BS / MS (4+1) Program

General Information

The Department offers two integrated BS/MS (4+1) degree programs. These programs are intended for students who are performing well academically in the BSME program and who, in the judgement of the Department, will be able to handle the rigor of a combined program and complete the requirements in 5 years. Students should apply to the program when they are in the Junior Year so that, if admitted, they can start working on the MS requirements while simultaneously completing the BSME requirements. Minimum requirements for consideration are an overall GPA of 3.0, an upper division GPA of 3.0, and B or higher grades in ME 304, 350, and 360. Admission generally requires higher level of achievement than the minimum.

Process for Application:

  1. Student identifies a Faculty Advisor who agrees to advise the student on the MS component of the program. An MS thesis is required for students in the integrated program. Typically, the Faculty Advisor is someone who has supervised the student on undergraduate research.

  2. Student meets ME Department Office Staff for a preliminary evaluation and discusses the application process.
  3. Student submits completed application forms to Department for approval. The links to the required forms are given below.

B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering 

(SIMS Code: 447012)

Students must complete a minimum of 141 units to be simultaneously awarded the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and the M.S. degree in mechanical engineering. Students can apply for admission to the BS/MS (4 + 1) (B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering) degree program when they have successfully completed a minimum of 82 units or a maximum of 97 units. These units must count towards one or the other of the two SDSU degree programs (BS or MS) that will ultimately be awarded in the dual degree program. 

You are required to have an updated Master Plan on file in the ME Office before you apply for the (4+1) BSME/MSME or BSME/MSBioE program. This plan will show the semester in which you are expected to complete the requirements for the BSME degree. If you matriculate into the (4+1) BSME/MSME or BSME/MSBioE program, you will be charged graduate tuition fees from the semester following the one in which you complete the requirements for the BSME degree as indicated in the Master Plan on file in the Office.

To satisfy the requirements for the BS/MS 4 + 1 degree program (B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering), students must achieve at least a 3.0 average in the 30 units of courses used to satisfy the graduate program of study. Of the 30 units, a maximum of nine units may be in 500-numbered mechanical engineering electives and all other program requirements must be satisfied. Students in the integrated (4+1) program may use up to 9 units of 500-level BSME elective courses or 600-level graduate courses to meet the elective requirements for the BSME degree while also using those courses to meet the requirements for the MS degree. If 600-level courses are used to satisfy BSME elective requirements, RAAR forms must be approved by the Department Chair. Students in the (4+1) program receive the BSME degree only when the MS degree graduation requirements are also met, i.e. both degrees are awarded at the same time. Students in the BS/MS  (4 + 1) degree program (B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering) must follow the thesis option. Upon successful completion of the BS/MS (4 + 1) degree program, students will receive the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and M.S. degree in mechanical engineering.

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Bioengineering 

(SIMS Code: 447013)

Students must complete a minimum of 141 units to be simultaneously awarded the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and the M.S. degree in bioengineering. Students can apply for admission to the BS/MS 4 + 1 degree program (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Bioengineering) when they have successfully completed a minimum of 82 units or a maximum of 97 units. These units must count towards one or the other of the two SDSU degree programs (BS or MS) that will ultimately be awarded in the dual degree program. 

You are required to have an updated Master Plan on file in the ME Office before you apply for the (4+1) BSME/MSME or BSME/MSBioE program. This plan will show the semester in which you are expected to complete the requirements for the BSME degree. If you matriculate into the (4+1) BSME/MSME or BSME/MSBioE program, you will be charged graduate tuition fees from the semester following the one in which you complete the requirements for the BSME degree as indicated in the Master Plan on file in the Office.

To satisfy the requirements for the BS/MS (4 + 1) degree program (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Bioengineering), students must achieve at least a 3.0 average in the 30 units of courses used to satisfy the graduate program of study. Of the 30 units, a maximum of nine units may be in 500-numbered mechanical engineering electives and all other program requirements must be satisfied. Students in the integrated (4+1) program may use up to 9 units of 500-level BSME elective courses or 600-level graduate courses to meet the elective requirements for the BSME degree while also using those courses to meet the requirements for the MS degree. If 600-level courses are used to satisfy BSME elective requirements, RAAR forms must be approved by the Department Chair. For the BS/MS (4 + 1) degree program (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Bioengineering), students must take M E  580 and 585 for the biomechanics specialization; M E 580, 540 or 543, and 585 for the biomaterials specialization. The bioinstrumentation specialization is not open to students in the BS/MS 4 + 1 degree program (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Bioengineering). Upon successful completion of the BS/MS 4 + 1 degree program, students will receive the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and M.S. degree in bioengineering.

BS/MS (4+1) Curriculum Guideline

The student’s program, prepared in conference with and approved by the graduate adviser, must satisfy the following requirements for graduation.

Twenty-one units of coursework:

  • Twelve units in one area of specialization (designated as Group A, B, C, or D), with no more than six units of 500-level courses,
  • Nine additional units of 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses (excluding M E 797, 798, 799A, 799B) selected in consultation with the graduate adviser,
  • At least 15 units of coursework (excluding M E 797, 798, 799A, 799B) from mechanical engineering.
     

Nine additional units:

  • Six units of M E 797 and three units of 799A or 799B (thesis). 

Transfer Students:

  • Students are not eligible for the 4+1 program until they enroll at SDSU and take courses at SDSU for at least a year or at least 30 units.