masters in engineering non thesis

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Master's non-Thesis degree, MSE

Information concerning the pursuit of a Master's non-thesis degree in MSE, including degree requirements, time frame for completion, graduation details, and more.

The Master's degree program is designed to give students the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and necessary skills in a specific area of Materials Science. A non-thesis option Master's primarily involves academic course work followed by the defense of a written document, such as critical literature review, during the final term of enrollment. The structured research component of the MS with Thesis is not present in the non-thesis option.

Two forms of the MS non-thesis are available to MSE students: 1) as a final degree, after which the student exits the program, or 2) as an intermediate degree earned upon successful completion of the Ph.D. Candidacy Exam.

• MS non-thesis as final degree. This degree does not involve laboratory research instead requiring more academic study than the MS with Thesis. Thus this degree track is best suited for working students, as it primarily consists of course work. Note: Pursuit of a MS non-thesis as a final degree is available only by means of a petition of the MSE Graduate Studies Committee. This petition should be submitted during the student's first term in the program.
• MS non-thesis based on Candidacy Exam. Students who successfully complete the Ph.D. Candidacy Exam may request to receive a MS non-thesis degree. This is optional, but serves as a tangible "mile marker" for the student. Students must meet the minimum graded graduate  course work requirements for the MS non-thesis degree as detailed under "Degree requirements" below.

Time frame for completion

The typical length of time for completion of a Master's non-thesis degree while enrolled as a full time student is approximately three to six terms. For the MS non-thesis as final degree, the student will prepare a document, such as a critical literature review or technical report, which is defended before a two member committee of MSE faculty. Development of this document typically takes place in the student's final term in the program. For students earning the degree based on the Candidacy Exam, the Candidacy typically occurs in the third to seventh term of enrollment.

Degree requirements

Master's non-thesis degree requirements MSE-specific requirements to earn a Master's non-thesis degree in materials science and engineering.

School of Materials Science and Engineering

Masters non-thesis option.

For those interested, the School of Materials Science and Engineering offers a Masters of Science with a non-thesis option.

For more information concerning the non-thesis option, please see the current Graduate Handbook . Pay close attention to the Masters Degree Program chapters including, but not limited to:

• M.S. THESIS TOPIC SELECTION
• SPECIAL PROBLEMS REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
• COURSE REQUIREMENTS

For additional information about the MSE Graduate Program complete the  request form or contact:

Professor Preet Singh

Professor & Associate Chair Graduate Studies [email protected] 404-894-6641

Laura Alger

Academic Advising Manager [email protected] 404-894-8414

Penn State    |    College of Engineering

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One-year, Non-thesis Master of Science Degree (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering

Get your future on the fast track.

Our one-year, non-thesis master’s degree program provides a strong foundation in biomedical engineering, enabling you to apply your skills across a broad range of disciplines in both academia and industry.

The non-thesis M.S. is a 32-credit program that can be completed in one year for a faster path to a great career. The program is ideal for engineers with a B.S. degree who wish to gain a deeper understanding of biomedical engineering practice and explore a number of research opportunities.

We give you the options you need

Our program introduces students to a variety of research interests and provides training in:

• Medical device design
• Biomechanics
• Biomedical health systems
• And many more

Successful graduates are positioned to become leaders in industry or may choose to use the experience as a segue to apply to biomedical engineering doctoral programs.

Whether your passion is to start your own business , pursue the next ground-breaking biomedical innovation , or secure an advanced position in industry , our degree program can help you achieve your goals.

Non-thesis M.S. Course Requirements

Timeline to complete the one-year m.s. in biomedical engineering.

The program runs fall/spring/summer with a final project due in at the end of summer. Through the fall, students will be exposed to the faculty research labs via lab tours and faculty presentations covering their current research projects. In the first month of the program, students will identify a research adviser and carry out a literature review for the proposed research. Research will continue through fall and spring semesters. Summer will be fully committed to research and writing of the final project.

Fall Semester

• Take 15 credits of courses including BME 594–Graduate Seminar and BME 591–Ethics and Professional Development
• Take 1 credit of BME 594-Mentored Projects
• Identify adviser (no later than the end of September)

Spring Semester

• Take 14 credits of courses including BME 590–Graduate Seminar and BME 429–Biomedical Mechanics and Techniques Lab
• Take 2 credits of BME 594: Mentored Projects
• Submit title and one page proposal on mentored research by spring break
• Take 3 credits of BME 594
• Submit first draft of scholarly paper by July 1
• Submit final scholarly paper by August 1

Our specialized degree tracks include:

• Drug Delivery
• Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine
• Biomanufacturing
• Biomaterials

Course Outline

Required courses.

• BIOE 512: Cell and BioMolecular Engineering (Fall) (3 cr.)
• BIOL 472: Physiology or PHSIO 571: Graduate Physiology (Fall) (3 cr.)
• BIOE 504: Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering (Fall) (3 cr.)
• BME 590: Graduate Seminar (Fall/Spring) (1 cr. each)
• BME 591: Bioengineering Ethics and Professional Development (Fall) (1 cr.)

Fundamental Courses*

• BIOE 501: Bioengineering Transport Phenomena
• BIOE 503: Fluid Mechanics of Bioengineering Systems
• BIOE 505: Bioengineering Mechanics
• BIOE 506: Medical Imaging
• BIOE 508: Biomedical Materials

Application Courses*

• BIOE 509: Mechanobiology
• BIOE 510: BioMems and Bionanotechnology
• BIOE 514: Quantitative Microscopy
• BIOE 515: Cell Mechanics and Biophysics
• BIOE 517: Biomaterials Surface Science
• BIOE 518: Organic Nanobiomaterials
• BIOE 519: Artificial Organ Design
• BME 429: Biomedical Mechanics and Techniques Lab (2 cr.) (Spring)
• BME 594: Mentored Projects (6 cr. total) (Fall/Spring/Summer)

*Fundamental and Application courses are all 3-credit courses. Take 12 credits combined of Fundamental and Application credits with minimum 3 credits of each.

Application Deadlines

The deadline to apply for the fall semester is July 15.   The deadline to apply for the spring semester is December 15. International students are encouraged to apply early.

Application Criteria

Bachelor of science degree.

Prior to beginning the program, all applicants must have obtained a bachelor of science degree or equivalent from an accredited university or institution. Engineering, science, mathematics and life science degrees are strongly preferred.

Course Requirements

All applicants must have successfully completed at least one programming course (preferably Matlab) and one differential equations course.

GPA expectations for applicants are 3.0 or higher. Lower scores will be considered under special circumstances or if other aspects of the application are deemed considerably strong.

Letters of Recommendation

Two strong letters of recommendation are required in addition to the completed application. We recommend that these be submitted by a faculty member or mentor who knows you well and can attest to your work, research, or academic merit.

It is also recommended that all applicants have knowledge of differential equations and some computer programming experience.

Visit the Penn State Graduate School website and apply to the “BME MS” program. Be sure to mention your specific interest in the “one-year BME MS” in your personal statement.

Tuition fees for Pennsylvania residents and non-Pennsylvania residents or international students can be found here . Typical program is full time fall and spring semesters and 2 credits in the summer.

Contact Information

• Dr. Leo Lei Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Program Coordinator, 515 CBEB 814-865-2290 [email protected]
• Virginia Simparosa Graduate Programs Assistant 814-865-8087 [email protected]

Have Questions?

• One-year, Non-thesis M.S. FAQ
• Graduate Handbook
• Apply Now  

The Department of Biomedical Engineering administers the bachelor of science, master of science, and doctorate degree programs in biomedical engineering. Our work combines traditional engineering principles with medicine and technology for the betterment of human health and society. 

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Master of Engineering and Master of Science (Non-Thesis)

The Master of Engineering and Master of Science (Non-Thesis) have identical requirements and are intended for students who seek a Master’s degree to prepare them for engineering practice. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours of approved courses is required for the Master of Engineering degree (MEng) and the Master of Science (Non-Thesis).

Graduates from our program are recruited to work in private consulting firms, large engineering firms, city and state government positions, and federal government laboratories. Students generally complete the degree requirements in 12 to 16 months.

Students must take 9 hours in both the fall and spring semesters to have full-time student status. A complete discussion of university requirements is found in the current Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog .

Environmental Engineering Faculty Members

• Dr. Robin Autenrieth
• Dr. Shankar Chellam
• Dr. Kung-Hui "Bella" Chu
• Dr. Xingmao "Samuel" Ma
• Dr. Garrett McKay
• Dr. Qi Ying

Water Resources Engineering Faculty Members

• Dr. Kelly Brumbelow
• Dr. Anthony Cahill
• Dr. Huilin Gao
• Dr. Francisco Olivera
• Dr. Ralph Wurbs
• Dr. John Tracy

Coastal Engineering Faculty Members

• Dr. Kuang-An Chang
• Dr. Hamn-Ching Chen
• Dr. James Kaihatu
• Dr. Richard Mercier
• Dr. Scott Socolofsk

Each student will be assigned a faculty graduate advisor, who will assist M. Eng. and M.S. Non-Thesis students with selecting courses, submitting degree plans and petitions, meeting all of the requirements for successful completion of the graduate degree and general professional mentoring. The 30-hour coursework requirement for M.Eng. and M.S. Non-Thesis students includes 9 hours of foundational coursework, 3-6 hours of Math, Science, Business or Law Electives, 12 hours of focused technical electives, and 3-6 hours of additional electives.

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Master of Science in Engineering (Non-Thesis)

Transfer Credits

Next start date, accreditation, get the upper-management skills you need with a master’s degree in engineering.

Do you want to lead teams of creative designers to make new creations a reality? At Liberty, we want to help equip you for the next step in your career so you can move from building each piece of a project to leading teams to the finish line. By building on your experience and developing new skills for leadership, you can take your current engineering expertise even further.

Our Office of University Research and Analysis reports that there were almost 15,000 jobs posted requesting a Master of Science related to engineering in the past year. These jobs are for experienced professionals like architectural and engineering managers who receive a median salary of $112,000. If you continue your education and complete a doctoral degree like our Ph.D. in Engineering, that income increases to an average of $124,000 a year. We can help you bridge the gap from your hands-on experience to the higher-order thinking it takes to be successful as a manager.

