Introduction ^[1] | Curriculum

Degree Requirements

For graduation, a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate-level coursework is required. Students may choose to complete a research (thesis or research project) or a non-research (coursework only) option.

Students pursuing the thesis option must complete 24 semester hours of graduate-level coursework and complete 6 semester hours of thesis. Students completing the project must complete 27 semester hours of graduate-level coursework and 3 semester hours of a research project. Students pursuing the non-research option must complete 30 semester hours of graduate-level coursework.

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 24 – 27

Students choose between two options. The thesis option requires 24 s.h. of coursework and 6 s.h. of master’s thesis (ME 9996: Thesis). The non-thesis option requires 27 s.h. of coursework, plus an independent research project (ME 9995: Project) or, with permission of the department, another 3 s.h. course.

Required Courses:
ENGR 5737 Systems Physiology for Engineers
ENGR 5011 Engineering Mathematics I
ENGR 5719 Introduction to Bioengineering
ENGR 5721 Cell Biology for Engineers

Culminating Events:

Thesis Option: Students completing the thesis option need to complete a master’s thesis, a document detailing independent research that demonstrates the student’s mastery of his/her primary area of interest. The thesis research is conducted under the direct supervision of an academic advisor. The specific topic for research should be of current interest in the professional community. After a research topic is selected, the student performs preliminary research. A thesis proposal is then submitted describing the initial results and a plan for further research toward completion of the proposed research. The thesis proposal is next presented at an open seminar to the Thesis Committee, which evaluates its technical merit and research methodology. The student may continue the research only after the proposal is approved by the committee.

The final draft of the thesis should be submitted at least two weeks before the anticipated date of the thesis defense. The student’s academic advisor, in consultation with members of the Thesis Committee, sets a date and time for the thesis defense. The department secretary arranges a room for the defense and posts flyers announcing the defense. In addition, the student must post the thesis defense flyer on the graduate student listserv for the department.

The Thesis Committee, a group of faculty members and possibly engineers engaged in research in high-tech industries, is responsible for evaluating the thesis and its defense. No thesis should go to defense unless it is ready for public scrutiny. The committee evaluates the primary findings of the research and their implications, technical methodology, and the student’s ability to verbally present the research results. The committee votes pass/fail on the thesis and defense at the conclusion of the public presentation. If the student must make revisions, those changes must be completed within one month from the date of public presentation; failure to do so requires a new thesis defense.

Non-Thesis Option: Students in the non-thesis option may be required to complete an independent research project and submit a report toward the requirements of ME 9995: Project. The goal of the research project is to evaluate the student’s ability to perform independent research in analysis and design for an engineering application. The topic for research is selected after discussion with the student’s academic advisor. The scope of research is carefully outlined so as to allow the student to complete the research in one semester. After completing the course, the student submits a final report detailing the findings of the research and presents it at an open seminar. The report is evaluated by two members of the faculty, including the student’s academic advisor. With permission of the department, students may also elect another course in place of ME 9995.

Admission Requirements
In addition to submitting an application with the required supporting material, other admission requirements include:

• An undergraduate engineering degree in engineering, from an ABET-accredited or equivalent institution. Students with a strong background in physical sciences, biology, and mathematics will also be considered for admission.
• At least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) undergraduate GPA.
• A minimum score of 450 verbal, 650 quantitative, and 4.5 analytical on the GRE.
• For applicants whose native language is not English – a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based test, 550 on the paper-based test, and 79 on the internet-based test on the TOEFL, or a 6.5 on the academic version of the IELTS.

Admission procedures will be guided by the standard requirements for admission for graduate programs in the College of Engineering ^[2] and the general requirements of the Graduate School of Temple University ^[3] . A certain minimum competency in engineering subject matter and competency in the biological and physical sciences will be expected from candidates.

For more information, please contact the College of Engineering’s Office of Graduate Studies at 215-204-7800 or gradengr@temple.edu ^[4]