Courses of Study 2012-2013 
    
    Dec 04, 2024  
Courses of Study 2012-2013 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Engineering Degree Programs


In the College of Engineering .

Master of Engineering Degrees


The following one-year (30-credit) professional master of engineering (M.Eng.) degrees are offered:


 

Requirements


Many Cornell baccalaureate engineering graduates spend a fifth year at Cornell, earning an M.Eng. degree, although the program is also open to qualified graduates of other schools.

Requirements for admission vary by program. In general, the standard M.Eng. application requirements include

  • Statement of purpose
  • Complete transcripts from each college or university attended
  • At least two letters of recommendation
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores—not required for Cornell undergraduates

Many M.Eng. programs waive one of the letters of recommendation for students with Cornell Engineering B.S. degrees. Check with the appropriate office for specific program requirements. A list of links and general admission information is posted on meng.engineering.cornell.edu.

Superior Cornell students who will have between 1 and 8 credits remaining in their last undergraduate semester may petition for early admission to the M.Eng. program. They spend the last semester finishing up their B.S. degree and taking courses that count toward their M.Eng. degree.

Master of Engineering Minors and Concentrations

The following M.Eng. minors and concentrations are offered:

Minors

  • bioengineering
  • engineering management
  • manufacturing
  • systems engineering

Concentrations

  • applied operations research
  • astronautics
  • bioinstrumentation/diagnostics
  • biomedical materials and mechanics
  • complex system development
  • data mining and analytical marketing
  • drug delivery and cellular/tissue engineering
  • dynamics, controls and robotics
  • energy and sustainable development
  • energy economics and engineering
  • engineering mathematics and modeling
  • environmental and water resources systems engineering
  • environmental fluid mechanics and hydrology
  • environmental geophysics
  • environmental processes
  • financial engineering
  • geohydrology
  • geotechnical engineering
  • information technology
  • mechanics of materials
  • micro and nanoscale engineering
  • nanosystems
  • semester in strategic operations
  • structural engineering
  • technology management for ECE
  • thermal-fluidic sciences
  • transportation systems engineering

For further information: meng.engineering.cornell.edu.

Cooperative Program with the Johnson Graduate School of Management

Undergraduates may be interested in a cooperative program at Cornell that leads to both master of engineering and master of business administration (M.B.A.) degrees. With appropriate curriculum planning, such a combined B.S./M.Eng./M.B.A. program can be completed in six years at Cornell, with time out for work experience. For undergraduates from other schools, it may be feasible to complete the M.Eng./M.B.A. program in two years, possibly with an intervening summer or time out for work experience if they do not already have it on coming to Cornell. This accelerated program often incorporates the 12-month M.B.A. program of the Johnson Graduate School of Management (JGSM).

Because 95 percent of the students in the JGSM have work experience, there will typically be a gap for work experience between the M.Eng. and M.B.A. portions of the program for students who do not already have it when beginning the M.Eng. portion.

For further details, visit Engineering Advising (167 Olin Hall), the RGS office (223 Carpenter Hall), the JGSM office in Sage Hall, or the office of your intended undergraduate major.

Lester B. Knight Scholarship Program

The Lester B. Knight Scholarship Program is designed to assist and encourage top students to pursue graduate studies in engineering and business at Cornell. Knight scholarships may provide as much as $40,000 of tuition support toward M.Eng. and M.B.A. degrees.

Participation in the program requires admission by each respective academic program (M.Eng. or M.B.A.) as well as an application to participate in the Knight Scholarship Program.

Refer to the Knight Scholarship Program web site www.engineering.cornell.edu/academics/graduate/financial_aid/meng/scholarship for program specifics.


Aerospace Engineering, M.Eng.


Aerospace Engineering, M.Eng.


Offered by the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Contact: 219 Upson Hall, (607) 255-0990, www.mae.cornell.edu

The M.Eng. (Aerospace Engineering) degree program provides a one-year course of study for those who wish to develop a high level of competence in engineering science, current technology, and engineering design.

The program is designed to be flexible so that candidates may concentrate on any of a variety of specialty areas. These include aerodynamics, turbulent flows, nonequilibrium flows, combustion, dynamics and control, computational fluid dynamics, and spacecraft.

