2016-2017 Catalog

Nov 22, 2024

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2016-2017 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Engineering and Applied Science

General Information
Academic Programs
Laboratory Facilities, Research Centers, and Special Programs
EAS General Academic Policies
EAS Undergraduate Program Policies
EAS Graduate Programs

General Information

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R. Dandapani, Dean

Engineering Building
(719) 255-3543
Fax: (719) 255-3542
http://eas.uccs.edu

Engineering is the application of scientific theories and resources of nature for the benefit of humanity.

Computer science provides the essential computational and process control tools for nearly every aspect of modern society. Computer engineering offers a mixture of computer science and electrical engineering. The disciplines of computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering all require a significant study in mathematics. Graduates of these four disciplines work primarily in technical careers, either public or private, but some also become teachers, managers, or entrepreneurs with their own businesses.

The prospective computer scientist or engineer should appreciate mathematics and have a keen interest in science and its methods. The ability to express ideas in both written and verbal form is of primary importance. The ability to understand problems and produce creative and innovative solutions is also a necessary prerequisite. Personal qualities such as initiative, energy, willingness to take responsibility, reliability, honesty, good judgment, understanding diversity, the ability to work and cooperate with others, and the perseverance to work through to the conclusion of an assignment are important. Obviously, the fundamentals of sound citizenship are necessary in any profession.

Employment demand for computer scientists, computer engineers, electrical engineers, and mechanical engineers is expected to grow faster than the average of all professions well into this century. Abundant opportunities will present themselves to graduates of these disciplines, in both public and private laboratories, in industry, and in commercial enterprises.

Financial rewards to be earned compare favorably with those of other professions; however, no one should enter any profession solely for monetary rewards. Rather, the dominant consideration should be the opportunity to use a lifetime for the advancement of society and the consequent personal satisfactions and enjoyment.

Mission

In partnership with the community and our alumni, the mission of the College of Engineering and Applied Science is to:

Illuminate: Inspiring a passion in our students for lifelong learning and graduating engineers and scientists who are knowledgeable and competitive in the global marketplace throughout their careers
Investigate: Conducting recognized and relevant research that has both local and global impact
Innovate: Engaging in leadership, service, economic and technology development that improves health, welfare, and prosperity through engineering.

Academic Advising

Undergraduate

Academic Advising
Main Hall 208
(719) 255-3260

Graduate

Please refer to the appropriate degree program within EAS for information regarding academic advising.

Academic Programs

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The undergraduate and graduate programs available for completion through the University of Colorado Colorado Springs are listed in more detail in the Programs of Study table.

Majors which may be completed in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at UCCS include Computer Engineering, Computer Science (BS and BI), Electrical Engineering (BS and BI), Engineering Education, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science: Security, and Game Design and Development (GDD)

Generally, two years of work toward the following degrees from the College of Engineering and Applied Science may be taken on this campus: Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Engineering Physics

Departments within the College of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) include the Department of Computer Science (CS), the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE).

Laboratory Facilities, Research Centers, and Special Programs

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Computer Science

The Computer Science Department laboratories provide students (of all majors) with access to the latest programs in support of their degrees. The well-equipped laboratories contain a wide variety of computing resources supporting both graduate and undergraduate classes. Several other research labs are located in the Engineering building to assist faculty and students with various research projects.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department has a wide variety of laboratories to enhance the learning of undergraduate and graduate students in their education and research. Using state-of-the-art laboratory and research technologies, students learn with hands-on experience using the Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories: Communication and Signal Processing Laboratory (CSPL), Control-Systems Laboratory (CSL), Electromagnetic Laboratory (EML), Electronics Laboratory (ECL), and Microelectronics Research Laboratory (MRL).

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department maintains a variety of essential labs for undergraduate and graduate education and research. Students learn with hands-on experience using the Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Heat and Mass Transfer Laboratory, MechEtronics Laboratory, the Materials Laboratory, and the state of the art Instrumentation Measurements Laboratory. The Center for Laser, Energy and Exploration Research (CLEER) is collaboration with researchers from various departments and outside institutions. CLEER houses a variety of research laboratories performing cutting-edge research in laser, energy and exploration technologies.

