Civil Engineering/Mathematics, MSCE/MS

Return to: John A. Swanson School of Engineering

The general requirements for the two options for the Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering/Mathematics degree (thesis and professional) are detailed below:

Thesis Option:  24 course credits (eight courses) minimum and thesis (6 credits), with comprehensive and final examinations.

Professional Option:  30 course credits (10 courses) minimum

Students supported as graduate research assistants and all students intending to continue for a PhD degree are required to pursue the thesis option.  The professional option is not available to students supported as graduate research or teaching assistants.

MS Final Examination

Students pursuing the thesis and project MS options must take and pass both a comprehensive examination and a final oral examination.

Comprehensive Examination

This examination is given to all students during the last term of the program.  It may be either an oral examination or, at the recommendation of the area faculty, a written examination.  It is administered by an MS committee made up of the faculty advisor (as chair), plus a minimum of two other faculty members from fields related to the student’s interest.  If the result of the examination is unsatisfactory, subsequent action is at the discretion of the MS committee.

Final Oral Examination

The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the student’s MS thesis or project and/or related course work.  The examination is administered by the MS committee, chaired by the student’s major advisor.