Mechanical Engineering R·I·T Information Session for Prospective Dual Degree Students This information session is intended for all applicants to the dual

Mechanical EngineeringR·I·T

Information Sessionfor Prospective

Dual Degree StudentsThis information session is intended for all applicants to

the dual degree program in mechanical engineering, allowing highly qualified individuals to pursue a Bachelors

and a Masters degree concurrently.

MEng Mech E or MS Mech E or MS STPP


Dual Degree Admissions Process• Nov 2014 - The ME DEPT will invite applications for the dual degree programs • 05 Feb 2016 – Prospective Dual Degree Info Session• 05 Mar 2016 – Applications are due to the ME Office• 05 Mar 2016 – List of applicants provided to the co-op office.• 05 Mar 2016 – Faculty letters of reference due to the ME Office. Review begins.• Spring Semester – Prospective Dual Degree Students should enroll in the co-op training

course• Spring Semester – Prospective Dual Degree Students should attend the spring career fair• Spring Semester – Prospective Dual Degree Students MAY enroll in MECE-707

Engineering Analysis, IF they have completed all other required math courses• Summer Semester – Prospective Dual Degree Students are eligible for Summer co-ops,

and summer-fall double block co-ops.• Early June 2016 – Application review concludes, and considers all grades at RIT through

the end of spring semester• Possible Outcomes:

– Students may be offered admission to the BS/MEng or BS/MSSTPP program effective with the beginning of Fall Semester (BS/MS comes AFTER admission to BS/MEng)

– Students may be declined admission to the dual degree program– Students may be asked to complete additional courses, and/or increase their GPA prior to

admission to the dual degree program.


Dual Degree Admissions Requirements

• Complete Application Process:– attend mandatory program information session– complete application form including names of two faculty members who have

agreed to provide letters of recommendation:• one letter should be your faculty advisor and one should be an ME (or Public

Policy) faculty member whom you have had a course with– attach your personal letter of application stating your interest in pursuing a

master’s degree concurrently with your BS degree (no more than one page)– sign and attach KGCOE academic conduct policy statement

• Admission is based on student’s CGPA (must be at least 3.4, 3.0 for STPP, after the completion of second year courses), excellent references, and a compelling letter of application

• All admitted students are required to maintain a CGPA of at least 3.2 and enroll in graduate seminar every semester

• Students must achieve a graduate CGPA of 3.0 to graduate


Dual Degree OpportunitiesYou may be interested in these exciting things:• BS / Master of Engineering in Mech E• BS / Master of Science in Mech E• BS in Mech E and MS in Science, Technology and Public

Policy Unique to RIT!• The ME DEPT will invite applications for the dual degree

programs during the end of the Fall semester. Applications are due 05 March 2016

• Admission decisions will be announced AFTER the conclusion of the spring semester.


BS / Master of Engineering Program• Career Oriented focus• Primarily directed towards students NOT considering continued

graduate study at the doctoral level• This is a non-thesis degree.• Capstone Project => Fall: Design Project Leadership, Spring: Team

Leadership Responsibilities on a Multi-Disc Senior Design Team.• Dr. Crassidis advises all prospective dual degree students entering

Summer 2016 and later to take these two core courses as part of your graduate program planning: MECE-707, MECE-709

• Three Concentration courses from one of numerous concentration areas, INSIDE or OUTSIDE of Mechanical Engineering. Possibilities include automotive system, business, controls, manufacturing mechanics-design/materials, product development, sustainability, thermo-fluids, vibrations, and customized program of study.

• BS: Qtrs: 195 QCH, 5 co-ops Sems: 129 SCH, 4 Sem co-op• MEng: Qtrs: 48 QCH Sems: 30 SCH• BS+Meng: Qtrs: 231 QCH, 4 co-ops Sems: 150 SCH, 3 Sem co-op • Double counting of 3 courses, 1 co-op reduction• Both degrees MUST be awarded concurrently in accordance with

State of New York Department of Education regulations.


