• Graduate mechanical engineering core (54 units). These units should provide a solid base for the student's engineering interest. The courses should be selected from the core subjects list Areas 1-3 of the mechanical engineering Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Description and Requirements section.

• Mathematics, engineering, and research electives (54 units). Students who have not taken the equivalent of ACM 100 abc are required to take ACM 100 abc for 36 units. Courses may be taken in Ae, AM, ACM, ME, MS, EE, ESE, APh, CDS, CS, ChE, and CNS. Students are encouraged to take research units, ME 300, up to a maximum of 27.

• Free electives (27 units). These units may be selected from any course with a number of 100 or greater, except that research units may not be included.

• Graduate Engineering Seminar, AM/CE/ME 150 abc (3 units).

Mechanical Engineering (ME) research and study are offered through the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (MCE). The degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science (M.S.) are offered. The M.S. degree is normally only awarded to students who expect to pursue the Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering and who do not already have an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering. In general, students who intend to work full-time toward the Ph.D. degree as a final degree objective are admitted to the mechanical engineering graduate program.

The aim of the graduate program in mechanical engineering at Caltech is to prepare students for research and professional practice in an era of rapidly advancing interdisciplinary technology. The program combines individual depth of experience and competence in a particular chosen major specialty, with a strong background in the basic and engineering sciences. It strives to develop professional independence, creativity, leadership, and the capacity for continuing professional and intellectual growth.