Degree Options
Doctor of Philosophy
The primary requirement of the MSE-PHD is a dissertation covering research performed by the student under the supervision of a SMSE-associated research advisor. A minimum of 72 semester credits including course work and research is required by the graduate school. These must include 13 credits from the SMSE core courses: MSE 501 (1 unit), 3 out of a possible 6 units of MSE 502, where MSE 502A and MSE 502B are required, MSE 503, MSE 504, and MSE 523.
Additionally, 3 credits of MSE 793 (Professional Development Seminar) are required and 6 credits of SMSE approved specialty courses at the 500 level or higher (e.g. MSE 505). A 400-level course requires special approval from the graduate academic committee and your faculty advisor. MSE PhD students will be required to meet a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training component (course-based, workshop, other pre-approved form). A minimum grade point average of 3.3 must be achieved in the curriculum core credits.
Every spring semester, SMSE PhD. students are required to meet with their graduate program committee for a presentation and discussion of the student’s degree progress and plan. Further details about the evaluation can be found in the handbook or by contacting the program manager.
The PhD degree comes with financial assistance in the form of a graduate assistantship
Master of Science – Thesis Option
A MS-Thesis student must complete a minimum of 30 course credits. These must include 16 credits of approved classroom-based courses with 13 credits of Core courses: MSE 501 (1 unit), 3 out of a possible 6 units of MSE 502, where MSE 502A and MSE 502B are required, MSE 503, MSE 504, and MSE 523. Additionally, 2 credits of MSE 793 (Professional Development Seminar) are required and 3 credits of SMSE approved specialty courses at the 500 level or higher (e.g. MSE 505). MSE M.S. Plan A students will be required to meet a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training component (course-based, workshop, other pre-approved form). The student must also perform research and prepare a thesis. The final examination for the MS-Thesis option Degree is the thesis defense. A minimum grade point average of 3.3 must be achieved for core credits.
The MS-Thesis degree comes with financial assistance in the form of a graduate assistantship.
Master of Science – Coursework Option
A student must complete a minimum of 30 semester credits. These must include 16 credits of approved classroom-based courses with 13 credits of Core courses: MSE 501 (1 unit), 3 out of a possible 6 units of MSE 502, where MSE 502A and MSE 502B are required, MSE 503, MSE 504, and MSE 523. Additionally, two credits of MSE 793 (Professional Development Seminar) are required and 3 credits of SMSE approved specialty courses at the 500 level or higher (e.g. MSE 505). The final examination for the Plan B M.S. degree is a seminar/presentation and paper. A minimum grade point average of 3.3 must be achieved for core course credits.
Master of Science-Coursework option students are not offered financial assistance for this degree.
