UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS · UNITED STATES
Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Master's · Taught in en
At a glance
24 mo
Duration
7.0
IELTS
—
Tuition / yr
en
Language
Master's
Level
- 24 units coursework + thesis (Plan I)Plan I: Thesis pathway
- 36 units coursework + technical report (Plan II Option 1)Plan II: Comprehensive Exam pathway
- 38 units coursework + literature synthesis (Plan II Option 2)Plan II: Literature Synthesis pathway
- Find a permanent Major ProfessorKey Milestone
- Advance to CandidacyKey Milestone
- Complete Thesis or Comprehensive ExamKey Milestone
The Master of Science (M.S.) program in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at UC Davis offers advanced study and research opportunities for students seeking to deepen their expertise in these fields. The program provides two distinct pathways for degree completion: a thesis-based plan for those focused on research, and a comprehensive exam-based plan for those interested in a technical report or literature synthesis. Students are guided through program milestones by faculty and program coordinators, culminating in graduation upon successful completion of degree requirements.
Curriculum
The M.S. program allows students to follow degree requirements in effect during their first quarter of enrollment, with the option to petition for current requirements. Students must fulfill unit requirements through letter-graded coursework, complemented by either a thesis, a technical report, or a literature synthesis, depending on the chosen plan.
- Year 1
- Graduate coursework
- Finding a Major Professor
- Advancing to Candidacy
- Year 2
- Completion of Thesis or Comprehensive Exam
- Graduation
Careers
Graduates of the MSBA program are prepared to address the demand for professionals who can leverage data and computing power for business decisions. This program aims to provide a considerable return on investment by equipping students with sought-after skills.
- Data Scientist
- Business Analyst
- Data Engineer
- Managerial roles in data-driven industries
Frequently asked questions
- What are the admission requirements for the Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering?
- Applicants need an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and a minimum GPA of 3.0. For international applicants, an IELTS score of 7.0 is required. It is also strongly recommended to connect with faculty members regarding research interests.
- How long does the Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program take to complete?
- The program has two pathways. Plan I (thesis-based) requires 24 units of coursework plus a thesis. Plan II requires 36 units with a technical report or 38 units with a literature synthesis.
- What are the tuition fees for this program?
- The provided fee information is for the MS Business Analytics program and may not reflect the costs for the MS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program. Actual costs for the MAE program are not detailed.
- What are the application deadlines for the MS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program?
- Applications for the Fall admission typically open in September and the deadline is December 1st.
- What are the career prospects after completing the MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering?
- While specific career outcomes for the MAE program are not detailed, graduates are prepared for advanced roles in their fields. The provided information on careers pertains to the MS Business Analytics program, listing roles like Data Scientist and Business Analyst.
- How is financial support or scholarships handled for this program?
- For Plan I thesis students in MAE, financial support is generally limited to Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions on funded research projects. International applicants are advised to seek funding from their home countries, particularly for the Microbiology program.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's DegreeUndergraduate degree in a biological science with coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Upper division courses in biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, microbial physiology, genetics, or immunology are encouraged. Minimum 3.0 GPA required.
IELTS7.0
For the Microbiology Graduate Program, the department strongly emphasizes PhD admissions and generally does not admit MS students unless there are special circumstances like government-sponsored fellowships, personal funding, or a faculty mentor's commitment of financial support. International applicants are strongly advised to seek fellowship support from their home countries; only exceptional students without financial support may be considered. Admission to the MAE program does not specify these MS limitations.
Fees
Tuition (international)For MSBA (Business Analytics) program starting Summer 2025: $1,490 per unit. Total estimated course fee for 44 units: $65,560.
Tuition (home)Not specified for MAE program.
LivingNot specified.
The provided fee information is for the MS Business Analytics program and may not reflect the costs for the MS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program. Actual costs for the MAE program are not detailed in the provided text.
How to apply
1. Access ApplicationBegin your application through the UC Davis Graduate Studies 'Apply for Graduate Admission' portal, typically available from September.
2. Contact Potential Faculty (MAE/Microbiology)For MAE, identify and discuss research interests with faculty members. For Microbiology, it is strongly recommended to contact faculty members with whom you wish to conduct research to determine lab availability and discuss potential mentorship.
3. Submit Application MaterialsComplete the electronic application and submit all required supporting documents by the deadline.
4. Secure Faculty Support (MAE Plan I)For the M.S. Plan I (Thesis) pathway in MAE, concurrence of a faculty member is required, either before or shortly after arrival.
Scholarships
Fellowship SupportVaries
Frequently asked questions
What are the admission requirements for the Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering?
+
Applicants need an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and a minimum GPA of 3.0. For international applicants, an IELTS score of 7.0 is required. It is also strongly recommended to connect with faculty members regarding research interests.
How long does the Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program take to complete?
+
The program has two pathways. Plan I (thesis-based) requires 24 units of coursework plus a thesis. Plan II requires 36 units with a technical report or 38 units with a literature synthesis.
What are the tuition fees for this program?
+
The provided fee information is for the MS Business Analytics program and may not reflect the costs for the MS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program. Actual costs for the MAE program are not detailed.
What are the application deadlines for the MS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program?
+
Applications for the Fall admission typically open in September and the deadline is December 1st.
What are the career prospects after completing the MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering?
+
While specific career outcomes for the MAE program are not detailed, graduates are prepared for advanced roles in their fields. The provided information on careers pertains to the MS Business Analytics program, listing roles like Data Scientist and Business Analyst.
How is financial support or scholarships handled for this program?
+
For Plan I thesis students in MAE, financial support is generally limited to Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions on funded research projects. International applicants are advised to seek funding from their home countries, particularly for the Microbiology program.