Masters Programs
There are two master's degree program plans: Thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B). Students
may pursue either plan subject to the following procedures of the Nuclear Engineering GSC. The
student is encouraged to complete all of hislher work for the MS within a five year time period.
Students requiring longer than five years must petition the Nuclear Engineering GSC for approval
prior to the end of the five year period.
Graduate Coursework shall include the following components:
- Core Curriculum (cf., Section 7.4)
- Two additional advanced courses (700-level or above) in nuclear engineering.
- Courses selected for an area of specialization (these courses may also fulfill (2) depending on the area selected--cf., Section 7.6)
- Math 512 and 568 or 571 or equivalent must be completed prior to completion ofthe MS program. This can be a part of the student's BS program or MS program. One additional course (500-level or above) must be taken from one of the following areas: (i) Mathematics, (ii) Statistics, (iii) Computer Science, (iv) Engineering Analysis. This requirement is in addition to the requirement of Item 2.
7.1 Thesis Option
Under the Thesis Option, an acceptable MS thesis must be submitted based upon individual
research supervised by the student's adviser. It is the student's responsibility to develop an
acceptable research topic in consultation with hislher adviser. A final oral examination of two
hours duration must also be passed. This examination will stress the thesis but may range over
the academic work of the student.
In addition, a student must have completed a total of 45 hours of approved graduate course work,
with a cumulative point-hour ratio of 3.0 or better. Thesis research may be used to earn credit
under NE 999, but no more than twelve hours may be included in the overall 45 hours required to
complete a graduate program.
Instructions for the preparation and submittal of theses are provided in the Graduate School
Guidelines for Preparing Theses, Dissertations and D.M.A. Documents.
7.2 Non-thesis Option
Under the non-thesis option, an acceptable Task Report must be submitted based upon individual
contributions to a special Task Study supervised by the student's adviser. A final written
comprehensive examination must also be passed. This examination will cover the academic work
of the student (see also Sections 7.5 and 9.2). The non-thesis option is designed primarily for
students planning to pursue the PhD degree. The Task Report typically is selected to contribute to
the student's PhD Research Program and the PhD Qualifier Exam may serve as the non-thesis
comprehensive exam.
If the PhD Qualifying Exam has been chosen for the comprehensive exam, and passed, (thus
demonstrating that the student is pursuing the PhD degree), then a peer-reviewed article which
has been accepted, with the student as the first author, may replace the student's Task Report.
The student's adviser will probably be a co-author of the article and must approve the article as
being worthy of submission.
In addition, a student must have completed a total of 50 hours of graduate course work, with a
cumulative point hour ratio of 3.0 or better. The Task report work may be used to earn credit
under NE 793, but no more than six hours may be included in the overall 50 hours required.
One approved, typed copy of the task report must be presented to the student's adviser. The
student is responsible for preparing typed copies of the task report and the expenses incurred.
Students should consult their advisers for departmental requirements on the task report format.
7.3 On The Basis of Candidacy Examination
Although GSH Section 11.5.1.10 permits the GSC to accept passing of the Candidacy Examination
as the basis for awarding a Master's degree, in general the NE GSC does not accept this
alternative. However, a student may petition to the NE Graduate Studies Committee for this option
under special circumstances.
7.4 Planning and Deadlines
The student must comply with deadlines in GSH 11 .2.2. Students are encouraged to plan their
course programs, and choose the thesis or non-thesis option, as early as possible in consultation
with their advisers. Further, each student should plan hislher thesis or task report topic well in
advance and obtain advance approval from the GSC on the topic selected.
A complete copy of the approval form (Appendix B) for the course schedule must be submitted to
a student's adviser no later than the last day of classes for the first quarter the student is enrolled
in the graduate program. The courses identified shall satisfy the Specialization Area selected (see
7.6). A completed copy of the approval form (Appendix C) for the thesis or task report topic must
be submitted to the student's adviser no later than the first day of classes for the second quarter
the student is enrolled in the graduate program.
Students should plan to begin their work on the thesis or task report by the end of their third
quarter of enrollment.
A student must submit an Application to Graduate form to the Graduate School by the deadline
indicated for that quarter, in the GSH, Section 11.5.5.1. The application is valid for that quarter only.
Submitting this application indicates that the student is expected to, complete all degree
requirements that quarter. The form must be signed by the student, the adviser, and the GSC
Chair. The degree plan the student is pursuing, the proposed Master's Examination Committee
members, and the expected date of the Master's Examination must be listed on the form. The
Master's Examination Committee must have a minimum of two members.
Draft copies of theses and task reports are due to advisers at least four weeks before
commencement day for the final quarter of enrollment before graduation. Final typed copies are
due in the Graduate School in accordance with Graduate School deadlines. The same deadlines
apply to submission of final typed copies of task reports.
It is the student's responsibility to initiate these actions and manage the submission
schedule.
7.5 Examinations
Students planning to take the Master's Examination must comply with the requirements of GSH
11.5.2.
7.6 Specialization Areas
Prior to submitting the course approval form, students pursuing a MS degree shall select an Area
of Specialization to provide the student depth in a technical area of importance in the nuclear field.
Example areas of specialization are listed below. The courses listed are merely
recommendations. The program of study is developed by the student in collaboration with hislher
advisor and approved by the GSC.
8.2 Dual Masters Degree Program
Subject to the conditions in GSH Section 11.5.6, the NE Program does allow dual master's
degrees.