The M.S. Program is intended to extend and broaden an undergraduate education with fundamental knowledge in different fields. The degree may be terminal, or obtained on the way to the Ph.D. The degree is offered under both the Thesis Plan I and the Comprehensive Examination Plan II.
M.S. Time Limit Policy: Full-time M.S. students are permitted seven quarters in which to complete all requirements. While there is no written time limit for part-time students, the department has the right to intervene and set individual deadlines if it becomes necessary.
Course requirements: All M.S. students must complete a total of thirty-six units, which include a core of five courses (twenty units) chosen among fluid dynamics (CENG 210A, MAE 210B), heat and mass transfer (CENG 221AB), chemical reaction engineering (CENG 252), and mathematics. To maintain a certain balance in the core, no more than two mathematics courses should be chosen among the choices of applied mathematics (MAE 294AB or Math. 210AB) and numerical mathematics (MAE 290AB or Math. 270AB).
No more than three courses (twelve units) of upper-division courses may be applied toward the total course work requirement. No more than a total of eight units of CENG 296 may be applied toward the course work requirement. Units in seminars (CENG 259) may not be applied toward the degree requirement.
Thesis Plan I: Completion of the research thesis (CENG 299) fulfills twelve units toward the total graduation requirement. The balance is made up of the five core courses (twenty units) and additional one elective course (four units) subject to the restrictions described above. The nanotechnology concentration signifies that four elective courses are chosen from the approved courses in this area.
Comprehensive Examination Plan II: This plan involves course work only and culminates in an oral comprehensive examination based on topics selected from the core courses. In addition to the five core courses (twenty units), one must choose an additional four electives (sixteen units) subject to the restrictions of CENG 259 and 296 described above. Sample electives are listed in the table below. A student should consult his or her academic advisor to choose an appropriate course schedule, including alternatives in bioengineering, electrical and computer engineering, materials science, basic sciences, and mathematics. The nanotechnology concentration signifies that four elective courses are chosen from the approved courses in this area.
Fall Winter Spring
Core selections
CENG 210A CENG 221B CENG 252
CENG 221A MAE 210B
MAE 290A or 294A MAE 290B or 294B
Suggested electives
MS 201A MS 201B MS 201C
MAE 211 MAE 212 MAE 213
MATH 270A MATH 270B MATH 270C
CHEM 211 CHEM 212 CHEM 213
Nanotechnology concentration
CENG 211 CENG 213 CENG 215
CENG 212 CENG 214
Course titles and descriptions are located in the General Catalog.
Change of Degree: Upon completion of the requirements for the M.S. degree, students admitted as M.S. only or M.S. candidates are not automatically eligible for admission to the Ph.D. Program.