2013–2014 The Bulletin - USS at Tufts - Tufts University

Mechanical Engineering >
for thesis credit and submit a thesis prospectus
signed by the student and advisor describing the
proposed research. The thesis prospectus must be
submitted by the end of the first semester of thesis
credit registration. The thesis defense is the final
step in obtaining approval for the thesis.
Master of Science in Human Factors
Human Factors Engineering is also referred to as
Engineering Psychology or Ergonomics. The field
is rapidly growing with wide engineering and
non-engineering applications. The program offers
specialized courses, training and research opportunities
in the human-centered aspects of engineering
activities such as medical devices and systems
design, transportation systems research, product
design, computer-interface design, ergonomics and
workplace safety.
Although this program has its own entrance
and course requirements separate from Mechanical
Engineering, it is expected that applicants to the
Human Factors program will have an acceptable
BS in engineering or science. Relevant course work
and research experience may be considered for
non-engineering students. It is strongly recommended
that the prospective student identify and
contact the potential thesis advisor before applying
to the program.
The MS (HF) program requires successful
completion of ten (10) credits consisting of seven
(7) course credits and a research-based thesis worth
at least three (3) credits; an official proposal defense;
seminar attendance; and successful thesis defense in
an open forum. MS candidates are also expected to
present their research at scientific conferences (e.g.,
ASME, HFES, IEA, IEEE SMC) and submit at
least one paper to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
All students are required to complete a twocourse
sequence in each of the following two core
areas: Human-Machine Systems and Advanced
Probability and Statistics. The courses must be
taken in the first two semesters of the MS program.
The two-course sequence is referred to as core A
and core B, with core A being a prerequisite for
core B.
The two core area course sequences are Human-
Machine Systems (ENP 162 and ENP 163) and
Advanced Probability and Statistics (PSY 107 and
108). Students are also required to take an advanced
design course (ME 102 or ENP 161) in semester 2.
The student and thesis advisor determine the
remaining elective credits in the MS program.
A thesis is required in partial fulfillment of the
degree. Ordinarily, the thesis is three of the ten
required course credits. The exact number of course
credits to be considered for the thesis research (2 or
3) is determined by the thesis committee at the
time of the thesis proposal defense. After selecting
a thesis topic and advisor, a student must register
for thesis credit and submit a thesis proposal signed
by the student and advisor describing the proposed
research. The thesis proposal defense must be
completed by the end of the first semester of thesis
credit registration. The thesis defense is the final
step in obtaining approval for the thesis.
Master of Engineering
The Master of Engineering (MEng) program is
offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering
to provide qualified post-baccalaureate
students the opportunity to grow as engineering
professionals through advanced engineering
education. Applicants are admitted to the Master
of Engineering (MEng) program based on a strong
academic background in mechanical engineering or
a related technical discipline. The Department also
requires all applicants to submit their recent
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
The MEng emphasizes technical course work,
culminating in an engineering project, and can be
contrasted with the departmental MS program,
which is focused on research and development and
includes a research thesis. Candidates are required
to complete the equivalent of ten graduate-level
(100-level or above) course. All students must take
at least three courses from the six available core
topic classes. Students should honor prerequisites
when selecting courses.
Students are required to take at least one math
course selected from ME150, ES101, and ME108.
Students are also required to take ME102 (Inventive
Design).
The remaining 5 courses in the MEng program
are four elective courses and a one-credit project
(Mechanical Engineering 299). The project is
conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor
and must address a substantive engineering analysis
or design problem. Students are required to submit
a written report and make an oral presentation of
their project work.
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