Liberty University’s MS in Engineering is focused on the “Creationeering” philosophy of melding business and engineering. You can graduate prepared to lead a team of engineers, and together, you will better your company and the world around you. With our vision to Train Champions for Christ , you’ll get an added edge to your degree that demonstrates a level of integrity that companies need in their engineering leaders. Join Liberty’s mission and get ready to build toward a new future in engineering leadership.

What is Creationeering?

At Liberty, we define Creationeering as the joining of engineering processes with basic business concepts. For the engineering side of things, this includes the design, synthesis, procurement, logistics, assembly, performance, sustainability, and recycling of a process. The business side of Creationeering focuses on the value of people, finances, moral law, communications, and organizational structure.

Award-Winning Campus

At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education that equips students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence helped us rank among Niche.com’s Top 3 college campuses in America . Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.

Why Choose Liberty’s MS in Engineering Degree?

In this program, you will complete various projects to gain hands-on experience working with teams to solve complex problems. You can flex your new leadership muscles in this practical program, gaining the skills you need for upper management in just 2 years.

With the flexibility to choose courses that best fit your career path and field, you can build a degree plan that can give you the specific skills you need. Our faculty of industry-leading engineers will come alongside you throughout the program to advise and guide you to becoming the leader you need to be. You have a vision for your path forward, and we have the tools that can help you make it a reality.

What Will You Learn in Our M.S. in Engineering Degree?

Companies are looking for engineers with a very specific skill set. To fit the bill, you’ll need to hone your project management, product development, strategic planning, and quality management skills. These are vital if you want to expand beyond your current work and land an upper-management position in this growing field. At Liberty, we have the degree you’ll need to continue advancing your expertise in engineering while also developing your management style.

Additionally, employers want their top engineers to think outside of the box to solve complex system issues with integrity. Here are some of the major principles we want our MS in Engineering graduates to walk away with:

• How to integrate qualitative and quantitative tools to perform effective engineering analysis and research
• How to evaluate and present scholarship relevant to engineering contexts that reflects a knowledge of literature of the discipline
• How to incorporate a Christian worldview when solving engineering challenges

View the Degree Completion Plan , and check out our featured courses below for more information.

Featured Courses

ENGR 505 – Finite Element Analysis

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• An introduction to the mathematical theory, formulation, and computer implementation of the finite element method
• Application to 1- and 2-dimensional problems in engineering mechanics

ENGR 525 – Continuum Mechanics

• An introduction to the general theory of continuous media
• Applications of continuous media to the theories of elasticity and fluid mechanics

ENGR 545 – Fatigue

In this course, you can learn how to predict and prevent fatigue failure in metallic material.

ENGR 637 – Materials Characterization Methods

• Stress dependency, viscoelasticity, repeated load moduli, and stabilization
• The characterization for advanced material behaviors for pavement subgrades, bases, and surfaces

Highlights of Our Engineering Master’s Degree

• Liberty University’s Center for Engineering Research & Education (CERE) promotes research and development of all forms of energy generation, storage, and transmission.
• Through the CERE, you will have the opportunity to observe and assist with research in Liberty’s state-of-the-art facility.
• You will have access to the latest technology and qualified faculty who seek to know you personally and to provide you with opportunities for education, research, and training in a Christ-centered environment.
• Pursuing Liberty’s non-thesis engineering track means earning your master’s degree faster and getting started in your field sooner.

M.S. in Engineering Degree Information

• Residential format
• 30 total hours
• Transfer in up to 18 credits
• This program falls under the School of Engineering
• View the Degree Completion Plan
• View the course catalog

Potential Career Opportunities for Engineering Graduates

• Architectural project manager
• Chief engineer
• Director of engineering
• Engagement director
• Engineering manager
• Head of technology and development
• Project engineer
• Senior project engineer
• Technology development owner

Admission Requirements for Graduate Degrees

Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:

• Admission application
• Official bachelor’s degree transcripts showing a completed engineering or STEM-related degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Self-certification form for students in the final term of their bachelor’s degree
• Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree/certificate application through their ASIST account

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Candidate Checklist Non Thesis - Mechanical Engineering - Purdue University

Candidate Checklist for NON-THESIS MASTER’S DEGREE

It is your responsibility to make sure all degree requirements have been met, before filing for candidacy.  Registering for candidacy 3 times in a row attracts a fee of $200 from the Purdue Graduate School.

To help review if all degree requirements have been met, please check against the list below:

• Cumulative GPA is at least 3.0
• Minimum of 30 credits of graduate level coursework (500- and 600- level) that are technical and quantitative-in-content
• Includes 3 credit hours from the Math (MA) department
• Incudes another 3 credit hours from Math or an approved applied math course.
• Includes no more than 6 credit hours of independent study
• If residential international student and not registering full-time in your last semester, contact ISS and request reduced course load.  If on fellowship, make sure to meet fellowship requirements.
• Register as CAND 991 in the scheduling assistant before the end of the first week of classes.

Will you be continuing on for a PhD? 

It’s not typical for a Master’s non-thesis to continue on for a PhD.  But, if you are, have you submitted the internal PhD application?   (Should be done before the semester ends, or otherwise you’ll need to apply through Slate and meet all application requirements.)  You will need to have a faculty advisor agree to support you, before applying for the PhD program.

ME Graduate Office 516 Northwestern Ave. (4th floor of Wang Hall) West Lafayette, IN 47906 [email protected] (765) 494-5730 Virtual office hours available every Tues/Wed/Thurs

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MS, Civil & Environmental Engineering – Non-thesis

The MS in Environmental Engineering is oriented towards creative ways to solving interdisciplinary problems in integrated water resource management, waste management, environmental externalities of energy production, and coastal and urban systems.

Degree Type: Masters

Degree Program Code: MS_CEEN_NT_O

Degree Program Summary:

To develop, adapt and disseminate knowledge and technologies for engineering and management of holistic environmental systems.

The increasingly complex relationship of engineered systems and the environment has generated the need for engineers to better understand the interconnectedness of natural resources with people and the socio-economic system. The MSEnveEngr degree provides a broad-based engineering education; students learn to integrate knowledge from several disciplines and gain skills in problem definition as well as use of advanced techniques of data analysis and presentation of original research results. This degree requires twenty-four semester hours of course work, including ENGR 6910, Research Methods, and one hour of seminar (ENGR 8950). Six hours of thesis research is also required. Six hours of math and six hours of statistics are encouraged, with remaining courses related to a thesis topic. Contact the graduate coordinator for additional details.

Locations Offered:

College / School:

College of Engineering

597 D. W. Brooks Drive Athens, GA 30602

706-542-1653

Department:

School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering

Graduate Coordinator(s):

Mi Geum Chorzepa

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Master of Science Non-Thesis Option

Requirements.

• 25 credits of graded graduate coursework
• 1 credit of graded seminar (CE 580)
• 2 credits for CE 702 (Project; S/U)
• 2 credits for CE 702 (Exam; S/U)
• 27 credits of graded graduate coursework
• 4 credits for CE 702 (oral exam)

NOTE: Students are required to enroll in CE 600 in semesters they are not enrolled in CE 580.  If a student is unable to enroll in CE 600 in a semester due to personal circumstances, a request for a waiver to this requirement must be made by the advisor of the student stating those circumstances. Upon review, the CEE Chair may grant a waiver. Please coordinate with the Graduate Coordinator.

• Coursework and project require approval by the student’s graduate committee.
• Program must be filed no later than the end of the second semester of study. Go to the Graduate school web site for the program of study form .
• General regulations regarding the preparation of a project are set by the department following thesis format and committee requirements.
• Typing, copying, and other associated costs for the preparation of the project report are borne by the student.
• Committee should include at least three faculty members.
• Students may pursue independent projects or may work with faculty to develop new projects or collaborate on existing projects.
• Students will generally complete their studies in 12 months.
• Scholarships and awards may be awarded to highly qualified students.
• Loans are available for all students through the University’s financial aid office

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•       Resources       Choosing Between a Thesis or Non-thesis Master's Degree

As of 2015, approximately 25.4 million Americans held advanced degrees , with more citizens joining these ranks each year. As studies continue to show the career advancement and salary benefits of completing a master's degree, more and more students elect to pursue advanced educations. When considering their options, many question whether to enroll in a master's requiring a thesis or not. The following guide examines some of the reasons degree seekers may want to write a thesis while also highlighting why they might not. Students on the fence about this important decision can find expert advice, actionable tips, and relevant guidance to help them make an informed choice in the guide that follows.

Understanding the Master's Thesis

What is the difference between a thesis & non-thesis master's program, the decision not to do a thesis.

As students research various master's programs in their chosen discipline, it's common to find that many degrees require a thesis – especially if they want to enter a research-heavy field. While this word gets thrown around a lot in academia, some learners may want more information regarding what it entails in order to make an informed decision.

What is a Master's Thesis?

The master's thesis is an original piece of scholarship allowing the student to dig into a topic and produce an expanded document that demonstrates how their knowledge has grown throughout the degree program. These documents require significant independent research of primary and secondary sources and, depending on the subject, may require interviews and/or surveys to support the overarching argument.

Individual schools and departments dictate the length of these documents, but they typically range between 60 and 100 pages – or approximately 20,000 to 40,000 words. While tackling a document of such heft may seem overwhelming at first, learners need not fret. Each master's candidate receives a faculty advisor early in their tenure to provide support, feedback, and guidance throughout the process. Because the final thesis is expected to be of a publishable quality, learners seeking the highest marks typically send their supervisor excerpts of the document as they write to ensure they are on the right track.

When picking a thesis topic, no magical formula exists. Students should consider their interests and read extensively on that topic to get a better sense of existing scholarship. They should also speak to other academics working in that sphere to familiarize themselves with ongoing projects. Only after they feel reasonably well-read should they begin looking for uncovered angles or interesting ways of using emerging methodologies to bring new light to the topic.

When considering formatting, degree seekers should check with their specific schools and departments, as they may have unique requirements. To get a general understanding of what to expect, learners can review Simon Fraser University's guidelines on thesis formatting. After completing the thesis, some programs require an oral defense before a committee while others read the document and provide a grade. Check with your prospective schools to get a better sense of procedure.

Format & Components of a Master's Thesis

While this guide attempts to provide helpful and actionable information about the process of deciding whether to follow a thesis or non-thesis track in a master's program, readers should remember that specific components and requirements of a thesis vary according to discipline, university, and department. That being said, some commonalities exist across all these – especially when it comes to what students must include in their final drafts.

As the first section a reader encounters after moving through the table of contents and other anterior text, the introductory allows the writer to firmly establish what they want to accomplish. Sometimes also called the "research question" section, the introductory must clearly state the goals of the paper and the overarching hypothesis guiding the argument. This should be written in a professional yet accessible tone that allows individuals without specializations in the field to understand the text.

This section allows learners to demonstrate their deep knowledge of the field by providing context to existing texts within their chosen discipline Learners review the main bodies of work, highlighting any issues they find within each. Constructive criticism often centers around shortcomings, blind spots, or outdated hypotheses.

Students use this section to explain how they went about their work. While scientists may point to a specific method used to reach conclusions, historians may reference the use of an emerging framework for understanding history to bring new light to a topic. The point of this section is to demonstrate the thought processes that led to your findings.

This section allows for learners to show what they learned during the research process in a non-biased way. Students should simply state what information they gathered by utilizing a specific framework or methodology and arrange those findings, without interpretation, in an easy-to-read fashion.

After providing readers with all the necessary information, the discussion section exists for candidates to interpret the raw data and demonstrate how their research led to a new understanding or contributed a unique perspective to the field. This section should directly connect to the introduction by reinforcing the hypothesis and showing how you answered the questions posed.

Even though the previous sections give prospective degree seekers a better sense of what to expect if they decide to write a thesis during their master's program, they don't necessarily help learners decide whether to pursue a thesis or non-thesis track. The following section highlights some of the reasons students frequently choose to complete a thesis or bypass the process altogether by providing a pros and cons list.

Why a Thesis Program

• Especially when entering a research-heavy discipline, completing a thesis shows prospective schools and employers that you possess the skills needed for researching and writing long-form reports.
• Students hoping to pursue a Ph.D. stand in better stead with admissions panels if they wrote a thesis during a master's program.
• Individuals hoping to enter a field that values syntax and grammar often better their writing skills by completing a thesis.
• Students who write a thesis can submit the final product to various academic journals, increasing their chances of getting published.
• Theses expand students' understanding of what they're capable of, deepen their ability to carry out an argument, and develop their skills in making connections between ideas.

Why a Non-thesis Program

• Because they don't require a significant written product, non-thesis master's tend to take less time to complete.
• Often mirrors a bachelor's program in terms of structure, allowing learners to complete classes and take exams without a great deal of research or writing.
• Students who excel in project-based assignments can continue building skills in this arena rather than focusing on skills they don't plan to use (e.g. research)
• Provides learners the opportunity to work more closely and more frequently with faculty on real-world projects since they don't spend hundreds of hours researching/writing.
• Allows learners to take more classes and gain hands-on skills to fill the time they would have spent researching and writing a thesis.

How to Choose a Master's Program: FAQs

Within some academic disciplines and professional fields, research and writing plays a key role in work done on a daily basis. Because of this, master's programs in these fields require learners to complete theses to compete against peers and be seen as competent in their work. Other disciplines, conversely, rely on other tools to accomplish work and progress ideas – making theses less important.

Yes. Master's programs focused more on application than research typically don't require a thesis – although they may still give students the option. Examples of common non-thesis master's programs include nursing, business, and education.

Even though non-thesis students won't be writing a 100-page paper, that doesn't mean they avoid completing a significant project. In place of a thesis, most applied master's programs require students to take part in at least one internship or complete a culminating project. These projects typically ask learners to take what they learned throughout coursework and create an expansive final project – examples include case studies, creative works, or portfolios.

While students who followed a non-thesis path routinely receive acceptance to Ph.D. programs, those with theses often find the process easier. Even if a learner pursues a Ph.D. in a discipline that isn't research-heavy, admissions panels still want to get a sense of your academic interests and ability to engage in independent, nuanced thought. Students with theses can provide solid proof of these skills, while those without may struggle to demonstrate preparedness as thoroughly.

The answer to this question depends on many factors, but typically it is okay not to do a thesis if you plan to enter a field that doesn't depend heavily on research or writing, or if you don't plan to complete a Ph.D.

Students wanting to work in academic, research, or writing should always opt for the thesis track. They should also follow this path if they have any doctoral degree aspirations.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to complete a thesis rests with the individual student. Figuring out how to proceed on this front requires lots of careful consideration, and learners should ensure they consider various aspects before coming to a final decision. The following section helps students consider how they should and should not come to a conclusion.

Dos and Don'ts of Choosing a Thesis or Non-thesis Program

• Consider the longevity of your decision: will you feel the same in 5-10 years or are you making a decision based on current desires?
• Talk to others who with experience in this area. Ask them questions about their decision-making process and if they regret their choice.
• Research potential thesis topics before starting a program. Going in with a game plan can help you feel more confident and settled about the process than if you're scrambling for a topic while in school.
• Reach out to prospective schools to speak with faculty and/or current students following both tracks. This will provide knowledge specific to the school while also expanding your network if you choose to attend there.
• Research Ph.D. entrance requirements to ascertain if the majority expect learners to possess a thesis when applying. This will give you a sense of whether you may experience issues later on if you do not complete one.
• Decide not to complete a thesis simply because you have never taken on such a task and feel overwhelmed or fearful that you will fail.
• Complete a thesis simply because you think it will look good on your resume. Theses require intense devotion over an extended amount of time; learners who complete them without conviction often find the process miserable.
• Forget to research alternatives to writing a thesis. Just because you don't complete a research paper doesn't mean a non-thesis track lacks rigor or challenging coursework.
• Forget to read examples of theses by previous students. If you feel overwhelmed by the task, reading work other people have done can often make the task at hand feel less scary.
• Let yourself off easy by taking the non-thesis path. If you find you have extra time in the program, talk to your advisor about taking more classes, develop meaningful projects for yourself, or see about presenting at an academic conference.

From the Expert

Sudiksha Joshi, Ph.D. is a learning advocate. Her mission is to empower our youth to think bigger, bolder thoughts and forge a career path that will change the world. She taps into her natural curiosity and ability to identify strengths to help students and those in transition find their path from feeling lost in the traditional ways of achieving success to charting their own path. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Medium and LinkedIn.

Why might a student decide to follow a thesis track? Why might they follow a non-thesis track?

A student might decide to take a thesis track if she/he wants to pursue a Ph.D. Also, if the students want to focus on careers where research and writing have a strong focus, the students opt for the thesis option. Research assistantships at the graduate level are also more often available to students who opt for the thesis option.

A student who might feel that writing is not one of their strengths might choose to go the non-thesis track. Likewise, a student who has other work commitments may find a non-thesis option more convenient.

Do you have any tips for deciding on a program?

I chose a thesis option because being able to conduct independent research was a big reason to go to graduate school. Also, showing the ability that I could do research was what afforded me research assistantships which meant that my tuition was paid for and I got a stipend that paid for expenses while I was in graduate school. This also allowed me the opportunity to work closely with the faculty mentor that provided me with the support and the accountability I wanted.

I would not recommend taking a non-thesis option if all the degree requires is for you to take courses. You have little to show in terms of your learning other than your grades unless you are already working on something on the side that does that for you and all you need is a certificate.

Opt for a non-thesis option if you can still work closely with a professor or on a project and if you'd rather be involved in multiple projects rather than focus on a single project. If you already have a good (informed) reason for choosing one over the other, go for it.

What's the most important thing to consider when choosing a program?

The most important thing to consider when choosing a program is getting excited about the projects that at least one of the faculty members are involved in. Do some research and see why you are excited about a particular work that at least one of the faculty members have been involved in.

Who should students talk to when considering options?

Students should talk to other students and also reach out directly to the graduate coordinator and even individual faculty members. This means that students should have done prior homework and have some good questions ready. Asking good questions will get you at least halfway through to make the right decision.

• October 15, 2023
• Academic Advice

Thesis vs. Non-Thesis Master’s Programs: Which is Right for You?

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Continuing your educational journey within your chosen field is an experience that fosters personal and professional growth. The next milestone in your academic path often involves pursuing a Master’s degree , with options ranging from thesis-based programs to non-thesis alternatives.  Deciding between these two paths is significant as it shapes your academic and career paths.

But how can you decide which is right for you before getting decision fatigue?

Let’s explore the difference between thesis vs. non-thesis Master’s programs, their unique characteristics, and reasons for choosing one or the other. 

Do You Have to Write a Thesis for Your Master’s Program?

Whether you have to write a thesis for your Master’s program depends on the specific requirements of the program you’re enrolled in. It’s important to note that while not all Master’s programs require writing a thesis, a significant number of them do.

What is a Thesis vs. Non-Thesis Master’s Program?

A thesis Master’s program involves completing a large research project spanning over several semesters. Students are expected to conduct original research on a specific topic under a faculty advisor’s guidance, culminating in a thesis likely to be published. Completing and defending the thesis is a crucial part of the degree requirement.

A non-thesis Master’s program doesn’t involve a specific research focus but rather a more coursework and practical experience, allowing students to gain specific skills and knowledge applicable to their field of study. After completing their program’s core course requirements, students can choose any of the electives to meet their degree requirements. Depending on the institution, you may be required to do a Master’s Degree Capstone project, including reviewing previous courses, a comprehensive exam, or a summary project. 

Why Choose a Thesis Master’s Program?

Thesis Master’s programs offer several advantages, be that contributing to new findings in your field, close collaboration with professors and researchers, and standing out to potential employers with your abilities to work independently and analyze complex issues. However, the primary advantages are:

Research Experience

Thesis programs allow you to conduct extensive research on a specific topic that piques your interest.  This way, you’ll gain expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. 

Academic Growth 

Writing a thesis helps sharpen your critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills. It also challenges you to think independently, analyze a large amount of data, and draw meaningful conclusions. Furthermore, it prepares you for doctoral studies, familiarizing you with the rigor of independent research and equips you with the necessary skills to succeed.

Why Choose a Non-Thesis Master’s Program?

Non-thesis master’s programs also come with numerous advantages for students, including flexibility in scheduling, a range of career opportunities, shorter competition time, etc. Here are the main advantages: 

Non-thesis programs prioritize coursework, fostering the development of practical skills and their real-world application. This approach enables you to actively engage in hands-on learning experiences highly sought after in today’s job market. Critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and leadership abilities are some of those skills.

Suitability for Professionals

Another advantage to pursuing a non-thesis Master’s program is that it doesn’t take as much time as the thesis Master’s programs. That way you can enter the workforce faster. It’s also well-suited for professionals already established in their field who are seeking to further their education and advance in their careers. 

The Academic and Career Outcomes of Thesis vs. Non-Thesis Master’s Programs

The academic outcomes for the thesis Master’s program graduates involve preparation for Ph.D. programs , opening doors to advanced research and specialized roles in research institutions. This provides solid research skills and helps them publish their work. Common career paths for graduates include research positions in academia, government, or private sectors. Some also pursue teaching careers in colleges and universities. Degree programs that usually require a thesis include sciences, social sciences, engineering, and humanities (history, philosophy, and language studies).

Non-thesis Master’s program graduates typically achieve academic outcomes focused on mastering practical, directly applicable skills within their field. While these programs are more career-oriented, graduates can still pursue a Ph.D. They can benefit from diverse career options in different settings and find employment in managerial, administrative, or specialized roles in their field. Degree programs that don’t usually require a thesis are business, education, healthcare administration, IT management, etc.

Thesis vs. Non-Thesis Master’s Programs, That is the Question 

With their abundance of advantages, choosing between the two can be pretty tricky. So, let’s compare thesis vs. non-thesis Master’s programs and help you make an informed decision. 

Personal and Career Goals

A thesis Master’s program is ideal if you’re interested in furthering in academia and want to pursue a Ph.D ., as these programs can provide the necessary tools to enhance your credentials for research-based careers. Meanwhile, a non-thesis Master’s program will suit you better if you’re seeking to gain practical skills to integrate into the industry immediately, as they can include practical projects or internships according to industry demands. 

Time and Financial Considerations

Thesis Master’s programs can extend the duration of your studies, as researching, writing, and defending the thesis can take several semesters to complete and can cause financial strain due to additional costs like lab fees and materials. In contrast, non-thesis ones can help you enter the job market promptly as they are shorter, allowing you to save time and money.

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Field of Study and Program Requirements

When deciding between a thesis and a non-thesis Master’s program, a crucial element to take into account is the field of study and the program’s specific requirements. A thesis Master’s program is better suited for those pursuing research-oriented fields, while a non-thesis program is a more fitting choice for individuals with a strong focus on their career. Furthermore, program requirements for thesis programs require substantial research to culminate in a thesis, whereas non-thesis ones require capstone projects, internships, or comprehensive exams. 

Switching from a Non-Thesis to a Thesis Master’s Program, or Vice Versa

Switching from a non-thesis to a thesis Master’s program, or vice versa, is possible in many institutions, although the process and requirements may vary. Switching from a non-thesis to a thesis program generally requires getting approval from the academic advisor or department, completing additional research methodology classes, finding a thesis advisor, and applying to the thesis program. 

Switching from a thesis to a non-thesis Master’s program requires having at least a 3.0 GPA, getting approval from the academic advisor, transferring credits of research methodology classes, and formally applying to the thesis program.

Choosing between a thesis and a non-thesis Master’s program ultimately depends on your career goals, research interests, and personal preferences. Thesis programs provide a robust foundation for research-oriented careers and advanced studies, while non-thesis programs offer practical skills tailored for immediate industry integration. Regardless of your choice, both paths offer unique advantages, ensuring you gain the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in your chosen field. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the difference between a thesis vs. non-thesis master’s program.

The key difference between a thesis and a non-thesis Master’s program is that thesis Master’s programs require original research and completion of a thesis, whereas non-thesis ones focus on coursework and practical experiences. 

Do I have to write a thesis for a Master’s program?

If you’re pursuing a research-oriented Master’s degree in sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, etc., you’ll probably have to write a thesis. Whereas, if you’re pursuing a Master’s degree in education, business healthcare administration, or IT management, you’re more likely not to have to complete a thesis. 

Is a thesis required for all Master’s degree programs?

Although a thesis isn’t required for all master’s degree programs, many programs require one.

What should I consider when deciding between a thesis and non-thesis program?

There are several factors to consider when choosing between a thesis and a non-thesis Master’s program, including your career goals, interest in research, duration of studies, personal strengths and preferences, cost, and program requirements.

Are there any financial and duration differences between thesis and non-thesis Master’s programs?

There can be financial and duration differences between thesis and non-thesis Master’s programs. Thesis programs can be more expensive as you’ll have to spend additional resources on materials, lab fees, and data collection. In contrast, the main cost for non-thesis programs is tuition fees, which can be slightly lower. Furthermore, thesis programs require additional time to conduct research, write, and defend the thesis. In contrast, non-thesis programs allow students to earn the degree in a shorter period. 

Why should I choose a thesis Master’s program?

You should choose a thesis Master’s program if you’re interested in a research-heavy discipline and want to showcase your knowledge and expertise in an evidence-based, thorough thesis. 

Why should I choose a non-thesis Master’s program?

You should choose a non-thesis Master’s program if you want to enter the workforce earlier, don’t want to spend several semesters collecting data, and want to focus more on application than research.

Can non-thesis Master’s graduates still pursue doctoral studies later?

Yes, non-thesis Master’s graduates can still get accepted into a doctoral program. However, thesis Master’s graduates can go through the process more efficiently, as admissions panels want to gain insight into your academic interests and ability to engage in nuanced thought.

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• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Non-thesis Option)
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The GRE requirement has been waived (and extended) for all engineering master’s applicants applying through Fall 2026!

Important: Some courses might have changed prefix from  EEL  to  EEE . If you cannot find an  EEL  course please search for  EEE  instead.

The Department offers a non-thesis program for the master of science (MS) degree in Electrical Engineering. Depending on the university, interested students should also consult the FAMU or FSU Graduate Student Handbook.

To be considered for admission, candidates must have earned a bachelor of science degree (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, or a closely related discipline, from an Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)-approved program, a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all work attempted beyond 60 semester hours of undergraduate study, and a minimum score of 148 points for the quantitative section and 145 points for the verbal section of the GRE test;  GRE waiver request form .

International candidates must also obtain at least:

• 80 points on the internet-based TOEFL exam or 550 points on the paper-based TOEFL exam,
• 6.5 points in the IELTS,
• 55 points in the Pearson's PTE academic examination,  or
• 77 points in the MELAB examination.

Students with a bachelor's degree in a field other than electrical engineering may be required to complete a department-designated sequence of undergraduate courses with grades of B or better prior to attempting the graduate electrical engineering work.

Students interested in obtaining a teaching assistantship should submit the  TA/Grader Application Form  as soon as they have been admitted to the program. Students who are not native speakers of English should take the speaking section of the TOEFL test (and have a score of 26 points or higher) or the SPEAK test at FSU (and have a score of 45 points or higher) in order to be eligible to apply to for a teaching assistantship. More information about teaching assistantships can be found on the  TA/Grader Application Form .

Students interested in obtaining a research assistantship should contact individual faculties for funding availabilities.

Application Deadlines

The ECE department application deadlines are  March 1 st  for the Summer,  July 1  for the Fall, and   November 1 st   for the Spring semester. International students are encouraged to apply earlier so that they can have sufficient time to get their visa.

To be considered for department financial assistance such as Teaching Assistantships, the last date for receiving a complete application is   March 1  for the Fall term. Generally, department funding such as Teaching Assistantship is not available for students starting in Spring and Summer.

Course Work Requirement

The students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work to obtain the degree. The 30 credit hours should satisfy:

At least 6 credit hours should be from the list of core courses (see the Graduate Courses link on the left side).

At least 3 credit hours should consist of a course in advanced mathematics, typically a 5000 level course or above, or a departmental approved substitute.

At least 24 out of 30 credit hours should be in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (EEL or EEE). The 24 credit hours in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering cannot include transfer courses.

No Directive Independent Studies (DIS) will be allowed for this degree.

Graduate Seminar Requirement

All full-time MS degree candidates are required to enroll in the graduate seminar, EEL 6932, for each semester that they are enrolled in the graduate program. The details of the seminar are given under "Course Listing".

Request for Non-Thesis

All students in the non-thesis MS degree program must submit a formal request to obtain an official approval from his/her advisor (if there is one) and the ECE Graduate Coordinator to be exempt from the thesis requirement.

Master's Comprehensive Examination

All students in the non-thesis MS degree program must register for and successfully pass the Master's Comprehensive Exam, EEL 8966. The students must apply to take the examination in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering office by the end of the prior semester. A maximum of 2 attempts will be permitted.

Template for the Comprehensive Examination report

The exam is taken over a five-week period. In preparing for the examination, the student shall present a 40-page literature review report to a committee demonstrating an understanding of the theoretical framework in a given area of research based on an in-depth literature review. In demonstrating an understanding of the literature, the student must include a discussion that identifies the state-of-the art and knowledge gaps in that area. Upon submission of the literature review report, the committee will respond to the student with questions related to the report itself and the area of research. The following is a schedule of events for the successful completion of the examination:

• The student must make arrangements with the adviser to schedule a five-week time period for the examination. The examination committee should contain at least three faculties with GFS status from the ECE Department.
• With the consultation of the adviser, the student will submit a research review report to the examination committee. A Microsoft Word template of the report can be downloaded from  here . The topic of the report should be determined by the major adviser of the student. The student is encouraged to submit the research review report by the middle of the semester for which he/her registered for the examination. The student should abide by the IEEE plagiarism policy.
• The committee will submit written questions to the adviser for collection by the student two weeks after submission of the literature review report. These questions will relate to the report and the topic which was assigned to the student.
• The student will have two weeks to develop written responses to the questions in preparation of the oral exam. These responses will be submitted to the adviser, who will then distribute the responses to the committee members. The student should submit a complete set of answers to each committee member; the answers should be given as separate appendices to the original (or revised) report.
• The oral examination will be held within one week of submission of the written responses. This examination will be primarily related to the research area and the student's written responses. Appropriate related fundamental concepts may also be covered. During the final oral presentation the student should give a short summary of the research report and address the questions of the committee on separate slides.
• Pass/fail is determined on the combined written and oral responses to committee questions. A majority of committee votes and a pass vote by the committee chair is required to pass.

