FAQ's From Prospective Graduate Students

I am a junior and considering graduate school. Besides getting good grades and high GREs, is there anything else I can do to enhance my chances for admission into your program and obtaining financial support?

Having good grades in your junior/senior year and high GRE's are very important. However, we also require several letters of recommendation. Thus, it may be very useful for you to participate in research so that faculty can get a first hand look at you. Hence, you must define your educational and research interests, and find a faculty member who is willing to accept you as a member of his/her research group.

I have an undergraduate degree in physics with high grades, but would like to obtain an M.S. degree in ME? What should I do to most quickly and successfully complete the M.S. degree?

It is quite clear that you must take many of the required undergraduate courses, since they are a prerequisite for most of the graduate courses. To prepare for studies in thermal sciences, it is suggested you take two thermodynamics courses (ME 300 and 430), fluids (ME 320), and heat transfer (ME 410). On the mechanical systems side, you may wish to take statics, dynamics, solid mechanics, and strength of materials (EMch 211, 212, 213, 315), machine dynamics (ME 480), mechanical design (ME 360), dynamics of mechanical systems (ME 370), and modeling of dynamic systems (ME 450). However, it is very important that you discuss your course program with your advisor.

You require several letters of recommendation as part of the application package for admission. From whom should they come?

Letters of recommendation should come from people that can attest to your ability in many different aspects: knowledge of fundamentals, written and oral communication skills, motivation, maturity, independence as a researcher, willing to learn and to succeed, etc. For example, you may choose one of your former instructors/professors. It is very important that we get a letter from your advisor, if you have an M.S. degree. If you plan to transfer from one school to another, we require at least one letter from a faculty member at the school where you studied most recently.

The Graduate School charges a fee for handling my application. Would it be possible for you to quickly examine my application via e-mail and let me know if I will be admitted and considered for financial aid?

The ME Department's Graduate Program Office handles thousands of inquiries every year. We simply cannot handle and make any decisions unless a complete application package is available. For students with a baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering or related field from an accredited institution in the U.S., the minimum requirements are:

• completion of assistantship application form,
• a junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0,
• statement of purpose,
• GRE scores of 1200 for verbal, and and quantitative section, as well as 4.0 for the analytical, writing section.
• at least two letters of recommendation, and
• completed application including fee.

I would like to visit Penn State, and several faculty members in your Department. How can that be arranged?

Please contact the Graduate Program Office at (814) 865-1345 to set up a visit. Since we get many requests for visits by individual prospective students, we have attempted to coordinate the overall activity. We very much would like to arrange the visit for a Thursday, since most teaching is done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A typical itinerary may involve discussions with students and faculty, as well as visiting laboratories of interest. If you are not certain about the date of your visit and do not wish to schedule a formal visit, you can always stop by our graduate program office in 127 Reber Building and pick-up information about our graduate program.

What courses do you offer during the summer?

Normally, we do not offer any 500 level ME courses during the summer. We do usually offer ME 461 (Finite Elements) and ME 445 (Microcomputer Interfacing) during the summer. We also usually offer ME 201 (non-ME majors), ME 300 (Thermodynamics I), ME 320 (Fluids), ME 480 (Machine Dynamics), ME 360 (Mechanical Design), ME 325 (Fluids Lab), ME 375 (Vibration Lab). The Mathematics Department usually offer a few courses such as MATH 411, 418 and 441.

When/how will I be notified of my application status?

Your application file will be reviewed only when it is complete within the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, including our Application for a Graduate Assistantship and Statement of Purpose, along with all other application requirements. Deadline for applications for fall semester is January 15. Decisions on admission and financial aid are typically made by March 15. Students are informed by letter through e-mail. The best qualified students will be recommended for admission.

FAQ's From Current Graduate Students

How do I find an advisor?