Project Lead The Way

UCCS is the Colorado Affiliate University for Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a national pre-engineering curriculum serving a pipeline of elementary to high school students. The College of EAS grants college credit for qualified high school students enrolled in PLTW courses from certified high schools. (See detailed information in Undergraduate Transfer Credit.) For more information on PLTW visit http://pltw.uccs.edu.

EAS General Academic Policies

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Advising

Undergraduate

All undergraduate students in the College of Engineering must meet with their faculty advisor prior to registering for fall or spring semesters. Students will be advised by faculty advisors or in a group advising session within their respective departments. Academic Advisors are available throughout the year in the Academic Advising Center, Main Hall 208. If you do not know who your advisor is or would like advising, contact the Academic Advising Center at (719) 255-3260.

Graduate

Please refer to the appropriate degree program in the Catalog for information regarding academic advising.

EAS Instructional Fees

The College of EAS collects a college-wide EAS instructional fee (EAS IF). The fee structure for academic year 2016-2017 is $15 per EAS credit hour with a maximum of $180 per student per semester. This applies to all courses offered in the College of EAS with the exception of graduate thesis courses. There are no additional fees levied within the College. The fee is nonrefundable.

The purpose of the fee is to assist the College in providing exceptionally high-quality instruction, including but not limited to, the following:

Support for instructional labs and smart classrooms managed by the College of EAS
Support for the College IT network and servers
College or departmental help centers or instructional supplements provided by students for students, and students run mentoring programs.
Support for career placement services that are specific to EAS, such as mock interviews with technology companies.

Grading Policies

Consult the Academic Policies, Registration, and Records section of this Catalog for more information.

Incomplete Courses

An incomplete may be given by the instructor (subject to approval by the appropriate department chair/EAS Dean) for circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as a documented medical or personal emergency. When it is given, the student is informed in writing by the instructor of what the student is to do in order to remove the incomplete and when the tasks are to be completed. The instructor may assign only the IF grade. The student is expected to complete the course requirements, e.g. the final examination, term paper, etc., within the established deadline and not to retake the entire course. The grade will be converted automatically to a grade of F after one year unless the specified work is completed.

No-Credit Courses

Students who register NC (no credit) are expected to attend classes and take all examinations but receive no credit. In the College of Engineering and Applied Science, students may not register NC for a required course, or change registration to NC in any course, except by petition to the chair/dean. If the student does failing work, the chair/dean may request the Office of Admissions and Records to change the registration from NC to credit, whereupon the student will receive a grade of F. A course previously taken for NC may not be retaken for credit to apply toward an undergraduate or graduate degree awarded by the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Engineering courses completed for NC by students not admitted to the College of Engineering and Applied Science may not be taken again for credit after transferring to the college.

Pass/Fail Option

The primary purpose for offering courses in which undergraduates may be graded pass or fail (PF) rather than A, B, C, D, or F is to encourage undergraduate students to broaden their educational experience by electing challenging courses without serious risk that their academic records might be jeopardized. Not more than one course per semester or summer session may be taken PF. Courses which a student may elect to be taken PF shall be designated by the major department. A student who has not designated a major field will not be allowed the PF option. In the College of Engineering and Applied Science only social sciences/humanities courses at the 300 level or above may be taken PF. The maximum number of PF hours counting toward graduation shall not exceed 16 credit hours, including courses taken in the Honors Program under the program’s PF grading system. A transfer student may count toward graduation 1 credit hour of PF courses for each 9 credit hours completed in the college.

Graduation Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree

To be eligible to graduate with Bachelor’s degrees from the College of Engineering and Applied Science, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

The final 30 hours of coursework must be completed exclusively at UCCS and admitted to the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Complete all required coursework with a major GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Earn at least a 2.0 CU cumulative GPA for graduation.
Demonstrate writing competency as outlined in the Academic Policies, Registration, and Records section of this Catalog.
Fulfill all MAPS requirements before graduation (two years high school or two college semesters of the same foreign language).
Satisfactorily complete the prescribed degree curriculum requirements as outlined by the specific department section below.

