University of Cincinnati
DepartmentofElectrical
EngineeringandComputing
Systems(EECS)
GRADUATESTUDENTHANDBOOK
2015-2016
Revised:October2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Graduate Program Administration .............................................................................................1
1.1 Graduate Handbook ....................................................................................................1
1.2 The EECS Graduate Program Director .......................................................................1
1.3 The EECS Graduate Council ......................................................................................1
1.4 Degree Programs and Degree Tracks .........................................................................2
1.5 The CEAS Graduate Program Coordinator ................................................................2
1.6 The EECS Graduate Program Assistant .....................................................................2
2 Application and Admission........................................................................................................3
2.1 Degree Programs and Certificate Programs ................................................................3
2.2 Application..................................................................................................................4
2.3 Full-time Admission ...................................................................................................4
2.4 Part-time Admission ...................................................................................................5
2.5 Provisional Admission ................................................................................................5
2.6 Admission with a Degree from Other Disciplines ......................................................5
2.7 Special Degree Programs ............................................................................................6
2.8 Application Procedure ................................................................................................6
2.9 Students Not Matriculated in EECS ...........................................................................6
2.10 Transfer of Credits ....................................................................................................6
2.11 International Student Admission...............................................................................7
2.12 Change of Degree Program .......................................................................................7
3 Registration ................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Program of Study Form ..............................................................................................7
3.2 Registration .................................................................................................................7
3.3 Changes in Registration ..............................................................................................8
3.4 Full-time Course Load ................................................................................................8
3.5 Part-time Course Load ................................................................................................8
3.6 Changes to Part-time/Full-time Status ........................................................................8
3.7 Students Receiving Financial Aid ...............................................................................8
3.8 Grading Policies ..........................................................................................................9
3.9 I, IP, SP, UP, NG, X and F grades ..............................................................................9
3.10 Audit Regulations .....................................................................................................9
3.11 Seminars..................................................................................................................10
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3.12 Independent Study, Research Courses ....................................................................10
4 Financial Aid............................................................................................................................10
4.1 Graduate Assistantship (GA) ....................................................................................10
4.2 Research Assistantship (RA) ....................................................................................11
4.3 University Graduate Scholarship (UGS) ..................................................................11
4.4 Excessive Credit Hours .............................................................................................12
4.5 Summer Support .......................................................................................................12
4.6 Renewal of Financial Aid .........................................................................................12
5 Advising ...................................................................................................................................13
5.1 The Student’s Advisor ..............................................................................................13
5.2 Change of Advisor or Degree Track .........................................................................13
5.3 Advisor for Part-time Students .................................................................................14
5.4 Duties of the Advisor ................................................................................................14
5.5 Practical Experience - 1 credit hour ..........................................................................15
5.6 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) .........................................................................15
6 Requirements for Master of Science (MS) Degree ..................................................................17
6.1 Basic Requirements ..................................................................................................17
6.2 Program of Study and Courses .................................................................................18
6.3 Time Limit ................................................................................................................18
6.4 Formation of Thesis Committee ...............................................................................18
6.5 Thesis Submission, Defense and Acceptance ...........................................................19
6.6 Timeline for completion of the MS Degree ..............................................................20
6.7 Master of Science GE-ACE Program .......................................................................21
6.8 Masters of Science Northrop-Grumman Program ....................................................22
7 Requirements for a Master of Engineering (MEng) Degree ....................................................22
7.1 General Program Information ...................................................................................22
7.2 Application and Admission.......................................................................................22
7.3 Advising ....................................................................................................................22
7.4 Basic Requirements ..................................................................................................23
7.5 Capstone Project .......................................................................................................23
7.6 Full Time MEng Schedule ........................................................................................24
7.7 Transfer From MEng to MS or PhD .........................................................................24
7.8 Graduation Requirements .........................................................................................24
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7.9 MEng Miscellaneous ................................................................................................25
8 ACCEND Program for EECS Undergraduates........................................................................25
9 Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree ...........................................................26
9.1 Basic Requirements ..................................................................................................26
9.2 Direct Route to the PhD ............................................................................................26
9.3 Program of Study ......................................................................................................27
9.4 Formation of the Dissertation Committee.................................................................27
9.5 Dissertation Proposal and Oral Examination ............................................................28
9.6 Admission to Doctoral Candidacy ............................................................................29
9.7 Time Limits and Residency ......................................................................................29
9.8 Dissertation Submission, Final Defense, and Acceptance ........................................29
9.9 Timeline for completion of the PhD Degree.............................................................31
10 EECS MS Thesis and PhD Dissertation Awards ...................................................................32
11 Continuation and Dismissal ...................................................................................................32
11.1 Completion of Thesis/Dissertation Research ..........................................................32
11.2 Continuation............................................................................................................33
11.3 Dismissal .................................................................................................................33
12 Special Rules..........................................................................................................................33
12.1 Nondiscriminatory Policy .......................................................................................33
12.2 Right to Review Records ........................................................................................34
12.3 Academic Honesty ..................................................................................................34
12.4 Grievance Procedures .............................................................................................34
12.5 Change of Degree Requirements ............................................................................34
13 13 Application for Graduation .............................................................................................34
14 EECS Degree Requirements ..................................................................................................36
14.1 Master of Science:...................................................................................................36
14.2 Master of Engineering: ...........................................................................................37
14.3 Doctor of Philosophy: .............................................................................................37
14.3.1 CredithoursfortheDirectPhDRouteBeyondaBachelor’sDegree:.......37
14.3.2 CredithoursforPhDbeyondtheMaster’sDegree:.................................37
14.4 Rules applicable to all PhD students .......................................................................38
14.5 Course Requirements for Degree Tracks ................................................................38
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1 Graduate Program Administration
1.1 Graduate Handbook
TheDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystem(EECS)GraduateHandbookcontains
thedetailedpoliciesandrulespertainingtothedepartmentalgraduateprogramsandsupplementsthe
policiesoftheCollegeofEngineeringandAppliedSciences(CEAS)GraduateOfficeandthepoliciesof
theUniversityofCincinnatiGraduateSchool.AllstudentsadmittedtoEECScanaccessacopyofthis
handbookfromtheEECSgraduateprogramwebpages.Studentsshouldfamiliarizethemselveswith
andtoconformtotheserulesandregulationsinthishandbook.Itisrecommendedthatthestudents
retainacopyofthishandbookfortheirpersonalusethroughouttheirdegreeprogram.
TheCollegeofEngineeringandAppliedSciences(CEAS)GraduateOfficeprovidesassistancewiththe
admissionsprocessandwithadministrativemattersassociatedwithacademicprogramsinCEAS.
InformationregardingservicesavailableandCEASspecificpoliciesisavailableattheCEASGraduate
Studieswebsite(http://ceas.uc.edu/Graduate_Studies.html).
TheUniversityofCincinnatiGraduateSchoolofficeprovidesacademicleadership,administrative
servicesandfinancialsupporttothefacultyandstudents.Itcoordinatesandimplementscommon
regulationspertainingtoallgraduateprogramsoftheUniversityandregulatestheawardingof
graduatedegrees.InformationregardingservicesprovidedbytheUniversityofCincinnatiGraduate
SchoolcanbefoundontheUCGraduateSchoolWebsite(http://grad.uc.edu).TheUCGraduate
SchoolStudentHandbookisalsoavailablefromtheGraduateSchoolwebsiteundertheCurrent
Studentsdropdown(http://grad.uc.edu/student-life/graduate_studenthandbook.html).
Anystudentwhowishestopetitionforrelieffromanyoftheregulationsandrequirementscontained
inthishandbookmaydosobysubmittingawrittenrequesttotheEECSGraduateProgramDirector
whowillreviewwiththeEECSGraduateCouncilandrenderadecisionassoonaspossible.The
DepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystemsreservestherighttomakechangesor
correctionstothishandbookandwillannounceanymodificationsviaemailtostudents.
1.2 The EECS Graduate Program Director
TheGraduateProgramDirector(GPD)isselectedbytheDepartmentChairtooverseeallgraduate
programsintheEECSdepartment.TheGPDadministersthegraduateprogram’spolicies&procedures
setbytheGraduateCouncilandapprovedbytheEECSfaculty.AsChairoftheGraduateCouncil,the
GPDconvenesmeetingsofthecouncilatleastonceeachacademictermandliaisonswiththeCEAS
GraduateOfficeandtheUCGraduateSchooltoensuresmoothadministrativeoperations.TheGPD
assuresthataccuraterecordsofthegraduateprogramsarekeptandaresubmittedinatimelymanner.
Otherdutiesincludecheckingontheregistrationofgraduatestudents&monitoringtheirprogressin
requiredcourses,assigningofgraduateteachingassistantsandsupervisingtheirworkload&
performance,andadvisingtheDepartmentChairontheneedsofthegraduateprograms.
1.3 The EECS Graduate Council
TheGraduateCouncilconsistsofGraduateProgramDirector(GPD)and2-4facultyelectedbytheEECS
faculty.TheGraduateCouncilwilldeliberateonanyissuesconcerningthegraduateprograms,
interpretgraduatepolicy,andproposenewpolicyfromtimetotime.TheGraduateCouncilwillalso
serveasEECSGrievanceCommitteeforanyandallissuespertainingtothegraduateprograms.Other
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dutiesincludeadvisingandassistingtheGPDinhis/herdutiesandbeingjointlyresponsiblefor
admissions,corecoursecurriculumindegreetracksavailableinEECS,andthegenerationandbalanced
allocationofUniversityGraduateScholarships(UGS)(NOTE:thisawardisalsoreferredtoasthe
GraduateIncentiveScholarship),GraduateAssistantships(GA),andFellowships).
AquorumforaGraduateCouncilmeetingwillconsistofatleastthreemembers.Allissueswillbe
decidedbyasimplemajorityvoteofthevotingmemberspresent.TheGPDoradesignated
representativewillreportontheactivitiesoftheGraduateCouncilateveryregularlyscheduledfaculty
meetingandwillpresentanyissuesthatrequireavoteoftheentireEECSfacultyforresolution.
1.4 Degree Programs and Degree Tracks
ThegraduateprogramintheEECSisdividedinto8separatedegreeprogramsincludingEE-MEng,EEMS,EE-PhD,CompE-MEng,CompE-MS,CS-MEng,CS-MSandCSE-PhD(seeSection2.1formore
details).Thefacultyareorganizedbasedonsharedresearchandteachingintereststhatmayspan
acrossoneormoredegreeprograms.Eachfacultymemberisgrantedgraduatefacultystatusbythe
graduateschoolforthedegreeprogram(s)thatareappropriatetotheirresearchandteaching
interests.Afacultymembermusthavegraduatefacultystatuswithadegreeprograminordertoserve
asthesis/dissertationadvisorforstudentsinthatdegreeprogram.Afacultymembermayhave
graduatefacultystatuswithmultipledegreeprogramsandthusmayadvisestudentsinoneormoreof
thedegreeprograms.
Degreeprogramsmaybedividedintomultipledegreetracks.Eachdegreetrackisaspecializationthat
focusesthecourseworkandresearchactivitiesintospecificsub-topicsrelatedtothebroaderdegree
discipline.Facultymemberswithresearchandteachingfocusrelatedtoadegreetrackdetermine
whichcoursesarerequiredforstudentsinthattrack.Bymaintainingcurrentcoursecontentand
appropriatetrackcoursecurriculum,thefacultymembersofaspecificdegreetrackensurethat
studentsreceivingagraduatedegreeinEECShavecompletedaprogramofsufficientdepthand
breadth.Facultymaybeassociatedwithandsupportoneormoredegreetrackaswarrantedbytheir
researchandteachinginterests.Solongastheyobtain/maintainappropriategraduatefacultystatus,a
facultymembermaysuperviseathesisordissertationofastudentinanydegreeprograminEECSas
longastheresearchtopicisappropriateforthedegreeandthestudentmeetstherequirementsfor
his/herdegreeprogram.
1.5 The CEAS Graduate Program Coordinator
TheCEASGraduateProgramCoordinatormaintainsallgraduaterecords,processesalladmission
applicationsforfacultyreview,updatesthestudentdatabase,andinteractswithEECSGraduate
ProgramDirectorandstudentstoensurethesmoothoperationoftheEECSgraduateprograms.
