer School Career Services as well as Dartmouth Career Services.

    Contact

    Graduate Admissions
    Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth
    15 Thayer Drive, Hanover, NH 03755
    engineering.admissions@dartmouth.edu
    +1 (603) 646-2606

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