You indeed have raised a difficult question, for which there is no single answer. Perhaps most appropriate is for you to define your area or areas of interest: such as the broad areas of mechanical versus thermal systems. What undergraduate courses were most appealing? Thermodynamics/fluid mechanics/heat transfer area or the kinematics/dynamics/controls area. From these, you may want to look at the various areas of research conducted in our department that links to your educational interests. You should then communicate directly to the faculty members who conduct research in an area of your interest to find about what opportunities he/she may have available.

Why should I pursue an M.S. degree?

Typically, the M.S. degree provides you with a much stronger knowledge base of the fundamental engineering principles to be applied in research, analysis of complex problems, or design. Hence the strong course content required (minimum 30 graduate credits required). With either the MS thesis or paper option, you are also required to conduct research and to enhance your skills in technical writing.

What courses are required for an M.S. degree?

You are required to complete 30 graduate credits of which 18 must be at the 500 and 600 level. Up to 12 credits (4 courses) of certain 400-level courses are allowed. For the new graduate student, it is utterly important that you schedule a meeting with your advisor to discuss and to formulate a course program prior to the start of the M.S. program. If you do not have one prior to your arrival to Penn State, one will be assigned for you. In general, the various courses offered do change only to a limited extent from one academic year to the next. Similarly, the course offering from, e.g., the Fall semester in one year to the next Fall semester, also does not change much either.

How many graduate-level courses should I take per semester?

For students beginning their first semester, 3 courses at the 500-level are very time-consuming. Very few are capable of taking a total of 12 credits of courses in one semester. Since many students have an assistantship, it is also important that the duties associated with the assistantship are carried out satisfactorily.

What courses will satisfy the Math requirement for the M.S. degree?

The M.E. Graduate Student Handbook, revised yearly and available to all new students, lists all the various courses that will satisfy the mathematics requirements. Most 400- and 500-level mathematics courses are acceptable, except MA 451, 461, 470, 471 and 484. There are also two courses taught by the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, EMch 524A and 524B, that the ME graduate students can take to satisfy the mathematics requirement.

How long will it take to complete an M.S. degree?

The average time to complete an M.S. degree is about two years, though some may take longer.

What kind of M.S. thesis options do you have?

We have two options, although a third is possible for Ph.D. students. For students whose interest is to terminate the graduate studies with the M.S. degree, there is either the M.S. thesis or M.S. paper option.

What is the difference between an M.S. thesis and an M.S. paper option?

There is, in general, not a significant difference between the M.S. thesis and the M.S. paper options. Both require the completion of 30 graduate credits. The thesis involves 6 credits and it must be prepared according to procedures and guidelines specified by the Graduate School. In the M.S. paper option, the student writes a paper on a research topic agreed upon by the advisor and it should be publishable in a professional journal or presented at a national or international conference.

What job opportunities become available once receiving an M.S. degree?

One would expect that the job opportunities are different with an increased depth of knowledge of the fundamentals, research experience and improved technical writing skills. It is anticipated that the students job could involve solving more complex problems in design and manufacturing, as well as involving a larger part of management responsibility.

What kind of facilities do you have for preparation of theses and technical papers?

There are PC's in the Department as well as at other locations within the University to which the students have access. These computers are loaded with the latest versions of various popular word-processing packages.

What courses are required for a Ph.D. degree?

There is no formal course program required for the Ph.D. degree. However, the advisor and members of the student's Ph.D. committee normally decide the content of the course program. About 14-18 courses beyond the B.S. degree are typical.

How long will it take to complete a Ph.D. degree?

It varies considerably. If the student has completed an M.S. degree, it may take only 3 years. However, if the student has a B.S. degree, it may take 5-7 years.

What course material should be reviewed for the Ph.D. candidacy exam?

It is generally useful that the student reviews material covered in various undergraduate courses such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, solid mechanics, rigid body mechanical systems, and systems dynamics. The material covered on the candidacy exam is based on the baccalaureate degree; however, it requires the student's understanding, competency and maturity acquired in graduate study. The student should consult his/her advisor as well as the Graduate Student Handbook.

What job opportunities become available once receiving a Ph.D. degree?

