The Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) has a thesis and a non-thesis option. The thesis option includes a focus on skills related to the acquisition of new knowledge and is designed for students who wish to pursue research-oriented occupations or to eventually pursue a PhD degree, as well as to prepare for advanced professional engineering practice. The non-thesis option is designed for students who wish to further emphasize engineering practice and prefer to substitute additional classroom education and a comprehensive written exam or a project and comprehensive oral exam for graduate research experience.