College Admissions
Requirements

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College of Natural Science and Mathematics

Master of Science Degree

Degree Requirements:

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree will be awarded after students have successfully completed requirements specified in one of the two following plans.

Plan I: Thesis Option

Students may satisfy degree requirements by completing a minimum of 30 approved semester hours, no more than nine of which, with specific departmental approval, may be at the advanced undergraduate level, and no more than six of which may be undergraduate hours in the major department. At least six semester hours of thesis courses and a thesis acceptable to the department must be completed. At the option of the department, a qualifying and/or final comprehensive examination may be required.

Students who complete a thesis as part of their degree requirements must specify a thesis committee and have the names on file in the Office of the Dean at least one semester prior to their graduation. The committee must consist of a minimum of two faculty members from within the major department and one approved member external to the major department from industry and/or academia who is acceptable to the department and the college. After these minimum requirements for committee members are satisfied, additional committee members may be approved from industry and academia.

Plan II: Non-thesis Option

In some departments, students may satisfy degree requirements by completing a minimum of 36 approved semester hours, no more than nine of which, with specific departmental approval, may be at the advanced undergraduate level and no more than six of which may be special problems courses. At the option of the department, a qualifying examination and/or final comprehensive examination may be required.