In addition to the minimum requirements of the Graduate School, the requirements for the M.S. degree in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering can be satisfied by either one of the two following options.

Coursework Option

This program is designed to familiarize the student with a broad range of materials-related phenomena rather than focusing on research in one particular field. Instead of a single research project, the student will be required to take two semesters of intensive laboratory courses where they will learn modern materials analysis techniques commonly used in high technology industries.

This program is designed to be completed in one year, full time, or two-to-three years part time.

Election

The election of this option must be made by the student when applying for admission to the Department.

Coursework

A minimum of 30 graduate credits with an overall grade point average (in all graduate work) of 3.0 or better is required to graduate. Within the required 30 credits, at least five courses must be taken from the core program (described below) and passed with a grade of B or better.

Informal and Independent Study

Students are expected to engage in additional study beyond their formal requirements and are specifically required to complete the Colloquium course (ESM 697) with a grade of S in each of their first two semesters in the Program.

Teaching

Resident students must complete the course on Teaching Techniques (ESM 501) satisfactorily, within their first year of study. All students must engage in supervised teaching activities in every semester. All full-time resident students must satisfactorily complete the Practicum in Teaching (ESM 698).

Research

At least six credits of research (ESM 599) must be taken and passed with a grade of S.

Terminal Nature of the Degree

Transfer to another degree option in the Department can only be made after completion of this degree. A student in this degree option is considered to be a terminating student.

Research Thesis Option

This program is intended to familiarize the student with a broad range of materials phenomena and provide an in-depth study of a single topic and an introduction to research. The program is intended mainly for full-time study, and it can be completed in one-and-a-half to two years. For the student who elects to complete a thesis for the M.S. degree, the thesis must be approved by three faculty members, at least two of whom are members of the Department of materials Science and Engineering, including the research advisor.

Coursework

A minimum of 30 graduate credits with an overall grade point average (in all graduate work) of 3.0 or better is required to graduate. At least six credits of MS Thesis Research (ESM 599) must be completed satisfactorily. At least five courses must be taken from the core program (described below) and passed with a grade of B or better.

Informal and Independent Study

Students are expected to engage in additional study beyond their formal requirements and are specifically required to complete the Colloquium course (ESM 697) with a grade of S in each of their first two semesters in the Program.

Teaching

Resident students must complete the course on Teaching Techniques (ESM 501) satisfactorily, within their first year of study. All students must engage in supervised teaching activities in every semester. All full-time resident students must satisfactorily complete the Practicum in Teaching (ESM 698)

Research

At least six credits of MS Thesis Research (ESM 599) must be completed satisfactorily. The student must also write a scholarly thesis which must be approved by three faculty members, at least two of whom are members of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, including the research advisor.

Final Recommendation

Upon fulfillment of the above requirements the faculty of the graduate program will recommend to the Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies, through the Graduate Studies Committee, that the Master of Science degree be conferred or will stipulate further requirements that the student must fulfill.

Time Limit - this applies to both the coursework and research thesis option.

• All requirements for the master's degree must be completed within three years of the student's first registration as a matriculated full-time graduate student.
• For matriculated part-time study, the degree must be completed within five years.
• In rare instances, the vice provost for research and graduate Studies will entertain a petition bearing the endorsement of the chairperson of the department for an extension of this time limit. In such instances, the student may be required to repeat certain examinations or present evidence that he or she is still prepared for the thesis or the final examination.

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09/04/98 JQ