Students must complete a Senior Audit with their Academic Advisor the semester before they plan to graduate. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the Engineering Academic Advisor informed of any changes in their plan throughout the senior year. The Department Chair must approve any deviation from departmental degree requirements by petition, in advance. Petition forms may be obtained from Academic Advising or the appropriate department.

Graduate Degrees

Please refer to the appropriate College of Engineering and Applied Science degree programs.

EAS Undergraduate Program Policies

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Undergraduate Admission Procedures

The Catalog that governs a student’s graduation requirements is the one in effect at the time of a student’s most recent admission into the college of the student’s degree program. The college seeks to identify applicants having a high probability of successful completion of their academic programs. Admissions is based on evaluation of many criteria; among the most important are the general level of academic performance before admissions to the college and other evidence of motivation, potential, scholarly ability, and accomplishment by College Board scores, by letters of recommendation from teachers and others qualified to evaluate the student, by accomplishments outside academic work, and by other relevant evidence.

Freshmen

In order to enroll in engineering courses, the student must be admitted to the College of Engineering and Applied Science, in addition to the University, as described in the Admissions section of this Catalog.

Admission Requirements

Rank in the upper 30th percentile of their high school graduating class
ACT composite score of 25 or above or an SAT composite score of 1120 or above

Students who meet these requirements are assured admission to the College.

Expected High School Coursework

English: 4 course units
Math: 4 course units; at least two years algebra, one year geometry, one year advanced math
Natural Science: 3 course units; one year physics, one year chemistry
Social Science: 2 course units; government, history, economics, psychology, sociology
Foreign language: 2 course units, all in a single language
Academic electives: 1 course unit

Students successfully completing three Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses with a “B” average (two Foundation and one specialization course) and meeting the above criteria will be granted preferred admission for the following majors: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Education, and Mechanical Engineering. [Foundation courses: Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering]

MAPS

Incoming students should insure that they are completing the Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS) for Engineering and Applied Science, as outlined in the Admissions section of this Catalog. Beginning students in engineering or computer science must be prepared to start analytic geometry- calculus. (Courses will be offered to allow a student to make up deficiencies; however, no credit toward a degree will be given for algebra or trigonometry.) In order to be prepared for the type of mathematics courses that will be taught, the student must be competent in the basic ideas and skills of ordinary algebra, geometry, and plane trigonometry.

These include such topics as the fundamental operations with algebraic expressions, exponents and radicals, fractions, simple factoring, solution of linear and quadratic equations, graphical representation, simple systems of equations, complex numbers, the binomial theorem, arithmetic and geometric progressions, logarithms, the trigonometric functions and their use in triangle solving and simple applications, and the standard theorems of geometry.

It is estimated that it will usually take seven semesters to cover this material adequately in high school. Freshman must complete a mathematics placement test to ensure that they begin the correct mathematics course based on their abilities.

Transfer Students

Students transferring into the College must have completed at least 13 semester hours and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3, including completion of Calculus I. Students completing 30 semester hours must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 before being admitted into their major, including courses equivalent to MATH 1350 , MATH 1360 , and either CHEM 1401 /CHEM 1402 or PES 1110 . All math courses must be completed with a score of “B” or better for admission into the College. The student should understand that engineering degree requirements differ from one campus to another-from course selection to the number of credit hours required for the degree. An official transcript evaluation will be provided when you attend New Student Orientation.

Intra-University Transfer Students

Students from other colleges at UCCS may transfer into the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Students transferring into the College must have completed at least 13 semester hours at UCCS and have a cumulative CU GPA of at least 3.3, including completion of Calculus I. Students completing 30 semester hours must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at UCCS before being admitted into their major, including MATH 1350 , MATH 1360 , and either CHEM 1401 /CHEM 1402 or PES 1110 . All math courses must be completed with a score of “B” or better for admission into the College.

