Graduate Programs Overview

The College of Engineering has established graduate curricula and programs that emphasize creative design and research in major fields of engineering. The College offers Master of Science (MS) and Master of Engineering (MEng) programs; a combined Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering and Master of Business Administration (MS/MBA) program in cooperation with the School of Management; the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); and, offered jointly with the School of Medicine, a combined Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering and Doctor of Medicine (MD/PhD). To be admitted to one of these degree programs, an applicant should have a BS degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, or equivalent, and have attained a high degree of scholarship in an undergraduate program in engineering or science. Upon completion of any of the master’s programs, students may accept employment in engineering or applied science or elect further graduate training in an appropriate doctoral program.

Graduate Programs

An electronic application is available at www.bu.edu/eng/grad/apply. Electronic applications require payment by credit card. You can also choose to download application forms and instructions at the same web address.

Doctoral Program in Engineering

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) may be earned through programs of study and research in all of the disciplines available at the College of Engineering.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree may be earned in one of the following designations:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Materials Science & Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Systems Engineering

General PhD Program Requirements

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A pamphlet entitled PhD Programs in Engineering at 波士顿大学 is available from the Engineering Graduate Programs Office or on the web at www.bu.edu/eng/grad/handbook. The pamphlet explains the academic requirements for the PhD program in some detail. These and additional requirements pertaining to all PhDs in engineering and to individual departments/divisions within the College of Engineering are outlined below.

Course Requirements

Postbachelor’s students are required to complete a minimum of 64 credits applicable to their degree; 32 credits must be structured courses, 28 credits of which must be at the 500 level or higher. A minimum of 16 credits of research/dissertation is required. Postbachelor’s PhD students are required to declare the MS degree upon fulfillment of the degree requirements of their department/division.

There are no structured course requirements for post-master’s PhD students, but such students are required to complete 32 credits applicable to their degree, all of which must be at the 500 level or higher. A minimum of 8 credits of research/dissertation coursework is required.

Coursework used to fulfill the PhD degree requirements may not be used to fulfill the requirements of any other degree program.

Doctoral students who have completed all course requirements, or hold appointments as teaching fellows or research assistants, are considered full-time students and should be enrolled for a minimum of 2 credits per semester. Full-time status enables students to access libraries, laboratories, instructional staff, and other academic facilities at the University.

Part-Time Study

Occasionally, students are permitted to pursue the post-master’s PhD on a part-time basis. Such students must demonstrate a commitment to the program on an ongoing basis. Part-time students must fulfill the same degree requirements and are subject to the same policies, time frames, and deadlines as full-time students.

Continuing Registration

See sections on “Continuing Students” under “Registration” and Withdrawal, Leave of Absence, and Reinstatement.”

Residency Requirement

Each student must satisfy a residency requirement of a minimum of two consecutive regular semesters of full-time graduate study at 波士顿大学. Full-time study in this context means full-time commitment to the discipline as determined by the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs.

In order to graduate, students must be registered as part- or full-time students in the semester in which they complete degree requirements and in the preceding semester.

Qualifying Examination

The student’s area of concentration determines the specific nature and scope of the qualifying examination. Students must pass a comprehensive examination covering basic knowledge in an area of specialized study selected from the following: biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or materials science and engineering. Students who are unable to pass the qualifying examination are withdrawn from the PhD program. Individual departments/divisions coordinate administration of the qualifying exam. The qualifying exam is limited to two attempts. Departments/divisions may limit attempts to one, if they so choose.

Mathematics Requirement

Students must satisfy a mathematics requirement which is determined by the department/division and approved by the College. Students unable to satisfy this requirement are withdrawn from the PhD program.

All PhD students must complete both the qualifying exam and the mathematics requirement by the end of their fifth semester.

PhD Candidacy

A student in a College of Engineering PhD program will be accepted to PhD candidacy upon successful completion of the qualifying examination and the mathematics requirement. At that time, the student will receive formal notice of acceptance to PhD candidacy. The maximum period allowed between matriculation and acceptance to PhD candidacy is usually five semesters, but departments/divisions can specify a lesser time frame. Under no circumstances will a student who is not a PhD candidate be allowed to defend a completed PhD dissertation.

Dissertation Prospectus Defense

Within two years of becoming a candidate, the student is expected to present an oral dissertation proposal to the prospective dissertation committee and obtain approval for the written dissertation prospectus. The committee evaluates the potential of the proposed research and the student’s academic preparation to engage in dissertation research. Upon approval of the committee members and the departmental associate chair or the division associate head, the student submits the PhD Dissertation Prospectus Defense Form to the department/division office.

Dissertation

A PhD candidate is expected to prepare and carry out an independent and original research project in partial fulfillment of the dissertation requirement. The dissertation committee must consist of College of Engineering (tenured or tenure-earning) faculty. Occasionally scholars from outside the University serve on dissertation committees. A “Special Service Appointment” form must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs for approval of all committee members from outside the University.