BS / Master of Science Program• Research Oriented focus• Primarily directed towards students considering continued graduate

study at the doctoral level• Thesis is required. • Research Methods Class: MECE-701, to help you identify a thesis

topic, prepare a statement of work, and get started on your literature review

• Dr. Crassidis advises all prospective dual degree students entering Summer 2016 and later to take these two core courses as part of your graduate program planning: MECE-707, MECE-709

• BS: Qtrs: 195 QCH, 5 co-ops Sems: 129 SCH, 4 Sem co-op• MSci: Qtrs: 45 QCH Sems: 30 SCH• BS+MSci: Qtrs: 228 QCH, 4 co-ops Sems: 150 SCH, 3 Sem co-op • Double counting of 3 courses, 1 co-op reduction• Both degrees MUST be awarded concurrently in accordance with

State of New York Department of Education regulations.• Must take the GRE (Usually during Fall of year 4) for admission

to the MS degree


BS - Mechanical Engineering & MS – Science Technology & Public Policy

• Public Policy Thesis• Public Policy Graduate Degree• Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Degree• Primarily directed towards students considering work in the public sector,

(planning departments, legislative positions, executive positions, law school, etc)

• Thesis is required -- Chaired by COLA faculty member• Assumes that students are working on a public policy COLA undergrad

concentration• Very Unique, Innovative Program• Three required focus courses agreed to by dept, advisor, student• BS Degree: 195 QCH (129 SCH), 5 co-ops - Will be considered an

undergrad in Mechanical Engineering until 195 QCH (129 SCH)• MS Degree: Will be considered a grad in STPP after 195 QCH (129 SCH)• Double counting of three courses, 1 co-op reduction• Both degrees MUST be awarded concurrently in accordance with State of

New York Department of Education regulations


MECE-701 Research Methods• Offered as a graduate elective• Topics:

– Thesis topic presentations by ME faculty– Interview and selection of thesis topic, decide MS vs. M Eng– Paper reviews in topic area– Literature search, patent search, and thesis consult with librarian– Prepare & Submit formal literature review– Prepare & Submit Statement of work– Prepare & Submit formal thesis proposal

• Recommended for Fall 4th year dual degree students considering the BS/MS in Mech E with a thesis

• Determine level of interest from fourth year students• Must take the GRE for admission to the MS degree


Dual Degree Completion Constraints• NYS Department of Education requires that both degrees be conferred

simultaneously for dual degree program, or double counting is not allowed. If BS is awarded separately from Master’s then student MUST make up THREE GRADUATE COURSES.

• US Department of Education requires reporting of retention data for BS degrees in August of year 6. If student receives BS degree 9/1 or later, they are counted as an attrition from the program forever. This adversely affects program accreditation.

• RIT programs as registered with NYS and US require all Masters degrees to be completed within seven years of first graduate course, or courses older than 7 years need to be replaced prior to degree award.

• All Mech. Eng. dual degree students, when admitted, were informed of the requirement to complete BOTH degrees by May of Year 6. If BOTH degrees are not completed by May 15 of Year 6, student will be separated from the dual degree program automatically.

• Under extenuating circumstances, a dual degree extension may be granted through August 15th of Year 6. No extensions will be granted by RIT beyond Aug. 15th.

• All students in dual degree program must be certifiable for BS degree by May of year 5.

• You may double count UP TO THREE GRADUATE COURSES towards both your BS and a Master’s Degree.


Sixth Year Students• RIT has implemented a tracking mechanism to monitor

progress of dual degree students.• After 195 QCH, 129 SCH, students will transition from year

level 5 status to year level 6 status.• You will then be eligible for graduate student benefits such

as fellowships, graduate loan programs, full time equivalency, etc.

• Years 1—5 (less than 195 QCH, 129 SCH), dual degree students are classified as undergraduate students

• Year 6 (more than 195 QCH, 129 SCH), dual degree students are classified as graduate students– Note: as graduate students if a grad course is repeated the lowest

grade is NOT dropped and is averaged into the graduate GPA.– must obtain a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher to graduate!


Opportunities in the ME Dept.• I am interested in maintaining a database of dual

degree students wishing to work in the department.

• We often seek students as PC labbies, graders, lab assistants, shop assistants, etc.

