Prerequisite Background and Admission Requirements Graduate study is designed for students with high intellectual capability and an ability to work with some degree of independence. Applicants for the masters degree should have a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, applied mechanics or a closely related engineering field, and have established a "B" (3.0/4.0) or better record in their previous undergraduate work. Doctoral applicants should hold a master's degree in one of these areas, and have demonstrated at least a "B+" average (3.4/4.0) in their previous master's work. All applicants should have a mathematics background equivalent to MCE 372 (ordinary differential equations, basic matrix theory, Laplace transforms, elementary vector calculus, Fourier series, introduction to partial differential equations). They also should have sufficient computer skills to effectively use personal computers and/or workstations and be familiar with at least one of the common engineering programming languages. The GRE General Test and TOEFL are only required of international applicants. Average GRE test scores for successful international applicants have been: GRE 450-Verbal and 700-Quantitative. TOEFL minimums are: Reading-20, Writing-22, Listening-17 and Speaking-17. A direct Ph.D. program is available to exceptional candidates holding a B.S. degree.

Program Goals, Objectives & Time Schedule The masters degree program will introduce students to advanced level studies, which are more basic and theoretical than undergraduate work. The holder of this degree is qualified for a responsible engineering position in industry or government, and sometimes a teaching position at a junior college. The master's is generally accepted as a prerequisite to work toward a doctoral degree. A master's degree will normally require 1.5 - 2 years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. The doctorate is the highest degree awarded, and normally only the very best students with exceptional previous graduate records should attempt to achieve it. Through advanced level course work and research study, a doctoral student should be at the frontiers of knowledge in their chosen field. The doctoral dissertation, which is a major part of the degree requirements, is expected to contain a distinct, substantial and original contribution to a field of mechanical engineering or applied mechanics. It is expected that doctoral dissertation results should be of high quality to warrant publication in appropriate professional journals. The holder of a Ph.D. degree is considered to be qualified for an academic position in a university or for a leadership position in industry or government. The degree will normally require three years of full-time study beyond the master's degree.

Application Procedures & Deadlines The application process is now to be done online and complete details of how and what to send can be found at the Graduate Admissions web-site (http://www.uri.edu/gsadmis/). Application materials should be sent to: Graduate Admissions Secretary, Department of Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics, 92 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI, 02881. For international applicants, scores of nationally administered TOEFL and GRE general tests should be sent directly to the department by the testing service. All applications must be accompanied by the appropriate nonrefundable application fee. After departmental review, final decision on admission is made by the Dean of the Graduate School, who will notify the applicant of the decision. Simultaneous application to more than one department requires duplicate applications and credentials and separate application fees. The completed application package and all supporting documents must be generally received by April 15 for summer admission, July 15 for September admission, and November 15 for January admission. Please check the Graduate Admission web site for any changes in these deadlines. Department financial aid decisions are normally made in March for the fall term and November for the spring term. Admission is valid only for the term offered and must be reconsidered if a postponement is subsequently requested. Those wishing to change or delay admission must send a written request to the department Graduate Studies Director.

Suggestions on what to include in the required Statement of Purpose:

  -   briefly specify your reasons for pursuing the desired graduate degree
  -   indicate specific area(s) of interest(s); e.g. solid mechanics, fluid mechanics,
          thermal sciences, etc.
  -   list any additional qualifications not found in the application package
  -   please indicate your planned program status as either full-time or part-time

International Applicants Applicants from foreign countries must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - general test only. TOEFL and GRE test scores should be sent directly to the department by the testing service. Inquiries from international students concerning nonimmigrant visas, transfers, funding, etc., should be sent to the Office of International Students and Scholars. On- and off-campus housing inquiries should be sent to the Office of Housing and Residential Life.

Transfer Credit Transfer credit can be requested for graduate work taken at other accredited institutions of higher learning. Such credits may not exceed 20 percent of the total credits required for the program. Doctoral candidates holding a master's degree in the same or a closely related area can request up to 30 credits. The transfer work must have been taken at the graduate level (equivalent to the 500 level or higher in the University of Rhode Island course-numbering system) and a passing grade earned at that institution. It must have been completed not more than five years prior to the date of request for transfer into a master's program (ten years for the doctoral program) and must have a clear and unquestioned relevance to the student's program of study. The request for transfer credit should be accompanied by a proposed program of study and must have the approval of the student's major professor and the Dean of the Graduate School. If transfer credit is desired for work taken elsewhere after a graduate student is enrolled at the University, prior approval must be obtained from the Dean of the Graduate School.

Advanced Standing A maximum of 12 credit hours of work taken at the University of Rhode Island in nonmatriculating status may be applied toward degree requirements if the student is later admitted to a degree program, but only with department recommendation and approval of the Dean of the Graduate School. Advanced standing for work taken at another institution must also be included within this limit. The request should be accompanied by a proposed program of study and satisfy the time constraints listed for transfer credit.

Nonmatriculating Status Individuals holding a bachelor's degree who are not candidates for an advanced degree may take courses during the academic year or in the summer in nonmatriculating status. Normally, to take courses for personal enrichment or professional advancement, postbaccalaureate students enroll in the College of Continuing Education. Nonmatriculated students wishing to take courses on the Kingston Campus must file an application through e-Campus. Students later wishing to be admitted to a degree program, must complete the regular admission procedure. There is a 12-credit limit on the number of courses taken in this status that may be used as advanced standing to satisfy degree requirements. Nonmatriculated students are not eligible for financial aid.

Probationary Status In certain cases, potential applicants with marginal academic records and/or test scores may be advised to take several courses in nonmatriculating status to provide a basis for later consideration of their application to a graduate degree program. Details on such a nonmatriculating program should be developed in consultation with the department Graduate Studies Director.

Financial Aid Department financial aid is normally in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Both of these awards (TA's and RA's) cover tuition and an annual stipend for living expenses. Academic year stipends are currently about $13,000-14,000, and RA's commonly provide additional support for summer work. Students are normally responsible for other related student fees outlined at the Enrollment Services web site (http://www.uri.edu/registrar/index). Teaching assistantships are awarded by the department chair, and require support work in our instructional programs. Research assistantships are provided by individual faculty members who have sponsored research projects. This appointment requires research work under the supervision of the faculty member. There are no special application forms for department or research assistantships, and students are selected on a competitive basis from our admitted applicant group. Consequently students must first be admitted in order to be considered for financial aid. Competition for assistantship positions is quite high, and aid decisions involve many factors including: student credentials, background and interests, and department and faculty needs. It is therefore not possible to provide pre-screening evaluations for financial aid before the formal admissions process. New assistantship appointments are made for both fall and spring semesters, although more financial aid is available in the fall.

For More Information Please Contact:

Graduate Studies Program
Department of Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics
92 Upper College Road
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881-2019

Phone: 401-874-2525
Fax: 401-874-2355
e-Mail: mce@egr.uri.edu
Web: http://www.mce.uri.edu