Transfer of Credits

A maximum of 6 credit hours of letter-grade graduate coursework may be transferred from another academic institution(s) to the student's current master's degree program, with the approval the ECE Departmental Graduate Committee. A grade of B or better is required on all transfer credits.

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Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Non-thesis)

Admission requirements.

Please contact Admissions at [email protected]   for admission requirements.

Graduate Advisor

The student’s Graduate Advisor is automatically the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs, except for distance students doing their degree from the  Engineering Education Center in St. Louis. For these students, their Graduate Advisor is Dr. Xiaodong Yang. Students may also select another faculty member from the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department if he/she wishes.

Program Requirements

In order to obtain a Masters of Science degree (non–thesis option) in Mechanical Engineering, a student must:

• complete at least 30 total credit hours of lecture courses
• complete at least 24 credit hours in the MAE department
• complete at least 9 credit hours of 6xxx lecture courses, at least 6 credit hours of which is in the MAE department

† No course below the 5xxx level may be applied to the degree requirements. A maximum of 4 credit hours of special problems may be applied to the degree requirements. A graduate student accumulating 10 or more credit hours of C and F grades shall no longer be a candidate for an advanced degree from Missouri S&T

In order to earn a graduate degree, all students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in all graduate work taken at Missouri S&T, as well as for all graduate courses listed on the program of study (Form 1 for master’s students and Form 5 for doctoral students). 

Register for classes, after consulting with your Graduate Advisor, before each semester. Complete, in consultation with your Graduate Advisor, Graduate Form 1 . This form lists all of the courses you have taken and plan to take. Your Graduate Form 1 must be submitted to the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs within the semester in which you take your 9th graduate credit hour. If there are any changes in your coursework, you must submit Graduate Form 1A . This form should be done once you are absolutely sure there will be no further changes. The Graduate Form 1 (non-thesis) Checklist‌ can be used to aid this process.

Pre-Graduation Checklist

The following pre-graduation checklist can be used to plan the final steps of your program: Graduation Checklist MS Non-Thesis

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Thesis vs Non-Thesis Masters

Does it really matter if I decide to do a non-thesis master's (e.g. MEng programs) over a thesis (MS)? . Especially if my goal ultimately is to work into industry. The non-thesis will save me a semester to a year. I have heard mixed information regarding this. Especially if my goal ultimately is to work into industry.

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Our Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering program allows you to build extensive expertise in a specialized concentration within one of our focus areas . Challenging interdisciplinary coursework and a collaborative, supportive community provide you with a comprehensive and well-rounded learning experience.

The Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering is a coursework-based program where students gain advanced foundational knowledge in the field, in addition to professional development opportunities and pipelines to further graduate studies. Applied Study MS students will also complete an internship, allowing them to apply their education in industrial, government, or research settings and gain professional experience.

Graduates who earned their MS in CEE go on to work in a variety of sectors in companies like Amazon, Tesla, and more. Explore the  interactive dashboard from the CMU Career and Professional Development Center for information about post-graduation destinations and salaries.

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To earn your master’s degree, you'll need to complete 96 units successfully including 60 core CEE courses. Students, with the guidance of their faculty mentor, have the flexibility to design a personalized schedule within one of our CEE focus areas or create their own unique graduate journey that aligns with their career goals and aspirations.

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4.0. Master of Science Degree Programs

We offer a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with thesis and non-thesis options, as well as an option for a minor. Both options are also available under the Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's (150 hour) degree programs. In addition, we cooperate with the Texas Tech University Law School to offer a joint Master of Science/Doctor of Jurisprudence (M.S./J.D.) degree.

The M.S. degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics provides training in economic theory and methods of analysis, with an emphasis on addressing applied economic problems. Students who select the thesis option are expected to demonstrate competency as economic analysts by completing a thesis, which is a work of original research. The non-thesis option requires more coursework than the thesis option. Considerable flexibility is incorporated into the non-thesis option so that the student can focus elective courses in an area of concentration of their choosing.

The Accelerated B.S./M.S. (150 hour) program allows qualified students who are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics in our department to work concurrently on their B.S. and M.S. Students in this program are able to take up to six hours of graduate coursework (two of four eligible courses) which can count for credit in both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The joint M.S.-J.D. degree provides students who want to practice law in an agricultural and/or natural resource setting with graduate training in economics. Those who select this option must be admitted to both the Law School and the departmental M.S. program.

4.1. Prerequisites

A student entering the M.S. degree program must have completed an accepted bachelor's degree program or be an Agricultural and Applied Economics undergraduate who has been admitted into the Accelerated B.S./M.S. program. Undergraduate requirements that normally will have been completed, earning a grade of B or better, before beginning M.S. graduate coursework include the following courses or their equivalent.

• Basic Calculus (MATH 1331)
• Intermediate Microeconomic Theory (AAEC 3315)
• Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECO 3311)
• Regression Analysis (AAEC 4302)
• In addition, computer literacy is expected of all applicants

A student who has not satisfactorily completed the above requirements may be required to do so prior to or during the first semester of the graduate program. This prerequisite coursework will not count toward the M.S. degree requirements.

4.2. Credit Hour Requirements

The Master of Science program in Agricultural and Applied Economics consists of a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit for the M.S. thesis option, and 36 hours of graduate credit for the M.S. non-thesis option. Requirements for Master's degrees through the Accelerated B.S./M.S. (150 hour) programs (thesis or non-thesis) are exactly the same as for students who enter the graduate program after completing an undergraduate degree. The only difference is integration of the undergraduate and graduate curriculum in a way that can be considerably more time and cost efficient than when the degrees are pursued sequentially rather than contemporaneously.

4.3. Substitution for Core Courses

Except for unusual situations, substitutions for core courses are not permitted. Requests for substitutions for core courses must be initiated by the student and submitted, with written justification, to the department Graduate Coordinator . Final decisions on substitutions for core courses taught outside our department are made by the department Graduate Coordinator. Decisions on core courses taught inside the department are made by the current instructor of the core course being replaced and must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

4.4. Thesis Proposal and Proposal Defense

Information on the Thesis Proposal and Proposal Defense is provided in Section 8.0 of this Handbook.

4.5. Professional Paper Requirement for Non-thesis Students

M.S. non-thesis students are required to complete a professional paper demonstrating an understanding of economic concepts and analytical methods covered in their coursework. The development of this paper will be supervised by the student's advisory committee chair or another member of the student's advisory committee.

All students attempting a M.S. non-thesis degree are responsible to report and communicate with their advisor in a timely manner prior to their date of presentation or defense. Waiting until the last minute to submit paperwork is not professional or acceptable behavior. Additionally, non-thesis students must complete their professional presentation by the final date for defense of a thesis as published on the Texas Tech Website in the semester of intended graduation.

4.6. Final Examination

The Final Examination will be conducted by the student's advisory committee. This examination is an oral defense of the student's thesis or professional paper. The exam will begin with a public presentation of the student's research (thesis or professional paper). After the public presentation, and a question and answer period, the guests will be asked to leave the room and the student's committee will ask further questions, provide comments on the thesis or professional paper, and determine whether the student has successfully completed the examination.

Public announcement of exams will be done through the department Graduate Secretary. Exams must be announced at least two week prior to the exam date.

4.7. Degree Program Course Requirements

Listed below are the course requirements for the Master of Science and for the joint Master of Science/JD programs. Courses listed specifically by number are core courses.

M.S. Degree Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics (Thesis option) 1

Course number / course title / credit hours.

• AAEC 5303 / Advanced Production Economics / 3
• AAEC 5307 / Applied Econometrics I / 3
• AAEC 5310 / Advanced Market Analysis / 3
• AAEC 5321/ Research Methodology in Economics / 3
• ECO 5311 or AAEC 5316 / Macroeconomic Theory or International Agricultural Trade / 3
• ECO 5312 / Microeconomic Analysis / 3
• AAEC 6000 / Master's Thesis / 6
• AAEC Electives / / 6
• General Electives / / 0

total credit hours 30

M.S. Degree Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics (Non-thesis option) 1

• AAEC Electives / / 12
• General Electives / / 9

total credit hours 36

Joint M.S. and J.D. Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics 1,2

• AAEC 5312 / Agribusiness Analysis / 3
• AAEC 5318 / Finance and the Agribusiness Sector / 3
• AAEC and/or ECO Electives / / 9
• Law School Electives / / 12

1 Courses listed specifically by number are core courses. 2 Must be approved by the Law School

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The MEBE program is a fifth-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline along with a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. The program emphasizes the fusion of engineering with modern molecular-to-genomic biology as in our SB and PhD degree programs.

What are the entrance requirements?

MIT Undergraduates majoring in any of the departments of the Schools of Engineering or Science are eligible to apply. No applicants are accepted from other institutions. In addition to the requirements of the major department, applicants must also complete the following by the end of their Senior year:

• Organic Chemistry (5.12)
• Differential Equations (18.03)
• Biochemistry (5.07 or 7.05)

Two of the following subjects:

• Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems (20.110)
• Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Biomechanics (20.310)
• Analysis of Biomolecular and Cellular Systems (20.320)
• Fields, Forces and Flows in Biological Systems (20.330)
• One Engineering or Systems Transport subject (e.g. 2.005, 3.185, 6.002, 10.301)

More information about these courses .

How do I apply?

Contact BE Academic to request a copy of the application.

Students should apply by the end of their Junior year (June 1st), submitting the application, statement of purpose, 3 letters of recommendation and an official MIT transcript to the BE Academic Office (16-267). Transcripts should be submitted after Spring Semester grades are available. Applications will be reviewed during the summer and final decision will be announced by the end of that summer (August 31st). Admission into the program is highly competitive. Please note the GRE and application fee are not required.

Program Requirements

In addition to Thesis credits, at least 66 units of Graduate level coursework are required. Of the 66 units, a minimum distribution in each of three categories is specified below.

