Frequently Asked Questions

Will my B.S. degree be awarded in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering?

The Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering awards B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering.  Graduate degrees are awarded in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering.  Eligible engineering students, including B.S., M.E. candidates may earn a  Minor in Aerospace Engineering.

How should I design my academic plan?

       Affiliated students in M.E. should follow the B.S., M.E. flowchart as a guide. Prerequisites are strictly enforced. You are encouraged to seek technical advice from your M&AE Faculty Advisor and administrative and graduation requirement-related advice from the undergraduate coordinator in 108 Upson. 

What are Advisor Approved Electives?

       Advisor Approved Electives comprise of two courses (minimum 6 credits) to be approved by your M&AE Faculty Advisor.  It is strongly recommended that you discuss this requirement with your advisor before you satisfy this requirement.  Advisors may follow the suggested guidelines. The Advisor Approved Electives form must be completed and submitted to 108 Upson Hall before graduation.

How many credits are required to be in Good Standing?

       You are required to take a minimum of 12 credits each semester to be in full-time status and Good Standing.  However, in your final semester, you may be eligible to take less than 12 credits to complete your degree requirements.  If you intend to take less than 12 credits in your final semester, please make sure your student insurance is not impacted.  You may not take less than 12 credits during any semester if you are an international student, or if you are receiving a particular financial aid or scholarships package, or if you are an athlete under NCAA jurisdiction.   

What is a Technical Elective?

Any math, chemistry and physics courses beyond the College of Engineering core curriculum are accepted, in addition to many 2000+ Engineering courses and Bio 1000+ courses. BIONB 3210(321) will not satisfy the techncial elective requirement.  Note:  business, communication, and organization courses are excluded, with the exception of MAE 4610(461).  A form is not required for the technical elective.  See the undergraduate coordinator in 108 Upson Hall if you have a question about a specific course meeting this requirement. (see technical electives)

What is a Concentration?

       A concentration consists of two upper-level MAE courses  providing depth of study in one area of interest.  In special cases, a student may create their own concentration.  See the undergraduate coordinator in 108 Upson Hall for information.  (see concentration)

If I am taking courses towards certification of a Minor, can I use any of those Minor courses to also satisfy M.E. degree requirements?

       Students are required to complete six courses to earn a certification for a Minor.  Typically, three of those courses may be used to satisfy the M.E. degree--a technical elective and two advisor approved electives.   Consult the Engineering Handbook for eligibility and guidelines for information about Minors. 

What is MAE 4900(490)?

Students have the opportunity to work on independent research projects and team projects under M&AE Faculty guidance. MAE 4900, Special Investigations in M&AE, is an elective.  There are no mandatory requirements to take an MAE 490 independent research project with a Faculty member or to be enrolled in an MAE 4900 project or team project to graduate.

MAE 4900 electives may fulfill M.E. requirements:

- Technical Elective

- Approved Elective (with your Faculty Advisor’s consent).

A project approval form, an agreement between your project faculty advisor and you, is required to be completed by each student enrolled each semester in any MAE 4900.  

How to register for MAE 4900

How do I fulfill the M.E. Senior Design Requirement?

MAE 4291(429), Supervised Senior Design Experience (MAE 4291, formerly MAE 491), satisfies the senior design requirement. More information can be found here.

The Design Elective requirement may only be satisfied as a senior.  This elective may be fulfilled with a designated 3-credit approved MAE senior design elective course, e.g.,  MAE  4000(400), 4020(402), 4040, 4140, 4230(423), 4250(425), 4700(470), and 4860(485) and enrollment in the same semester with one corresponding 1-credit MAE 4291(429) section.

This requirement may also be fulfilled by enrolling in an independent research, project or team endeavor as MAE 4291 for a minimum of 3 credits. 

A Project Approval Form  is required to be completed and submitted if you are enrolled in any MAE 4291 sections numbered 703(11) and beyond. Team members do not need to individually submit abstracts; team leaders may submit one abstract and attach a list of team members names with each member’s project role listed, per semester.  Both forms are to be submitted to 108 Upson Hall. 

MAE 4291 is research with a design report submitted to your project faculty advisor at the end of the term.  A completed design report cover sheet must be attached to your senior design report and submitted to your project advisor for grading.

How to enroll in MAE 4291

When I attempt to enroll electronically for MAE 4900(490) or MAE 4291(429) beyond section 703(11), I am unable to register.  Does this mean those sections are full?

       Students who have permission from the MAE 4900 or MAE 4291 project advisor to join their advisor's individual research or team project will be unable to enroll or pre-enroll online.  Students are required for most projects to enroll manually.  Come to 108 Upson for the registration paperwork.  It is necessary to have a completed Project Approval Form, which serves as an agreement between you and your project advisor, when manually registering.   