1.6 The EECS Graduate Program Assistant
TheEECSGraduateProgramAssistant(GPA)isaprogramcoordinatorwhoworkswithEECSGraduate
ProgramDirectorandtheEECSGraduateCounciltocoordinatespecialdegreeprogramsandgraduate
levelcertificateprogramsthatarerelatedtosubjectsofferedwithintheEECSdepartment.TheEECS
GPAcoordinateswiththeGraduateCouncilandotherspecializedfacultyinthecreation/execution
theseprograms.Additionally,theGPAhelpspromotetheseprogramstooutsidestakeholdersand
coordinatedrecruitmentofstudentsintotheseprograms.Finally,theGPAservesasaliaisonbetween
theFacultywhoexecutetheseprogramsandthestudentswhomtheyserve.
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2 Application and Admission
2.1 Degree Programs and Certificate Programs
TheDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystemsofferseight(8)graduatedegrees:
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MastersofEngineeringinElectricalEngineering(EE-MEng)
MastersofScienceinElectricalEngineering(EE-MS)
DoctorofPhilosophyinElectricalEngineering(EE-PhD)
MastersofEngineeringinComputerEngineering(CompE-MEng)
MastersofScienceinComputerEngineering(CompE-MS)
MastersofEngineeringinComputerScience(CS-MEng)
MastersofScienceinComputerScience(CS-MS)
DoctorofPhilosophyinComputerScienceandEngineering(CSE-PhD)
TheMastersofEngineering(MEng)programprovidesagraduatedegreethatfocusesonthestudent’s
abilitytocontributetothetechnicalworkforce.TheMEngprogramisbasedoncourseworkanda
capstoneproject;itdoesnotrequireathesis.StudentscompletingaMEngdegreewilltypicallynot
matriculateintoaPhDprogram.However,thedifferenceisnotontherigorofthecourseworkoralack
ofcompetencies.Rather,thedifferencesareassociatedwiththeprofessionalskillsdevelopmentand
courseworkemphasisoftheMEngcurriculumovertheresearchfocusassociatedwiththeMastersof
Sciencedegree.MoreinformationabouttheMEngprogramisavailableontheCEASGraduatewebsite
at:http://ceas.uc.edu/programs_degrees/MasterOfEngineering.html
TheMastersofScience(MS)degreeprogramisaresearch-basedprogramthatprovidesdevelopment
ofresearchskillsalongwithexpansionoftechnicalexpertiseassociatedwithcompletionofadvanced
engineeringcoursework.InadditiontocourseworkstudentsarerequiredtocompleteaMastersThesis
basedonaresearchprojectthatiscloselyadvisedbyamemberoftheEECSfaculty.Theprimaryfocus
oftheMSprogramistodeveloptechnicalandresearchskillsnecessaryforastudenttowork
independentlyonthedevelopmentofstate-of-the-arttechnology.
TheDoctorofPhilosophy(PhD)degreeprogramextendsthetechnicalandresearchskillsassociated
withtheMSdegreeprogramtoincludetechnicalassessmentandideadevelopmentskillsnecessaryto
evaluateandpursuefutureinnovationsinresearchandtechnologydevelopment.Inadditionto
advancedtechnicalcoursework,PhDstudentsworkwithadissertationadvisortopropose,develop
anddemonstrateinnovativedissertationresearchthatextendsbeyondstate-of-the-arttechnology.
DuringthePhDprogram,studentsarerequiredtodevelopadissertationproposalbasedonproposal
guidelinesusedbymanyfederalfundingagencies.UponcompletionofthedissertationresearchPhD
studentsareexpectedtowriteandorallydefendaPhDdissertationthatbecomesanarchivalrecordof
theresearchprojectthattheycompleted.Additionally,PhDstudentsareexpectedtocontributetothe
bodyoftechnicalknowledgebydisseminatingtheirresearchresultsattechnicalmeetingsandthough
publicationinthetechnicalliterature.
ThePhDdegreescanbepursuedinadirectroutewithoutfirstobtainingthemaster’sdegree.
Alternatively,thePhDdegreecanbepursuedfollowingthecompletionoftheMSdegree.
Eachstudentisadmittedintooneoftheabovedegreeprograms.Studentsmaychoosebetweenany
ofthedegreetracksthatmaybeofferedwithinaspecificdegreeprogram.Specificacademic
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requirementsincludingtrackrequirementsmustbecompletedbeforethedegreecanbeawarded.
TheserequirementshavebeensummarizedinSection14.
MSandPhDstudentsarerequiredtoselectathesis/dissertationadvisorwithinthefirstacademicyear.
Inadditiontoprovidingadvicerelatedtotheexecutionanddocumentationofthestudents
thesis/dissertationresearch,thethesis/dissertationadvisorisresponsibleforprovidingacademic
advisingtothestudent.MEngstudentsreceiveacademicadvisingfromanacademicadvisorassigned
atthebeginningofthestudent’sgraduatestudies.MEngstudentswhochooseeitherthecapstone
projectorcapstonepaperoptionswillhaveaprojectadvisorwhocanbeanymemberoftheEECS
faculty.MEngstudentswhochoosetheinternshipoptionreceivecapstoneadvisingfromtheir
assignedacademicadvisor.
Inadditiontothedegreeprogramsdescribedabove,theEECSdepartmentcurrentlyoffersthree(3)
graduatecertificates:
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CertificateinBiomedicalInformatics
CertificateinCyberOperations
CertificateinDataSciences
Thesegraduatecertificatesmaybetakenincombinationwithagraduatedegreeprogramormaybe
takenasastand-alonecertificatebynon-matriculatedgraduatestudent(i.e.workingprofessionals)to
enhanceemploymentcredentials.TheEECSGraduateProgramAssistantcoordinateswiththe
GraduateProgramDirectortomanagetheadmissionandadministrativeprocessesforthesecertificate
programs.
2.2 Application
TheEECSgraduateprogramisopentoqualifiedindividualswithaGPAof3.0orbetterandaB.S.in
ComputerEngineering,ComputerScience,orElectricalEngineeringorrelatedareasfromanABET
accreditedcollege(orequivalentiffromaninternationaluniversity).Prospectiveapplicantswith
degreesinotherfieldsshouldseeSection2.6,AdmissionwithaDegreefromAnotherArea.
Forguidanceregardingexpectationsforstandardizedtestingandtypicaladmissionscutoffsbasedon
standardizedtestscoresseetheFrequentlyaskedquestionssectionontheCEASgraduatestudies
website(http://ceas.uc.edu/Graduate_Studies/AdmissionsFAQ.html).
Applicantsshouldindicatetheirdegreegoalandresearchinterestareasthatbestmatchhis/herarea
ofresearchandcourseworkinterest.TheGraduateProgramDirector,inconsultationwiththe
GraduateCouncil,willcoordinatetheevaluationofallthecompletedEECSapplicationsreceivedand
offeradmission&financialawardstoselectedapplicants.
2.3 Full-time Admission
Afull-timestudentneedstoregisterforatleast15graduatecreditsofcourseworkforeachfalland
springsemester,attendnewstudentorientation,participateinrequiredseminars,makesatisfactory
progresstowardthedegreewhilemaintainingasatisfactoryGPA(3.0orhigher),andadheretothe
timelimitsfordegreecompletion.
MSandPhDstudentswhohavecompletedtheircourseworkandalloftheirrequired
thesis/dissertationhoursmaygoonreducedcourseloadwhiletheycompleteanddefendtheir
thesis/dissertationresearch.Onreducedcourseload,studentsmustregisterforatleast1credithour
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ofthesis/dissertationresearcheveryacademicyearterm(FallandSpringsemesters)thattheyareon
campusandworkingtowardscompletionoftheirthesis/dissertation.Registrationduringthesummer
termisnotrequired.Domesticstudentswhohavecompletedtheirthesis/dissertationresearchand
areworkingoffcampusonthewritingoftheirthesis/dissertationdocumentsmayregisterfora
minimumofonecredithourperacademicyear.Internationalstudentsarenotallowedtoworkoff
campusonthewritingoftheirthesis/dissertationandthereforemustcontinuetoregisterfor1credit
hourinboththefallandspringsemesters.
Onlyfull-timestudentsareeligibleforfinancialaid.
2.4 Part-time Admission
Part-timeadmissionisprovidedmainlyfortheconvenienceofstudentswhoareemployedfull-timein
theCincinnatiareaorforstudentswhosefamilyresponsibilitiesprecludefull-timestudy.International
studentsarenoteligibleforpart-timestatus.Successfulcompletionofadegreeonapart-timebasis
requiresextraordinarycommitmentonthepartofthestudent.ThePhDrequiresthatastudentbefulltimeforatleast2semesters;theEECSDepartmentdiscouragesthepursuitofthePhDonaparttime
basis.
Therequirementsforpart-timestudentsarethesameasthoseforfull-timestudents(seeabove).The
onlydifferenceisthestudentisnotrequiredtoregisterfor15ormorecreditseachacademictermand
isnoteligibleforfinancialaid.However,toremainactiveintheEECSgraduateprogram,thestudent
mustregisterforatleastonecredithourEACHterm(exceptinthesummersemester)untilallrequired
courseworkandthesis/dissertationresearchcreditshasbeencompleted.Afterallrequiredcourse
workandthesis/dissertationresearchcreditshavebeencompleted,part-timestudentsareonly
requiredtoregisterforonecredithourforeachacademictermthattheyareoncampusworking
towardscompletionofthethesis/dissertationresearch.Aswithfull-timedomesticstudentswhoare
onlyworkingtocompetethethesis/dissertationresearch,studentsmustregisterforaminimumofone
credithourperacademicyear.
2.5 Provisional Admission
Occasionally,provisionaladmissionmaybegrantedtoapplicantswholackundergraduatecoursework
consideredessentialforstudyinEECS.Specificcourseswillberequiredtomakeupsuchdeficiencies
beforeadmissiontofullgraduatestandingcanbegranted.Thisadditionalcoursework,theconditions,
andthetimelineinwhichithastobecompletedwillbedetailedinthestudent’sadmissionletter.If
thestudentdoesnotmeettheseconditionsintheallottedtime,he/shewillbedismissed.
2.6 Admission with a Degree from Other Disciplines
ApplicantswithaB.S./B.A.orMSdegreeinanotherbranchofengineering,physics,ormathematicsare
oftenabletopursuegraduatestudyinEECS.Theymaybeaskedtotakemoredualoradditional
graduatelevelcoursesbeyondwhatisrequiredinordertobeonparwithstudentswithadegreein
theproperfield.Someofthisadditionalcourseworkmayberequiredpriortoadmissionconfirmation.
ApplicantsareencouragedtocontacttheGraduateProgramDirectorpriortosubmissionofagraduate
schoolapplicationtodetermineiftheirbackgroundislikelytoconstituteacompetitiveapplication.
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2.7 Special Degree Programs
InconcertwiththeGeneralElectric(GE)Corporation,EECShasestablishedaspecialMSprogram
entitledtheAdvancedCourseinEngineering(GE-ACE)program.ThisprogramisonlyavailabletoGE
employeesanddetailsaredescribedinSection6.7.
InconcertwiththeNorthrop-GrummanCorporation,EECShasestablishedaspecialMSprogram.This
programisonlyavailabletoNorthrop-GrummanemployeesanddetailsaredescribedinSection6.8.
2.8 Application Procedure
ApplicationstotheEECSgraduateprogramaresubmittedthroughanonlineapplicationprocess.
Completionoftheapplicationprocessrequiresthefollowingitems.
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Transcripts–Youwillberequiredtouploadtranscriptstotheapplication,originalsarenot
requiredtoapplyforadmissionconsideration.
TestScores-Youwillenteranyrequiredstandardizedtestscores.
Recommenders–Lettersofrecommendationarerequestedonlineyouwillneedthenameof
recommenders.
Statements-Statementofpurposeandstatementofresearch.Thestatementofresearch
shouldcontainanyresearchyouhavedone,informationonaseniorprojectoranythingelse
relatedtoresearch.Ifyouhavenotcompletedanythingrelatedtoresearchorprojects,please
justuploadastatementthatstates:Ihavenotcompletedanythingrelatedto
research/projects.Thiswillnotinanywaydetractfromyourapplication.
Researchareasofinterest-Youwillalsochooseareasofinterestedresearchfromadropdown
menu.
Formoreinformationabouttheapplicationprocessincludinginformationregardingapplication
deadlinesandapplicationfees,pleaseseethedetailedadmissionFAQontheCEASGraduate
Admissionswebsite(http://ceas.uc.edu/Graduate_Studies/ApplyOnline.html).
2.9 Students Not Matriculated in EECS
Full-timeorpart-timestudentsattheUniversityofCincinnatiwhoarenotundergraduate/graduate
studentsintheDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystems(i.e.non-matriculated
students)maytakeEECSgraduatecourseswithpermissionfromthecourseinstructor.Nonmatriculatedstudentsenrolledwithoutinstructorconsentaresubjecttoadministrativewithdrawal
fromthecourse.Non-matriculatedstudentsarealsosubjecttoadministrativewithdrawalifspaceis
neededinthecourseforstudentswhoarematriculatedinanEECSundergraduate/graduatedegree.
PermissiontoenrollingraduatecoursesdoesnotimplyadmissiontotheEECSgraduatedegree
program,nordoesitimplythatsuchcourseswillbeacceptedtowardtheEECSgraduatedegreeifthe
studentisadmittedinthefuture.
Astudentwishingtoearnagraduatedegreeisstronglyurgedtoapplyforadmissionassoonas
possibleandhe/shewillbeconsideredforadmissioninthesamemannerasanyotherapplicant.
2.10 Transfer of Credits
TransferofgraduatecreditstowardsgraduatedegreeprogramsinEECSisnotallowedforcoursework
takenaspartofaprogramthatresultedintheawardofabachelor'sormaster'sdegree(i.e.nodouble
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counting).Thenumberoftransfercreditsfromanotheruniversityacceptedforthegraduatedegree
programisatthediscretionoftheGraduateProgramDirectorandGraduateCouncilbutordinarilywill
notexceed4semestergraduatecredits.Approvaloftransferofcreditsforcoursestakenatother
institutionsmustbeobtainedwithinthefirstsemesterthedegreeprogram.Thesis/dissertationcourse
workcannotbetransferred.ForstudentsenteringwithanMSdegreenofurthernon-UCcreditsmay
beacceptedfortransfer.
2.11 International Student Admission
Nointernationalstudentwillbegrantedadmissiononanybasisotherthanfullgraduatestandingand
he/sheMUSTregisterfor15programapprovedgraduatecreditseachacademicterm,exceptduring
thesummersemester.Onlyinthefinalsemesters,whentheonlytaskleftiswritingathesis,canan
internationalstudentregisterforjustonecrediteachterm.
AllinternationalstudentsarerequiredtocarrytheUniversityHealthInsurance.Aphysicalexamination
isrequiredofeachinternationalapplicant.AtuberculintinetestorchestX-rayisrequiredwithin1
weekofarrival.
Formattersconcerningvisaandimmigrationrules,internationalstudentsmustcontact:Officeof
InternationalStudentServices,POBox210640,UniversityofCincinnati,Cincinnati,OH45221-0640.
FormoreinformationseetheUCInternationalServiceswebsite(www.isso.uc.edu),calltheofficeat
513-556-4278oremailtheofficeatinternational.students@uc.edu.
2.12 Change of Degree Program
AstudentwishingtochangetheirdegreeprogrammustpetitiontheEECSGraduateProgramDirector.
Thepetitionmustincludethereasonforthechangeandevidenceforstudent’spreparationforthe
newdegreeprogram.IftheGraduateProgramDirectorapprovessuchachange,thestudentwillbe
requiredtocompletelymeetthedegreerequirementsofhis/hernewdegreeprogram.
IfaPhDstudentwishestochangetotheMSprogram,he/shemustdecidebythethirdsemesterof
study.IfaPhDstudenthasreceivedmorethan4semestersofUGSfundingthenhe/shemaynot
changetotheMSprogramandmustfinishthePhDprogramorwithdrawfromtheUniversityunless
approvedbythegraduatedirector.
3 Registration
3.1 Program of Study Form
NewlyadmittedgraduatestudentsarerequiredtoattendtheCEASGraduateStudentOrientationand
theEECSDepartmentOrientationbeforeclassesstartinthefallsemester.Attheseorientation
meetings,generalCEASanddepartmentpolicieswillbediscussed.Also,thestudent’stemporary
advisorandfacultymembersfromeachdegreeprogramareavailabletoanswerquestionsandassist
studentsincourseselection.Thestudentwillkeeptheirtemporaryadvisoruntilapermanentresearch
advisorischosen.Withthetemporaryadvisorthestudentdeterminesapreliminaryprogramofstudy
andfillsouttheProgramofStudyFormforthefirstyear.
3.2 Registration
OnlyafterthestudenthasobtainedthesignatureoftheadvisorontheProgramofStudyFormand
submittedacopytotheCEASGraduateProgramCoordinatorcanthestudentregisterforcourses.Any
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deviationfromthelistofcoursesontheProgramofStudyFormmaynotbeapprovedunlessithas
beenrequestedformallybysubmittinganorangechangeformrequestingarevisiontotheProgramof
Studyform.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoinsurethatrequiredcoursesintheprogramaretaken
andthatanyremedialcourseworkisdoneasearlyaspossible.
3.3 Changes in Registration
Thedeadlinesforanychanges(Add/Drop)inregistrationarelistedeachsemesteron
http://www.onestop.uc.edu/calendars.html.Aninstructormaywithdrawastudentfromacourse
whenexcessiveabsenceshaveoccurred.TheCollegeofEngineeringandAppliedScience(CEAS)
enforcesdeadlines,andonlythemostextremeandunusualcircumstancewouldjustifyadeviation.
Whenastudentmakeschangesinregistrationorwithdrawsfromacourse,itmostlikelyconflictswith
whatisontheirProgramofStudyForm.Failurebyastudenttocompletethecoursesthatarelistedin
hisorherProgramofStudyFormcanaffecttherenewalofanyfinancialaid.
3.4 Full-time Course Load
Full-timegraduatestudentsmustregisterandmaintainaminimumof15programapprovedgraduate
creditsineachsemesteroftheacademicyear.Thesecreditsincludeseminars,selfandindependent
study,research,andthesis/dissertationresearch,butcoursestakenonanauditbasisareexcluded.
Withdrawingandfallingbelow15creditshourswillcancelaUGSandthestudentwillberesponsible
forpaymentofanyfeesandtuition.Onlyafterallcourseworkhasbeencompletedandthestudent
hasenoughthesis/dissertationresearchcreditscanafull-timestudentgoonreducedcourseload.For
internationalstudentsthismeansregisteringforonecredithoureachfallandspringsemesteruntil
graduation.Fordomesticstudents,thismeansregisteringforonecredithoureachfallandspring
semesterthatyouareoncampusworkingtowardscompletionofyourthesis/dissertationresearch.
Domesticstudentsmaydroptoonecredithourperacademicyeariftheyareworkingofcampusto
completethewritingoftheirthesis/dissertationdocument.
3.5 Part-time Course Load
Part-timegraduatestudentsmustregisterforatleastonecreditduringthefallsemesterofeach
academicyeartoremainactiveintheEECSgraduatedegreeprograms.However,itisgenerally
expectedthateverypart-timestudentwilltakeatleastonecoursepersemesterorregisterfor
thesis/dissertationresearchtocompletethedegreeprogramwithinthetimeframeprescribedbythe
University.Registrationisrequiredforatleastonecredithourduringasemesteroftheacademicyear
inwhichthestudentgraduates.
3.6 Changes to Part-time/Full-time Status
Astudentwishingtochangebetweenpart-timeandfull-timestatusmustsubmitarequestforthis
changeusingtheappropriatechangeform.Thereasonfortherequestmustbeincludedandthe
changemustbeapprovedwithsignaturesfromthefacultyadvisorandGraduateProgramDirector
Internationalstudentsmustmaintainfull-timestatusandcannotswitchtoparttimestatus.
3.7 Students Receiving Financial Aid
StudentsonaUniversityGraduateScholarship(UGS),aGraduateAssistantship(GA),orotherfinancial
assistancemustmaintainfull-timestatus.Ifastudentwithdrawsfromacourseduringthesemesterso
astofallbelowtheminimum15programapprovedgraduatecredits,he/shemaybeliablefortuition
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forthatsemester.StudentswithaUGSmustalsopayforanycreditsover18credits,includingaudit
credithours.
Formoreinformationandguidelinesapplicabletostudentsreceivingfinancialaid,seeSection4
3.8 Grading Policies
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AllrequiredorelectivecourseworkthatcountstowardaCertificate,MEng,MS,orPhDdegree
musthavealettergradingoption(A,A-,B+,B,B-,C+,C,orF.)
Atleast2/3ofthegraduatecreditsofrequiredcourseworknecessaryforadegreemustbeata
levelofBorhigher(B-is2.67creditsandisbelowaB).
AstudentmustmaintainatotalGPAof3.0orbetterinrequiredcoursework.
3.9 I, IP, SP, UP, NG, X and F grades
Ifagradeofincomplete(I)isassignedattheendofacourse,thestudentmustcleartheincomplete
fromtherecordassoonaspossibleandatmostwithinonecalendaryear.Itisthestudent’s
responsibilitytoensurethattheworkiscompletedandthattheydiscussthegradechangewiththe
instructor.
Afteronecalendaryear,thegradelapsestoafailuregradecalledI/F.Nostudentcangraduatewithan
I,IP(inprogress),SP(satisfactoryprogress),UP(unsatisfactoryprogress),X(unofficialwithdrawal),NG
(nogradereported)orFgradeonhisorherrecord.AstudenthavingagradeofFinanyrequired
coursewillnotbeconsideredtohavecompletedtherequirementofthatcourseforthedegree.Only
repeatingthecourseandreceivingapassinggradecanmeettherequirement.GradesofFarecounted
incomputingaveragesforGPA,includingtheF'searnedincoursesthatarerepeated.
Astudentwhocompletesacourseandeitherdidnotreceiveagrade,orreceivedanF,oranIgrade
maynotsubsequentlywithdrawfromthecoursetoavoidgradepointaveragedifficultieswithoutprior
advisorpermission.Suchpermissionwillordinarilynotbegivenexceptinrarecircumstanceswhere
thestudentcanprovideadequatejustification,suchasaphysician'swritten,dated,andsigned
statementifamedicalreasonisclaimed.
3.10 Audit Regulations
Admissionsandconditionsforparticipationinauditcoursesareatthediscretionoftheinstructorof
thecourse,whoisnotobligatedtoacceptastudentforaudit.StudentsmustfollowAudit
requirementssetbytheinstruction.GradesthataninstructioncangiveforanAuditclassare“T”(for
satisfactorycompletionofAuditrequirements)or“F”(UnsatisfactorycompletionofAudit
requirements).ItisthestudentsresponsibilitytoclearlyunderstandtheAuditrequirementsofthe
course.
Auditcreditsdonotcounttoward:
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Degreerequirements
Full-timestatus
However,theydocountfortuitionpurposes.HenceastudentonaUGS/GAwillbeassessedforany
creditsover18,includingaudithours.
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3.11 Seminars
Seminarsareofferedtofamiliarizethestudentswithresearchdoneinside/outsideoftheEECS
Departmentandtohelpstudentsdevelopprofessionalskillsnecessaryforsuccessfulcompletionof
theirdegreeprogram.AttendanceattheseminarisrequiredofallfirstyearMSandPhDstudentsfor
fallandspringsemesters.Specificrequirementsthateachstudentneedstocompleteforapassing
gradevariesamongthedegreeprogramsandwillbeannouncedduringthefirstmeetingofthe
seminar.Attendancewillbetakenandmissingmorethanoneseminarclassmayresultinan
irreversible“F”grade.
3.12 Independent Study, Research Courses
EECSoffersseveralgraduatecoursesthatcanbetakenonanindividualbasiswithaseparatesection
numberallocatedforeachfacultymember.Thesecoursesservedifferentpurposes:
Self-StudyResearch:Thiscourseisofferedonlyinthefallsemester.Firstyearstudentswhohavenot
beenassignedapermanentadvisormayregisterfortheappropriatesectionwiththeapprovalofthe
EECSGraduateProgramDirector.Studentsmayregisterforamaximumof9creditspersemesterin
ordertomaintainfull-timestatus.ThegradeofPisgivenforSelf-StudyResearch,butthecreditsdo
notcounttowardsMSorPhDdegreecourserequirements.
Thesis/DissertationResearch:Thiscoursemaybetakenfor1to18creditseachsemesterwhilethe
studentisengagedinresearchfortheMSthesisordoctoraldissertationunderthesupervisionofthe
permanentadvisor.
