We contribute immensely throughout the world to protecting the environment, increasing quality of life, and contributing to overall economic development. Broadly speaking, mechanical engineers deal with things that move and use energy (i.e., almost everything). In fact, there is not a day that goes by that you don't use hundreds of things that mechanical engineers have brought to life. The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Mechanical Engineering. The degree requires 30 credit hours, consisting of either 10 courses or 8 courses and a master's thesis. Candidates for graduate studies plan their program in consultation with an adviser. Maximum flexibility in scope of studies is afforded by utilization of courses offered in other departments of the university or other area universities through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan area.