Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering degree is designed to provide graduate students with a broad foundation of engineering knowledge, including business and manufacturing aspects, as well as an in-depth research experience at the frontiers of engineering. The program aims to produce graduates who possess advanced analytical and technical skills in engineering and sciences, and who can demonstrate creativity and innovation in solving technological problems.

Program Mission

The mission of the M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering degree is to provide graduate students with learning opportunities for acquiring a broad foundation of engineering knowledge, including business and manufacturing aspects, as well as an in-depth research experience at the frontiers of engineering. Graduates of this program will pursue careers in business, industry, and government, or will pursue doctoral degrees.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

• Apply advanced knowledge of mathematics, science, or engineering
• Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

Admission Requirements

• Degree: Master of Science
• Semester(s) of entry: Fall (preferred), Spring
• Deadline dates: January 15 (Fall), October 1 (Spring)
• Test requirements: GRE not required, TOEFL required for international students
• Applicants must have a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, or a closely related discipline

Degree Requirements

• The Master of Science in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering program utilizes the faculty and research facilities of the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering to expose students to advanced and emerging technologies in mechanical and nuclear engineering
• Research thrusts in the department include:
  • Smart materials
  • Micro
    anotechnology
  • Energy conversion systems
  • Sensors
  • Aerosol science
  • Nuclear engineering
  • Fluid mechanics
  • Medical devices
  • Robotics
  • Biomechanics
• The M.S. degree program offers a thesis or non-thesis option and can be tailored to meet the individual student's academic goals and research interests
• Eighteen to 24 months of full-time study are usually necessary to complete the requirements for the thesis option
• The non-thesis option generally requires 12 months of full-time study or up to four years of part-time study
• A time limit of six calendar years is placed on work to be credited toward the master's degree
• Generally, a maximum of six credit hours of approved graduate course work required for a master's degree may be transferred from another program at VCU or outside institution and applied toward the degree

Curriculum Requirements

Core Component

The core component consists of three required core courses that provide the foundation of the M.S. curriculum:

• EGMN 605: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis
• EGMN 606: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics
• EGMN 610: Topics in Nuclear Engineering

Technical Elective Component

This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering, science, or other areas with approval of the student's adviser and graduate program director.

Directed Research Component

This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of M.S. degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and thesis committee.

Thesis Option

• Course Title: Hours
• Core courses and directed research:
  • EGMN 605: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis (3)
  • EGMN 606: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics (3)
  • EGMN 610: Topics in Nuclear Engineering (3)
• Technical elective courses: 15 credit hours
• Directed research: EGMN 697: Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering (6)
• Total Hours: 30

Non-Thesis Option

• Course Title: Hours
• Core courses and directed research:
  • EGMN 605: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis (3)
  • EGMN 606: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics (3)
  • EGMN 610: Topics in Nuclear Engineering (3)
• Technical elective courses: 21 credit hours
• Total Hours: 30

Accelerated Opportunities

The department offers opportunities for qualified undergraduate students to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Available accelerated programs include:

• B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Chemical and Life Science Engineering with a concentration in chemical engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Chemical and Life Science Engineering with a concentration in life science engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Computer Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Computer Science and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in cybersecurity and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in data science and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in software engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Electrical Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in nuclear engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering