Study Tracks For Master’s Degree

The requirements for a master’s degree can be fulfilled in one of the following tracks:

Study track with thesis

• Research
The purpose of engaging in research during the master’s degree program is for students to receive training in research methods, including writing a critical review, conducting research on a small-scale and submitting a paper. The research can be either theoretical or experimental and either basic or applied, and must have an emphasis on the analytic scientific approach. The number of credits designated for the research requirement is 20.

• Engineering project
The purpose of the project is to train students in engineering design methods, including writing a critical review, conducting research on a small-scale, and submitting a paper, all while emphasizing the practical engineering approach. Students will conduct an extensive engineering project with an emphasis on engineering design, a theoretical or critical engineering analysis, lab or field experimentation, a critical review of existing methods or knowledge that may advance understanding of a particular domain, extending knowledge, and the like. The number of credits designated for the project is 20.

• Final paper
The purpose of the final paper is for students to consolidate the knowledge they’ve acquired by applying theoretical knowledge to solve a practical problem. Students are to conduct a detailed analysis of a research problem and provide possible solutions. This could take the form of a critical review or a proposal of a solution for a specific research problem. For example, students may engage in research within a group in which they conduct and report on a complex experiment. The final paper can be theoretical, computational or experimental. The number of credits designated for the final paper is 12.

Non-thesis track

In this track, the requirements are fulfilled by coursework alone, provided that the study program includes project and/or seminar courses.

• Graduates of a four-year bachelor’s degree program will be required to complete at least 40 course credits in advanced courses. In addition, the graduate committee may determine that students must complete prerequisite core courses.
• Graduates of a three-year bachelor’s degree program will be required, in addition to accruing 40 credits in advanced courses, to take prerequisite courses that amount to at least 20 credits.
• Students register for courses each semester. Courses are selected in coordination with, and with the approval of, each student’s appointed advisor. Students must register for prerequisite courses at the beginning of their course of study, as specified in the acceptance letter.