Degree Requirements

Master of Science

• The Thesis Option
• The Comprehensive Study Option

The first option emphasizes research and the ability to analyze data and to prepare a scholarly thesis, while the second option emphasizes a broader understanding of a more general field.

The student and adviser select the appropriate option and draw up a program of study consisting of at least 30 credit hours of graduate level material to meet individual educational goals.

An overall GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained. An oral defense of the research based thesis or comprehensive academic subject matter is required.

Doctor of Philosophy

• 3 to 15 credit hours in the cognate and minor area
• 20 to 50 credit hours in the area of concentration
• 15 to 24 credit hours in the engineering science are
• 30 to 40 credit hours of a research-based dissertation

The core of the doctoral program is a group of eight engineering science courses. All students, irrespective of their subsequent specialization or of their choice of a minor, will be required to demonstrate mastery of the subject material in five of the eight core courses (Engineering 715, 721, 741, 742, 744, 760, 762, 780) by appropriate performance in proficiency examinations. Normally, students will achieve this requirement by registration in courses. However, those with master's degrees may be able to write certain of the proficiency examinations without benefit of course enrollment. For certain core courses, most students are likely to benefit by strengthening their backgrounds by prior completion of other courses in engineering or in supporting disciplines. When such courses are graduate level, they may constitute a part of the future minor or of the are of concentration.

Parallel with enrollment in the engineering science courses and subsequent to their completion, students will be taking courses in the minor and related areas as well as in engineering specialization courses.

A preliminary comprehensive written examination and oral examination are required of the student after completion of the greater portion of the course work phase of the Ph. D. program. The comprehensive written portion is based on course work questions submitted by appropriate faculty. During the oral examination, the student presents a research proposal for dissertation research. After passing the exam, the student is formally admitted as a candidate for the Ph. D. degree.

The final examination, primarily concerned with research work, is taken after the candidate has completed all course work and the dissertation. The dissertation must show originality and demonstrate the student's capacity for independent research. It must embody results of research constituting a definitive contribution to knowledge.