The BSME curriculum at Portland State University is distinguished by its emphasis on the design process culminating in the capstone project in the senior year. The curriculum emphasizes fluid systems, mechanical systems, thermal systems, and machine design.
The mechanical engineering curriculum is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 425 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 - telephone: (410) 347-7700. This national organization sets standards for engineering education defined in terms of curricular content, quality of faculty, and adequacy of facilities.
The mechanical engineering department is engaged in a continuous program improvement process in which the educational needs of our students have the utmost importance. The goal of the department is to ensure that all of our graduates receive a balanced education that makes them highly desirable to employers.
Bachelors + Master's Pathway
The Bachelors + Master's Pathway Program allows currently admitted BSME students to get a head-start on their master's degree. Students admitted into the Pathway Program are able to take up to 16 credit hours of 500 or 600 level course work as an undergraduate, at an undergraduate tuition rate*, and apply the credits to their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Admitted pathway students have the potential to start their graduate program with 16 credits already completed.
Students must apply by the end of their junior year, and if admitted, will automatically matriculate into an MME graduate program as long as they meet the Pathway continuation criteria. Students in the Pathway Program can pursue any of the MME master level graduate programs.
*Post-bac students will be charged graduate tuition rates per PSU policy.
Credit Application
Once a Pathway student is formally admitted into a graduate MME program, the Department will request the 500 or 600 level credits taken as an undergraduate to be applied to his or her master's degree. Only coursework with a grade of B+ or higher will be applied.
Admission Criteria
Students applying to the Pathway Program must meet the following criteria:
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Admitted into the BSME Program
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Completed 12 credit hours of 300 or 400 level upper division BSME coursework
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Institutional GPA of 3.3 at time of application
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Three letters of recommendation from faculty members (MME faculty members preferred)
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Statement of purpose
Application Deadline
Students must apply by the end of the third term of their junior year. Applications need to be submitted by the end of finals week.
Continuation Criteria
Students must have an institutional GPA of 3.3 upon graduation from the BSME program to be fully admitted into the graduate program.