The Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Maryland Baltimore County offers programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mechanical Engineering.

The M.S. program focuses on providing students advanced training in the fundamental sciences and technology of Mechanical Engineering to enable them to pursue careers in applied research and development. An M.S. degree will enable students to pursue careers in government and industrial laboratories, advanced technology firms, or to teach in community colleges. The M.S. program is also a useful springboard toward the Ph.D. program. The M.S. program has a thesis and a non-thesis option. All full-time students are encouraged to take the thesis option. The M.S. degree can be earned in three to four semesters or pursued on a part time basis.

The Ph.D. program focuses on performing fundamental research in Mechanical Engineering, culminating with a Ph.D. dissertation. The Ph.D. program aims to train engineering scientists who will devote their professional careers to the development of fundamental knowledge and technology from which applications will emerge. These engineering scientists will fill research positions in government and industrial laboratories as well as teaching and research positions in universities. Talented and highly motivated students who wish to pursue a research career are encouraged to pursue the Ph.D. degree directly after obtaining the B.S. degree.

During the 2002-2003 academic year, 27 M.S. and 24 Ph.D. students were enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program. Substantial external funding, as well as University funded Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships enable the Department to offer financial aid to outstanding students intent on pursuing the Ph.D. degree. Some financial aid is available for some exceptionally qualified M.S. students. Most of the graduate courses in Mechanical Engineering are taught in the late afternoon and early evening to facilitate the participation of part time students from local industries and government laboratories