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LIGHT PINK denotes unofficial opinions from students' eyes

The M.S. degree is generally completed within two years (with large variance). After completing the requisite coursework, it may be obtained either by examination, or for students with exceptional academic standing (GPA >= 3.5), by writing a research thesis. In the past, the thesis option has not been encouraged by the faculty. Please talk to your (potential) advisor about these options.

Course Requirements:

• A total of nine courses must be completed in graduate status, five of which must be in the 200 series.

• A grade of B (3.0) or better in these courses is required.

Comprehensive Examination Option:

• This option is based on selected core coursework

• Choose your "specialization" The subfield specializations are really a relic of an old system. In reality most students do not fit well into one category, and little attention is paid to your specialty, but as with all the light pink text, there are exceptions and you should speak to your advisor(s).
  

• Consists of two parts:

1. A written exam

   • Must be taken before oral exam (at end of first year of course work)

   • Grading is based on a 4.0 scale

   • 3.0 is required to pass at a M.S. level

   • 3.5 is required to pass at a Ph.D. level

   • You may try two times to obtain your desired grade (The exam is administered once each year, usually in mid-July.)

   • Must be attempted by the end of the first two years of study

2. An Oral exam

   • Based on three advanced classes of choice in an area of research specialization (Very often the three classes do not correspond to an area of research specialization, but are a function of what courses have been offered that fit a person's schedule in the first two years of grad school. Some advisors DO actually want you to take appropriate classes, but most do not care much... talk to them.)

   • A committee consisting of three faculty members will grade the exam (The instructors from three advanced courses of student's choosing.)

   • There are two levels of "pass," one is a Master's level and the other a PhD level, as with the written exam.
     

     
     
   • The department prefers the oral exam be passed by the end of the second year.
     

Thesis Option:

• Student must have a GPA of 3.5 or better to pursue this option

• A petition to write an original thesis must be received by the graduate advisors at least one year before the completion of the degree.

• Provided a high academic standard in coursework is maintained, the accepted thesis may be used instead of the written portion of the comprehensive examination (for oral examination portion see above)