• Opportunities as teaching assistants are typically available for fourth and fifth year students


Master of Engineering DegreeCourse Required Core Classes CreditsMECE-707 Engineering Analysis 3MECE-709 Advanced Engineering Mathematics 3 Subtotal Core Classes 6 Required Capstone Experience Complete one of: MECE-701 Research Methods (Students considering the MS) 3MECE-730 Design Project Leadership (All BS/MEng students) 3MECE-777 Graduate Internship (Usually for part-time and full-time MEng students) 3MECE-792 Project with Paper (Most full-time MEng students) 3 Subtotal Capstone Experience 3 Elective Classes MECE-6/7xx Graduate or Technical Elective 2 (600 or higher) 3MECE-6/7xx Graduate or Technical Elective 3 (600 or higher) 3MECE-6/7xx Graduate or Technical Elective 4 (600 or higher) 3MECE-6/7xx Graduate or Technical Elective 5 (600 or higher) 3 Subtotal Graduate Elective Classes 9 Concentration Classes MECE-6/7xx Concentration 1 3 MECE-6/7xx Concentration 2 3 MECE-6/7xx Concentration 3 3 Subtotal Concentration Classes 12 Total Credits Required for the Master of Engineering 30


Master of Science DegreeNumber Required Core Courses CreditsMECE-707 Engineering Analysis 3MECE-709 Advanced Engineering Mathematics 3

Subtotal Core Courses 6Focus Group Courses

MECE-6/7xx Focus 1 (MECE-600 or higher) 3MECE-6/7xx Focus 2 (MECE-600 or higher) 3MECE-6/7xx Focus 3 (MECE-600 or higher) 3

Subtotal Focus Group Courses 9Elective Classes

MECE-6/7xx Graduate Elective 1 (600 or higher) 3

MECE-6/7xx Graduate or Technical Elective 2 (600 or higher) 3

MECE-6/7xx Graduate or Technical Elective 3 (600 or higher) 3

Subtotal Graduate Elective Courses 9MS Thesis 6Total Credits Required for the Master of Science 30


Graduate Student Handbook

ME Department Graduate Handbook is your guide.

Please read this handbook carefully. Use this handbook when you meet with

your advisor to plan your academic program.


Graduate Seminar Series• Attend the weekly graduate seminars is required of all

full time and FTE dual-degree students every semester you are enrolled as a full time or FTE student, no exceptions!

• Online course is available with course conflict – permission is required to register

• Thursdays at 12:30 pm• MECE-795 (0 credits)• Dr. Schrlau is the Instructor• Please add this class to your schedule every semester

(no cost), so that you can get announcements and email about the seminars via email


An Important Tip for MS Students…

Do not delay your selection of a thesis topic, preparation of thesis proposal, and starting your literature review and research. Most students who get in financial trouble during their Master’s degree did not heed this advice. After you get started on your thesis topic, KEEP WORKING, do not let the deadlines of classwork homework interfere with your self-imposed deadlines for making progress on your thesis.


A Special Note; and a Challenge to EXCEL…

As part of the RIT ME Department’s process of continual improvement, the bar is raising on expectations of our graduate students.

We will continue to raise the bar on our graduate programs during semester conversion. SOME COURSES that are 0304-6xx under quarters and may be eligible for graduate credit today will be renumbered as MECE-4xx and will not be eligible for graduate credit in the future.

All Masters courses must be MECE-6xx or higher under semesters Admissions standards have risen annually for three years both at the

undergraduate and graduate level. We intend to raise our Master’s program to the same level of National

Prestige that our undergraduate program enjoys. Maintain the highest standards of Academic and Professional Integrity –

Other students look up to you, and will follow your leadership. I expect our MS Students to submit at least one technical conference

publication with their advisor prior to graduation. I expect our MEng Students to become student leaders in the department.

Seek out opportunities to demonstrate leadership.


Dual-Degree Application• See Jill Ehmann in the ME Office• DualDegreeInvitationToApplyDec2015.pdf


Documents

Mechanical Engineering R·I·T Information Session for Prospective Dual Degree Students This information session is intended for all applicants to the dual