Intra-University Transfer guidelines for the BI in Electrical Engineering are the same as for the BS in Electrical Engineering.

Intra-University Transfer guidelines for the BI in Computer Science, Computer Security, and Game Design and Development are as follows:

a. A student must complete at least 15 credit hours in LAS with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, AND each course in their intended major, in the Innovation core, and in math must be completed with a grade of “C” or better, AND they must have the explicit approval of an EAS faculty advisor in their intended major in order to transfer into the College of EAS.

b. A student may transfer into the College of EAS in a BI major without the explicit approval of an EAS faculty advisor in their major if they complete at least 15 credit hours in LAS with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, AND each course in their intended major, in the Innovation core, and in math is completed with a grade of “B” or better.

Unclassified/Non-Degree Seeking Students

Persons who have been admitted to the university in the category of unclassified/non-degree seeking students may be permitted to register for courses in the College of Engineering and Applied Science upon approval subject to the availability of space in classes. Unclassified students should be aware of the College of Engineering and Applied Science rule that at least the last 30 semester hours must be earned in degree status in the College of Engineering and Applied Science in order to apply toward an engineering degree. A maximum of 12 semester hours of credit earned while in unclassified student status may be carried toward an undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado. High school concurrent students may exceed this 12-hour rule for unclassified students.

Minors

Non-major students interested in declaring an Engineering minor must apply to the appropriate department. Applications and general eligibility information can be obtained from your Academic Advisor.

Undergraduate Academic Policies

Special Sources of Credit

Advanced Placement
Advanced placement and college credit may be granted on the basis of the College Entrance Examination Board’s Advanced Placement Tests or by special examinations administered by the department involved. For students who have taken an advanced placement course in high school and who make scores of 4 or 5 in the CEEB Advanced Placement Test, advanced placement as well as college credit will be granted (outlined in Advanced Placement Program in the Admissions section of this Catalog).

Project Lead The Way Course Credit
EAS grants college credit for high school students enrolled in Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses from certified high schools. UCCS is the Colorado Affiliate University for PLTW, a national pre-engineering curriculum serving a pipeline of elementary to high school students. UCCS transcript credits can be earned for three PLTW courses offered by the EAS College: Principles of Engineering, Introduction to Engineering Design, and Digital Electronics. High school students must currently be enrolled and complete the PLTW course to register for the UCCS credit during the enrollment period (spring semester). A number of direct course replacements toward a BS degree from UCCS are possible; please visit the website at http://pltw.uccs.edu, or check with the PLTW office at (719) 255-3498 for the most current listing.

Additional credits may count as general credits toward a degree from the college. For further information contact the PLTW office at (719) 255-3498.

Transfer Credit Acceptance
Students desiring to transfer credits from engineering technology programs should note that such credits are accepted only upon the submission of evidence that the work involved was fully equivalent to that offered in this college.

Some technology courses are given with titles and textbooks identical to those of some engineering courses. These may still not be equivalent to engineering courses because of an emphasis that is nonmathematical or otherwise divergent.

In order to assist engineering technology students with transfer problems, the following guidelines have been established:

Courses on basic subjects such as mathematics, physics, literature, or history may be acceptable for direct transfer of credit if they were taught as part of an accredited program for all students and were not specifically designated for technology students.
Students who have taken technology courses (courses with technology designations) that may be valid equivalents for engineering courses have these options:

Students may petition the appropriate Department Chair to waive the course. The requirement for a course can be waived if a student demonstrates that by previous coursework, individual study, or work experience he/she has acquired the background and training normally provided by the course. No credit is given toward graduation for a waived course, but a strong student may benefit from the waiver by being able to include more advanced work later in his or her curriculum. Other students may profit by taking the course at this college instead and thus establishing a fully sound basis for what follows
Credit for a course may be given if the coursework was done at an accredited institution of higher education. The University of Colorado department involved may recommend that credit be transferred to count toward the requirements for a related course in its curriculum. Credit cannot be given for vocational technical or remedial courses under rules of the University. (See the Admissions section of this Catalog on transfer of college-level credit.)
Students may seek credit for the course by examination. See Advanced Placement and College Level (CLEP) Credit.