IndependentStudy:Individualizedstudyunderthedirectionofafacultymembermustbearrangedin
advancebetweenastudentandafacultymemberwithmutualconsentandagreementonthe
requirementsforearningthecredits.WiththeapprovaloftheEECSGraduateProgramDirector,a
studentmayregisterforamaximumof6creditspersemesterinordertomaintainfull-timestatus.
DoctoralDissertationProposal:Individualizedstudyandresearchtakenfor1to6creditspersemester
forthepurposeofpreparingthedoctoraldissertationproposalanditsdefensebeforethestudent's
doctoraladvisorycommittee.Amaximumof6creditsmaybecountedtowardsthetotalcredit
requirement.ThisshouldnotbeusedonaregularbasisinplaceofThesis/DissertationResearch.
4 Financial Aid
TheDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystemsawardstuitionscholarshipsto
incomingandcontinuingstudentsforthepurposeofassistingtheminthepursuitoftheirdegree
objectives.SomestudentsmaybeawardedanAssistantshipinadditiontothetuition
scholarship.BelowareadescriptionoftheAssistantshipsandtuitionscholarships.
4.1 Graduate Assistantship (GA)
Graduateassistantshipsareavailabletoqualifiedfull-timeEECSgraduatestudentsincludingincoming
firstyeargraduatestudentsandisnormallyaccompaniedbyafull-timetuitionscholarship.TheGAis
requiredtoprovideatleast20hoursperweekofserviceinteaching,research,and/orotherwork.The
studentisexpectedtocarryoutassigneddutiesinaprofessionalmanner,regardlessofwhatthose
dutiesmaybe.
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Theseassistantshipsareusuallyfora9-monthor2-semesterperiodwiththepossibilityofthestudent
earningadditionalcompensationduringthethreesummermonths.Continuationoftheassistantship
awardbeyondtheinitial9-monthor2-semesterperiodisnotimplied.
AppointmentsandrenewalsaredeterminedbytheEECSGraduateProgramDirector,inconsultation
withtheGraduateCouncilonthebasisoftheDepartment’sneedsinteachingandresearchaswellas
thestudent'sperformanceandavailabilityoffunds.Thestudentmustnormallyregisterforatleast15
programapprovedgraduatecreditspersemestertoreceivethisaward.
4.2 Research Assistantship (RA)
Researchassistantshipsareavailableasaresultofgrantsandcontractsobtainedbyfacultymembers
doingsponsoredresearch.RAappointmentsareavailableforgraduatestudentstoparticipatein
particularresearchprojects,whichmayoftenserveasthesis/dissertationresearchtopics.ManyRA’s
gotostudentswhohavefinishedoneyearofstudyinthedepartmentbutfirstyeargraduatestudents
withstrongresearchpotentialmayalsobeconsidered.
Theseassistantshipsarenormallyawardedeitherfor9-months,sometimeswiththepossibilityof
additionalcompensationduringthethreesummermonths,orfor12months.Appointmentsfora
shortertermarealsomade.Atuitionscholarshipusuallyaccompaniesaresearchassistantshipbutthe
semestergeneralfeeandhealthinsurancepremiumarenotincluded.
AwardsaremadedirectlybythefacultyinconsultationwiththeEECSGraduateProgramDirector.The
RAisrequiredtodevoteatleast20hoursperweekofefforttotheresearchprojecttowhichhe/sheis
assigned.Continuationorterminationoftheappointmentisdecidedbythefacultyadvisorand/or
principalinvestigatoronthebasisoftheavailabilityoffundsandthestudent'sprogressinresearchand
academicareas.Thestudentwillbenotifiedbyletteroftheamountandperiodofsupport.
4.3 University Graduate Scholarship (UGS)
TheDepartmentawardstuitionscholarships(UGS)thatpayforfull-timetuitionbutdonotcoverthe
generalfee,theITIEfeeorthepremiumforstudenthealthinsurance,allofwhichmustbepaidbythe
student.TheUGSisawardedeachsemesterandnotavailableinthesummersemester.
AwardedbytheEECSGraduateProgramDirectorinconsultationwiththeGraduateCouncil,UGSis
availabletoqualifiedfull-timegraduatestudentsintheDepartmentonacompetitivebasis.The
studentmustregisterforatleast15programapprovedgraduatecreditspersemesterandmaybe
renewedeachsemesteroronayearlybasis,subjecttoavailabilityoffunds,thestudent'sprogress,and
completionofthedegreerequirements.Ifastudentisnotregisteredfor15programapproved
graduatecreditstheUGScanberemovedatanytimeduringthesemesterandthestudentwillbe
responsibleforanyfeeandpenaltiesincurredduetotheremovaloftheUGS.
UniversityGraduateScholarship(UGS)CourseLoadGuidelines
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UGSrecipientsmustberegisteredfor15graduatecredithoursintheCollegeofEngineering
andAppliedScience(CEAS)ONLY
Studentscanregisterforuptoamaximumof18credithoursaspartoftheirUGS.Costsfor
morethan18credithourswillbetheresponsibilityofthestudent.
UGSrecipientsmustmaintaina3.0+gradepointaverage(GPA.)
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Ifastudentdrops/withdrawsfromclasses,andfallsbelow15credithoursafterthe14thdayof
anacademicterm,theUGSwillberemovedandthestudentmayberequiredtopay100%of
tuitionandfees.
Internationalstudentsonreducedcourseloadmustberegisteredforonecredithourintheir
programEVERYacademicsemesteruntiltheygraduateorareonOptionalPracticalTraining
(OPT.)
StudentsreceivingGAorTAfundingarerequiredtoregisterfulltime.Failuretoregisterfull
timecanresultinstudentrepayingallfundsreceived.RApositionsmustberegisteredfull
unlesstheyhavereachedthemaximumnumbercredithoursof173.
PhDstudentswhoreceivemorethan4semestersofUGSfundingcannotchangetotheMS
programwithoutpermissionoftheadvisorandthegraduatedirector.
Studentsmustberegisteredeachacademicsemesteriftheyareoncampus.Theonlytimea
studentdoesnothavetoberegisteredisiftheywillnotbeoncampusatallduringthe
semester.
Ifastudentisgoingtodropandaddclasses,theclassshouldbeaddedBEFOREdroppinga
class.Whenadding/droppingclassesdonotgobelow10credithoursorabove18credithours.
Adding/Droppingcoursescanbedoneonlineduringthefirst7daysoftheterm.Afterday7it
isbesttodothisonanadd/dropform.
Ifastudentwishestoregisterforanycourseoutsideofhisorherprogram/college,thestudent
mustrequestpermissiontoenrollusingachangeform.Therequestmustincludeajustification
fortherequestandincludeasignaturefromthestudent’sadvisorandthegraduateprogram
director.ThecompletedformisthensubmittedtotheCEASGraduateOfficeforapproval.
FailuretocomplywiththiswillresultinthecancellationoftheUGS.
PleaseseetheCEASGraduateProgramCoordinatorin665BaldwinHallifyouhaveanyquestions
regardinganyoftheseissues.
4.4 Excessive Credit Hours
TheOhioBoardofRegentsdeniesstatesubsidyforgraduatestudentswhohaveearnedmorethan173
graduatecredithours.GraduatestudentswhosegraduatecredithoursattheUniversityofCincinnati
exceed173arenoteligibleforfinancialaidfromgeneralfunds(UGSorGA).
4.5 Summer Support
TheUniversityofCincinnatiawardsSummerResearchFellowshipstoanumberoffull-timegraduate
studentsinthesummerfortwo-monthduration.Fellowshipsareawardedonacompetitivebasis
baseduponproposalsforresearchprojects,thestudent'sacademicrecord,andfaculty
recommendations.StudentsarerequiredtosubmitareporttotheUniversityDean'sOfficeafterthe
summersemester,detailingtheaccomplishmentsundertheFellowship.Informationregardingthe
SummerResearchFellowshipswillbesentouttothestudentemaillistservinDecember/Januaryeach
year.
4.6 Renewal of Financial Aid
Financialawardsaremadeforafixedtermwiththepossibilityofrenewalif1)sufficientfundsare
available,2)thestudentismakingsatisfactoryresearchprogress,and3)subjecttotheDepartment’s
needsinteachingandresearch.Thereceiptofanawarddoesnotimplyacommitmentbythe
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Departmenttosubsequentawards.Inparticular,teachingandresearchassistantshipsareawardedfor
aspecifiedperiodwiththetermandamountoftheawardincludedintheletterofoffertothestudent.
Ifthereistobeacontinuationoftheawardbeyondthespecifiedperiod,thestudentwillbeadvisedin
writingwithasubsequentletterofoffer.Theawardingoffinancialaid,eitherasanewawardorthe
continuationofprevioussupport,issubjecttotheavailabilityoffundsandanyrestrictionsthatmay
apply.
ThefundsforGA’s,UGS’s,andDoctoralUGS’sareallocatedtoEECSeveryyearbytheUniversityona
competitivebasis,basedonthequalityofgraduatestudiesandresearchintheDepartment.Thebest
assurancethatastudenthasregardingfinancialassistanceistodevotehis/herbesteffortstowardhigh
scholasticachievementandthebestpossibleprogresstowardthecompletionofthedegreeobjective.
Sinceschoolfundsforteachingassistantshipsareverylimitedwhilefundingfromgrantsandcontracts
ismoreextensive,studentsshoulddiscussthepossibilitiesforresearchassistantshipsupportwith
facultymemberswhenconsideringtheselectionofapermanentresearchadvisor.
5 Advising
5.1 The Student’s Advisor
Eachdegreeprogramwillchooseoneormorefacultyadvisorstotemporarilyassistnewstudentsand
eachstudentwillbeassignedoneofthesetemporaryadvisors.Thestudentwillkeepthisadvisoruntil
he/shehasbeenacceptedasastudentbyapermanentresearchadvisor.
Choosingapermanentadvisorisoneofthemostimportantthingsastudentwilldo,andsothischoice
shouldbemadecarefully,withbothstudentandadvisortakingintoaccounttheresearchinterestsand
preparationofthestudent,thecoursesthestudenthastakenintheDepartmentsofar,andhis/her
performanceinthesecourses,theresearchinterestsoftheadvisor,andtheabilityforstudentand
advisortointeractsuccessfullywithoneanother.Eachdegreetrackwillprovideopportunitiesforfirstyearstudentstolearnabouttheworkbeingdonebythefacultyinthatarea,usuallythroughseminar
coursework.Astudentisalsoencouragedtomakeappointmentswithindividualfacultymembersto
discussthefacultymember’sworkandtheprospectsforthestudent’sparticipationinthatwork.The
studentisresponsibleforcompletingallrequiredcoursesandqualifyingexaminationcomponents
necessarytoobtainthedegreehe/sheisworkingtoward.
Astudentmaychooseapermanentfacultyadvisorassoonashe/shewishesandtheprospective
advisoragrees.Thechoiceshouldoccurwithin9monthsofthestudent’sentranceintotheprogram.
Towardstheendoffallsemesterofthestudent’sfirstyearintheprogram,studentswhodonotyet
haveapermanentadvisorwillbeaskedtoidentifytheirfirst,secondandthirdchoiceforadvisor.
FacultyarethenconsultedtodetermineacceptabilityofadvisingTheCEASGraduateProgram
CoordinatorandtheEECSGraduateProgramDirectorwillfacilitatethisprocess.Ifnoneofthe
identifiedfacultyareavailableforadvising,theGraduateProgramDirectorworkswiththestudentand
thefacultytoidentifyapermanentadvisor.Inallcasesthisprocessmustbecompletedbytheendof
thespringsemester.
5.2 Change of Advisor or Degree Track
Occasionallyastudentmaywishtochangethedegreetrackand/orthepermanentfacultyadvisor.If
thestudentisingoodstandingandhasadequatepreparationtoworkinthenewarea,andifthe
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facultyofthenewdegreetrackhaveroomtoaccommodatenewstudents,thenachangecanbe
made.Theprocedureisasfollows:
Astudentwhodoesnotyethaveapermanentresearchadvisoranddegreetrackshouldsubmita
writtenrequesttotheCEASGraduateCoordinatortoselecthispermanentresearchadvisorandhis
degreetrack.Both,thestudentandthenewfacultyadvisormustbesignthechangerequest
Irrespectiveofthetemporaryadvisoraffiliationswiththestudent,thisrequestwillbegrantedsolong
asthestudenthassuitablebackgroundtoworkinthenewdegreetrackarea.
