Master's Students
Every student must file an official application for Candidacy after completion of at least half of the degree requirements and at least one quarter before completion of all degree requirements. For Master of Engineering students, this will typically be within the 2nd quarter of their first year. For Master of Science students, this will be typically be in their 3rd quarter of their first year. Students must also have at least a 3.0 GPA and be in good academic standing. The process for advancing requires filling out one of these forms at least one quarter before the intended graduation date:
Master of Engineering: Candidacy for the Master's Degree - Comprehensive Exam/Project Plan II (GS314)
The Master of Engineering capstone project is reviewed and evaluated by the Comprehensive Examination Committee. This committee contains a minimum of two members and is comprised of the Graduate Adviser and (i) the instructor(s) of EMS 280A and 280B for students selecting Track A or (ii) at least one additional member of the graduate group for students selecting Track B.
Master of Science: Candidacy for the Master's Degree - Thesis Plan I (GS313)
The Master of Science Thesis Committee is comprised of a student's Major Professor and two additional faculty members. The Major Professor will serve as Chair of the committee and must be a member of the Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program faculty. For students who are co-advised by a Major Professor outside of the Graduate Program, at least one co-advisor must be from within the Graduate Program faculty. In addition, one of the two additional faculty members must be a member of the Graduate Program faculty in Materials Science and Engineering.
Doctoral Students
You are required to advance to candidacy after successful completion of all graduate degree requirements and after passing the Qualifying Examination (QE); this typically occurs in the 5th or 6th quarter. You must also have at least a 3.0 GPA, be in good academic standing, and be registered full time in the current or upcoming quarter. Doctoral students may not be part-time in any quarter after passing the QE. The final step is to constitute your dissertation committee who will provide mentorship and evaluate your dissertation. The committee is proposed through the Candidacy Application, and reviewed for eligibility by Graduate Studies.
Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Plan B (GS321)
The Dissertation Committee is comprised of a student's Major Professor and two additional faculty members. The Major Professor will serve as Chair of the committee and must be a member of the Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program faculty. For students who are co-advised by a Major Professor outside of the Graduate Program, at least one co-advisor must be from within the Graduate Program faculty. In addition, one of the two additional faculty members must be a member of the Graduate Program faculty in Materials Science and Engineering..