Mar 29, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2022-2023 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2022-2023 Previous Edition

Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering, M.S.


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The M.S. in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering degree provides an opportunity for discipline-specific and multidisciplinary graduate level education.  Advanced coursework and research are used to enhance professional development, improve technical competency, and initiate a lifelong learning experience.  Full-time students typically take three semesters to complete the program.

Admission Requirements


The minimum admission requirements for the program are:

  • An earned undergraduate degree in engineering, engineering technology, energy, or a closely related field
  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Acceptable scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections of the GRE 
    • The GRE requirement will be waived for the following applicants:
      • UNC Charlotte students currently enrolled in The William States Lee College of Engineering
      • Applicants having earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, energy, or a closely related field from an ABET-accredited program
      • Applicants having earned a graduate degree
  • Positive recommendations
  • An acceptable TOEFL score is required if the previous degree was from a country where English is not the common language
  • Integral and differential calculus (MATH 1121 or MATH 1241 or ETGR 2171, and ETGR 2272 or MATH 1242 at UNC Charlotte or equivalent from other institutions)
  • Statistics (STAT 1220 or STAT 3128 at UNC Charlotte or equivalent from other institutions)
  • Other credentials as required by the Graduate School
  • Admission is based on the overall background, motivation, and potential, as determined by the program

Early Entry Program

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree.  See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements.  Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies  section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Degree Requirements


The program leading to the Master of Science engineering degree in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering is a 30 credit hour program.  Students select one of the three options described below; each contains requirements to complete core courses, elective courses, and a capstone experience. 

Option A: Thesis

Requires the formation of a Master’s Committee consisting of members of the Graduate Faculty, to be chaired by a member of the Department.

Requires successful completion of 24 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, research, and a thesis:

  • 3 credit hours of Mathematics
  • 6 credit hours of prescribed core courses
  • 15 credit hours of electives
  • 6 credit hours of research
  • Successful oral defense of thesis work by the student’s Master’s Committee
  • Acceptance of written thesis by the student’s Master’s Committee

Option B: Project (Non-thesis)

Requires successful completion of 27 credit hours of graduate-level coursework and a Capstone Project:

  • 3 credit hours of Mathematics
  • 6 credit hours of prescribed core courses
  • 18 credit hours of electives
  • 3 credit hours of individualized project work (as ENER-6850), concluding in a paper and successful presentation to graduate faculty members

Option C: Comprehensive Exam (Non-thesis)

Requires successful completion of 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework and students must pass a written comprehensive that is administered by the program:

  • 3 credit hours of Mathematics
  • 6 credit hours of prescribed core courses
  • 21 credit hours of electives
  • passing a written comprehensive that is administered by the program

Elective Courses (Option A: 15 credit hours; Option B: 18 credit hours; Option C: 21 credit hours)


Students must take the prescribed number of elective credit hours (based on their chosen Option) from the following list. In addition, appropriate existing graduate-level courses from other programs may be approved by the Graduate Program Director, not to exceed 6 credit hours from outside of the department. Additional elective courses may be offered occasionally as Special Topics, based on industry needs and faculty research interests.  

Capstone Experiences


Thesis Research (Option A students) (6 credit hours)


For this capstone experience, students must take a total of 6 credit hours of Master’s Research and Thesis; this is normally taken across two semesters of 3 credit hours each. During these 6 credit hours, students must conduct research on an approved topic, leading to the writing and defending of a thesis (in accordance with Graduate School policies).

Project Research (Option B students) (3 credit hours)


This capstone experience requires individual investigation in the form of a project in the areas of Applied Energy and/or Electromechanical Systems culminating in an exposition of results in the form of a formal presentation to faculty and a professional conference-formatted paper. The proposed project must be pre-approved by a mentoring member of the program graduate faculty and the Graduate Program Director.

Comprehensive Examination (Option C students)


The comprehensive examination is a written exam to be offered once in the fall and once in the spring semesters. A student’s exam will be scheduled when they have at least 24 credit hours completed or in progress. The Program Director and the examining committee will coordinate the examination. The exam will measure the student’s mastery of theories and applications in the discipline. Students will have only two opportunities to receive passing marks on the examination.

Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours


Grade Requirements


All candidates must earn an overall 3.0 GPA to graduate. Accumulation of one U grade will result in the suspension of the student’s enrollment in the program.

Advising


Each student is advised by the Graduate Program Director and may be supervised by their graduate advisor and/or their program Master’s Thesis Committee.

Application for Degree


Each student must apply for graduation by the published deadline in their final term. Students who apply to graduate but fail to finish will need to update their application to graduate to a future term.

Plan of Study Requirements


Each student is required to submit a Plan of Study to and receive approval from the program’s Graduate Program Director before completing 9 graduate credit hours. The Plan may be reviewed and updated periodically with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Transfer Credit


The department, at its discretion, may accept transfer of graduate courses (6 credit hours maximum) taken at another institution or from another program prior to admission to the M.S. in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering program. Only courses in which the student earned a grade of B or above may be transferred.

Assistantships


Research and teaching assistantships are available from the Department on a competitive basis to highly qualified applicants/students.

Tuition Grants


Tuition grants including out-of-state tuition differential waivers and in-state tuition support are available on a competitive basis for both out-of-state and in-state students, respectively.

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