GENERAL

The College of Engineering offers programs leading to two interdisciplinary graduate degrees: Master of Science in Engineering Science (MSES) and Ph.D. in Engineering Science (PES). These programs are intended to provide a mechanism for students to pursue advanced study in fields not covered by the graduate programs administered by the departments of the College. The major field of study is classified as Engineering Science for the Engineering Science degrees, MSES and PES. The Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies of the College of Engineering (Associate Dean) administers the programs by keeping records of all students enrolled in interdisciplinary studies and by acting as coordinator for admissions decisions and department chairman of record on all documentation. 

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REQUIREMENTS

The master degree is offered with and without thesis. Thirty (30) hours, including six (6) hours of thesis are required for the masters with thesis. Thirty-six (36) hours, including at least three (3) hours of individual study are required for the master without thesis. While the course of study in each case is individually tailored to a students career goals, it must constitute a coherent and academically sound program. The interdisciplinary character of the degrees encourages students to adopt plans of study which include courses outside the College of Engineering. However, at least half of the course work must be taken within the College.

Requirements for the Ph.D. in Engineering Science are listed in the graduate catalog. At least 54 hours of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree are required, including two minors totaling 24 hours. Minors may be in disciplines outside the College of Engineering. Generally, the minor requirement will be satisfied by two, twelve-hour minors, but any division of the hours is permitted as long as each constitutes a viable minor and the total of the two minors is 24 hours. Courses submitted to satisfy a minor requirement need not be from a single, degree granting discipline, but must constitute a coherent and academically sound area of study as certified by the appropriate Graduate Committee member. No more than half of the remaining 30 hours may be from any one department. These courses constitute the major field of study, Engineering Science. Although any academically sound combination of minors and other courses may be taken, at least half of the total course work (27 hours) must be taken in engineering disciplines.

A masters degree in a suitable discipline may be submitted to satisfy part of the course work requirements for the Ph.D. If the masters degree is in an engineering discipline, up to 36 hours of the requirements for course work may be satisfied, subject to the restriction that no more than half of the courses be in any one engineering discipline. Masters thesis credits will not be accepted to fulfill any of these course work requirements.

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ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAMS

Prospective students follow the same application procedures for the interdisciplinary graduate programs as for programs in other engineering disciplines. The applicant should enter "Engineering Science" as the proposed field of study. The department will be "Engineering". Since there is no fixed curriculum for the interdisciplinary programs, it is extremely important that applicants discuss their proposed plan of study and research with faculty members in the College prior to applying for the interdisciplinary programs. This is essential in order to ensure that an applicant can identify a suitable Graduate Committee to supervise his program.

Applications for admission are sent by the Graduate School to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies. Admissions decisions are made by the Associate Dean with the advice of appropriate members of the Research and Graduate Studies Committee or other faculty members of the College. Because of the individualized plans of study characteristic of these programs, applicants should discuss their proposed academic plan with appropriate faculty members of the College prior to applying. Any such contacts should be noted on the application for graduate study in order to aid the Associate Dean in evaluating the application.

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COMMITTEES

Graduate Committees will be appointed during the first semester of graduate study, with the students advisor serving as Chairman of the Committee. All Committees must conform to Graduate School rules for masters and doctoral Committees, as applicable. Present requirements, as amended by the Graduate Faculty on November 17, 1983, require Masters Committees to consist of at least three members, of whom one must be a full member of the graduate faculty. Doctoral Committees must consist of at least five members, of whom at least two must be full members of the graduate faculty. At least three members of the Committee must be from departments which offer the Ph.D. degree. Each minor field must be represented by a committee member. The Dean of the Graduate School will appoint an additional member of the Doctoral Committee for the General Examination and Dissertation defense (Final Examination).

 

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QUALIFYING EXAMINATION

Graduate School policy leaves the requirement of a qualifying examination to the option of the Department. For interdisciplinary doctoral programs, a plan of study, including a proposal for research feasible in a university environment, and a list of proposed course work, approved by the Dean of the Graduate School, replaces the qualifying examination. This requirement must be satisfied prior to registration for the second semester of graduate study in the program.

 

GENERAL EXAMINATION

Satisfactory completion of the general examination is required before a student can submit and defend a dissertation. The form, content and timing of this examination are the responsibility of the Graduate Committee. Normally this examination will be given in the last semester of the students course work or in the first semester following completion of the course work requirements. On passing this examination, the student will be considered to have satisfied all requirements for the Ph.D. except the dissertation.

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OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Other requirements for the Ph.D. degree, such as residency, are the same as the general requirements for the Ph.D. as described in the graduate catalog.