Core Requirements

AT LEAST 24 UNITS:

• 20.410 Molecular, Cellular & Tissue Biomechanics
• 20.420 Biomolecular Kinetics and Cellular Dynamics
• 20.430 Fields, Forces & Flows in Biological Systems

Thesis Requirement

The student is required to complete a thesis that must be approved by the Program Director. The thesis is an original work of research, design, or development. If the supervisor is not a member of Biological Engineering, a reader who belongs to the BE faculty must also approve and sign the thesis. The student submits a thesis proposal by the end of the fourth year, and conducts the work and completes the thesis by the end of Spring Term of the fifth year.

Biomedical Engineering Electives

AT LEAST 24 UNITS OF GRADUATE LEVEL SUBJECTS SELECTED FROM THE FOLLOWING LIST. OTHER SUBJECTS ARE ACCEPTABLE UPON APPROVAL BY ADVISOR AND PROGRAM DIRECTORS.

• 20.463 Biomaterials Science and Engineering
• 2.183 Biomechanics & Neural Control of Movement
• 2.785J Cell-Matrix Mechanics
• 6.542J Laboratory on the Physiology, Acoustics, & Perception of Speech
• 6.552J Signal Processing by the Auditory System: Perception
• 6.555J Biomedical Signal & Image Processing
• 6.872J Biomedical Computing
• 8.591J Systems Biology
• 8.592 Statistical Physics in Biology
• 8.593J Biological Physics
• HST.545 Physiological Systems Analysis
• HST.562 Pioneering Technologies for Interrogating Complex Biological Systems
• HST.562 Imaging and Sample Processing in Biology and Medicine
• HST.565 Medical Imaging Sciences and Applications
• HST.580J Data Acquisition and Image Reconstruction in MRI
• HST.728J Automatic Speech Recognition

Bioscience Electives

Must equal at least 12 credits. One biological science subject in addition to organic chemistry and biochemistry. This must be a laboratory subject if one was not taken as part of the student’s undergraduate curriculum.

Financial Support Requirement

It is anticipated that a student will complete the Program in approximately one summer term and two academic terms; one full calendar year beyond what would normally be required for the SB degree. The additional 12 months of tuition required by the Program is paid by the student. Although there is no promise of support, students are encouraged to seek funding through a traditional Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship. Note, however, that full time RAs or TAs may enroll for a maximum of two subjects; half-time RAs or TAs may register for no more than three subjects. Students who hold RA or TA appointments are expected to complete the MEBE program within three or four regular terms. To ensure compliance with these guidelines, no additional RA or TA support will be allowed beyond four regular terms. The BE Academic Office will handle all requests for RA and TA support for MEBE students.

I have more questions, whom do I ask?

Additional information on application procedures, objectives, and program requirements can be obtained by contacting:

Professor Katharina Ribbeck Co-Chair of Graduate Program

Professor Alan Jasanoff Co-Chair of Graduate Program

Dalia Fares Biological Engineering Academic Administrator

Sue Jaskela Biological Engineering Administrative Assistant

Please contact BE Academic for additional information regarding BE educational programs.

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About , McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University

Academics   /   graduate   /   ms in computer science master of science in computer science.

Expand your view of CS and customize your study to match your career goals

Situated within the McCormick School of Engineering, the Department of Computer Science (CS) at Northwestern University equips students with the technological expertise to build computer science solutions for a better future. Driven by the CS+X Initiative, the department broadens the scope of CS impact by actively fostering transformational relationships between computer science and intersecting fields at Northwestern’s top-ranked schools.

Earn your master’s degree in computer science in our supportive, inclusive, and enthusiastic community that enables you to personalize the program to fit your own research interests and career aspirations. You’ll study alongside our PhD students in our integrated classrooms and perform world-class research with faculty who have developed new ideas and achieved results in all areas of computer science. At the same time, you’ll broaden your definition of CS by working with CS+X faculty who create interdisciplinary connections between computer science and other disciplines ranging from economics to law to art.

Questions about our program? Visit our contact page >

Request Info Learn How to Apply

Marcelo Worsley

Associate professor of computer science.

“By including critical discussions of the field and authentically collaborating with the community, we can develop better designs and change perceptions of what is valuable in computing experiences.”

Why Northwestern?

Benefit from our culture, community, and proximity to Chicago’s growing tech sector

Broaden your view of computer science

In our CS+X environment , you’ll have the opportunity to uncover new areas of study while taking advantage of our robust research connections across Northwestern’s top-ranked schools including medicine, business, journalism, music, and more.

Find community in our department and student groups

When you join Northwestern CS, you’re entering a community, not just a classroom. You’ll not only find ample opportunities to network with fellow students, faculty members, staff, and even professionals in the CS field, but you’ll also to form supportive friendships.

Easy access to Chicagoland research and industry partners

Situated along the lake, 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, Northwestern’s unique location offers unsurpassed access to research partnerships and networking opportunities at neighboring tech organizations.

The basics at-a-glance

Students work with the MS program director to develop plans of study to meet their individual goals. Students can focus on a course degree plan or supplement coursework with a formal research master’s thesis or application project.

The degree can be completed in 3-4 quarters, while some students may take longer.

12 units of graduate-level credits required

Complete either a 12 course degree plan or 9 courses plus a thesis or application project.

View courses

Optional master’s thesis or application project

Students can earn 3 course credits for master’s thesis or application project.

Customize your degree for your interests

Work with advisors to design a course plan to fit your areas of interest and career aspirations.

View Full Curriculum Details

Focus in one of our areas of research excellence

Click on an area to learn more about our current work.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Computer engineering, human-computer interaction and information visualization, career paths.

Let us help you envision and advance your potential

In addition to preparing students for PhD studies, Northwestern computer science master’s degree graduates are recruited by employers in nearly every industry. Our career advisors in Engineering Career Development and Northwestern Career Advancement assist students with career development and placement.

Common career paths include:

Software development and engineering

Information technology consulting, database and systems analysis, data analytics, financial risk analysis and trading, where our alumni work.

Request Your Program & Application Guide

Request a customized program guide about the master of science in computer science.

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RIT offers new master’s degrees in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and project management

Courses designed to give credit for prior related education and allows remote learning.

Scott Hamilton/RIT Photography

RIT has added three new master’s degrees to its portfolio: chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and project management. Students pursuing graduate degrees are able to combine advanced coursework with hands-on opportunities in laboratories alongside faculty-researchers.

RIT is offering three new master’s degrees designed to meet industry needs.

Chemical engineering and biomedical engineering programs in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering will include new master’s degrees as part of the engineering portfolio this year to meet demands in increasing renewable energies, personalized healthcare technologies, and diagnostic system improvements.

National trends indicate a growing need for graduates with the combined skills in engineering and in the chemical and biological sciences, engineering processes, and ‘smart’ technologies.

The graduate programs will have a mix of students from the established undergraduate programs, as well as new-to-RIT students from regional, national, and international chemical engineering programs seeking advanced degrees. With the flexibility of the degree program, the department also is seeing interest and enrollments from students from other science disciplines such as physics , said Patricia Taboada-Serrano , Graduate Programs Director.

“This will be achieved through a bridge program designed to provide the appropriate engineering background required for successful completion of an advanced degree in chemical engineering,” she said.

A dozen students have been accepted for the new program and will begin chemical engineering courses this fall. There are also eight BS/MS students enrolled in the program who are completing undergraduate work.

There will be several emphasis areas: chemical and mechanical engineering applications; microelectronic focus on semiconductors, photovoltaics, microfabrication; microsystems and quantum level systems; materials science; and advanced mathematics and simulation.

“The strength of our program is the design of its curriculum, as we are able to provide depth in content and advanced skills in one year of studies in the case of full-time students,” said Taboada-Serrano, associate professor of chemical engineering. “The timeline of the completion of the graduate degree enables our MS graduates to rejoin the workforce quickly if they delayed or interrupted careers to obtain a graduate degree. The compactness of our curriculum also enables working professionals to pursue our MS degree and complete it in two to three years.”

Similar to chemical engineering, the biomedical engineering program has grown substantially since it began 10 years ago. Today, 15 students in biomedical engineering (BME) are being integrated into graduate study through the BS/MS options. There are five new students in the stand alone master's program . It is a one-year, course-based program that features a Capstone design sequence.

Biomedical engineers combine knowledge of engineering with biology, anatomy, and physiology to create devices and systems to address the need for sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic equipment and solutions.

In addition to the advanced engineering degrees, 10 RIT students this semester are the first to enroll in classes for a project management master’s degree .

The 30-credit degree is approved for both in-person and online delivery.

Project management is a process for managing the successful execution of new initiatives within an organization for the sake of expanding the breadth of capabilities, services, and products offered.

“You can use this discipline in almost any field,” said Peter Boyd , senior lecturer and graduate programs director for RIT’s School of Individualized Study , which is overseeing the program. “It’s akin to software engineering in that you could work in numerous industries, from IT to construction to aviation or health care.”

“Project management is a growing discipline. There’s a growing demand in a wide range of industries,” Boyd said.

A  RITx MicroMasters in Project Management, offered by SOIS on the edX.org platform, is an additional pathway into the program that allows students to earn RIT course credit at a reduced cost, that can be applied toward the requirements for the MS in project management. 

RIT’s master’s degree in project management differs from others across the country because he said RIT developed a curriculum “that is responsive to a wide range of student academic and professional needs, employs non-traditional teaching models that place a greater emphasis on project-based learning, and similar active learning experiences.” RIT’s degree also promotes strong student/faculty mentor-mentee relationships and brings project management to industries that would benefit from it but have otherwise not traditionally embraced the discipline.

The degree program allows students to customize their courses for their degrees, providing a natural path of interdisciplinary study. This allows students the ability to better specialize to their specific interests, giving them a competitive edge in their field of interest and making them more valuable to an employer.

Of the 10 courses required to earn the MS degree, four are elective, so students may use advanced certificates or other courses already offered at RIT. The remaining six classes focus on the core topics of the project management discipline and align with the standards set by the Project Management Institute, the governing body for the field.  

One of those students is Dana Harp, who is taking the classes online from her home in Lewes, Del. She does clinical research remotely for Pfizer.

