As a result of its interdisciplinary nature, the graduate program for students within CALCE allows considerable flexibility in accommodating diverse undergraduate backgrounds, and graduate programs with various specializations can be pursued at the center. These specializations include reliability, mechanics, vibrations, computer-aided design, electrical contacts and connectors, thermal engineering, high-temperature electronics, optoelectronics, electronics manufacturing with an emphasis on environmentally friendly processes, electromagnetic compatibility and cost analysis for electronic systems. Individuals can pursue the following degrees:
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering,
M.S. in Reliability Engineering,
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, and
Ph.D in Reliability Engineering. CALCE faculty members work on diverse topics within the Mechanical Engineering Department's graduate specializations including Advanced Manufacturing, Electronics Reliability & Sustainability, Energy Generation and Storage, Heat Transfer & Thermal Systems, and Risk & Reliability. In addition, CALCE welcomes qualified and interested graduate students in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, and Applied Mathematics, among others.
Topics of research are listed below:
- Parts Reliability
- Permanent Interconnects
- Contacts and Connectors
- Substrates and Circuit Card Assemblies
- Thermal Management and Assessment
- Stress Characterization and Management
- Virtual Qualification
- Accelerated Screens and Test
- Parts Selection and Management
- Risk Assessment of Electronic Systems
- Life Cycle Economics
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
- Energy Storage
- Additive Manufacturing
- Counterfeit and Tampering Avoidance and Detection
Course Selection: Under the guidance of their advisor, students select coursework that sets forth the entire program of study that will be undertaken to satisfy the degree. The course selection is tailored individually to meet student's needs, so a student may specialize in one of the many focus areas in electronic products. For the list of graduate courses offered within the electronic products and systems area of specialization in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, click here.
Thesis and Dissertation Research: Most students pursuing a graduate degree within the EPS program complete a thesis or dissertation and defend it in a public forum. An MS thesis research calls upon all the knowledge that the student acquired during their academic career as an engineer and requires independent and creative thought and a strong sense of direction. In addition to those requirements, a PhD dissertation is expected to develop new knowledge and make novel contributions.
Semester-in-Industry : Graduate students have the opportunity to spend a semester, or more, in an industry internship--working on a project related to the topics of the student's thesis research. This experience provides students an opportunity to focus their research on the industry's needs, while providing first-hand exposure to the engineering challenges confronting today's electronics industries.
Just-in-Time Instruction: Through CALCE's close work with industry, the latest research results and topics of significant industry interest are directly and systematically incorporated into the curriculum. Many of the graduate courses are based on the results of the research conducted by CALCE. Some recent topics of significant industry interest investigated by CALCE include plastic encapsulated microcircuits, flip chip technologies, accelerated testing for reliability assessment, virtual qualifications methods, life cycle cost analysis and thermal management.
Graduate courses developed by CALCE faculty are also supplemented by the Experts in the Classroom Lecture Series. Guest lecturers selected for the series are experts on specific technology or application areas from industry, national laboratories, or academia. Industry experts bring the latest applications and perspectives into the classroom. In addition, master's and doctoral defenses conducted under CALCE faculty are also widely attended by outside speakers and faculty providing another forum for exchange of ideas and transfer of technology.
Team Learning: Students within CALCE participate in group projects defined by the latest research conducted at CALCE as well as by course curricula. The projects emphasize effective oral, written and graphic communication. They also foster professionalism and teach students to work effectively in a team environment.
Applications for admission are accepted each semester. Programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are open to qualified students holding a B.S. degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Systems and Reliability Engineering. Admissions may also be granted to students with degrees in mathematics and physics.
The competition for admission is strong and is granted to students who exhibit an excellent academic record and strong research potential. In addition to the requirements set forth by the University of Maryland Graduate School, applicants are also required to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students whose native language is not English and who do not hold a degree from an accredited US institution are required to submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
To apply, applicants should follow the University of Maryland and Mechanical Engineering Department admission procedures. To indicate their interest in the Electronic Products and Systems Program, applicants should list EPS on the application form as their area of specialization.
Degrees and admission information:
Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy - Mechanical Engineering (ENME)
Professional Masters of Engineering- Mechanical Engineering (PMME)
Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy - Reliability Engineering (ENRE)
Professional Masters of Engineering- Reliability Engineering (PMRE)
For more information on our program, contact:
University of Maryland
Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE)
1103 Engineering Lab Building
College Park, MD 20742
Tel: 301-405-5323
Fax: 301-314-9269