- Research
Program Areas
Research Activity
Areas & Options
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:
Matching Interests to Faculty
Engineering MS students typically are funded through a professor’s sponsored research or a fellowship. 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.
BE+MS Degree Program
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree program course credits also count toward MS degree program credit requirements making it possible to earn an MS one year after the BE.
Students may also earn the BE simultaneously with the MS. These 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.
MS+MD Degree Program
Dartmouth's MS+MD program, offered by Thayer School and The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, is designed for people who intend 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.
Courses & Requirements
Degree Requirements
Applied Mathematics Coursework
(choose at least one course)
- 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 Coursework
(choose at least three courses)
- 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 Coursework
(choose at least two courses)
- The remainder of the courses may be any graduate course listing area, with approval of the thesis advisor and the graduate program committee. Engineering Management courses are not permitted.
Research & Thesis
Research leading to a written MS thesis demonstrates a depth of knowledge in a specific field of engineering research or design. A 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.
Candidates must also present a public oral defense of the thesis, which is conducted by the candidate's thesis committee.
Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree is required; MS students generally hold their degree in engineering or one of the physical sciences.
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.
Advisors
A faculty advisor aids each student in developing a program, which is submitted to and approved by the Thayer School Program Committee during the student's first term of residency.
- MS Course Planning Sheet — for planning purposes only. You will need to go to Banner Student to complete the MS program plan.
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.
Service to Society
In the tradition of 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
Students are required to be in residence a minimum of three terms.
Tuition & Aid
Typically, MS students are fully funded through research grants and faculty funding.* Qualified MS students may also 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.
*Grant funding for MS students begins with the initiation of thesis research and covers tuition, stipend, and health insurance. Funding does not cover the six graduate courses that MS students must have completed, either at Dartmouth or a prior institution, before commencing thesis work.
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).
Fellowships/Scholarships
There are a number of fellowships offering financial awards that are available to graduate students. We have collected a list, organized by application deadline, to help you navigate some of the opportunities available.
Admissions
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 $45 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 during the 2021–2022 admissions cycle.
Application Deadline
January 1: deadline to receive all application materials.
In most cases the Admissions Committee will render decisions by April 30.
Testing Requirements
Graduates of programs other than the Dartmouth AB and the Thayer School Dual-Degree program must submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). 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).
Interviews
Interviews are encouraged but not required. To schedule an appointment contact: engineering.admissions@dartmouth.edu
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
14 Engineering Drive, Hanover, NH 03755
engineering.admissions@dartmouth.edu
+1 (603) 646-2606