Transfer Credit Decisions

After a prospective transfer student has been admitted and submitted transcripts to UCCS, the Office of Admissions and Records issues an initial transfer credit evaluation, listing those courses that are acceptable by University standards for transfer. The next step is for the student to sign up for New Student Orientation, at which they will receive their official transcript evaluation to see how their courses transferred into UCCS and how they apply to the Engineering degree they are pursuing. If at any time a student wishes to have a course not previously accepted considered again for transfer, the student should consult with the Engineering Academic Advisor.

UCCS has established articulation agreements with all two year colleges in Colorado. For students from such a college, the transfer process to UCCS will be easier. It is, therefore, beneficial for students from two-year colleges in Colorado to check with their administration to see what courses will transfer.

ROTC Credit
Credit from courses completed in the ROTC program will not apply toward fulfillment of the requirements for degrees in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering. A maximum of 5 semester hours of work from the ROTC program may be applied toward the BS in Computer Science or three (3) hours of work may be applied toward the BS in Computer Engineering.

Work Experience
It is the policy of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at UCCS that any credits accrued in the official records of the student that were awarded for work experience will not apply as part of the total hours required for an engineering degree in the College.

Undergraduate Academic Progress

Satisfactory Progress
To remain in good academic standing, undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative CU grade point average of 2.0 or better in hours taken.

Academic Probation and Suspension Policy
Engineering students at the University of Colorado are placed on probation for the next semester in which they are enrolled in the College of Engineering and Applied Science if their cumulative CU Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below a 2.000 or if the EAS academic review board consisting of faculty and staff appointed by the Dean of EAS determines insufficient academic progress is being made by the student. The CU GPA includes all courses taken at a CU campus. If, after that semester; the following semester or cumulative GPA is still below 2.0, or the academic review committee determines the student has made insufficient academic progress, the student will be suspended from the college.

While on probation, you will not be released to register for the next semester (excluding summer) until your current semester grades have been posted. However, you must still see your faculty advisor to get the “Required Advising” hold released. You may continue to take a normal course load while on probation, but you should plan your schedule carefully. We recommend that you take no more than 12-13 hours of classes for the semester(s) following your probation.

Students who have been suspended from the College of Engineering and Applied Science cannot register for courses at the University (except for summer sessions, correspondence courses or online and academic outreach classes) unless the suspension has been lifted or they transfer to another college at the university. Suspended students may apply to transfer to another college within the university and, if approved, take courses in the new major. Students on academic probation or suspension in the College of Engineering who wish to apply for an Intra-University Transfer are NOT guaranteed admission. Students are only admitted with special approval from the Office of the Dean. Requests are viewed on a case-by-case basis. Students are responsible for knowing whether or not they are under a current suspension.

Students who have been suspended may apply for re-admission to the College of Engineering once they have raised their cumulative CU GPA to 2.000. Suspended students must apply to have their suspension removed (after meeting the above requirement) with their Engineering Academic Advisor. In addition, students may be required to reapply to the University.

Students who are in doubt about their standing with regard to scholastic deficiency are strongly urged to consult with the Engineering Academic Advisor.

STUDENT RIGHTS

The following rights should be afforded to all students prior to academic suspension.

To be informed of policies: The student has the right to be informed of the Academic Probation and Suspension Policies upon entering the College. A copy of the policy set forth by the College of Engineering and Applied Science is in the University Catalog, which can be found online.
To be informed of status: The student has the right to be informed of his/her status regarding academic probation or suspension. Each student is notified in writing when he/she fails to make academic progress.
To confidentiality: The student has the right to confidentiality throughout the probationary period. Probationary status is currently not indicated on official university transcripts.
To an appeal: In all cases students may appeal their case in writing to the Office of the Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Course Load

Full-Time Students and Overload Approval
Students should register for the regular course load as outlined by their advisor. Students may register for 18 hours or less without approval. Permission to take more than 18 semester hours may be granted only after approval, using an Overload Approval Form, submitted to the Engineering Academic Advisor (for 19-21 hours) or the chair of the appropriate department (for over 21 hours). Students must have a 2.5 or better cumulative CU GPA to apply for an overload. The forms can be obtained from the Academic Advising Center, Main Hall 208.