Final Oral Examination

Students shall present themselves for a final oral examination in which they must defend their dissertation as a worthy contribution to knowledge in their fields and demonstrate mastery of their field of specialization as related to the dissertation. The Examining Committee is composed of at least five members of which two must be (tenured or tenure-earning) faculty from the student’s academic department/division. Each department/division determines the appointment of the chair.

Time Limit

Both the postbachelor’s and post-master’s programs must be completed within five years of the individual’s acceptance into PhD candidacy. Once entered, PhD candidacy will expire on the fifth anniversary and after such time will be renewed only if the student requalifies for candidacy as determined by the department/division and the College Graduate Committee.

Advisor

Candidates for the MS, MEng, or PhD degrees are required to have as an advisor a member of the graduate faculty in the department/division of their major field.

Program of Study

A program of study must be approved by the student’s advisor and submitted to the appropriate departmental/division graduate committee for approval no later than registration for the fifth course. Failure to obtain approval of such a plan of study within this time frame will preclude registration in the next semester.

Research and Dissertation

Students may register for research with approval of the faculty member concerned. Students may register for dissertation credits only after completing their prospectus, and with their advisor’s approval. A candidate for the PhD degree may not register for more than 12 credits of research/dissertation in a single semester.

Master of Science Degree

The Master of Science degree is a professional degree with emphasis on advanced training in engineering science and design. Individuals should consult specific departmental requirements. A minimum of 32 semester credits is required for the Master of Science in Computer, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Photonics, and Systems. The Master of Science in Biomedical, Manufacturing Engineering, or Global Manufacturing requires 36 credits. No more than 8 credits may be transferred from other approved graduate schools. No fewer than 28 credits must be at the graduate level. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (B) is required for all courses taken at 波士顿大学 as part of this degree program. Individual departments or programs may impose additional requirements. Coursework used to fulfill the Master of Science degree requirements may not be used to fulfill the requirements of any other degree program.

A 32-credit Master of Science program nominally requires one year; a full-time student can usually complete it in one academic year, although some students may find it advisable to plan to remain for the full calendar year in order to complete a project, thesis, or laboratory course in the summer term. A 36-credit program requires a minimum of one academic year of full-time study, plus one summer session course. Students supported by research assistantships or teaching fellowships should be able to complete a Master of Science program, including thesis requirement, within two calendar years.

Part-time students who take two courses each semester should be able to complete a Master of Science program within two calendar years. The program must be completed within five years after admission to degree-seeking status.

The Master of Science degree may be earned with one of the following designations:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • General Engineering
  • Global Manufacturing
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Materials Science & Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Photonics
  • Systems Engineering

The General Engineering Program designation is appropriate when the program of study does not conform to any of the other specializations listed above and involves coursework from several departments and disciplines. Typical Master of Science in General Engineering programs include areas such as operations research, engineering economic systems, and energy systems. In addition to the general requirements of the College for the Master of Science degree, the specific requirements for the interdisciplinary degree of Master of Science in Engineering are: (1) the student’s program must be coherent and have a well-defined objective, and must be approved in advance by the College’s Graduate Committee; and (2) the program must consist of a minimum of 32 credits, at least 16 of which must be earned within the College of Engineering. Students must complete a minimum of one semester as a Master of Science student before applying to this program.

Master of Engineering

The Master of Engineering has been developed specifically for students interested in careers in industry rather than academic research. A minimum of 32 semester credits is required for the Master of Engineering program. No more than 8 credits may be transferred from other approved graduate schools. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (B) is required for all courses taken at 波士顿大学 as part of this degree program. Individual departments or programs may impose additional requirements. Coursework used to fulfill the Master of Engineering degree requirements may not be used to fulfill the requirements of any other degree program.

A 32-credit Master of Engineering program nominally requires one year. A full-time student can usually complete it in one academic year. Part-time students who take two courses each semester should be able to complete a Master of Engineering program within two calendar years.  The program must be completed within five years after matriculation to degree-seeking status.

The Master of Engineering degree may be earned in the Biomedical Engineering or Systems Engineering designation.

Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP)

The Late Entry Accelerated Program enables students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than engineering to enter any of the College’s master’s degree programs and ultimately earn a Master of Science or Master of Engineering degree. LEAP students must have successfully completed one semester of calculus in college with a grade of B or better before admission to the program. Depending on the student’s math or science background, it typically takes a minimum of two years for a full-time LEAP student to earn the master’s degree. Part-time students will require proportionately more time. University scholarships and federal and private loan funds are available to eligible full-time and part-time LEAP students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Inquiries should be directed to LEAP, Graduate Programs Office, College of Engineering, 48 Cummington Street, Boston, MA 02215. Email: leap@bu.edu.

Alternative Master of Science Programs in Manufacturing Engineering

In addition to on-campus study, the Department of Mechanical Engineering offers the following means to attain a Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering:

  • Distance Learning Program
  • Dual Degree Program with the School of Management (MS/MBA)
  • International Master’s Degree Program in Global Manufacturing

Please see the Master’s Degree website for more information on graduate programs.