She received her edX project management MicroMasters in 2020 and transferred those credits toward a project management advanced certificate with RIT in 2021. She took a couple of years off from education and was pleasantly surprised when she learned RIT now offers a master’s in project management.

“I was always interested in getting my master’s degree,” Harp said. “My company has a great program to reimburse for education, so I have the opportunity to continue learning without having to pay for it all myself. And it will definitely open up more opportunities for promotion by having that degree. It will give me a leg up for the trajectory I want to be on. This is going to help me moving forward.”

Harp hopes to receive her master’s degree in the spring or next fall, and she’s excited to be one of the first students receiving the RIT degree.

“I’m lucky all of my earlier classes transferred over, and it’s really cool to see that some of the professors I’ve had in previous classes are teaching in this program as well,” she said. “I think it’s going to be really fun.”

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Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Electrical Engineering (Non-Thesis): Applied Artificial Intelligence (45 credits)

The Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering; Non-Thesis - Applied Artificial Intelligence is a professional program of 45 credits. The program provides the foundation for applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques and experience building an AI system in various fields of interest. The program may be completed on a part-time basis.

Required Courses (14 credits)

Offered by: Electrical & Computer Engr ( Faculty of Engineering )

Electrical Engineering : Introduction to machine learning: challenges and fundamental concepts. Supervised learning: Regression and Classification. Unsupervised learning. Curse of dimensionality: dimension reduction and feature selection. Error estimation and empirical validation. Emphasis on good methods and practices for deployment of real systems.

Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025

Instructors: Armanfard, Narges (Fall) Armanfard, Narges (Winter)

Corequisite: ECSE 343 or ECSE 543 or MATH 247

Prerequisite(s): ( ECSE 250 or COMP 250 ) and ( ECSE 205 or MATH 323 )

Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 551 .

Electrical Engineering : Overview of mathematical background and basics of machine learning, deep feedforward networks, regularization for deep learning, optimization for training deep learning models, convolutional neural networks, recurrent and recursive neural networks, practical considerations,applications of deep learning, recent models and architectures in deep learning.

Terms: Winter 2025

Instructors: Emad, Amin (Winter)

Prerequisite: ECSE 551 or COMP 551

Administered by: Graduate Studies

Electrical Engineering : A project on a topic related to an application of Artificial Intelligence.

Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Prerequisites: ECSE 551

Restrictions: Open only to students in the M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering; Non-Thesis - Applied Artificial Intelligence program

No credit will be given for this course unless both ECSE 679D1 and ECSE 679D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

Electrical Engineering : See ECSE 679D1 for course description.

Restrictions: Open only to students in the M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering; Non-Thesis - Applied Artificial Intelligence program.

Complementary Courses

(18-24 credits) Group A: Artificial Intelligence Focused 6-8 credits from the following:

Electrical Engineering : Design principles of autonomous agents, agent architectures, machine learning, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and multi-agent collaboration. The course includes a term project that consists of designing and implementing software agents that collaborate and compete in a simulated environment.

Terms: Fall 2024

Instructors: Cooperstock, Jeremy (Fall)

Prerequisite: ECSE 324

Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking COMP 424 .

Electrical Engineering : Selected topics in areas of artificial intelligence that are of current research interest.

Restriction: Permission of instructor

Electrical Engineering : Basics of machine learning; basics of molecular biology; network-guided machine learning in systems biology; network-guided bioinformatics analysis; analysis of biological networks; network module identification; global and local network alignment; construction of biological networks.

Instructors: Emad, Amin (Fall)

Restrictions: Permission of Instructor.

Electrical Engineering : Ethics and social issues related to AI and robotic systems. Consideration for normative values (e.g., fairness) in the design. Ethics principles, data and privacy issues, ethics challenges in interaction and interface design.

Instructors: Moon, AJung (Fall)

Corequisite: COMP 451 or COMP 551 or ECSE 551 or permission of the instructor

Prerequisite(s): ( ECSE 202 or ECSE 250 or COMP250 ) and ( ECSE 205 or MATH 323 ) or permission of the instructor.

Electrical Engineering : An overview of statistical and machine learning techniques as applied to computer vision problems, including: stereo vision, motion estimation, object and face recognition, image registration and segmentation. Topics include regularization, probabilistic inference, information theory, Gaussian Mixture Models, Markov-Chain Monte Carlo methods, importance sampling, Markov random fields, principal and independent components analysis, probabilistic deep learning methods including variational models, Bayesian deep learning.

Instructors: Arbel, Tal (Fall)

Prerequisites: ( ECSE 205 or equivalent) and ( ECSE 415 or COMP 558 or equivalent).

Electrical Engineering : Special topics in vision and robotics.

Instructors: Lin, Hsiu-Chin (Winter)

Group B: Mathematical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence 3-4 credits from the following:

Offered by: Computer Science ( Faculty of Science )

Computer Science (Sci) : Designing and programming reliable numerical algorithms. Stability of algorithms and condition of problems. Reliable and efficient algorithms for solution of equations, linear least squares problems, the singular value decomposition, the eigenproblem and related problems. Perturbation analysis of problems. Algorithms for structured matrices.

Instructors: Chang, Xiao-Wen (Winter)

Prerequisite: MATH 327 or COMP 350

Electrical Engineering : Basic set theories and algebraic structures, linear spaces, linear mappings, topological and metric spaces, separable spaces, continuity, compactness, Lebesque measure on Euclidean spaces, measurability, Banach spaces, Hilbert spaces, linear bounded operators in Banach spaces, dual spaces, adjoint operators, the Orthogonal Projection Theorem, properties of the Fourier series, convergence in probability.

Instructors: Côté, François (Fall)

Restriction: Open only to graduate students within the Faculty of Engineering.

Electrical Engineering : Mathematical models of linear systems, fundamental solution and transition matrices, non-homogeneous linear equations, controllability and observability of linear systems, reachable subspaces, Cayley-Hamilton's Theorem, Kalman's controllability and observability rank conditions, minimal realizations, frequency response, invariant subspaces, finite and infinite horizon linear regulator problems, uniform, exponential, and input-output stability, the Lyapunov equation.

Instructors: Caines, Peter Edwin (Fall)

Corequisite: ECSE 500 or permission of instructor

Electrical Engineering : General introduction to optimization methods including steepest descent, conjugate gradient, Newton algorithms. Generalized matrix inverses and the least squared error problem. Introduction to constrained optimality; convexity and duality; interior point methods. Introduction to dynamic optimization; existence theory, relaxed controls, the Pontryagin Maximum Principle. Sufficiency of the Maximum Principle.

Instructors: Radhakrishnan, Sindhu (Winter)

Prerequisite(s): ECSE 343 or ECSE 543 or ECSE501 or COMP 540 or MATH 247 or permission of the instructor.

Electrical Engineering : Multivariate Gaussian distributions; finite-dimensional mean-square estimation (multivariate case); principal components; introduction to random processes; weak stationarity: correlation functions, spectra, linear processing and estimation; Poisson processes and Markov chains: state processes, invariant distributions; stochastic simulation.

Instructors: Mahajan, Aditya (Fall)

Prerequisites: ( ECSE 206 or ECSE 316 ) and ECSE 205 .

Electrical Engineering : DC resistor networks and sparse matrix methods. Nonlinear electric and magnetic circuits: curve-fitting; the Newton-Raphson method. Finite elements for electrostatics. Transient analysis of circuits: systems of Ordinary differential equations; stiff equations. Transient analysis of induced currents. Solution of algebraic eigenvalue problems. Scattering of electromagnetic waves: the boundary element method; numerical integration.

Instructors: Giannacopoulos, Dennis (Fall)

Prerequisites: ECSE 324 , ECSE 331 and ECSE 251

Electrical Engineering : Statistical detection and estimation lies at the intersection of telecommunications, signal processing and mathematical statistics. Subjects include: hypothesis testing (Neyman-Pearson, Bayes, minimax, nuisance parameters, composite hypotheses, generalized likelihood), estimation theory (maximum-likelihood, maximum aposteriory probability, linear estimation, Cramer-Rao bounds).

Prerequisites: ECSE 411 or ECSE 511 , ECSE 510

Group C: Applications of Artificial Intelligence 9-12 credits from the following:

Computer Science (Sci) : Neural network-based methods for natural language understanding (NLU) and computational semantics. Continuous representations for words, phrases, sentences, and discourse, and their connection to formal semantics. Practical and ethical considerations in applications such as text classification, question answering, and conversational assistants.

Prerequisites ( COMP 345 or LING 345 ) and ( COMP 445 or LING 445 ) or COMP 550 or COMP 551 (or equivalent).

Computer Science (Sci) : Overview of the influence of neuroscience and psychology on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Historical topics: perceptrons, the PDP framework, Hopfield nets, Boltzmann and Helmholtz machines, and the behaviourist origins of reinforcement learning. Modern topics: deep learning, attention, memory and consciousness. Emphasis on understanding the interdisciplinary foundations of modern AI.

Instructors: Richards, Blake (Winter)

Prerequisites: MATH 222 , MATH 223 , and MATH 323 ; or equivalents.

Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken COMP 596 when the topic was "Brain-Inspired Artificial Intelligence".

Computer Science (Sci) : Image filtering, edge detection, image features and histograms, image segmentation, image motion and tracking, projective geometry, camera calibration, homographies, epipolar geometry and stereo, point clouds and 3D registration. Applications in computer graphics and robotics.

Instructors: Siddiqi, Kaleem (Fall)

Prerequisites: COMP 251 , MATH 222 , MATH 223

Computer Science (Sci) : Linear models in statistical genetics, causal inference, single-cell genomics, multi-omic learning, electronic health record mining. Applications of machine learning techniques: linear regression, latent factor models, variational Bayesian inference, neural networks, model interpretation.

Instructors: Li, Yue (Fall)

Prerequisites: ( BIOL 202 or BIOL 302 ) and MATH 324 and ( COMP 451 or COMP 551 ), or equivalents.

Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken COMP 597 or COMP 598 when the topic was "Machine Learning in Genomics and Healthcare".

Computer Science (Sci) : Bandit algorithms, finite Markov decision processes, dynamic programming, Monte-Carlo Methods, temporal-difference learning, bootstrapping, planning, approximation methods, on versus off policy learning, policy gradient methods temporal abstraction and inverse reinforcement learning.

