SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
GENERAL INFORMATION

The School of Engineering

The School of Engineering traces its roots to 1925, when the Technical Club of Dallas, a professional organization of practicing engineers, petitioned SMU to fulfill the need for an engineering school in the Southwest. The School of Engineering has grown to become a thriving school, with graduate programs in a variety of areas.

Corporate support for the engineering school has generated a remarkable array of equipment and laboratories. Recent additions include a microwave lab from General Dynamics and a robotics lab from General Electric. Additional laboratories are being developed with funds from AT&T and Southwestern Bell. The Dallas area’s national prominence in high technology and research is a major benefit for the School of Engineering.

The School of Engineering is a founder and charter member of the Association for Media-Based Continuing Education for Engineers (AMCEE), a nationwide consortium of engineering schools that offer videotaped continuing education courses.

All programs of education and research in engineering and applied science are conducted through the School of Engineering. The School is organized into the following five departments: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE); Electrical Engineering (EE); Mechanical Engineering (ME); Engineering Management, Information, and Systems (EMIS); and, Environmental and Civil Engineering (ENCE).

Degree Programs

The School of Engineering offers curricula leading to Master of Science, Doctor of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees generally are directed toward specific branches of engineering and applied science, whereas the curricula for the professional degree of Doctor of Engineering is directed toward professional practice based on a broad range of engineering fundamentals. All graduate programs are individually designed in conference between the student and his or her supervisory committee.

The following table shows the major areas in which students may major at the several graduate degree levels:

Engineering education beyond the baccalaureate degree may have one or any combination of the following four objectives, some of which may relate only indirectly to a graduate degree:

1. Upgrading: taking advanced work to raise the level of one's formal capabilities.
2. Updating: keeping one's education current; for example, a person who received a B.S. degree 10 years ago may take course work to make his or her formal education comparable to that of a person receiving a B.S. degree this year.
3. Diversication: seeking to obtain formal education in another field, but not necessarily at a higher degree level.
4. Maturing: adding new perspectives on one's own field without raising the academic level of the education.

ADMISSION

Applicants who hold baccalaureate or higher degrees in engineering, mathematics, or the sciences from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association or who have completed an international degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing, will be considered for admission to the Graduate Division of the SMU School of Engineering for the purpose of pursuing work leading to an advanced degree in engineering or applied science. Each case is considered on an individual basis, and due to the wide variations in student education, past performance, age, experience, and academic objective, individualized graduate program requirements for each student may be anticipated.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the Graduate Division must have a minimum Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for all previous undergraduate and graduate studies. Three letters of recommendation are required for all doctoral applicants and for all applicants requesting financial aid. In addition, an official Graduate Record of Examination (GRE) General Test is required in the following cases: 1) for Master’s applicants in civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, environmental and mechanical engineering programs; 2) for all doctoral applicants; and 3) for all applicants requesting financial aid.

Graduate students applying for admission to the School of Engineering are required to pay an appropriate application fee, which must accompany the application. Applications will not be considered unless the complete official transcripts of the applicant’s prior undergraduate and graduate work are in the possession of the Graduate Division. The transcript is regarded as official only if it is received directly from the registrar of the institution in which the work was done, or if it is an original and authenticated transcript bearing the institutional seal. A Statement of Purpose is required.

Graduates from foreign countries are required to submit three letters of recommendation and a notarized financial certification form. All international students whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from an American university, must submit a Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent with a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based examination, 213 on the computer-based examination or 79 on the internet-based examination. For further information, write to TOEFL, PO Box 899, Princeton, NJ, 08541, U.S.A. or visit the World Wide Web at www.TOEFL.org.

Students may apply for admission at any time. However, initial review for admission in a given term is dependent upon receipt by the Graduate Division of all requisite application materials by no later than July 1 for fall admission, November 15 for spring admission, and April 15 for summer admission. All International Students use the following dates: May 15 for fall admission, September 1 for spring admission, and February 1 for summer admission. Students should write directly to Graduate Admissions, School of Engineering, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 75275-0335. The student will be supplied with the necessary application forms, which then must be returned to the same office.

Readmission of Students

Students who formerly attended SMU but who did not attend the immediately prior regular term or term (not including the Summer Session) are considered readmission students and are required to file an application for readmission by the application deadline. If a student applies for readmission, all incomplete grades must be removed prior to readmission.

Financial Aid

Graduate students who would like to be considered for financial aid must first be accepted for admission to the School of Engineering. For financial aid from the School of Engineering, apply to the Office of the Associate Dean. For other sources of financial aid, apply to the Office of Financial Aid, SMU, PO Box 750196, Dallas, TX, 75275-0196. All applicants will be considered for Texas Tuition Equalization Grant eligibility.

Residence Hall Directorships

A limited number of residence hall directorships are offered to men and women graduate students. These positions offer room and board in a residence hall plus a monthly stipend. Students who have been admitted to the graduate school may request applications from the Office of Residence Life, Southern Methodist University, PO Box 750452, Dallas, TX, 75275-0452.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students whose scholastic attainments are outstanding. Holders of scholarships must maintain a grade average of B.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships for teaching and research are available in the School of Engineering. These carry monthly pay and tuition benefits. The School also has a limited number of instructorships. Applications for these appointments should be submitted before March 1 to the individual department of interest.

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