General Criteria for Degrees from the School of Engineering

 

    Master of Science Degrees


    Degree Program Requirements:
    All students studying for the Master of science degree must have on file an approved program of study on the form provided. Programs of study are worked out between the student and his/her advisor to meet both the student's desires and the graduate faculty's philosophy of an integrated program. The program of study must carry the approval of the chair of the department awarding the degree. 

    Changes in the approved program of study must be approved by the student's program advisor and the department Chair.

    Students in a degree program who do not maintain a satisfactory record will be separated from the Graduate School. Normally, the accumulation of one "F" grade, or more than one "D", or more than three "C" grades will result in separation.

     
    Time Limitation and Program Continuity:
    All requirements for the degree of Master of Science must be completed within six years (twelve consecutive semesters) of the effective start of an approved graduate program of study. Once a program is initiated, the student must maintain continuous enrollment until completion. Under certain circumstances, a student may be granted permission to interrupt his/her program by petitioning the director in writing, stating the underlying circumstances. Program interruption without formal permission will constitute grounds for dismissal from the Graduate School.

    General Thesis Regulations:
    Students are encouraged to include a thesis investigation in their approved program of study. Accumulation of thesis semester hours and work done during a thesis investigation must be continuous up to the time of its completion. Only those students designated as regular graduate students who have satisfied the following requirements will be permitted to accumulate thesis credits. During the semester prior to that in which the student desires to initiate his/ her thesis investigation, he/she must have:

    • Included a thesis investigation in his/her approved program of study;
    • Sought and obtained a member of the graduate faculty who agrees to act as his/her thesis advisor;
    • Submitted a completed thesis investigation form to the department in which the degree is to be awarded;
    • Obtained a Thesis Committee, appointed by the department chair, consisting of three members of the graduate faculty (including the advisor as committee chair).


    Students should obtain a copy of "Specifications for Master's Thesis" from the office of the department chair which describes requirements in detail. 

    All these in Engineering must be presented at a faculty-graduate seminar. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that this requirement is fulfilled, and that written notice of the presentation is distributed to all interested persons at least one week before the event. 

    Students who are in the process of completing a thesis are required to register for at least two semester hours of thesis in each semester, including summer, that they actively engage in that activity under faculty guidance. Semester hours thus accumulated that total more than the approved program-of-study requirement are not counted towad the degree.

    Upon successful completion of the thesis, and acceptance by the Thesis Committee, provided all other requirements in the program of study are completed, the student becomes eligible for the degree.

    Completion of Master's Degree
    The Master of Science degree will be awarded only to those students successfully completing the following requirements:
     

    • A minimum of 30 semester hours with a QPR of "B" or better in an approved program of study. The number of semester hours which may be transferred from another institution is an individual matter that will be reviewed by the major department, but is nnormally no more than 6 semester hours (8 semester hours in the case of laboratory courses).
    • Satisfactory completion of the state licensure requirements as prescribed by the faculty of the major department, and a favorable recommendation from the faculty upon review of the student's progam and performance, after the student has made formal application for a Master's diploma.


    When the degree is completed with a thesis, a minimum of eight courses of three semester hours each are required for the Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. For the Master of Science degree in Management Engineering, nine courses of three semster hours each plus six semester hours (minimum) of thesis are required; for studdents holding Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering or Industrial Engineering from an approved program, this requirement may be reduced to eight courses of three semester hours each, plus six semester hours (minimum) of thesis.
     

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