The University Of Michigan Master Of Engineering Template And Aerospace Engineering Related Programs

The College of Engineering at the University of Michigan now offers Master of Engineering degree programs under its own authority in addition to the graduate degrees offered by the College through the University's School of Graduate Studies. All such programs must conform to a particular template which is designed to ensure an amount of breadth across departmental and college boundaries and participation in a team project. The Department of Aerospace Engineering offers a Master of Engineering degree under its jurisdiction and is a partner with other departments in the College in three other programs. The Master of Engineering template and the four degree programs are briefly described. Master of Engineering Template The approval of a Master of Engineering Degree had to be sought at the State level through the State Council of University Presidents. This is a voluntary agreement aimed at avoiding unnecessary duplication of programs. The proposal had to define the nature and purpose of the degree program and justify the existence of still another graduate degree. To this end a template, or a set of guidelines, was developed which distinguished this degree from others already being offered and which also spoke to the need for the program. So that maximum flexibility was still available to the College the template contained rather broad guidelines as follows: 1. Depth in an engineering discipline (6 credit hours minimum). Generally interpreted as a continuation at higher level of a disciplinary focus of the undergraduate program. 2. Breadth in engineering (6 credit hours minimum). Generally interpreted as engineering courses outside the disciplinary focus. 3 Breadth outside engineering (6 credit hours minimum). Recommended subject areas include business, law, economics, foreign languages and culture. P ge 183.1 1996 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings 4. Team project (6 credit hours minimum). Must be industry relevant and preferably with major industry involvement. 5. Other as designated by the program (6 credit hours minimum). Twenty four of the 30 credit hours must be graded, that is, not pass/fail, and at least 18 credit hours must be 500 level courses or higher. (500 level course are populated primarily by graduate students.) Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering The Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering degree is a graduate professional degree which provides breadth as well as depth in aerospace engineering and related areas, including non technical fields. It is administered by the Department of Aerospace Engineering. The main goals of this degree are to: (1) To enhance the technical competence and depth of understanding in applied areas of gasdynamics, dynamics and control, structural mechanics, and engineering design; (2) To broaden this experience to include a wider range of application areas; (3) To develop a wider understanding of industrial and business practices and/or to enhance advanced language and cultural studies; and (4) To provide experience in team organization and project development and management. Course elections consistent with the master template are arranged in the following categories: 1. Depth in aerospace engineering disciplines (9 credit hours): Three courses in Aerospace Engineering. 2. Breadth across engineering disciplines (6 credit hours): Two courses outside Aerospace Engineering but in engineering (Typically, mechanical engineering, applied mechanics, electrical engineering, industrial and operations engineering, and materials science engineering). 3. Breadth beyond typical engineering disciplines (6 credit hours): Two courses required. (Typically, mathematics, statistics, computer science, business and management, economics, advanced foreign language; also industrial and operations engineering or other engineering courses that emphasize business or management related subject areas.) 4. Team project experience (6 credit hours): One seminar course (1-3 credit hours), project courses (3-5 credit hours). 5. Other (3 credit hours): One course in any of the above categories.