A coordinated program of courses for the entire year is agreed upon by the student and the faculty advisor. An individual student’s curriculum includes a 4- to 8-credit design/research course, a minimum of 12 credits in aerospace engineering or a closely related field with some technical focus, and sufficient technical electives to meet the total degree requirement of 30 credits (of which at least 28 credits must have letter grades).

Design projects must have an aerospace engineering design or research focus and have the close supervision of a faculty member. The projects may arise from individual faculty and student interests or from collaboration with industry.

All courses must be of true graduate nature. In general, all courses must be beyond the level of those required in an undergraduate engineering program; credit may be granted for an upper-level undergraduate course if the student has done little or no previous work in that subject area, but such courses must have the approval of the director of the Master of Engineering program.

Students enrolled in the M.Eng. (Aerospace Engineering) degree program may take courses that also satisfy the requirements of the bioengineering, engineering management, or systems engineering minors.


Biological and Environmental Engineering, M. Eng.


Biological and Environmental Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering

Contact: 207 Riley-Robb hall, (607) 255-2173, www.bee.cornell.edu

Educational Goals

The Master of Engineering degree builds on the foundation of the engineering B.S. degree to prepare candidates for a professional career. The program integrates technical engineering with the biological and life sciences, enabling graduates to solve technical problems on a scale ranging from molecular to whole organism to ecosystem depending on their interests. Graduates assume positions in production companies, consulting firms, government, and in the public service sector. The degree may also be used as a pathway to advanced study in science and engineering or professional study in business, law, and medicine.

The program is flexible, allowing candidates to select their courses and project area to meet their individual goals. In addition to advanced courses in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, students have access to courses in all fields and programs in the College of Engineering. The M.Eng. program is designed to foster a close student–faculty mentoring relationship. While many students view the M.Eng. as a “fifth and final year” of formal engineering study, it is definitely appropriate and feasible to pursue advanced graduate study following the M.Eng. program if this is desired.

Curriculum Requirements

A total of 30 credits* is required for the master of engineering degree, and the program is usually completed in two semesters. Cornell Engineering undergraduates may apply early and be accepted into the program in their last undergraduate semester if they have 8 or fewer credits remaining in their bachelor’s program. All M.Eng. students must complete the following:

Students work with their graduate faculty advisor to develop their design project and complete appropriate courses in one of the following major concentrations:

  • bioenergy and integrated energy systems
  • bioenvironmental engineering
  • biological engineering
  • bioprocess engineering
  • ecohydrology
  • environmental engineering
  • environmental management (M.P.S.[ALS] only)
  • food engineering
  • industrial biotechnology
  • nanobiotechnology
  • sustainable systems
  • synthetic biology

*Detailed requirements are shown on the department website.

Applicants to the program need to apply directly to the Cornell Grad School at www.gradschool.cornell.edu.


Biomedical Engineering, M. Eng.


Biomedical Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the Department of Biomedical Engineering

Contact: 109 Weill Hall, (607) 255-2573, www.bme.cornell.edu

Our mechanistic understanding of biology has increased rapidly over the past 20 years, and many expect biology to drive engineering and technology in the next 50 years in much the same way that physics drove them in the 20th century. As biology has become more mechanistic, the opportunities to apply engineering approaches have increased enormously. Simultaneously, humanitarian needs and economic opportunities for the application of engineering to improve health care have increased significantly. Engineers who understand biology and can apply their knowledge and skills to improve human health are increasingly in demand. A professional degree in biomedical engineering will prepare students to fill this increasing critical need.

The breadth and depth of knowledge needed in biomedical engineering makes a four-year B.S. degree program impractical. By combining the M.Eng. (Biomedical Engineering) with a strong B.S. program, a student can obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective professional biomedical engineer.

Students will acquire an in-depth knowledge of an essential area of biomedical engineering as well as a broad perspective of the biomedical engineering discipline that complements their undergraduate education in engineering or science. Graduates will be equipped to design biomedical devices and develop therapeutic strategies within the bounds of health care economics, the needs of patients and physicians, the regulatory environment for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and stringent ethical standards.

Students will acquire depth by extending undergraduate concentrations, by selecting one of three areas for concentrated study, and by completing a design project in their area of concentration. The areas are biomedical mechanics and materials; bioinstrumentation/diagnostics; and drug delivery and cellular/tissue engineering. Design projects will be carried out in teams to take advantage of the diversity of student backgrounds and, when possible, projects will be done in collaboration with industrial or clinical partners.

Students from a wide variety of backgrounds in engineering and science are encouraged to apply. They are expected to have completed two semesters of calculus-based physics, at least three semesters of math, starting with calculus, and introductory computer science.

A knowledge of molecular- and cellular-base biomedical engineering and engineering analysis of physiological systems at the level of BME 3010 , BME 3020 , BME 4010 , and BME 4020  is highly recommended. This knowledge can be demonstrated through appropriate undergraduate course work (at least C in each class). Students lacking the appropriate background may need to complete additional courses (beyond the normal 30 credits) to demonstrate appropriate knowledge in these two subject areas.


Chemical Engineering, M. Eng.


Chemical Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Contact: 214 Olin Hall, (607) 255-4550, www.cheme.cornell.edu

The Master of Engineering (Chemical) is a 30-credit, typically one academic year, professional program designed to provide the flexibility to increase depth of knowledge in a specialty area, or to broaden students’ breadth of knowledge, or to enhance their competitiveness for industrial employment or future graduate work. New “umbrella” program concentrations in “energy economics and engineering” and in “medical and industrial biotechnology” provide a unique opportunity for a focused interdisciplinary approach in these important career choices. The program includes the option to acquire supervisory training and practice.

Specific requirements include:

  1. 12 credits in CHEME courses. Courses can be selected in fundamental subjects (CHEME 7110 , CHEME 7310 , and CHEME 7510 ) and in chemical engineering applications (partial list: CHEME 4700 , CHEME 4720 , CHEME 4840 , CHEME 5201 , CHEME 5204 , CHEME 5205 , CHEME 5207 , CHEME 5208 , CHEME 5430 , CHEME 5440 , CHEME 5720 , CHEME 6310 , CHEME 6400 , CHEME 6610 , CHEME 6640 , CHEME 6650 , and CHEME 6660 );
  2. A minimum of 3 credits of an individual or group project under the auspices of  CHEME 5650 ; and
  3. Knowledge requirements in business practices and techniques in pollution control and abatement. These knowledge requirements can be satisfied by previous coursework or experience, or by taking appropriate courses as part of the M.Eng. curriculum.

Civil and Environmental Engineering, M. Eng.


Civil and Environmental Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Contact: 219 Hollister Hall, (607) 255-7560, www.cee.cornell.edu

The Master of Engineering degree is a course work and project-oriented program. It is normally completed in two semesters of intensive study. Thirty credit hours are required, consisting of course work in a major concentration and a supporting area, as well as a design project.

Students may focus their studies in one of six major subject areas: environmental and water resource systems engineering, environmental fluid mechanics and hydrology, environmental processes, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, and transportation systems engineering. Courses in supporting areas come from many disciplines, including architecture, computer science, economics, engineering management, historic preservation, materials science, microbiology and operations research to name just a few.


Computer Science, M. Eng.


Computer Science, M. Eng.


Offered by the Department of Computer Science

Contact: 322 Upson Hall, (607) 255-8720, www.cs.cornell.edu/grad/MEngProgram/

The M.Eng. program in computer science can be started in either the fall or spring semester. This program is designed to develop expertise in system design and implementation in many areas of computer science, including computer networks, Internet architecture, fault-tolerant and secure systems, distributed and parallel computing, high-performance computer architecture, databases and data mining, multimedia systems, computer vision, computational tools for finance, computational biology (including genomics), software engineering, programming environments, and artificial intelligence.

A typical program includes several upper-division and graduate courses and a faculty-supervised project. The flexible requirements allow students to build up a program that closely matches their interests. Project work, which may be done individually or in a small group, is often associated with ongoing research in the Department of Computer Science in one of the areas listed above, but it can also be done in collaboration with many fields throughout the university.