How do I find out what research projects are available?

Faculty interests are listed here and Faculty can be contacted about your participation in existing or new research opportunities and can be used to satisfy MAE 4900 or 4291.

Most team projects hold information sessions in the beginning of the semester and are advertised via e-mail, posters, or in the Sundial, the College’s weekly electronic newsletter. 

Can I use one course to satisfy two M.E. Major Program Electives?

       If you would like to use a designated design elective course, MAE 4230(423), MAE 4250(425)(prior to Fall 2008), MAE 4700(470), or MAE 4860(486), to also satisfy one course towards fulfilling your concentration requirements, you may do so with the intent of fulfilling the M.E. Major 15 credit minimum and 9 credits of MAE upper-level (3000+) technical electives.  You may double-count a Major Program elective, however, credits may not be double-counted.  Therefore, if you use one course to satisfy the design elective and a concentration, you will be required to satsify the 9 credit upper-level (3000+ technical) MAE requirement and meet the 15 credit minimum for Major Program electives.  See the undergraduate coordinator in 108 Upson to assist you with this process.    

What is the process for certification for the B.S. M.E. degree?

       Seniors are required to complete a graduation checklist and individually review this list with the undergraduate coordinator in 104 Upson.   An appointment sheet is posted by mid-September on the 106 Upson door for those students who intend to graduate after completion of the Fall (January) or Spring (May) terms.  Outstanding graduation-related paperwork is to be completed and submitted by graduation. All forms can be found here.  Transfer credits, petitions, Advanced Placement, need to appear on transcripts for credit to be applied.

What are ASME and AIAA?

       These are the professional organizations for mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering.  Cornell student chapters are active in the Sibley School.  M.E. students are encouraged to participate. Visit http://www.rso.cornell.edu/asme/ for more details.

Can we study abroad?          

         Yes, students can take advantage of a range of opportunities through Cornell Abroad (link http://www.cuabroad.cornell.edu/) and you can study abroad for either one semester of for a full academic year.  For additional information, go 167 Olin Hall. 

What about Co-op?

       Engineering students typically go to their Co-op assignment in their first semester of their junior year.  M.E. students have the opportunity to take MAE 3230(323), 3240(324), 3250(325), and 3260(326) during the Summer prior to their assignment.  For additional information about the Engineering Cooperative experience, http://www.engr.cornell.edu/student-services/engineering-coop-career-services/index.cfm

Can I take Co-op courses during the summer if I am not participating in the Cooperative program?

         Yes, any student may take any course offered in the Summer, providing the prerequisites have been met.

How can I get information about early admission into M.Eng. while still an undergraduate or admission into other graduate degree programs in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering?
Please visit the Graduate Programs section of the Mechanical Engineering website for more information. Requirements and instructions, click here 

Who do we go to for letters of recommendation?

See your advisor and/or a professor from one of your courses or research projects who knows you.

How do I determine my Major grade point average?

       You calculate your Major gpa by calculating all the courses taken at Cornell in the M.E. Field Program: Engrd 2020(202), Engrd 2210(221), Engrd 2030(203), Electrical Circuits (MAE 3780(378) or Engrd 2100(210) or Phys 3360(360)), MAE 2120(212), MAE 2250(225), MAE 3230(323), MAE 3240(324), MAE 3250(325), MAE 3260(326), MAE 3272(327), MAE 4272(427), MAE 428 or MAE 4300 (4300 replaces MAE 428 as of Fall 2008), Senior Design Elective, Math Elective (TAM 3100(310) or Engrd 2700(270) or CEE 3040(304), or Engrd 3200(320) - previously 241), Technical Elective, and two concentrations.  These courses reflect the B.S., M.E. Major Program and Electives requirements.

What are recent curriculum revisions for students entering Fall 2007 or later:

       For students entering Fall 2007 and later, students will be required to take a one-credit, 4-week course, CS1132(101M) or CS1130(101J) in addition to the four-credits of CS1112(100M) or CS1110(100J).  Because Matlab is required for MAE 2120(212), it is recommended students on the M.E. track take CS1112(100M) and CS1130(101J).  Chem 2090(209) replaces the Chem 207/211 chemistry requirement.  MAE 428, Engineering Design, has been replaced by MAE 4300, Professional Practice in Mechanical Engineering, effective Fall 2008.

 For additional information:  

Consult the M&AE Website, http://mae.cornell.edu/ for M&AE-Major requirements information.

Consult the College of Engineering Handbook for College administrative/policy information,  http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/student-services/academic-advising/engineering-handbook/index.cfm

Questions or concerns?  Contact the M.E. Undergraduate coordinator, maeug@cornell.edu , in 108 Upson Hall.