Academic Regulations
Program Standards: The student’s
MS program of study shall be designed to develop a degree of competence in the
major area significantly higher than the customary baccalaureate education,
and shall include background and adjunct knowledge normally expected of a person
entering the professional practice of that specialty. To aid in assuring high
standards, the major shall include not less than 15 credit hours of 500-level,
non-blanket, CCE courses. (Note: Blanket courses are those numbered 501, 505,
506, and 507.)
Thesis and Non-Thesis Options: The
Master’s thesis is optional in some programs within CCE, subject to the
approval of the student’s major professor. In lieu of a thesis, a non-thesis,
technical report must be prepared. The Master’s thesis option will normally
involve 6 to 9 credits of CE 503 (Thesis). The non-thesis option will normally
involve 3 to 6 credits of CE 506 (Project), culminating in a technical report.
Thesis Requirements: A thesis will generally involve
more substantial research than a technical report, and should be suitable for
publication in a national academic journal. The research must be unique and
on a contemporary topic. Students should consult with their major professor
regarding the quality and content of thesis research.
MS Thesis Submission: All MS theses are to be submitted electronically to the OSU Library for archiving. In addition, the major advisor may request additional bound copies at their discretion. Details for preparation of a thesis (pdf) are provided by the Graduate School.
Non-Thesis, Technical Report (Project) Requirements: Students
who do not pursue the thesis option are required to prepare a technical report
on an engineering problem or project of a substantial nature. The scope of the
project should be consistent with the credit hours awarded for the project (maximum
of 6 credit hours). The general requirement for the report is that it treats
some significant engineering problem or project in sufficient depth to contribute
to engineering knowledge. The engineering report should be conducted and prepared
in a manner that is suitable for publication in a national journal. In general,
the report shall follow the guidelines for authors of publications in American
Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) division journals. The title page and signature
page shall be similar in format to those used for the MS thesis (omitting the
signature block for the Graduate Dean). Other styles may be approved by the
student’s graduate committee.
Two bound copies of the report must be submitted, one for the School and
one for the major professor. Other members of the student’s graduate committee
may also request bound copies. The report will be presented for discussion and
approval at the time of the student’s final oral exam.
Blanket Course Limitation: Blanket courses are those
numbered 501, 505, 506, and 507. The maximum number of blanket course credits
allowed in an MS degree is 6 credits. Other blanket course credits may be allowed
in a Master’s degree program of study, such as CE 505 – Reading
and Conference or CE 501 – Research, based on a Statement of Purpose included
with the student’s program of study and approval of the student’s
graduate committee.
Non-engineers in MS Degree Programs: Admission of
non-engineering baccalaureate degree holders to the MS degree programs in CCE
is only permitted when the student has completed those engineering requirements
for the BS degree that are considered prerequisite for entry into the chosen
area of graduate study. Hence, the student generally is held in a post-baccalaureate
status until the prerequisite requirements are reconfirmed by the student and
major professor (or graduate advisor) and any further remedial coursework is
promptly taken once the focus and content of the student’s program of
study is determined and approved.
CCE Graduate Seminar: All students
pursuing the MS degree are required to take the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters
of the CCE Graduate Seminar (CE 507). Each quarter carries one credit hour.
Procedural Requirements
Selection of Major Professor: It
is important that the student work with a major professor whose program, research,
and professional interests lie in the same area as the student’s. In view
of this, students are given a short period of time on campus before a major
professor is selected. The assignment of a major professor will be by mutual
agreement among the faculty member, the student, and the School. Normally, MS
students will arrange for a major professor and for the members of their graduate
committee by the end of their second term in residence at OSU. Possible majors
include the following:
Forming a Graduate Committee: Each student must form
a graduate committee which will oversee and approve the student’s graduate
program of study and research. Committee members should be selected based on
mutual agreement between the student and major professor. The committee should
be formed in time to review the student’s program of study.
Thesis Committee: A thesis committee must have at
least four faculty members: two members from the student’s area of study
including the major professor; an outside member chosen based on the relevance
to the student’s research and coursework; and a Graduate Council Representative.
The Graduate Council Representative is selected from a list of faculty members
prepared by the Graduate School who are qualified to act as Graduate Council
Representatives. All committee members must be members
of the Graduate Faculty.
Non-thesis, Technical Report (Project) Committee: A technical report committee must have at least three members: two
members from the student’s area of study including the major professor;
and an outside member chosen based on the relevance to the student’s research
and coursework. A Graduate Council Representative is not required on the committee.
Review and Filing of Program of Study: Students
should submit their official program of study with the Graduate School and the
School by the end of their second term in residence at OSU. Students who
do not file a program of study within the specified deadline specified by the
Graduate School for their degree will not be allowed to register for the next
term. A registration hold will also be placed on graduate students whose programs
of study are not approved after initial evaluation by the Graduate School.
Graduate
program of study forms can be found on the Graduate School website. This
completed form must be reviewed and approved by the CCE Graduate Committee for
compliance with School requirements prior to submittal to the Graduate School.
In addition, a CCE MS Degree Checklist
(MS Dual Degree Checklist)
must be completed and submitted to the CCE Graduate Committee along
with the program of study.
Final Oral Examinations (MS Defense): All MS degree
examinations will be two hours in duration, whether thesis or non-thesis (project)
option. The thesis or technical report will be presented during the first hour
of the examination. The first hour of the examination will be open to the public
and must be advertised at least one week prior to the examination. The second
hour of the examination will be devoted to examination on coursework with only
the student’s graduate committee members present.
Theses must be distributed to all committee members for review well in advance
of the examination date. In the case of non-thesis options, the report must
be distributed to each member of the examination committee at least one week
prior to the examination.
Students may be re-examined only once. Re-examinations may not be given sooner
than one month after the original examination. Those who fail to pass their
final oral examination twice will be terminated from graduate study in CCE
and will not be given additional examinations.