Students enrolled in the M.Eng. program can also pursue our new track in Computer Science and Medicine, offered in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medical College in Manhattan. This track allows students to earn their CS M.Eng. degree over three semesters, where the middle semester is spent in New York City working on research projects with clinical faculty in Weill’s Department of Radiology.

Cornell seniors may use the early admission option, which allows them to take courses toward their M.Eng. degree while completing their undergraduate degree. The Early Admit option can be started in either the fall or spring semester. It applies only to students who have 1 to 8 credits remaining to complete their undergraduate program. All remaining undergraduate degree requirements must be satisfied by the end of the first semester the student is enrolled in the M.Eng. “early admit” program.

For students with a non–CS background, there is an “extended” program option of four semesters where students use the first two semesters to complete prerequisite courses needed for the more advanced master’s-level courses.


Electrical and Computer Engineering, M. Eng.


Electrical and Computer Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Contact: Student Services Office, 223 Phillips Hall, (607) 255-4304, www.ece.cornell.edu/meng

The M.Eng. in Electrical and Computer Engineering is a professional degree program geared mainly towards students who intend to go directly into industry upon completion of their graduate study. The M.Eng. degree differs from the Master of Science degree mainly in its emphasis on professional skills, engineering design, and analysis skills, rather than basic research along with the submission of a thesis.

The program requires 30 credits of advanced technical course work beyond that expected in a typical undergraduate program, including at least four graduate-level courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The required Electrical and Computer Engineering design project may account for 3 to 8 credits of the M.Eng. program. Although admission to the M.Eng. (Electrical and Computer Engineering) program is highly competitive, all well-qualified students are urged to apply. Further information is available at the web site listed above.


Engineering Management, M. Eng.


Engineering Management, M. Eng.


Offered by the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Contact: 219 Hollister Hall, (607) 255-7560, www.cee.cornell.edu

The M.Eng. (Engineering Management) program is designed for engineers who want to stay in a technical environment but advance to managerial roles. Students learn to identify problems, formulate and analyze models to understand these problems, and interpret the results of analyses for managerial action.

A student’s program of study is designed individually in consultation with an academic advisor and then submitted to the school’s Professional Degree Committee for approval.

For the M.Eng. (Engineering Management) program, the requirements are at least 30 credits of approved courses, including:

1. Four core courses:

2. Two managerial breadth courses, including one in finance/accounting and one focused on behavior.

3. Three electives.

NOTE: The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering cooperates with the Johnson Graduate School of Management in a program leading to both Master of Engineering and Master of Business Administration degrees. See the beginning of the section “Master of Engineering Programs.”


Engineering Mechanics, M. Eng.


Engineering Mechanics, M. Eng.


Offered by the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Contact: 219 Upson Hall, (607) 255-0990, www.mae.cornell.edu

This 30 credit hour professional degree program stresses applications of Engineering Mechanics and Applied Mathematics and Modeling. The centerpiece of the program is a project, either single or team-based, on important real-world problems.

Engineering Mechanics: Students in this program will deepen and broaden their knowledge of mechanics as applied to different material systems. The course work centers on additional study of solid mechanics, fracture mechanics, materials and computational methods widely used in industries (e.g., the finite element method). Potential employers are companies interested in computer modeling of mechanical systems and failure and reliability analysis.

Applied Mathematics and Modeling: Students in this program do course work in mathematical modeling and computational methods. They will have great flexibility in their choice of studies. Students who graduate from this program are in a good position to pursue higher degrees or work for financial or informational organizations.


Engineering Physics, M. Eng.


Engineering Physics, M. Eng.


Offered by the School of Applied and Engineering Physics

Contact: 261 Clark Hall, 255-5198, www.aep.cornell.edu

The M.Eng. (Engineering Physics) degree may lead directly to employment in engineering design and development or may be a basis for further graduate work. Students have the opportunity to broaden and deepen their preparation in the general field of applied physics, or they may choose the more specific option of preparing for professional engineering work in a particular area such as laser and optical technology, nanostructure science and technology, device physics, materials characterization, or software engineering. Wide latitude is allowed in the choice of the required design project.