Astudentwhoalreadyhasapermanentresearchadvisorshouldsubmitawrittenrequesttochange
thepermanentadvisortotheCEASGraduateCoordinator.Thestudent,thepreviousadvisor,andthe
newadvisormustallsignanddatethechangerequestformagreeingtothechange.Theformwillalso
specifyindetailanyremainingwork,whichthestudenthastocompleteforthepreviousadvisor,
includinganyworkforwhichthestudenthasreceivedaResearchAssistantship,andanychangesin
financialaidtothestudentthatwillbemadeasaconsequenceofthestudent’schangingadvisors.The
GraduateProgramDirectorwillsignthechangerequestformonlyafterthestudent,theoldadvisor
andthenewadvisorhaveallsignedthechangerequestform.TheformisthensubmittedtotheCEAS
graduateofficewhereitisplacedinthestudent’sDepartmentfile.Individualcases,whichcannotbe
resolvedaccordingtotheseprocedures,willbereferredtotheGraduateCouncilforresolution.
5.3 Advisor for Part-time Students
Part-timestudentsshouldfollowtheprocedureslistedinSection5.1tofindapermanentfaculty
advisor.Part-timestudentsmayinitiatethesearchnearthecompletionoftheirrequiredcoursework
butmusthavetheirfacultyadvisorschosenbythetimetheyfinishthecourserequirementsforthe
degree.
5.4 Duties of the Advisor
Whilethestudentisencouragedtoconsultwithothermembersofthefacultywithregardto
thesis/dissertationwork,thefacultyadvisorhasfinalauthorityandresponsibilitytoguidethestudents
researchworkasheorshebelievesappropriate.ThestepsforformationoftheMSthesisandPhD
dissertationcommitteesarelistedbelowinSections6.4and9.4respectively.
Theprimaryresponsibilitiesofthefacultyadvisorare:
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Developaprogramofstudyincooperationwiththestudent.Thefacultyadvisorhasthe
authorityforfinalapprovalofastudent'sprogramofstudy;however,theprogrammustbein
agreementwiththerulesandregulationsoftheEECSgraduateprogramandmustbeapproved
bytheEECSGraduateProgramDirector(GPD).
Reviewthestudent'sprogress,approveregistrationformsandadd/droporcoursewithdrawal
forms,andrevisetheprogramofstudy(ifrequired)eachregistrationperiod.
Submitrecommendations(positiveornegative)forfinancialaidforthestudenttotheGPD.
Formthestudent'sthesis/dissertationexaminingcommitteeinconsultationwiththestudent.
Assistandguidethestudentintheperformanceofthethesis/dissertationresearch.
Arrangethedoctoralproposaldefense;reporttheresultstotheCEASGraduateProgram
Coordinator.
Arrangethethesis/dissertationdefense;reporttheresultstotheCEASGraduateProgram
Coordinator. 5.5 Practical Experience - 1 credit hour
PracticalExperienceprovidesthegraduatestudentwithindustrialresearchexperiencebyeither
workingoff-campuswithacompanyoron-campus.ItisarequiredcourseforallMS&PhDstudents,
requiringonesemesterofwork,andshouldonlybedoneonceallcourserequirementsarecompleted.
TheCollegeGraduateProgramCoordinatormustpre-approvethesuitabilityoftheexperience(relation
tothethesis/dissertationtopic),employmentperiod(threemonthmaximum),andassignsaP/Fgrade
attheendofthesemesteroruponcompletionofthepracticalexperience.
Theadvisingprofessorcanwaivetheoff-campusindustrialrequirementandallowon-campuspractical
experiencesuchasclassroomteaching,appliedwork,STEPprogram,etc.Ifthestudentisan
internationalstudentandwillbeworkingoffcampustheymustfollowthecurricularpracticaltraining
(CPT)proceduresbelow.Thethree-monthtimeperiodusedtocompletePracticalExperiencewill
countaspartofthetotalCPTallowablebytheCollege(6monthmaximumtotal.)Formscanbefound
at:http://www.ceas.uc.edu/Graduate_Studies/CurrentStudents/GraduateSchoolForms.html
5.6 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Definition:CPTisauthorizedanddefinedbytheUnitedStatesgovernmentintheCodeofFederal
Regulation(C.F.R),Title8,Section214.2as:
“Curricularpracticaltraining.AnF–1studentmaybeauthorizedbytheDSOtoparticipateina
curricularpracticaltrainingprogramthatisanintegralpartofanestablishedcurriculum.
Curricularpracticaltrainingisdefinedtobealternativework/study,internship,cooperative
education,oranyothertypeofrequiredinternshiporpracticumthatisofferedbysponsoring
employersthroughcooperativeagreementswiththecollege.Studentswhohavereceivedone
yearormoreoffulltimecurricularpracticaltrainingareineligibleforpost-completion
academictraining.Exceptionstotheoneacademicyearrequirementareprovidedfor
studentsenrolledingraduatestudiesthatrequireimmediateparticipationincurricular
practicaltraining.Arequestforauthorizationforcurricularpracticaltrainingmustbemadeto
theDSO.AstudentmaybegincurricularpracticaltrainingonlyafterreceivinghisorherForm
I–20withtheDSOendorsement.”[8C.F.R.214.2(f)(10)(i)]
TheUniversityofCincinnatiInternationalStudentServicesOffice(ISSO)andtheCollegeofEngineering
andAppliedScience(CEAS)restateC.F.R.214.2(f)(10)(i)as:
“CurricularPracticalTrainingisanemploymentoptionavailabletoF-1studentswherethe
practicaltrainingemploymentisconsideredtobeanintegralpartofthecurriculumor
academicprogram.AccordingtoUnitedStatesCitizenshipandImmigrationServices
regulations,thisemploymentmaybeaninternship,cooperativeeducationjob,apracticum,or
anyotherwork/studyexperiencethatiseitherrequiredforthedegree(asdefinedinthe
coursecatalog)orforwhichacademiccreditisawarded.Theemploymentmustbeofferedby
sponsoringemployersthroughcooperativeagreementswiththeschool.”
Policy:ConsistentwiththeCodeofFederalRegulations,theUniversity,andtheCollegeofEngineering
andAppliedScienceGraduateOffice,theDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystems
willapproveCurricularPracticalTrainingforaEECSgraduatestudentforaperiodnolongerthanthree
contiguousmonthstoacquirequantitativeinformationrequiredforathesisordissertationwherethe
informationcannotbeacquiredattheUniversityofCincinnatiorothereasilyaccessiblelocations.
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Usually,thereasonaCPTisrequiredisbecauseaspecificequipmentitem,testbed,orhardware
simulationenvironmentisnecessarytoacquiredatanecessarytoaccomplishtheresearch.Inother
words,withouttheinformationacquiredduringtheCPT,itisimpossibletocompletetheresearch
leadingtoathesisordissertation.
NotethatthisviewimpliesthestudentisnotparticipatinginCPTforthepurposeoffinancialsupport,
gainingindustrialexperience,tryingoutforfuturefull-timeemployment,orperformingaservicefor
theCPTemployer(althoughtheemployerusuallyseesthestudentinthislight.)Astudentisnot
participatinginCPTtoacquiregeneralorspecificknowledgeinatechnicalarea.
ConstraintsandRequirements:
Constraints:CPTislimitedtothesis(MS)ordissertation(PhD)students.CPTislimitedtothree
consecutivemonths.Extensionsbeyondthreemonthsmayberequestedinwritingtothestudent's
researchadviser,andapprovedbytheadviser,EECSGraduateDirector,EECSDepartmentHead,and
CEASAssociateDeanforGraduateStudies.Extensionrequestsmustfullydocumentthereasonforthe
extensionincludingadetailedexplanationwhytheinitialCPTperiodcouldnotsatisfytheoriginal
approvedproposal.Notethatanextensionisforemergencyreasonsonlyandareexpectedtobea
rareoccurrence.NostudentcangoonCPTformorethan6months.
RequirementsduringtheCPT:Thestudentmustregisterforatleastoneresearchcreditpersemester
ofCPT.Thestudent’sthesis/dissertationadvisorortheEECSGraduateProgramDirectorcancancel
thetrainingatanytimeduetoinsufficientprogressinthesis/dissertationwork.
RequirementsfollowingtheCPT:ThestudentattendingCPTshallidentify(e.g.,specificreferencesto
thesis/dissertationtext,tables,figures,etc.)totheEECSGraduateProgramDirectorinwritingoremail
thespecificinformationgatheredfromtheCPTthatwasrequiredtocompletetheresearch
investigation.
ApplicationProcedure:
StudentsmustapplyforCPTaminimumoftwoweeksbeforetheCPTstartdateandfollowthebelow
steps:
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Obtainanemployerletterwiththeformatasshownbelow
IfyouarecompletingCPTforthePracticalExperiencerequirement,makesureyouhave
registeredforPracticalExperience
Readandunderstandinformationfoundat
http://www.uc.edu/international/services/students/employment/cpt.html
CompletetheiBearcatsGLOBALrequest
https://ibearcatsglobal.uc.edu/istart/controllers/start/start.cfm
CompletetheiEngineeringrequest:https://www.ceas3.uc.edu/iEngineering/
FormatandContentRequirementsfortheApplicationPackage:
1.EmployerLetter:
Asignedletteroncompanyletterheadfromtheemployerisrequiredintheapplication
package.Ataminimumthelettermustinclude:
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Concurrencewiththeproposedwork.
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AjobdescriptioncomposedofthetasksoutlinedintheproposalfortheCPTsite;the
lettermuststatethatthestudent’stasksareconsistentwith,andinsupportof,the
student’sthesis/dissertationresearch.
Astartdateandanenddatefortheappointmentthatmatchesthetimelineofthe
proposal.
Astatementindicatingthatthecompanywillcomplywiththefederalrequirementsfor
CPTbyfollowingtheagreedworkplan,anddeviationsfromthisplanwillnotbemade
withoutUCapproval.
Aclearstatementthatallinformationpertinenttothestudent'sthesis/dissertation
obtainedwhilethestudentisonCPTandobtainedusingcompanyresourcesshallbe
unconditionallyreleasedforuseandpublicationinpublishedresearchpapersandthe
thesisordissertation.
2.DetailedProposal(onlyneededifnotbeingdoneaspracticalexperience):
ThedetailedproposaldescribesthescopeandnatureoftheworkduringCPTthatappliestothe
student'sthesis/dissertation.TheproposalmustclearlyjustifytheessentialneedforCPTto
completethethesis/dissertation.Ataminimum,theproposalmusthavethefollowingsections:
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GoalsandObjectives:Thesemustbeclearlydefined.
LiteratureReview:Athoroughliteraturereviewjustifyingtheneedforthework.
ResearchAccomplished:AdetaildescriptionoftheprogressthathasbeenmadeatUC
towardfulfillingthethesis/dissertationobjectives.
ProposedWork:Adetaileddescriptionoftheproposedresearchworkwitha
descriptionoftaskstobeaccomplishedforeachprojectobjective.Thetasksmustbe
presentedasalistwithadetaileddescriptionforeachtaskandaprojectedtimeline.
EachtaskthatisplannedforcompletionattheCPTsitemustbeidentified,anda
justificationforeachmustaddresstwoquestions:1)Isthistaskessentialfor
completingthethesis/dissertation?and2)Whyisitnecessarytogototheproposed
CPTsitetocompletethetask?
Atimelineforeachtaskasdescribedaboveandanoveralltimelineforcompletingthe
degree.
6 Requirements for Master of Science (MS) Degree
6.1
Basic Requirements
Aminimumtotalof30semestercredithoursarerequired:21credithoursofgraduatecoursework,of
which6requiredcredithoursmustbe7000+levelorhigherand10creditsofthesisresearch,2credits
ofseminar,and1creditofPracticalExperience.(SeminarcreditsandPracticalExperiencecredit
cannotbecountedtowardsthe20coursecreditrequirementsorthe30totalcredithour
requirements.)Thesis/DissertationResearchmustbeperformedunderthesupervisionofafull-time
EECSfacultymember.InordertobeawardedthedegreeofMasterofScience,thestudentmusthave
atleastaBaverage(GPAof3.0)forallgraduatecredits.Inaddition,atleast2/3ofthegraduate
creditsoftheaboverequiredcourseworknecessaryforthedegreemustbeatalevelofBorhigher(B-
countsasbelowB).
