1 GRADUATE COUNCIL MEETING 18 January 2012 102 Kern ...

Mechanics is core strength of the ESM Department. Engineers require a strong foundation in mechanics for the safe design
and operation of our infrastructure, energy, transportation, military, manufacturing, and healthcare systems. The composite
M.S. degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics will provide breadth, depth, and competence in mechanics.
The composite M.S. degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics is unique; it does not duplicate any existing degree program
at Penn State.
Old M.S., E SC Degree Requirements. The Master of Science Degree in Engineering Science requires 32 credits beyond the
baccalaureate degree: 24 credits of course work, 2 credits of seminar, and 6 credits of thesis research (E SC 600). Of the 24
credits of required course work, at least 12 must be prefixed E MCH/E SC, and at least 18 credits must be at the 500 level. The
degree requirements are described in detail in Attachment 1 (Old Program Statement).
Proposed M. S., ESMCH Degree Requirements. The Master of Science degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics
requires 32 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree: 24 credits of 400- and 500-level course work; 2 credits of E MCH 514
(1 cr. seminar) and/or E SC 514 (1 cr. seminar); and, 6 credits of thesis research (E SC/ E MCH 600 or 610) as listed in
Attachment 2. Of the 24 credits of required course work, at least 12 must be prefixed E MCH/E SC, and at least 18 credits
must be at the 500 level. Attachments 1 and 2 provide detailed side-by-side comparisons of the old and proposed program
requirements.
Students must prepare and submit a scholarly thesis that demonstrates comprehensive, in-depth knowledge of a topic in
Engineering Science and Mechanics. The scholarly research contained in the thesis should be suitable for submission for
publication in a refereed journal as approved by the student’s advisor(s). A 3.0 minimum grade-point average is required to
maintain good academic standing and for graduation.
Core Requirement. E MCH 524A (Advanced Engineering Mathematics) will be required for all students. A student who has
successfully completed E SC 404H (or the equivalent) as an undergraduate may, however, take another higher-level mathematics
course in lieu of E MCH 524A.
All students must take 2 credits of an Engineering Science and Mechanics Seminar; that is, E MCH 514 (1 cr.) and/or E SC 514
(1 cr.). It should be noted that College of Engineering Scholarship and Research Integrity (SARI) requirements can be met via the
E MCH/E SC 514 seminar series. These courses provide five hours of program-specific topics and engage students in group
discussions on the ethical conduct of research and related subjects.
Interdisciplinarity (Part I): One 3-credit course must be taken from courses listed in each of the three categories − Mechanics,
Materials, and Engineering Science for a total of 9 credits as listed in Attachment 2 (Proposed Program Statement) to ensure
the interdisciplinary nature of the M.S. degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics. Course substitutions (within or external to
ESM) are permissible with the approval of the student’s advisor(s) and Graduate Officer provided the requested course covers an
engineering or a scientific topic and is not considered to be a social science, arts, or humanities course.
Interdisciplinarity (Part II): The remaining 9 course credits (excluding research and seminar credits) may be taken from the
courses listed in Attachment 2. Course substitutions (within or external to ESM) are permissible with the approval of the
student’s advisor(s) and Graduate Officer provided the requested course covers an engineering or a scientific topic and is not
considered to be a social science, arts, or humanities course.
Table 1.0: Side-by-Side Comparison of the Existing and Proposed Degree Programs in Engineering Science and
Mechanics. All credit requirements, including break-downs and totals will remain the same.
M.S. Degree in
Engineering Science (M.S., E SC)
Modified M.S. Degree in
Engineering Science and Mechanics (M.S., ESMCH)
Course Credits 24 24
ESM Credits ≥ 12 ≥ 12
500-Level Credits ≥ 18 ≥ 18
ESM Seminar Credits 2 2
Research Credits (600 or 610) 6 6
Total Number of Credits 32 32
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Admission Requirements. For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a bachelor's degree from a
U.S. regionally accredited institution or (2) a postsecondary degree that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree earned from an
officially recognized degree-granting international institution. Graduates in engineering, the sciences, mathematics, and engineering
science who present a 3.00 grade-point average, will be considered for admission. Exceptions to the minimum 3.00 grade-point
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