Master of Science Degree Requirements

A master's degree is a certification that the recipient is able to read with understanding and apply with profit the literature of his/her field. The general requirements for an MS degree are the same for all departments: development and completion of a program of study which includes a minimum of 24 semester hours of course credits and at least six (6) semester hours of thesis. All pertinent regulations of the Graduate School apply.

Listed below are College of Engineering regulations that are clarifications of, or additions to, those promulgated by the Graduate School. Additional information can be found in the listings of the individual departments.

Advisory Committee

Every master's student is required to have an advisory committee having a minimum of three (3) members. The student is responsible for identifying, in consultation with the departmental chairperson, a faculty member who is willing to chair his/her advisory committee. In consultation with the chairperson of the committee, the student is responsible for identifying at least two (2) other faculty members who are willing to serve on his/her committee. Advisory committees may include more than three (3) members. If desired or required, two (2) members of the committee may serve as co-chairs of the committee rather than the committee having one (1) chair. If a student is not able to identify a sufficient number of faculty who are suitable and willing to serve on his/her advisory committee, the student will be advised by the departmental chairperson that he/she should either change his/her area of research interests to more closely match those of the available faculty or consider selecting another major. Failure to be able to form a committee is cause for transfer to non-degree status. Further regulations concerning the membership, appointment and responsibilities of a student's advisory committee are given in other sections of the catalog, including the sections on "Organization of the Graduate School" and "Degree Requirements."

Thesis/Comprehensive Examination

A thesis is required for all MS degrees in the college of engineering, except the MS in Engineering Management. All five MS degrees in the college also offer a non-thesis option. 

A candidate for a master's degree must submit a thesis in writing and orally present and defend the thesis to his/her advisory committee. The meeting at which the thesis presentation and defense occurs also serves as the time for the student's final oral comprehensive examination over any or all aspects of the student's master's program. On the form on which the chairperson of the student's advisory committee reports the results of the thesis defense, the chairperson also reports the results of the comprehensive examination, including a brief synopsis of the examination.

Limitations on Graduate Assistantships

A master's student may receive support during the first two (2) calendar years after initial enrollment. This time limitation does not imply a student will receive support during his/her first two (2) years. Whether or not a student receives support depends on the availability of funds and the suitability of the student to carry out the responsibilities associated with the support. Support beyond the stated limits, regardless of source of funding in the College of Engineering, requires justification, which must be reviewed and approved by the Associate Dean of Engineering Research an Innovation prior to the implementation. (See College of Engineering website for the exception request form.)