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6.2 Program of Study and Courses
EachstudentadmittedintoaMSdegreeprogrammustsatisfytherequirementsofhis/herdegree
programtograduate.ThefollowingarerulesthatapplytoALLMSdegreesinEECS:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Coursestakenonanauditbasisdonotcounttowardsthedegree.NocreditsofDoctoral
DissertationProposalarecountedtowardsthedegree.
EverystudentmustregisterinSeminarforbothfallandspringsemesterduringthefirstyearof
study.Theseseminarcreditsarenotcountedtowardthedegreerequirements.
ThestudentmustprepareaProgramofStudyinconjunctionwithhis/heracademicadvisor
satisfyingthedegreerequirementsandalsocompletingthecoursesrequiredorrecommended
byhis/herDegreeTrack.RequiredandrecommendedcoursesineachDegreeTrackwillbe
determinedbythefacultycomprisingthatTrackandapprovedbytheGraduateCouncil.A
studentwhosubsequentlychangesdegreeprogramorDegreeTrackwillbeexpectedto
completethecoursesrequiredbythenewdegreeprogramandTrackasofthedatethechange
ismade.AnydeviationsfromthisproceduremustbeapprovedinwritingbytheGraduate
ProgramDirector,inconsultationwiththeGraduateCouncil.
Inindividualcasesastudentmaybeaskedtotakeadditionalgraduatelevelcoursesinorderto
makeupanydeficiencies.Theseremedialcoursescannotbecountedtowardstherequired
coursework.
Aminimumof2/3ofthecoursecredithourscompletedtosatisfythedegreecoursework
requirementmustbetakenfromcoursesofferedbytheEECSdepartment.Waiverofthis
requirementisallowedinrarecircumstanceswithpermissionofthestudent’sthesisadvisor
andtheEECSGraduateProgramDirector.
Amaximumof1/3ofthecoursecredithourscompletedtosatisfythedegreecoursework
requirementmaybeearnedoutsideoftheEECScoursesmaybecountedtowardsthe21course
creditrequirementsoftheMSdegree.Theseoutsidecoursesmustbeapprovedinwritingby
thefacultyadvisorandthegraduateprogramdirectorpriortocourseregistration.These
coursesmaynotincludeindependentstudy,research,andseminarcourses.Studentswhodo
notpossesstheequivalentofaB.S.degreeinComputerScience,ComputerEngineeringor
ElectricalEngineeringaregenerallyurgedtotakethemaximumamountoftheirgraduate
courseworkinEECS.
Aminimumof6creditsmustbecompletedat7000+level.7000+levelcourseworktaken
outsideofEECSmaybeusedtosatisfythisrequirement.
NomorethanhalfofthecreditstowardstheMSmaybeearnedatanotheruniversity,andin
nocasemaythefinalexperiencerequirement(thesis)besatisfiedbyworkdoneelsewhere.
6.3 Time Limit
Full-timeandpart-timestudentsmustcompleteallrequirementsfortheMSdegreenolaterthanfive
yearsfromthedateoffirstregistration.Ifyougobeyondthefive-yearlimityoumustrequestan
extension.Extensionformsavailableat:
http://www.grad.uc.edu/file_pdf/RevisedRandEGraduatePetition.pdf.
6.4 Formation of Thesis Committee
Afterastudenthaschosenhis/herpermanentresearchadvisorasdiscussedunderSection5.1,the
facultyadvisorguidesthestudentinselectionofathesiscommittee.TheMSthesiscommitteeis
18
composedofaminimumof3full-timefacultymemberswithprofessorialrank.Thestudent’s
permanentresearchadvisorwillbethechairpersonofthecommittee.Amajorityofthefacultythat
comprisetheMSthesiscommitteemustbetenuretrack,full-time,teachingfacultymembersofEECS
andcannotbeadjunct,research,instructor,orjointappointmentfacultywithamajorappointmentin
adepartmentotherthanEECS.
ThemajorresponsibilityofthethesiscommitteeistoevaluatetheMSthesiswrittenbythestudent
andtoapproveordisapprovethefinaldefenseoftheMSthesis.Otherresponsibilitiesinclude
assistingintheadvisingofthesisresearch,andhelpingtodevelopthestudent’sprogramofstudy,if
requestedbythethesisadvisorandthestudent.
6.5 Thesis Submission, Defense and Acceptance
Whentheresearchisessentiallycompletedtothesatisfactionofthepermanentresearchadvisor,the
studentwillprepareafinaldraftofthethesis.Guidanceforpreparationofthethesisdocumentcanbe
foundontheUniversityofCincinnatiGraduateSchoolwebsite(https://grad.uc.edu/studentlife/etd.html)includinglinksthataddressrequiredorderofpageswithinthethesisdocumentand
thesisformattingguidelines.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoinsurethattheirthesisdocument
conformstotheguidelinesimposedbythegraduateschooltoinsureuniformityinthesissubmittedto
theElectronicThesis/Dissertationsystem.
Thestudentshouldgivetheadvisorsufficienttimetoreviewthefinaldraftofthethesisbefore
schedulingthefinaldefense.Aftertheadvisorhasreviewedthethesis,recommendedchangeshave
beenmade,andthefinaltextandformofthedocumenthavebeenapproved,thestudentshould
preparethethesisinthefinalformandsubmitcopiestohis/herthesiscommitteeforevaluation.
Acopyofthethesisshouldbeinthehandsofeachmemberofthethesiscommitteeatleastoneweek
beforethefinaldefensesothatthecommitteemembershaveampletimeforacarefulreview.Failure
tomeetthisdeadlinemayresultinreschedulingofthethesisdefensedate.Allthemembersofthe
thesiscommitteeshouldbepresentatthefinaldefense.
StudentsmustsubmitaoneweekpublicnoticetotheCEASGraduateStudiesOffice,665BaldwinHall,
andalsomustposttheirpublicnoticeontheUCGraduateSchool’swebsiteatwww.grad.uc.edu.Both
noticesarerequirednolessthanoneweekpriortothethesisdefense.Ifnoticeisnotgiventhe
defenseisnotvalid.
Afinaldefenseofthethesisisrequiredofeverystudentafterhe/shehasfulfilledallother
requirementsoftheMSprogram.Thestudent,inconsultationwithhis/heradvisor,willschedulethe
thesisdefense,whichispresentedinanopenandannouncedmeeting.Thethesisadvisorwillinstruct
thestudentregardingspecificmaterialsthatmustbepresentedatthedefenseandwillpresideover
themeeting.
Thethesispresentationisimportantandshouldbewellprepared.Thestudentisallowed
approximately30minutesfortheoralpresentationandvisualaidsarerecommended.Followingthe
oralpresentation,thethesiscommittee,otherfaculty,students,andanyothersareallowedtoask
questions.Attheconclusionofthediscussionperiod,allthosepresentotherthanthefacultymembers
constitutingthecommitteewillbeexcused.Thecommitteemaythencontinuetoquestionthe
studentuntiltheyaresatisfiedthattheyhavesufficientinformationtovoteonpass/failofthethesis
defense.
19
Thestudent'sMSthesiscommitteewillmakeadecisionforthwithbyvotewhetherthestudent's
defensehasbeensuccessfulatthistime.Amajorityofthecommitteemustconcurinthefinal
decision.Ifthestudentdoesnotpassthethesisdefense,thenthethesiscommitteeinconsultation
withtheGraduateProgramDirectorwilldecideuponafuturecourseofaction.
Theremaybechangesandadditionsordeletionsrequiredinthethesisasaresultofthedefense.
Thesemustbemadebythestudentandapprovedbytheadvisor.Thefinalcorrectedversionmustbe
submittedinelectronicformbythedateestablishedbytheCEASGraduateSchool.
Whilethereisnolongeranexpectationtoproduceboundcopiesofthefinalthesisdocument.If
studentsand/orfacultychoosetohaveafinalcopyofthethesisbound,resourcesforthesisbinding
canbefoundonline.
6.6 Timeline for completion of the MS Degree
TheMSprogramofstudycantypicallybecompletedin2academicyears.Highlymotivatedstudents
maybeabletocompleteallrequiredMSdegreemilestonesinearlyintheirsecondyear.Studentswho
facesignificantresearchchallengesmaytakelongerthan2academicyears.Thetimelinebelowshows
thesignificantMSdegreemilestonesforthetypicalstudent.
MSDegreeMilestones:
PrepareProgramofStudywithsupportofTemporaryAdvisor
duringDepartmentOrientation(attendanceismandatory)
AttendProgramSeminarI
Chooseresearchfacultyadvisorbythemiddleofspringsemester.
ReviseProgramofStudyifneeded.
AttendProgramSeminarII
CompleteonesemesterofPracticalExperienceafterallcourse
requirementsarecompleted
ObtainfinalapprovalofProgramofStudybyGraduateDirectorby
theendof1styear
ExplorefeasibilityofMSThesisResearchproject
FulfillresearchrequirementsasdefinedbyThesisAdvisor
WriteThesisDocument
EstablishMSThesisCommittee(asperSection6.4)
ScheduleandsubmitpublicnoticeofFinalDefenseoneweekprior
andpostongraduateschoolwebsite
SuccessfullydefendMSThesisResearchproject
Twoyears
20
Publish1manuscriptinpeer-reviewedscientificjournalor
competitivearchivalconferenceproceedings.
6.7 Master of Science GE-ACE Program
InconcertwiththeGeneralElectric(GE)Corporation,EECShasestablishedaspecialMSprogram
entitledtheAdvancedCourseinEngineering(GE-ACE)Program.Thisprogramawardsadvanced
standingtoGEemployeesadmittedtothisprogramthathavesuccessfullycompletedwell-defined,inhouseprogramsofstudyatGEwhosecontenthasbeenapprovedbytheDepartment'sfaculty.The
studentisawardedadvancedstandingwiththenumberofcreditsasdefinedbelow.
Astudentcompletestheremainderofhis/herprogramofstudyfortheMSdegreebytakinggraduate
coursesfromEECSandotherCEASdepartments.Astudentwhoissubsequentlydroppedfromthis
programaftercompletingthein-house(GE)coursesmaynolongerreceiveadvancedstandingcreditin
thedepartmentfortheseGEin-housecourses,butmayremainenrolledintheMSdegreeprogram
providedtheymaintainanadequateGPAandmakeadequateprogresstowardsthedegree.
AdmissionofastudentbyGeneralElectrictothisprogramdoesnotimplyadmissiontoEECS.Each
studentmustapplyindividuallyanddirectly,followingnormalapplicationprocedures.Admissionis
consideredonacase-by-casebasis;theDepartmentretainstherighttorefuseadmissiontoany
studentwhomitconsidersunacceptable,eventhoughthestudentmayhavesuccessfullypassedthe
in-houseGEcoursesandbeingoodstandingwithGEintheACEprogram.Astudentwillbeinformed
inwritingoftheiradmissionstatus.
Attheoutsetofhis/herprogramofcourseworkeachstudentmustsubmitandfileaProgramofStudy
approvedbothbyGEandtheGraduateProgramDirector.Nospecificcoursesarerequired,butthe
student'sprogramofstudymustcontainaconcentrationofatleast18creditsofcourseworkinoneof
theResearchTracks.
Subsequentchangesinselectedcoursesmustbeapprovedinadvancebybothparties(GEandEECS);
unapprovedsubstitutionswillresultinunapprovedcoursesnotbeingappliedtowardsthedegree
requirements.Additionally,thestudentmustspecifyinwritinghis/herselectionofthethesisor
projectoption.Whentheprojectoptionisselected,thespecificprojecttobeundertakenmustbe
agreedtoinwritingbythestudent,GEandthefacultymemberservingastheprojectadvisor.Itisthe
student'sresponsibilitytosecuretheseapprovals.
TheprogramrequirementsfortheAdvanceCourseinEngineeringACEprogramarespecifiedbelow:
ProjectOption
6creditsAcoursesatGE
4creditsBcoursesatGE
+18creditscourseworkatUC;(minimumof6credithoursmustbe7000+) 28creditstotalcoursework
+ 2creditsproject(MSProject) 30creditsintotal
ThesisOption
6creditsAcoursesatGE
4creditsBcoursesatGE
+14creditscourseworkatUC;15creditsminimuminEECS 24creditstotalcoursework
+ 6creditsthesis(Thesis/DissertationResearch)
21
30creditsintotal
6.8 Masters of Science Northrop-Grumman Program
CollaborationwithCEASandNorthropGrumman(NG)allowsNGemployeestoobtainaMSdegreeon
aparttimebasis.OnlyemployeesfromNGcanparticipateinthisprogram.Theconcentrationis
generallyComputerScienceintheareaofcomputersecurity,butotherdegreeoptionsare
available.ApplicationsareacceptedtothisprograminFallsemesterannually.Springsemester
admissioncanbeopenedonarequestedbasis.Studentsgenerallytake2classeseachacademic
semester.