Students plan their program in consultation with the program chair. The objective is to provide a combination of a good general background in physics and introductory study in a specific field of applied physics. Candidates may enter with an undergraduate preparation in physics, engineering physics, or engineering. Those who have majored in physics usually seek advanced work with an emphasis on engineering; those who have majored in an engineering discipline generally seek to strengthen their physics base. Candidates coming from industry usually want instruction in both areas. Students granted the degree will have demonstrated competence in an appropriate core of basic physics. If this has not been accomplished before entering the M.Eng. program, undergraduate classes in electricity and magnetism, classical mechanics, and quantum mechanics may be required in addition to the classes taken to satisfy the M. Eng. requirements.

The degree requires 30 credits of graduate-level courses or their equivalent, with at least C– in each course, and distributed as follows:

  1. a design project in applied science or engineering with a written final report (6 to 12 credits)
  2. an integrated program of graduate-level courses, as discussed below (16 credits minimum)
  3. a required special-topics seminar course (2 credits)

The design project, which is proposed by the student and approved by the program chair, is carried out on an individual basis under the guidance of a member of the university faculty. It may be experimental or theoretical in nature; if it is not experimental, a laboratory physics course is required.

With the completion of the independent study project the student demonstrates independent thinking and creativity and contributes to an advance in an area of Engineering Physics. The informal study project is completed with a written formal report and an oral presentation of the results in the AEP 7540 seminar. With guidance from the project advisor, the student must generate a formal project report that covers (1) abstract, (2) background and significance, (3) statement of the specific aim, (4) description of the approach to achieve the aim, (5) results and outcomes, and (6) critical evaluation of the approach, results, and/or outcomes as appropriate.

The individual program of study consists of a compatible sequence of courses focused on a specific area of applied physics or engineering. Its purpose is to provide an appropriate combination of physics and physics-related courses (applied math, statistical mechanics, applied quantum mechanics) and engineering electives (e.g., courses in biophysics, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, computer science, mechanical engineering, or nuclear engineering). Additional science and engineering electives may be included. Some courses at the senior level (4000) are acceptable for credit toward the degree; other undergraduate courses may be required as prerequisites but may not be credited toward the degree.


Geological Sciences, M. Eng.


Geological Sciences, M. Eng.


Offered by the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Contact: 2124 Snee Hall, (607) 255-5466, www.eas.cornell.edu

The one-year M.Eng. (Geological Sciences) degree program provides future professional geoscientists or engineers with the geoscience and engineering background they will need to analyze and solve engineering problems that involve Earth System variables and concepts. Individual programs are developed within three established options: Geohydrology, Environmental Geophysics, and Ocean Science and Technology (joint with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution [WHOI]).

Incoming students are expected to have a strong background in mathematics, the physical sciences, and chemistry and have a strong interest and substantial background in the geosciences. The 30 credit M.Eng. program is intended to extend and broaden this background to develop competence in a defined number of subject categories. Typical categories for the various options might include:

  • Geohydrology: porous media flow, geology, geochemistry, and numerical modeling.
  • Environmental Geophysics: geophysics, geology, porous media flow, and computer methods.
  • Ocean Science and Technology: acoustical oceanography, observatory infrastructure, observatory cyberinfrastructure, optical oceanography, satellite remote sensing, observatory science and applications related to real-time data streams, and underwater vehicles.

The courses a student selects in a category will vary depending on the student’s background. No courses may be required in some categories, and the categories can be adjusted to the student’s interest and needs. Alternatives to numerical modeling in the Geohydrology option could be economics or biochemistry, for example. To count toward the 30 credit degree requirement, courses must be at a graduate or advanced undergraduate level.

