FAQ for Current Master's Degree Students

1. Can I take undergraduate courses and apply them towards my Master's degree?
   The graduate school allows graduate students to apply up to 6 credits of undergraduate work towards a graduate degree, provided that these credits are at the 3000 level or above, and are taken outside the major department (you cannot count ISE undergraduate courses).
   
   
2. Does the seminar course ESI 6918 apply to my 32 required credits (30 if doing thesis) for graduation?
   No, unfortunately it does not.
   
   
3. Is there a limit on the number of ESI 6912 and EIN 6905 credits I can take?
   Yes, you are limited to no more than 8 credits of ESI 6912 and no more than 9 credits of EIN 6905.
   
   
4. When do I need to take the Master's Comprehensive Exam?
   The Master's Comprehensive Exam must be taken within 6 months of graduation (no earlier). To schedule this exam, please see Cynthia Blunt in 303 Weil.
   
   
5. When is the Master's Comprehensive Exam offered?
   The exam is typically offered at the very beginning of every semester. So, you cannot plan to take it at the end of the semester you plan to graduate.
   
   
6. If I am a non-thesis student, do I still need an adviser?
   All graduate students need to officially name an adviser, preferably by the end of the first semester, and no later than the end of the second semester of study. In order to officially name an adviser, you must first gain the adviser's approval and then see Cynthia Blunt in 303 Weil and complete the proper paperwork. The adviser should be someone that does research and teaches in the selected option area and the adviser should advise you on your course selection.
   
   
7. I have taken all of my required courses and restricted electives for my option. Are there any constraints on the remaining courses I will take to fulfill my degree requirements?
   After fulfilling all of the required courses and restricted electives in an option, the student has a good deal of flexibility in choosing additional courses toward the 32 credit requirement (30 for thesis students). By this time the student should have named an adviser and should work with the adviser to choose proper courses for their degree. The one important requirement that must be followed is that at least half of all credits counted toward the degree must be in the ISE department (i.e., EIN or ESI courses).
   
   
8. I plan to do a thesis. How many committee members do I need?
   A Master's degree with thesis requires at least two committee members and does not require a committee member from an outside department.
   
   
9. I am an International student. Can I drop a course in the middle of a semester?
   International students are required to take at least 9 credits in a fall or spring semester and at least 2 credits in summer (rules may be different for students on assistantship). You can not drop below these limits or you may lose your visa status. You may be able to drop a course, but will likely need to add another course to maintain the minimum number of credits for International students.

<< Back to FAQs