7 Requirements for a Master of Engineering (MEng) Degree
7.1
General Program Information
AMasterofEngineeringdegreefocusesonthepracticeofengineeringinordertobetterserveworking
professionals.Ratherthanculminateinaresearchexperienceandathesis,theMEngcurriculum
providesskillsandexpertisethatenhancetheindividual’sabilitytocontributetothetechnical
workforceintoday’scompetitiveenvironment.
Dependingonastudent'sinterest,thedegreecouldaddsignificantdepthtoanindividual's
understandingofthepracticeofengineeringortheprogramcouldbeconstructedtofocusongreater
inter-disciplinarybreadthifthatistheeducationalobjectiveofthestudent.TheMEngdegreealso
providesregisteredprofessionalengineersanacademically-basedprogramtoobtainthecontinuing
educationrequirementstomaintainlicensure.
StudentscanobtaintheMasterofEngineeringdegreeinthefollowingareas:
ElectricalEngineering
ComputerEngineering
ComputerScience
7.2 Application and Admission
ApplicationrequirementsarethesameastheMasterofSciencedegree(seeSection2).Individuals
mayrequestawaiverofsomeoftheadmissionsrequirements(e.g.,undergraduateGPAlessthan3.0,
orundergraduatedegreenotinengineeringiftheyprovidesufficientevidencetothegraduate
programdirectorthattheyhavehadsufficientexperiencetowarrantawaiver.Potentialapplicants
seekingawaiverofadmissionsrequirementsshoulddiscusstheiradmissionssituationpriorto
submittinganapplicationforadmission.
7.3 Advising
InadditiontotheEECSDepartmentadvisor(seeSection5),studentscanmeetwiththeCEASDirector
oftheMasterofEngineeringprogramsforinitialacademicplanningandcourserecommendations.
TheEECSadvisorinthestudent’schosenprogramofstudywillprovideguidanceonappropriate
coursestomeeteducationalobjectivesandthesequenceofcourses.SincethestructureoftheMEng
programismoreflexiblethanmostgraduateprograms,itisveryimportantthattheEECSadvisormeet
withthestudentandworkwiththestudenttoestablishtheprogramofstudyearlyinthefirst
semesterofstudy.
StudentsseekinganMEngdegreedonotcompleteathesis.Rather,thereisacapstoneprojectthatis
tobecompleted.Thestudentshouldmeetwiththeiradvisorand/orcapstonecourseinstructor
22
regardingtheprojecttoseekguidancecommensuratewiththeacademicrequirements.Itisnotthe
responsibilityoftheadvisortoidentifyaprojectforeachstudent.
ChangesorexceptionstoMEngrequirementsincludingcoursesubstitution,specialtopics,andcredit
hourdistributionbetweencoreandtrackareasmustbeapprovedbytheEECSGraduateProgram
Directorand/ortheCEASDirectorofMEngprograms.
TheEECSGraduateProgramDirectorortheCEASDirectorofMEngProgramsisrequiredtosignoffon
graduationcertificationsforMEngstudentsapprovingthattheyhavemettheMEngrequirementsfor
graduation.
7.4 Basic Requirements
Thedegreeisbasedonthesuccessfulcompletionofaminimumof30creditsofgraduate-levelcourse
work.Thecurriculumisstructuredtoprovideafoundationofadvancedengineeringtopicswhile
allowingstudentsflexibilitytomeettheirspecificeducationalobjectives.Thecurriculumincludes:
•
•
•
•
ProgramcorecoursestakenbyallMEngstudentsregardlessofthetracktheypursue(2courses
providing4-8credithours).Thecoreprovidesskillsintheeffectivepracticeofengineering
recognizingthatforexperiencedpractitioners,effectivenessincludestechnicalskills,project
andtaskmanagementskills,andinterpersonalskills.
Trackrequiredcoursesfromthedisciplineofinterest(3-5coursesproviding12-15credithours
dependinguponthetrack)
Electivecourseswhichpermitbreadth,depth,orinterdisciplinaryfocusdependingonstudent
educationalobjectives(numberofcoursecredithoursrequireddependsuponthetrack)
Capstoneprojectdemonstratingapplicationsofskillsandsynthesisofknowledge(0-4credit
hoursdependingontheoptionsdescribedbelow).Ifadditionalcredithoursaretakentheydo
notcounttowardsacourserequirement.Withtheiradvisor’sapproval,studentscanchoose:
1)tocompleteaproject,2)toperformaninternshipor3)toprepareawrittenpaperunderthe
supervisionoftheadvisor.Dependingontheareaofinterest,thecapstonecanbePass/Failor
foratraditionallettergrade.
7.5 Capstone Project
Thecapstoneprojectisfocusedontheapplicationofprinciplesandthepracticeofengineeringandis
notmeanttobeamini-thesis.Thecapstoneprojectsprovideamechanismtodemonstrateasynthesis
ofknowledgeandtheapplicationofadvancedconceptslearnedinclasstoaspecificproblem.
•
•
23
Project:Aprojectincludesawrittenreportandapresentation.Thereportwillbereadbythe
EECSadvisor.Iftheprojectisperformedinconjunctionwithworkduties,thereportand
presentationshouldalsobegiventothestudent’semployer.
Internship:Studentscanchoosetoperformaninternshipifthisfurtherstheirlearningand
careergoals.Theinternshipmustberelatedtothestudent’sdegreearea.Studentsselecting
thisoptionwillalsoprepareareportandgiveapresentationtotheiradvisorthatdescribes
knowledgegainedthroughtheworkexperienceandhowthisfurtheredtheircareergoals.
Internshipswillbeapprovedfor3monthsandcanbeextendedforanadditional3monthswith
theapprovaloftheadvisor.InternationalstudentscanbeapprovedforCPTtoparticipateinan
internship.Additionaldocumentationisneededfortheextensionifrequested.CPTcannotbe
doneuntiltwosemestersofstudyarecompleted.CPTcanonlybedonepriortoorupuntila
graduationdate.CPTwillbeterminatedupongraduation.
Paper:Awrittenpapercanbecompletedunderthesupervisionoftheiradvisor.Thepaperwill
addressatopicrelatedtothediscipline(track)andrequiretheintegrationofmultipletopics
withinthatdiscipline.
•
StudentsshouldregisterfortheirCapstoneProjectinthespringtermandcancompletetheprojectin
thesummerorfalltermifneeded.Ifthecapstoneprojectisnotcompletedinthespringtermthe
studentwillreceivean“NG”(nograde)gradeuntilitiscomplete.Uponcompletionthe“NG”willbe
changedbytheadvisortoalettergrade.
7.6 Full Time MEng Schedule
ThetablebelowprovidesasamplescheduleforMEngStudents
FallSemester
CoreCourses
CoreCourse#1
TrackRequiredCourses1
ElectiveCourses2
1
CapstoneProject
CreditHours
TrackCourse#1
TrackCourse#2
ElectCourse#1
ElectCourse#2
15
SpringSemester
CoreCourse#2
TrackCourse#3
TrackCourse#4
ElectCourse#3
CapstoneProject
15
Disciplinespecificcourse
Atthediscretionoftheprogram,studentandtheadvisor
2
TheMEngprogramofstudycantypicallybecompletedin1academicyear.Full-timeandpart-time
StudentsmustcompleteallrequirementsfortheMEngdegreenolaterthanfiveyearsfromthedateof
firstregistration.
7.7 Transfer From MEng to MS or PhD
StudentswillbeallowedtotransferfromMEngstatustoMSorPhDstatusonlyafteronefullacademic
yearofresidencyasanMEngstudentandwiththeproperwrittenapprovalasfollows:
•
•
•
Awrittenapplicationindicatingtheproposedobjectivesofthetransfer
Signaturefromafacultymemberwhowillserveasgraduatethesisadvisor
SignatureofthedepartmentsGraduateProgramDirector
7.8 Graduation Requirements
Studentsmustcompletealltheacademicrequirementsoftheprogramtograduateincluding;
•
•
•
Minimumof30credithourswithnogradesbelowaC
Capstoneproject
Minimumof3.0GPA
Inaddition,studentsmustcompletethefollowingforms,havethemsigned,andreturnedtotheCEAS
GraduateOffice(665Baldwin):
•
24
Finalprogramofstudyform
•
CapstoneCompletionform
Studentsmustapplyonlineforgraduationhttp://grad.uc.edu/student-life/graduation.htmlandpay
thegraduationfeeevenifastudentdoesnotintendtoattendgraduationceremonies.
7.9 MEng Miscellaneous
StudentsmustberegisteredeveryacademicyearuntiltheygraduateorgoonapprovedOPT.
8 ACCEND Program for EECS Undergraduates
TheAcceleratedEngineeringDegree,ACCEND,isaprogramofferedbytheCollegeofEngineeringand
AppliedSciencesforundergraduateswithGPAgreaterthe3.2.TheACCENDprogramallowsstudents
toearntheirundergraduateandmaster’sdegreesinashortenedtimeframewhilestillenjoyingthe
benefitsofUC’stopfivenationallyrankedcooperativeeducationprogram.Aftertheirfirstyearinan
engineeringortechnologydegreeprogram,qualifiedstudentsareabletoapplyforadmissiontothe
ACCENDprogram.StudentsenrolledinACCENDareabletoearntheirundergraduateandmaster’s
degreesinpartfromclassestakenduringtheirco-opplacement.
Studentsintheprogramfulfillpartoftherequirementforadditionalclassesbytakingcoursesduring
theirco-operativeworkassignments.Thesearegenerallydonethroughdistancelearningorinthe
eveningsandusuallyamounttoaboutathirdoftheaddedcourses.Theremainingcoursesaretaken
inlieuofadvanceplacementcredits(generallyearnedduringhighschool)andbysacrificingoneco-op
assignmentinfavorofafullclassload.
DegreecombinationsavailablewithintheEECSACCENDprograminclude:.
•
•
•
•
EEundergraduatetoEE/CompE/CSMSorMEng
CompEundergraduatetoEE/CompE/CSMSorMEng
CSundergraduatetoCompE/CSMSorMEng
EE/CompE/CSundergraduatetoMBA
MS-TheACCENDprogramsthatofferanundergraduatedegreeinengineeringalongwiththeMaster
ofScienceinanengineeringdisciplinewillappealtostudentswhoareinterestedinresearchand
greaterdepthinaparticularengineeringfield.ThesestudentsoftengoontoPhDprogramsorworkin
fieldsthatrequiremorespecializedknowledge.TheMSACCENDtrackculminatesinaresearch
experienceandthesis.
MEng-TheACCENDprogramsthatofferanundergraduatedegreeinengineeringalongwiththe
MasterofEngineeringwillappealtostudentswhoareinterestedingreaterbreadthinengineeringand
wanttofocusonthepracticeofengineering.Thesestudentsoftenareseekingpragmaticskillsand
knowledgethatwillallowthemtoimprovethecontributiontheymaketoatechnical
organization.TheMEngprovidesatraditionalcourseworkbasedmaster’sanddoesnotincludea
thesiscomponent.
MBA-TheACCENDprogramsthatofferanundergraduatedegreeinengineeringalongwiththeMaster
ofBusinessAdministrationwillappealtostudentswhowanttounderstandboththetechnicalsideof
anorganizationandthebusinessaspectsoftheorganization.Studentsseekthisprogrambecauseit
increasestheirvaluetoanorganizationandpreparesthemtotakeonamanagementroleearlierin
theircareers.
25
FormoreinformationontheACCENDProgramincludinglinkstotheprogramapplicationandthe
ACCENDGraduateHandbookseetheACCENDprogramwebpageontheCEASgraduatestudieswebsite
(http://ceas.uc.edu/programs_degrees/accelerated_engineeringdegreeaccend.html).
9 Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree
9.1
Basic Requirements
TheDoctorofPhilosophyDegreeisconferredonthebasisofextendedstudyandhighscholarly
attainmentinaspecificfieldofstudy.ForthePhDdegree,aminimumof60graduatesemestercredits
beyondtheMSdegree(90semestercreditsbeyondtheB.S.degree)including30creditsfordoctoral
dissertationresearchunderthesupervisionofafull-timefacultymemberoftheDepartmentof
ElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystems,2creditsofseminar,and1creditofPracticalExperience
isrequired.