Today, most of our students find a position in industry with job responsibilities associated with research and development. Others find a research position at a national laboratory, such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Sandia National Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory, etc. These positions are often of a temporary nature (post-docs), and often spanning about two years. A few find an academic position as a tenure-track assistant professor, but the competition is keen.

What are the duties of the "typical" Teaching Assistant?

The "typical" teaching assistant serves as grader for a lecture course having between 50-80 students. The TA also keeps office hours, proctors exams and may give recitation sessions.

What possibilities of teaching do I have as a Teaching Assistant?

Teaching a lecture course is very limited for graduate students in general. Most teaching assistants serve as a grader in courses, or may teach a laboratory course. During the past several years, teaching a lecture course has been one important aspect of the Graduate Teaching Fellow program. The students participating in this program are usually within a year from completion of their Ph.D. degree.

You have a Graduate Teaching Fellow program. What is that program about?

The Graduate Teaching Fellow (GTF) Program is designed for students who are seriously considering a career in academe. The program provides an opportunity to gain real-world university teaching experience and opportunities to learn more about an academic career. GTF's are assigned to teach regular undergraduate mechanical engineering courses and work with a faculty mentor. The fellow has the same academic freedom as a regular faculty member in structuring the course and is responsible for the course syllabus, quizzes, and examinations, subject, of course, to maintaining appropriate commonality among sections in the same course, etc. The mentor provides guidance as desired by the fellow.

The second component of the program is the GTF Seminar Series. Within this series, University faculty members and administrators share their insights on a variety of topics. Topics include how faculty balance teaching, research, service, and family life; how to obtain research funding; how the tenure process works; how a major university is organized and the various services provided by faculty members; and others. The seminars are designed to permit frank and open discussion.

What are the possibilities for financial support?

About half of the students who arrive at Penn State at the beginning of the academic year have received either teaching or research assistantships covering tuition and a monthly stipend of about $1,390.50.

What is the typical teaching assistant stipend? What does it cover? What kind of taxes do you pay?

The teaching assistantship covers tuition and includes a monthly stipend of about $1,100. Depending on the student's income, federal taxes must be paid as well as social security (6.85%), local (1%), and state (3%).

What research facilities are established in the Department?

It is impossible to provide a short answer to this question, but if you click here you will get a complete listing!

What graduate-level courses are offered?

The Department offers a wide variety of graduate level courses. Click here to see a listing.

When does the Fall semester start?

The Fall semester usually begins on a Tuesdays on or about August 22nd. Check the Grad School Calendar.

Some faculty are always "out-of-office" or "never" answer the telephone. How should I most effectively contact them?

Our faculty are very active in teaching, research, and various service activities. To attract their interest, it may be best to write a letter stating your educational background, and research interests and include a resume. If the faculty have an interest, they will contact you. Please note that faculty members get hundreds of inquires every year and it is very difficult to provide an individual reply to all requests. Please have understanding in this matter.

What can I do to improve my written and oral communication skills?

To enhance your written communication skills, you may wish to take various courses offered by the English Department (such as English 202C - Technical Writing and other developed for this purpose). To improve your oral communication skills, the Speech Communications Department offers a wide variety of courses. International students, whose native tongue is not English, must receive a satisfactory score on the Oral Proficiency Test which is administered by the Center for English as a Second Language (ESL) or the Test of Spoken English (TSE) which is administered by the Education Testing Service (ETS).

What can I do to become an effective presenter of technical material?

To enhance your presentation skills, it may be useful to attend the large numbers of seminars that are held in Mechanical Engineering as well as in other departments. The Mechanical Engineering Department and individual faculty invite a large number of speakers every year, either as part of the Department Lecture Series, hiring of new faculty, etc. Announcements are posted on bulletin boards through Reber Building and in other buildings where ME faculty are located.

When are the various thesis deadlines?

The Graduate School specifies various deadlines for submitting draft and final versions of theses. Check with our Graduate Program Office, 127 Reber, for Departmental deadlines.