Mechanical and Aerospace MS Programs
We offer Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering. Students are trained for careers in engineering practice and/or further study at the doctoral level.
About the Aerospace Engineering MS
The Aerospace Engineering MS program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to take on leadership roles in the aerospace industry and associated sectors.
The program covers a wide range of applications in aeronautics and astronautics, encompassing subsonic and supersonic aircraft, satellites, space shuttles, space stations, and more. Additionally, students delve into aerospace-related component development, including the design of structures, devices, and instruments and vehicle and propulsion system design.
About the Mechanical Engineering MS
The Mechanical Engineering MS program prepares students for doctoral study or industrial positions specializing in research, project management and product innovation in mechanical engineering.
The program provides a sound foundation in technical fundamentals with a broad-based curriculum in design and optimization; dynamics, control and mechatronics; fluid and thermal sciences; and bioengineering, computational and applied mechanics and materials.
Why MAE at UB?
Curriculum Overview
Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering MS programs require 30 graduate credit hours, and students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. There are no core course requirements. However, at least 21 credits must be MAE courses. Up to six credit hours are permitted for informal courses. There are three program options:
- All-Course option (30 credit hours of coursework)
- Project option (27 credit hours of coursework, plus 3 credit hour project)
- Thesis option (24-27 credit hours of coursework, plus 3-6 credit hour thesis)
Our master's programs can be taken full-time or part-time, and typically take three to four semesters (1.5 to 2 years) to complete. Students must take twelve credit hours per semester (nine credit hours if serving as TA/GA/RA) in order to maintain a full-time status.
Program Options
Students in MAE master's programs have a vareity of options when it comes to completing their degree. Complete your master's 100% through courses, with a project, or by completing a traditional thesis. The choice is yours.
Minimum Requirements
- At least eight approved graduate courses (24 to 27 credit hours)
- 3 to 6 credit hours of thesis registration, for a total of 30 credit hours
Thesis
The thesis may cover a variety of activities, including theoretical and experimental investigations, practical design projects, and the like.
- Three people, qualified to render judgment in the area involved, constitute the thesis examination committee: the advisor plus two other faculty members. Non-MAE faculty can serve as a co-advisor or committee members, provided they have a Graduate School appointment.
- The candidate makes an oral presentation at which the examination committee is present in addition to other interested faculty and students.
Minimum Requirements
- At least nine approved graduate courses (27 credit hours)
- 3 credit hours of project registration (MAE 560), for a total of 30 credit hours
Project
The project should be carefully prepared, and must be typed and bound. The candidate makes an oral presentation at which the examination committee is present in addition to other interested faculty and students.
- Two people, qualified to render judgment in the area involved, constitute the project examination committee: the advisor plus one other faculty member. Non-MAE faculty can serve as committee member, provided they have a Graduate School appointment.
- A typed report of substantial length is required, written to a satisfactory standard as judged by the faculty advisor.
Minimum Requirements
- At least ten approved graduate courses (30 credit hours)
Comprehensive Exame
The comprehensive exam for the All-Course option is an oral exam in the area of the student's specialization conducted by a committee of at least two faculty members of the department. The comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the student's mastery of their program of study and their ability to integrate knowledge acquired through their program. The comprehensive examination date will be established by the Director of Graduate Studies and will be held within one week of the conclusion of each semester.
It is possible for a student to complete a program leading to two MS degrees. For example, the Mechanical Engineering MS and Aerospace Engineering MS degrees, or one of those and a second degree from another engineering discipline.
Minimum Requirements
- At least 24 credit hours completed for each degree
- 6 credit hours may be applied to both programs
Note that all new students will enter under the all-course option. Students receiving financial support (TA, RA, or GA) through the department are required to do the thesis option.
Graduate Contact Information
Dr. Ehsan Esfahani
Graduate Studies Director
245 Bell Hall
ehsanesf@buffalo.edu
Philomena Marinaccio
Graduate Coordinator
240 Bell Hall
mae-graduate@buffalo.edu
Admissions Requirements
Students who wish to apply to the Aerospace Engineering MS or Mechanical Engineering MS must provide the following materials:
Students can apply online. New applicants must create an account. If you have applied in the past, you will be asked to log in to your existing account to start a new application.
The application includes sections that will ask you to provide us with personal/biographical information, contact information, citizenship details, your past or current college/university, and degree details. You will be able to enter the names and contact information of your recommenders and upload supporting materials to your application. You may upload supporting documents while completing the application form or after you have submitted your application in your Application Status Portal.
You do not need official transcripts or test scores to apply. Unofficial copies are sufficient for application review, but students are encouraged to provide official copies if they have them.
A non-refundable fee of $100 is required to apply for Spring 2025 or later terms. The application fee for Fall 2024 is $85. After you submit your application form, you can pay the application fee online in your Application Status Portal with a credit card or e-check.
Copies of transcript(s) for all post-secondary schoolwork must be uploaded with your application for initial review. Upon an offer of admission, accepted applicants will be required to submit official transcripts and proof of degree(s).
Please upload a brief personal statement describing your educational objectives, your academic experience, and why you're interested in the program. There is no required length or word limit for the statement.
Master's applicants are only required to submit GRE scores if their bachelor's degree was obtained from a non-US institute. Otherwise, GRE scores are optional. We do not have any minimum GRE score requirement for admission into our program.
Upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your application. Your resume or CV should include details about your education, employment, and internship history. Pertinent research experience should be included as well.
Two letters of recommendation are required to apply to this program. Letters are automatically requested when you enter recommenders' names and email addresses in your application. While we will accept letters from professional sources, we strongly prefer letters from professors acquainted with your academic interests, achievements, and abilities.
International applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. The chart below outlines acceptable test types and the university's minimum score required for admission. All applicants whose native language is not English will be required to provide proof of English proficiency.
Copies may be submitted for initial review. Official scores must be sent directly to UB from the testing agency.
| Test Type | University Minimum Score | To Order... |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL (IBT) (including MyBest scores) TOEFL Home Edition | 79 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 8.5 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| TOEFL ITP Plus | 550 | Use Institution Code 2925 |
| IELTS and IELTS Indicator | 6.5 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| 55 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) | 185 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) | 185 | Select "University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY)" |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 120 | ADA Department of Testing will report your official scores to central application services |
Exam results must be dated within two years from your proposed date of admission and remain valid upon entering the term for which you applied.
It is strongly recommended to make test arrangements early in the year so sufficient time can be allowed for the results to be reported before application deadlines.
Exemptions to English Language Proficiency requirements can be found on The Graduate School website.
For admissions information or questions about your application, contact gradeng@buffalo.edu.