At least 10 of the 30 credits in the program must involve engineering design. Much of this requirement is normally met through a design project, which can account for over one-third of the program (12 of 30 credits) and must constitute at least 3 credits. The design project must involve a significant geoscience or technology component and lead to concrete conclusions or recommendations of an engineering nature. The project topic can be drawn from a student’s nonacademic work experience which is then carried out or further developed with advice from a Cornell faculty member with expertise in the project area selected by the student. A design project in Geohydrology would normally involve groundwater flow and mass transport. A design project in Environmental Geophysics might involve implementation of a field survey using seismological, geoelectrical, or ground-penetrating radar methods to map subsurface stratigraphic or structural features that control groundwater flow or contamination at a site. A design project in Ocean Science and Technology might involve aspects in the design, implementation, or operation of ocean observing systems. Projects are presented both in written form and orally in a design seminar at the end of the year.

Additional Contact Information

  • For more information about the M.Eng. options in Geohydrology and Environmental Geophysics, please contact Professor Lawrence Cathles, 2134 Snee Hall, lmc19@cornell.edu
  • For more information about the M.Eng. option in Ocean Science and Technology, please contact Professor Charles Greene, 4120 Snee Hall, chg2@cornell.edu

Materials Science and Engineering, M. Eng.


Materials Science and Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Contact: 214 Bard Hall, (607) 255-9159, www.mse.cornell.edu

The M.Eng. (Materials Science and Engineering) program is primarily designed to prepare students for professional work in materials science, but graduates have continued with further studies in a doctoral program. The 30 credit program includes course work and a master’s design project and is generally completed in two semesters. The project, which requires individual effort and initiative, is carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. Six to 12 credits are devoted to the project, which is normally experimental in nature, although computational or theoretical projects are also possible.

The program serves two groups of students: those who have completed an undergraduate degree in materials science or materials engineering and who wish to extend their knowledge, and well qualified graduates of other fields of engineering or other physical sciences who wish to complement that background with knowledge of materials. These other fields have included chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Because of this, the courses that make up the remaining 18 to 24 credits may vary widely depending on the background of the student and their interests. One uniform requirement of the program is a 3 credit elective concerned with management or a related topic.


Mechanical Engineering, M. Eng.


Mechanical Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Contact: 219 Upson Hall, (607) 255-0990, www.mae.cornell.edu

The M.Eng. (Mechanical Engineering) degree program provides a one-year course of study for those who wish to develop a high level of competence in engineering science, current technology, and engineering design.

Candidates may concentrate on any of a variety of specialty areas, including biomechanical engineering, energy systems, combustion, propulsion and power systems, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, materials and manufacturing engineering, and mechanical systems and design.

A coordinated program of courses for the academic year is agreed upon by the student and the faculty advisor. This program and any subsequent changes must also be approved by the Director of the Master of Engineering program. An individual student’s curriculum includes a 4- to 8-credit design/research course, a minimum of 12 credits in mechanical engineering or a closely related field with some technical focus, and sufficient technical electives to meet the total degree requirement of 30 credits (of which at least 28 credits must have letter grades).

The design projects may arise from individual faculty and student interests or from collaboration with industry. All projects must have a mechanical engineering design/research focus and have the close supervision of a faculty member.

All courses must be of true graduate nature. In general, all courses must be beyond the level of those required in an undergraduate engineering program; credit may be granted for an upper-level undergraduate course if the student has done little or no previous work in that subject area, but such courses must have special approval of the director of the Master of Engineering program.

The technical electives may be courses of appropriate level in engineering, math, physics, chemistry, or biology; a maximum of two courses may be taken in areas other than these if the courses are part of a well-defined program leading to specific professional objectives.

Students enrolled in the M.Eng. (Mechanical Engineering) degree program may take courses that also satisfy the requirements of the bioengineering, engineering management, systems engineering, or manufacturing minors.


Operations Research and Information Engineering, M. Eng.


Operations Research and Information Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the School of Operations Research and Information Engineering

Contact: 201 Rhodes Hall, (607) 255-9128, www.orie.cornell.edu/orie/academics/meng

This professional degree program stresses applications of operations research. The centerpiece of the program is a team-based project on a significant real-world problem. The course work centers on additional study of analytical techniques, with particular emphasis on the design or improvement of systems and processes in manufacturing, information, finance, and service organizations.