Instructors: Precup, Doina; Prémont-Schwarz, Isabeau (Winter)

Prerequisite: A university level course in machine learning such as COMP 451 or COMP 551 . Background in calculus, linear algebra, probability at the level of MATH 222 , MATH 223 , MATH 323 , respectively.

Computer Science (Sci) : Practical aspects of building software systems with machine learning components: requirements, design, delivery, quality assessment, and collaboration. Consideration of a user-centered mindset in development; integration of design and development considerations relevant to artificial intelligence, such as security, privacy, and fairness.

Prerequisites: COMP 303 , COMP 424 or COMP 551

Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken COMP 598 or COMP 599 when the topic was "Software Engineering for Building Intelligent Systems".

Computer Science (Sci) : Representation, inference and learning with graphical models; directed and undirected graphical models; exact inference; approximate inference using deterministic optimization based methods, stochastic sampling based methods; learning with complete and partial observations.

Instructors: Ravanbakhsh, Siamak (Winter)

Prerequisites: COMP 251 , MATH 323 , MATH 324 ; or equivalents.

Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken COMP 766 or COMP 767 when the topic was "Probabilistic Graphical Models".

A background in AI ( COMP 424 ) and machine learning ( COMP 451 or COMP 551 ) is highly recommended.

Computer Science (Sci) : Applications of machine learning in fighting climate change, including use cases in electricity systems, buildings, transportation, agriculture and other land use, disaster response, and other areas. Review of recent research literature, with emphasis on when machine learning is relevant and helpful, and how to go about scoping, developing, and deploying a project so that it has the intended impact.

Instructors: Rolnick, David (Fall)

1. This course is aimed at graduate students with at least some prior experience in machine learning and ability to read and assimilate research literature across many areas of machine learning. Prior experience with climate change-related topics is not required, but willingness to learn about these topics is.

Electrical Engineering : Modelling of stochastic control systems, controlled Markov processes, dynamic programming, imperfect and delayed observations, linear quadratic and Gaussian (LQG) systems, team theory, information structures, static and dynamic teams, dynamic programming for teams,multi-armed bandits.

Prerequisites: ECSE 509

Electrical Engineering : Introduction to game theory, strategic games, extensive form games with perfect and imperfect information, repeated games and folk theorems, cooperative game theory, introduction to mechanism design, markets and market equilibrium, pricing and resource allocation, application in telecommunication networks, applications in communication networks, stochastic games.

Instructors: Mahajan, Aditya (Winter)

Prerequisite(s): ECSE 205 or equivalent.

Electrical Engineering : Modelling, design, evaluation, and optimization of multiprocessor systems-on-chips (MPSoCs). Introduction to system-level modelling of MPSoC architecture; system performance, power, and lifetime modelling; fault and defect tolerance; automatic general and heuristic design space exploration and design optimization; resource allocation, application mapping, and task scheduling.

Corequisites: ECSE 420 or ECSE 421 or ECSE 425 or ECSE 444

Electrical Engineering : An overview of techniques and theory underlying computational photography. Topics include: radiometry and photometry; lenses and image formation; electronic image sensing; colour processing; lightfield cameras; image deblurring; super-resolution methods; image denoising; flash photography; image matting and compositing; high dynamic range imaging and tone mapping; image retargeting; image stitching.

Instructors: Clark, James J (Winter)

Prerequisites: ECSE 205 and ECSE 206

Electrical Engineering : Introduction to mathematical models of light transport and the numerical techniques used to generate realistic images in computer graphics. Offline (i.e., raytracing) and interactive (i.e., shader-based) techniques. Group project addressing important applied research problems.

Instructors: Nowrouzezahrai, Derek (Fall)

Restrictions: For graduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering and undergraduate Honours Electrical Engineering students.

Not open to students who have taken or are taking ECSE 446 .

Electrical Engineering : The approach and the challenges in the key components of manipulators and locomotors: representations, kinematics, dynamics, rigid-body chains, redundant systems, underactuated systems, control, planning, and perception. Practical aspects of robotics: collisions, integrating sensory feedback, and development of real-time software.

Instructors: Lin, Hsiu-Chin (Fall)

Prerequisites: ECSE 205 , COMP 206 , ECSE 250 , and ( ECSE 343 or MATH 247 ) or equivalents.

Students should be comfortable with C++ and a Unix-like programming environment. Interested students may contact the instructor for more information prior to the start of the course.

Offered by: Mechanical Engineering ( Faculty of Engineering )

Mechanical Engineering : Introduction to systems-oriented engineering design optimization. Emphasis on i) understanding and representing engineering systems and their structure, ii) obtaining, developing, and managing adequate computational (physics- and data-based) models for their analysis, iii) constructing appropriate design models for their synthesis, and iv) applying suitable algorithms for their numerical optimization while accounting for systems integration issues. Advanced topics such as coordination of distributed problems and non-deterministic design optimization methods.

Instructors: Kokkolaras, Michael (Fall)

Prerequisite: MATH 264 and MECH 309

Elective Courses

(7-13 credits) 7-13 credits at the 500 or 600 level (excluding ECSE 691 to ESCE 697)

* No more than 16 credits in total may be outside the Department. With the exception of courses in the Complementary Courses list, non-departmental courses require Departmental Approval. In exceptional circumstances and with proper justification, students may be permitted to take more than 16 credits of non-Departmental courses; approval from the Graduate Program Director or delegate is required.

Department and University Information

Faculty Links

• Engineering website

Gianluca Iaccarino: Don’t be afraid of the non-linear career path

Gianluca Iaccarino is a professor of mechanical engineering and the director of the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering.

In this interview, he traces his atypical academic career journey, his research using computing and data to tackle problems in fields with technological and societal impact, and the advice he gives curious and uncertain students. Here are excerpts:

A circuitous path to a life’s passion

Many faculty members have always known that becoming a professor was their calling. I’m the opposite: the poster child for a non-linear career path. As a child in Italy, my father – a ship captain – told me I could do anything I liked … except work on ships. My mother, a housewife, always encouraged my brother and me to study but wasn’t convinced engineering was the right choice for me. It was my uncle, an engineer himself, that provided some initial inspiration, but it took me some time to get there; science, technology, engineering and math was not a mission or passion for me then.

Figuring out I was meant to be an engineer happened in quite a random way. My third year of college I took a fluid mechanics class. It was the first time something clicked in me – and from then on, it was all forward momentum. It felt effortless to finish college with my aeronautics degree; I even won an award for my honors thesis. I started working in a civil service position at a research center that was the Italian equivalent of NASA just north of Naples. Being in that research environment was a game-changing experience – I was exposed to so many opportunities to learn because of this center’s connection to similar centers throughout Europe.

Still, I had no intention of moving or trying something different at that point. After all, this was a dream job! In Italy – as it likely is in many places – the dream is finding a good job that lasts a lifetime. This civil service position was exactly that kind of job. But then I became ill; I got cancer at 27 years old and it was serious. My life stopped for a year and a half while I went through two major surgeries and chemo. When I started to recover, I felt a real desire to do something else with my life. It wasn’t even about changing my career; it really was about changing my life. That restlessness led me to look to the United States.

A fortuitous visit pays off years later

I thought about where I might go – and Stanford came to mind. The first time I ever came to the U.S. was in 1996, to an intense four-week summer research program along with people from all over the globe. During that program, I was working directly with a Stanford Engineering faculty member, Dr. Parviz Moin, on a NASA software for aerodynamics predictions. I was able to find and correct a bug – a serious error that was preventing the software from being usable – in my first week.

Two and a half years after my recovery, I contacted Dr. Moin and he remembered that episode – and he offered me a job! When I arrived on campus, I had no PhD, just a bachelor’s, and no real command of the English language. I enrolled in a PhD program at the Politecnico di Bari in Italy and worked simultaneously here at the Center for Turbulence Research (a joint program between NASA Ames and Stanford) on a project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

After the completion of my PhD, I applied to various other universities but I knew I wanted to stay at Stanford, so I waited for the right opportunity. It’s not always easy for internal hires – and especially those who have a more unconventional path to academia. I was not a fresh PhD. I came from Italy. I was older. I went through two searches – the first time, no one was hired. But I was patient and persistent – and the second time I went through the hiring process, I was selected.

The chair of the Mechanical Engineering department at the time encouraged me to explore new research directions, rather than focusing on my prior accomplishments. It was good advice; I was relatively older compared to the typical junior professor, and this was the best way to set myself up for tenure. I started to think about how I might create simulations of engineering systems – like jet engines – rooted in physics, mathematics and statistics that would hew closely to reality but also account for the variability naturally induced by imprecise manufacturing processes or imperfections due to wear and tear. In one word: uncertainties – a perfect fit for my personal journey experience. Quantifying the uncertainties gives more confidence on how the technology will operate in real life.

Creating virtual systems for energy, biomedicine, aeronautics, propulsion and more

Today my research focuses on building software tools that help engineers design and test complex systems for anything that doesn’t yet exist. This work has application in areas as diverse as biomedicine, propulsion, transportation, solar energy harvesting and aeronautics.

Today I’m the director of the Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, which is a hub that connects experts from diverse research areas – a logical fit for someone like me with a nontraditional lens. I also lead a couple of large Department of Energy projects with teams of 40 people that focus on large-scale computer and data-driven simulation. We’re currently working on a project related to space travel, demonstrating a more efficient rocket propulsion system entirely using computer simulations. I’m perpetually curious about the algorithms that support these simulations – they’re what’s behind the scenes, underpinning technology and making it possible to design innovative systems with more efficiency and power. It’s been a very satisfying area of inquiry.

Encouraging students to be confident in changing their lives

I love sharing the story of my non-linear career path with students. I need them to know it’s OK to be insecure about your choices – to start down one path and then change it. Life is dynamic and always in motion. But if you want to persist in academia, passion in research is so critical. There are so many dead-ends, wrong turns, uncertainties and difficulties that you cannot do this job without it. With passion, ideas will naturally emerge because in the back of your mind, you’re always thinking about the questions you’re working on.

We’re in the business of creative thinking, not only math and science.

Related:  Gianluca Iaccarino , professor of Mechanical Engineering and director, Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering

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