KU-KUT Joint M.S. Program
Director: Carl W. Luchies
Introduction
The department participates in the Joint Master of Science Degree option between the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kansas (KU) and the School of Mechatronics/School of Information Technology, Korea University of Technology and Education (KUT). It is expected that the emphasis of work done at KU will be in biomechanics while the emphasis of work done at KUT will be in mechatronics and systems engineering. In this way these two complementary disciplinary areas are melded together to provide a stronger, richer degree program than either institution alone can offer. The KUT courses used for the program are taught in English.
An academic advisor for each student will be designated by both KU and KUT and they will be members of the academic advisory committee for the student, having oversight of the Plan of Study. Support (access to course work, libraries, research facilities, computers, application for financial support, application for living quarters, and so forth) for each student will be provided by both KUT and KU in a manner at least equal to that in which it is provided to all other students.
Structure
A minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate work is required including a thesis for 6 hours of credit. At least 15 of the 30 (minimum) semester credit hours, including a required 6 hour thesis, will be taken at each institution. The Plan of Study will consist of either: a) KUT: 9 credit hrs coursework, 6 credit hrs thesis; AND KU: 15 credit hrs coursework; or b) KU: 9 credit hrs coursework, 6 credit hrs thesis; AND KUT: 15 credit hrs coursework. A list of approved KU and KUT courses are available from the KU-KUT director. Three credit hours of approved mathematics are required. Any combination of KUT and KU credit consistent with the time spent by the respective faculty members in supervising the thesis work that totals six credit hours is permissible. In any case, a minimum of 15 credit hours must be taken from each institution.
A thesis for six credit hours is required for the degree. T
he thesis topic must be approved by the academic advisor at KUT and the academic advisor at KU. Review of thesis work in progress may be done by exchanging thesis materials electronically, by surface mail, or by direct participation in review meetings. The thesis defense committee shall consist of a least one faculty member from each KUT and KU, and it is preferred that all committee members be physically present at the examination. Each M.S candidate must pass a final examination, which may be oral, or both written and oral, as determined by the advisory committee.
The single degree and diploma for each student who completes the dual program will be awarded by the institution at which the major part of the thesis project is accomplished. The KU transcript of each student who completes the dual program will have a statement such as, “this degree is awarded for a program of study accomplished in collaboration with Korea University of Technology and Education”. The Korea University of Technology & Education will place a similar statement on the KUT transcript. The institution not awarding the degree and diploma may award a certificate.
The biomechanics emphasis of this option is consistent with the importance placed on life sciences and applications to human health and well being that is an emphasis of KU, the KC metropolitan region, and the Kansas Economic Growth Act. It can be the basis for forming the international linkages that are increasingly needed in research and educational activities.
Plan of Study Examples
Two illustrative Plans of Study for an individual are shown below, the first for a thesis at KU and the second for a thesis at KUT. It is expected that the details of the Plan of Study will vary from one student to another, as is already the case at KU. A typical enrollment will be 9 credit hours/semester for a full-time student; some thesis enrollment will be expected if the course work totals less than 9 credit hours.
Course Name & Number |
Credit Hour |
|
| 1. KU Thesis | ||
KU Courses: |
ME 751 Expr. Methods in Biomech. | 3 |
| ME 753 Bone Biomechanics | 3 |
|
| ME 765 Biomaterials | 3 |
|
KUT Courses: |
Mathematics | 3 |
| Virtual Bio. Instrumentation | 3 |
|
| Adaptive Control Theory | 3 |
|
| Theory & Applns. Fuzzy Systems | 3 |
|
| Transport Phenomena in Biosys. | 3 |
|
Research: |
ME 899 Thesis (KU advisor) | 6 |
Total |
30 |
|
| 2. KUT Thesis | ||
KU Courses: |
ME 702 ME Analysis | 3 |
| ME 750 Biomech. Human Motion | 3 |
|
| ME 753 Bone Biomech | 3 |
|
| ME 754 Cont. Mech. Soft Tissue | 3 |
|
| ME 765 Biomaterials | 3 |
|
KUT Courses: |
Intro. MRI and Nanoimaging | 3 |
| Transport Phenomena in Biosys | 3 |
|
| Virtual Instrumentation | 3 |
|
Research: |
Thesis (KUT advisor) | 6 |
Total |
30 |