Master of Science

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The Master of Science degree is a graduate research degree that introduces students to research at the graduate level. A full-time student may be able to complete the program in one and one-half calendar years. The School of Engineering and Applied Science offers instruction leading to degrees in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering physics, materials science and engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and systems engineering.

The department chair appoints an advisor to each graduate student for consultation in preparing a program of study. This program should be approved by the advisor and the department chair, and submitted to the Office of the Dean by the end of the first semester of graduate study. Graduate credit is not automatically granted for courses completed before the program of study is approved. Any later change in the program of study must be submitted for approval. Approval of a program of study does not obligate the University to offer the courses listed, as all graduate courses are offered subject to sufficient enrollment. Candidates who complete the degree requirements and are approved by the faculty are presented for degrees at the University’s first scheduled graduation exercise following completion of the requirements.

Degree Requirements

A candidate for the Master of Science degree must:

complete an approved program of study that includes a minimum of 24 graduate-level credits, with at least 12 credits taken in the area of major study. This program may contain no more than a total of nine credits of 500-level courses, and no more than six of those credits may be taken within the department conferring the degree. Classes at the 400-level or below do not count toward the Masters degree. Departmental requirements may be more restrictive. The program may include a maximum of six transfer credits for graduate courses completed at another school of recognized standing; however, those courses must be part of the approved program of study at the University. Only courses with a grade of B or better may be transferred;
complete acceptable research, accomplished under the close direction of a faculty advisor. The research is documented in a written thesis. Written instructions for thesis preparation are available in the Office of the Dean;
perform satisfactorily in a final examination of the thesis conducted by an examining committee appointed by the Office of the Dean. Depending on the policy of the individual department, at least one examiner may be from outside the applicant’s major department. A candidate who does not perform satisfactorily on the examination may, with the recommendation of two-thirds of the examining committee, be granted a further examination after being given adequate time to prepare;
submit the approved thesis. Three copies of the final thesis, as approved by the examining committee, must be submitted for binding by the date specified on the academic calendar;
apply for the degree, using a standard form, by the date specified on the academic calendar;
complete at least one semester in residence at the University of Virginia as a full-time student; and
complete a comprehensive examination (if required by the student’s department).