Engineering, MSE

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Purdue University Northwest offers graduate Interdisciplinary Engineering leading to a Master of Science in Engineering degree. Courses are available in computer, electrical, mechanical, civil, metallurgical, and industrial engineering. The program has the flexibility to allow students to elect courses in one or several engineering disciplines. Concentrations are available in Multidisciplinary Engineering or Civil Engineering. Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified graduate students.

Special Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an institution accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET). Other students having adequate mathematical preparation with bachelor’s degrees in non-engineering fields may be admitted on a conditional basis – they must complete 18-27 undergraduate credits in the engineering field of their choice with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or better before being considered for full admission to the Master of Science in Engineering program.
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0/4.0 or better. Conditional admission may be granted to students with lower GPA’s, with the stipulation that they must receive a grade of B or better for the first 9 credits of graduate work. Some students may be advised to complete prerequisite or additional courses which will not count toward their degree.
Post-baccalaureate admission. Students may enroll to meet individual needs for continuing education rather than for pursuing a degree. Enrollment as a post-baccalaureate student does not imply later approval for degree-seeking status. If a continuing post-baccalaureate student is admitted into the graduate program, a maximum of four 3 credit graduate courses (i.e. maximum of 12 credits) taken as a post-baccalaureate student are transferable to the graduate program

Degree Requirements

Non-thesis Option: 30 semester credits.
Thesis Option: 30 semester credits, with 9 credits for the thesis research.
GPA of 3.0/4.0 for all courses on the approved plan of study. Some advisory committees may require grades higher than C in specific courses.
An advisory committee with at least three members and at least one member to represent a related engineering area. Students will consult with a major advisor assigned upon admission.
A plan of study established in consultation with the major advisor or professor and reviewed by members of the advisory committee, and the chair of the Graduate Committee.

Credit for Pre-Admission Course Work: a maximum of 12 semester credits of courses with grades of B or better and satisfying course requirements on the approved plan of study may be used, subject to approval of the student’s advisory committee. This limit applies to all pre-admission course work, including post-baccalaureate credit at Purdue, undergraduate excess credit, and transfer credit.

Time limit on reentry: A new plan of study must be approved if a student is inactive in the program for five years, usually excluding courses previously taken.

Total 30 Credits Required

Concentrations available in the MSE program in Interdisciplinary Engineering:

Mechanical Engineering Concentration, MSE

Non-thesis Option:

At least 18 credits of ME primary graduate-level engineering courses
At most 12 credits of graduate-level courses in engineering, math, computer science, physics, chemistry, and biology with advisor approval
Maximum of one independent study allowed as a related course in Plan of Study (effective Spring 2013)

Thesis Option:

21 credits plus 9 thesis credit hours
6 of thesis hours are considered as part of primary courses
Maximum of one independent study allowed as a related course in Plan of Study

Electrical and Computer Engineering Concentration, MSE

Non-thesis Option:

At least 18 credits of ECE primary graduate-level engineering courses
At most 12 credits of graduate-level courses in engineering, math, computer science, physics, chemistry, and biology with advisor approval
Maximum of one independent study allowed as a related course in Plan of Study (effective Spring 2013)

Thesis Option:

21 credits plus 9 thesis credit hours
6 of thesis hours are considered as part of primary courses
At most nine credits of graduate-level courses in engineering, math, computer science, physics, chemistry, and biology with advisor approval
Maximum of one independent study allowed as a related course in Plan of Study

An entering graduate student may be allowed to take an Independent Study (3 credits), titled “Project in _____” in his/her first semester before he/she can register for thesis. This is done at the discretion of the student’s intended thesis advisor. The credits for the Independent Study (one course) will count toward the required seven (7) courses if the student is later allowed to proceed with thesis research; if the student continues with non-thesis option, then the credits will be part of the 30 credits required for graduation.

If a student is already working on thesis research and wants to do Independent Study (3 credits), the Independent Study must be in an area different from the student’s thesis research area and the student’s advisory committee and thesis advisor must approve the intended Independent Study before the student can register for it.

Multidisciplinary Engineering Concentration, MSE

Minimum of 30 credits of coursework taken in consultation with graduate advisor.

Civil Engineering concentration, MSE

See section on Civil Engineering.