General admission and degree requirements are described in the introductory “MENG Degree Programs - EN ” section. The ORIE M.Eng. program is designed to serve two groups of students: graduates of the undergraduate major in ORE who wish to deepen their practical knowledge of the field, and qualified undergraduates from other fields who want to complement their engineering or technical backgrounds with a solid foundation in operations research and information engineering.

For admission, the entering student should have completed a calculus-based course in probability and statistics, an intermediate-level programming course in computer science, as well as four semesters of mathematics, including differential equations, linear algebra, and multivariate calculus. For the financial engineering concentration, the entering student must also have completed a second course in probability and statistics (course equivalents must be semester-long, and at least 3 credits),  and a basic finance course. In addition, a working knowledge of C++ and a course in stochastic processes are strongly recommended for Financial Engineering.

Program requirements include a core of ORIE courses plus technical electives chosen from a broad array of offerings. There are several concentrations, each requiring a particular set of electives plus a specific project course: Applied Operations Research, Financial Engineering, Information Technology, Strategic Operations (which incorporates the Strategic Operations Immersion at the Johnson Graduate School of Management), Data Analytics, and Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering. Students may also minor in Systems Engineering. Some of these options are offered jointly with other Cornell departments and schools and provide the opportunity to interact with students and specialists in business and other engineering fields. For information about the manufacturing and industrial engineering concentration, contact the Center for Manufacturing Enterprise, 291 Grumman Hall, (607) 255-5545; about the Strategic Operations Immersion, 304 Sage Hall, (607) 255-4691; about Systems Engineering, 202 Rhodes Hall, (607) 254-8998, and for all others, 201 Rhodes Hall, (607) 255-9128.

The applied operations research concentration is designed to be completed in two semesters. For scheduling reasons, and depending on the student’s preparation, the other concentrations may entail an additional summer or semester.

The financial engineering concentration is highly specialized and typically requires three semesters to complete. This permits an industry internship in the summer between semesters as well as a third semester of study in New York City.

The manner in which the M.Eng. project requirement is met depends on the chosen concentration. Common elements in all project experiences include working as part of a team of students on an engineering design problem, meeting with a faculty advisor on a regular basis, and presenting the final results to the project sponsor. Most projects have industrial client sponsors and address relevant, practical problems.

Additional program requirements are described in the Master of Engineering Handbook and on the web. For further details, see the contact information at the beginning of this section.


Systems Engineering, M. Eng.


Systems Engineering, M. Eng.


Offered by the Systems Engineering Program

Contact:  206 Rhodes Hall, (607) 254-8998, www.systemseng.cornell.edu.

Overview

The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) at Cornell is a professionally-oriented degree program preparing students to design and manage systems which are capable of meeting complex needs.  Topics include life-cycle planning, decision-making in high-risk environments, system architecture and optimization, and system reliability.  Numerous tracks are possible to customize the combination of systems engineering with specific disciplines and career interests.

Students

The SE program has two groups of students:  traditional on campus students and distance learning (DL) students.  On campus students typically take two semesters to complete their program and have a wide array of courses to choose from.  The program currently has ten established tracks ranging from automotive to environmental systems engineering that students may choose from that combine coursework in systems engineering with electives chosen to emphasize different application domains.  However, students may put together their own program plan upon the recommendation of their advisor if an established track does not meet their educational goals. 

DL students are professionals currently working in industry and are enrolled in the program by the credit hour.  The typical time frame for students is two to three years to complete the requirements.  Course content is essentially the same as for on campus students.  With the exception of two one-week on-campus courses, the M.Eng. degree can be earned online, making it perfect for the busy professional who wants to earn their degree on a part-time basis.  The two one-week on-campus courses ensure students receive all course content not received in courses delivered online.  Content delivery is achieved through synchronous and asynchronous technologies.  DL students interact with on campus students in many of their classes, which can facilitate the learning process for both groups of students.  We welcome any questions about the delivery of classes and other questions related to distance learning.

Program Requirements: minimum of 30 credits

On Campus Students:


Electives:


  1. Modeling and Analysis: 3-4 credits
  2. Application: 3-4 credits
  3. Management (suggested): 3-4 credits
  4. Other electives: variable

Distance Learning Students: