The Mechanical Engineering Department offers a B.S./Master’s program for currently enrolled WPI undergraduates. Students in the B.S./Master’s program may choose either the thesis or non-thesis M.S. option.
Double-Counting Rules
The department’s rules for these programs vary somewhat from the Institute’s rules. Students in the B.S./Master’s program are permitted to count units/credits towards both their B.S. and Master’s degrees. For the purposes of this double-counting, 1/6 WPI undergraduate unit is equivalent to 1 graduate credit. For regular courses, this means that term-long 4000-level courses (1/3 undergraduate unit) are worth 2 graduate credits, term-long graduate courses (1/3 undergraduate unit) are worth 2 graduate credits, and semester-long graduate courses (1/2 undergraduate unit) are worth 3 graduate credits.
A maximum of 2 undergraduate units (twelve graduate credits) may be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Of these, at most 1 undergraduate unit (six graduate credits) can be from 4000-level undergraduate courses, and none may be from courses lower than the 4000-level. No extra work is required in the 4000-level courses. The remainder of the double-counted credits must come from graduate courses. Courses that can be double-counted include independent study, directed research, and special topics courses. A grade of B or better is required for any course to be counted toward both degrees. There is no minimum requirement for the double-counted courses.
Application Process
Students can apply to the BS/MS program by submitting an MS application to WPI Graduate Admissions and selecting the BS/MS option.
The application for the B.S./Master’s program must include a list of courses that the applicant proposes to count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. In most cases, the list consists of courses that the applicant will take in the senior year.
Applications will not be considered if they are submitted prior to the second half of the applicant’s junior year. Ideally, applications (including recommendations) should be completed by the early part of the last term (usually D-term) of the junior year.
Thesis Option
Students in the B.S./Master’s program who choose the thesis M.S. option are encouraged to pick a thesis area of research that is closely related to the subject of their major qualifying project. Those students in the B.S./M.S. program who complete their B.S. degrees in May and choose the thesis option are encouraged to begin their thesis research during the summer immediately following graduation.
Program Description
A detailed written description of the B.S./M.S program in mechanical engineering can be obtained from the mechanical engineering graduate administrator.
Course Designation Form
Students enrolled in a B.S./M.S. degree program must complete the Bachelor's and Master's Degree Course Designation Form and have the form signed by the department Graduate Coordinator or Department Head. The form can be found on the registrar's website.
Students intending to graduate with a B.S./M.S. degree at the same time should submit the Bachelor's and Master's Degree Course Designation Form to the registrar's office in the same semester they intend to graduate. Otherwise, the form should be submitted during the first semester after a student graduates with their Bachelor's Degree.