Employed Students Course Load Guidelines
Course load guidelines for students employed ten or more hours per week are as follows:

Employed 40 or more hrs/wk (max. 9 sem. hrs)	2 courses
Employed 30 to 39 hrs/wk (max. 12 sem. hrs)	3 courses
Employed 20 to 29 hrs/wk (max. 15 sem. hrs)	4 courses
Employed 10 to 19 hrs/wk (max. 18 sem. hrs)	5 courses

The above guidelines result from the experience of those who are both employed and in school. We recommend you visit with your Academic advisor to discuss your degree plan.

Undergraduate Academic Requirements

Common EAS Core

The College of Engineering and Applied Science has implemented a Common EAS Core for entering freshmen students. This is a set of courses in English, science, mathematics, the humanities, and social sciences that count towards the Bachelor of Science degrees offered by the College. For the Bachelor of Innovation degrees, please consult with the Engineering Academic Advisor or visit the BI website at: innovation.uccs.edu/. The curriculum of the Common EAS Core provides the students with the necessary foundation for pursuing their education career in the College and at the same time allows a change of major within the College to occur during the freshman year with minimum loss of credit or delay in graduation.

The Common EAS Core consists of the following courses:

MATH 1350	4 credits
MATH 1360	4 credits
PES 1110	4 credits
PES 1120	4 credits
ENGL 1310	3 credits
Humanities/Social Science Electives	6 credits
GPS 1010	3 credits

Students Planning to Transfer to Another School for Their Degree

The College of Engineering and Applied Science has developed a series of courses at the freshman and sophomore level that meet the requirements for some engineering disciplines at most accredited universities throughout the country. Our advising will follow these generally accepted guidelines. Since curricula will vary slightly from time to time and place to place, students should check with the college/university to which they plan to transfer to verify their UCCS coursework will transfer in its entirety.

EAS Graduate Programs

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The College offers Master of Science degrees in Computer Science, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering (refer to corresponding departments for details). The College also offers Master of Engineering degrees in Software Engineering and Information Assurance (CS Dept.), as well as Master of Engineering degrees in Energy Engineering, Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, and Space Operations, which are administered by the EAS College directly.

Also offered is a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering, with optional concentrations in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and Security.

Admission Procedures-Master’s Degree

Every prospective graduate student should consult the graduate student advisor in the respective departments at the College of EAS at UCCS prior to submitting an application for admission to the Graduate School. Students wishing to take graduate courses without formally enrolling as graduate students may enroll in the Unclassified/Non-Degree Seeking student category described in the Admissions section of this Catalog.

Guaranteed Early Admissions
Students who are seniors in any of the undergraduate programs in the College of EAS at UCCS may be eligible for guaranteed and simplified admission to the graduate programs. Contact the appropriate graduate degree program director for more details.

Regular Admission
Students having an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) in all college-level academic work attempted are normally admitted to regular degree status.

Provisional Admission
See individual programs for details.

General Requirements-Master’s Degree

Credit hours: A total of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework is required.

Grades: An overall 3.0 grade point average is required in all graduate work.

Thesis or Non-Thesis*: The student must select either a Thesis (Plan I) or Non-Thesis (Plan II) option. Plan I requires a thesis worth from 4 to 6 semester hours of credit. Plan II requires a 3 semester hour project. In both cases, an oral presentation and defense is required, which is open to the public and which can include questions over all work presented for the degree.

Time Limit: All work applied to the degree must be accomplished within a six-year time limit.

Advising: Students are advised by the chair of the graduate studies committee during their first semester. A student must choose an advisor by the time 12 credit hours have been completed.

Plan of Study: All courses included to count for this degree must be part of an approved plan of study. This plan must be developed by the student and approved by his/her advisor (appointed by the department) within the first semester after being admitted to the program