AllthefollowingrulesapplytothestudentsinthePhDdegreeprograms:
•
•
•
•
•
Thelast30creditsmustbecompletedunderthedirectionofUCfacultyattheUniversityof
Cincinnati.
Atleast9credithoursofclassroomcourseworkat7000orhigherlevelmustbecompletedfrom
thecoursecategoriesmarkedasPrimarytothestudent’sdegreeprogram.
Nomorethan6creditsofDoctoralDissertationProposal,maybecountedtowardsfulfillingthe
90creditsofPhDdegreerequirement.These6creditsmayonlybeappliedtoresearchrelated
tothepreparationofthedissertationproposalandnottowardstherequirementsforclassroom
courseworkcredits.
InordertobeawardedthedegreeofDoctorofPhilosophy,thestudentmusthaveatleastaB
average(GPAof3.0)forallgraduatecredits.Inaddition,atleast2/3ofthegraduatecreditsof
theaboverequiredcourseworknecessaryforthedegreemustbeatalevelofBorhigher(B-
countsasbelowB).
AllPhDstudentshavetosuccessfullydefendadissertationproposalinordertobeadmitted
intoPhDcandidacy.Thedissertationproposalcanbedonenoearlierthanconcurrentwiththe
student’slastcourseandmustbecompletedwithin1yearofcompletionofcoursework.
Thedoctoralprogramisnormallyafull-timeprogramthroughoutallofthecourseworkandthe
dissertation.AminimumofthreeyearsoffulltimestudyisrequiredbytheUniversityandthe
Departmentdoesnotencouragepart-timestudiesinthePhDprogram
9.2 Direct Route to the PhD
Studentsenteringthegraduateprogramwithabachelor'sdegree(inaccordancewiththeadmission
requirementsofSection2)andwishingtoproceeddirectlyintothedoctoralprogramwithout
obtainingtheMSdegreemaydosobysatisfyingallthreeofthefollowingrequirements:
•
•
26
Successfulcompletionofthenormal21semestercreditsofcourseworkrequiredfortheMS
degreeasdescribedinSection6.ThestudentisnotrequiredtodotheMSthesisresearch.
SuccessfulcompletionofthebasicrequirementsasdescribedinSection9.1andmakingsure
thatatotalof90graduatecreditsarecompleted.
Studentscommittedtothedirectrouteprogram,whosubsequentlydecidetoterminatetheirprogram
beforecompletingthePhD,mayonlyreceivetheMSbysatisfyingthenormalMSdegreerequirements
ofSection6.
9.3 Program of Study
InordertoobtainaPhDfromtheDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystems,a
studentmustcompletecoursesfortheDegreeProgram(ElectricalEngineeringorComputerScience&
Engineering)andthecourserequirementsfortheDegreeTrackinwhichthestudentisworking.
AdditionalcoursestomakeupthetotalrequiredforthePhDshouldbechoseninconsultationwiththe
student’sadvisor.BecauseoftheneedtocompletetheDegreeProgramandDegreeTrackrequired
courses,eachstudentneedstoplanhis/herprogramofstudycarefully.Theserequirementswillnot
bewaivedbecauseofbadplanningonthepartofthestudent.
ThelistofrequiredcoursesfortheDegreeProgramandDegreeTrackchosenbythestudentwillbe
providedtoeachincomingstudentatthetimehe/shefirstregistersintheprogram.Astudentwho
subsequentlychangesDegreeProgramsand/orDegreeTrackwillbeexpectedtocompletethecourses
requiredbythenewDegreeProgramand/orDegreeTrackasofthedatethechangeismade.The
GraduateProgramDirector,inconsultationwiththeGraduateCouncil,mustapproveanydeviations
fromthisprocedureinwriting.
Itistheresponsibilityofboththestudentandhis/heradvisortoformulateaprogramofstudytomeet
theobjectivesandneedsofthestudent.AProgramofStudyFormshouldbecompletedbythestudent
andapprovedbythefacultyadvisorandtheGraduateProgramDirectorassoonashe/sheentersthe
doctoralprogram.Thestudent'sprogramofstudyshouldcontainbothbreadthofknowledgeand
depthofspecialization.Thefinalauthorityforastudent'sprogramofstudyisvestedinthestudent's
facultyadvisorandtheGraduateProgramDirector,buttheprogramofstudymustincludethe
appropriaterequirementsfortheDegreeProgramandResearchAreainwhichthestudentisworking.
Revisionsofastudent'sprogramofstudyaretobeexpectedbutmustbeapprovedbythefaculty
advisorandtheGraduateProgramDirector.
IfastudentdoesnothaveaBSorMSinComputerEngineering,ComputerScience,orElectrical
Engineering,thefacultyadvisormayrequireprerequisitesforcourseworkorsomeundergraduate
courseworkinadditiontotheminimumgraduatecreditsrequiredforthePhDdegree.Aprogramof
studycanalsobeinterdisciplinaryrequiringcourseworkfrommultipleschools.However,insuch
casesthestudent’sfacultyadvisorshouldconsultthestudent'sdissertationcommitteeduringthe
developmentofhis/herprogramofstudy.
Full-timestudentsmustberegisteredforaminimumof15graduatecreditseachsemesterexcluding
thesummer.Coursestakenonanauditbasisareexcludedfromthesenumbersanddonotcount
towardsthedegree.Thestudentmustincludeinhis/herregistrationtheappropriatedepartment
seminarinthefallandspringsemestersoftheirfirstyear;however,thesecreditsarenotcounted
towardsthedegree.
9.4 Formation of the Dissertation Committee
Afterastudenthasselectedhis/herdissertationadvisor(permanentresearchadvisor)asdiscussedin
Section5.1,thefacultyadvisorguidesthestudentinselectionofaPhDDissertationcommittee.The
PhDcommitteeiscomposedofatleast5full-timefacultymembersofwhomaminimumofonemust
27
befromoutsidetheEECSDepartment(externalmember.)Thecommitteemustatleast3members
fromtheEECSDepartment.Thedissertationadvisorwillbethechairpersonofthecommittee.Ifthe
chairpersonisnotamemberoftheGraduateFaculty,atleasttwoothermembersofthecommittee
mustbemembersoftheGraduateFaculty.TheDissertationcommitteeiscomposedofaminimumof
5full-timefacultymemberswithprofessorialrank.Thestudent’spermanentresearchadvisorwillbe
thechairpersonofthecommittee.AmajorityofthefacultythatcomprisethePhDdissertation
committeemustbetenuretrack,full-time,teachingfacultymembersofEECSandcannotbeadjunct,
research,instructor,orjointappointmentfacultywithamajorappointmentinadepartmentother
thanEECS.Atleast1memberofthecommitteemustbeaUniversityofCincinnatifacultymember
whodoesnothaveeitheraprimaryorsecondaryappointmentinEECS.Finally,thecommitteemay
includeonememberwhoiseitheronthefacultyatanotherinstitutionorwhohasdistinguished
credentialsthatjustifytheirinclusionsasamemberofthedissertationcommittee
Theresponsibilitiesofthecommitteeincludethefollowing:
•
•
•
•
Assistthestudentindevelopinghis/herprogramofstudy,ifrequestedbythestudent's
dissertationadvisor.
Evaluatethestudent'sdissertationresearchproposal,itspresentationandthestudent's
defense,andtheoverallperformanceintheoralexaminationforadmissiontodoctoral
candidacy.
Adviseandassistthestudentindissertationresearchifrequestedbythestudentorbythe
facultyadvisor.
EvaluatethePhDdissertationwrittenbythestudentandapproveordisapprovethefinal
defenseofthedissertation.
9.5 Dissertation Proposal and Oral Examination
DuringtheirfirstyearinthePhDprogram,thestudentshouldseekoutandsecureafacultyadvisor
whoiswillingtodirecthis/herdissertationresearch.Subsequently,onornearthecompletionofthe
doctoralcourserequirements,thestudentmustprepare,inconsultationwithhis/herfacultyadvisor,a
detailedandwell-writtenproposalofthedoctoraldissertationresearchtobeundertaken.Aproposal
templateandformatguidelinesareavailableinthecurrentgraduatestudentssectionoftheEECS
website.Thedissertationproposalmustthenbepresentedinanoralpresentation(approximately50
minutes)beforethedissertationcommitteeanddefendedtothecommittee'ssatisfaction.Ingeneral,
theoralexaminationwillberestrictedtomatterspertainingtothedissertationproposalandits
presentation.Thewrittenproposalmustbesubmittedtotheadvisorandallmembersofthe
dissertationcommitteeforreviewandevaluationinadvanceofthepresentation.Aftertheadvisor's
approval,thecopiesofthewrittenproposalmustbegiventoallthemembersofthedissertation
committeeatleastoneweekbeforetheoralpresentation.
Dissertationproposalwritingandpresentationcanbeavaluablelearningexperienceinwhichthe
studenthasanopportunitytodevelophis/herabilitytosearchtheliterature,evaluateandplanhis/her
dissertationresearch,anddefendhis/herproposedresearchandideaswithanoralpresentationtothe
dissertationcommittee.Thisisalsoanexcellentwaytoestablishcommunicationamongthestudent,
his/herfacultyadvisor,andthedissertationcommittee.
Thestudentmayregisterforamaximumof6creditsofDoctoralDissertationProposal,whichmaybe
countedtowardsthedoctoralcourseworkrequirementstoreceiveacademiccreditfortheproposal.
28
Thedissertationproposalpresentationandtheoralexaminationaretobeinanannouncedmeeting
opentothedissertationcommittee,aswellasDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputing
Systemsandotherinvitedfaculty,witharrangementsmadebythefacultyadvisor.Followingtheoral
presentation,thedissertationcommitteeandanyotherfacultypresentareallowedtoaskquestions.
Afterthequestionanddiscussionperiodisconcluded,allthosepresentotherthanthefaculty
membersconstitutingthecommitteewillbeexcusedandthecommitteemaycontinuequestioningthe
studentinaclosed-doorsessionuntiltheyfeeltheyhavesufficientinformationtodeterminean
outcome.Afterthestudentisaskedtheleavetheroom,avotewillbetakentodeterminewhetherthe
studenthaspassedthepresentationandoralexam.Themajoritydecisionofthedissertation
committeewilldeterminewhetherthestudenthaspassedthepresentationandoralexam.Atthis
point,providedthestudenthascompletedallthecoursework,andcompletedanyspecial
requirementsimposedbytheadvisorycommittee,thestudentwillbeformallyacceptedintodoctoral
candidacy.
9.6 Admission to Doctoral Candidacy
Alldoctoralstudentsmustmeetthefollowingrequirementsforadmissiontodoctoralcandidacy:
•
•
•
•
Successfulcompletionofalldoctoralcourseworkwithagradepointaverageofatleast3.00.
Selectionofadissertationadvisorandsuccessfulformationofadissertationcommittee.
Successfulcompletionofthedissertationproposalandpassingoftheoralexamination.
CompletionofanyspecialrequirementsofthePhDdissertationcommittee.
Acceptanceintocandidacywillbeformallyindicatedandthestudentwillbesonotifiedbyletterfrom
theUniversityDeanofGraduateStudies.
9.7
Time Limits and Residency
Thedoctoraldegreerequires,ataminimum,theequivalentofthreeyearsoffulltimegraduatestudy.
TheresidencyrequirementisstatedintheUniversityGraduateHandbook.Allfull-timestudentsmeet
theresidencyrequirement.BecauseofthisrequirementtheDepartmentdoesnotencourageparttimestudiesinthePhDprogram.
AllrequirementsforthePhDmustbecompletedwithinnine(9)yearsofinitialenrollment.Astudent's
candidacywillautomaticallyterminateifhe/shefailstoregisterappropriatelyduringanacademicyear.
TheDepartmentrequiresthataminimum7monthsmustelapsebetweenadmissiontodoctoral
candidacyandthereceiptofthePhDdegree
9.8 Dissertation Submission, Final Defense, and Acceptance
Dissertationresearchistobedoneinresidence.Theresearchmustbecompleted,thedissertation
written,andthedissertationsuccessfullydefendedbeforethePhDisconferred.Theprimary
requirementofadissertationisthatitshowsevidenceofhighscholarlyattainmentthroughoriginal
andindependentresearchwork.Theacceptabilityofadissertationdependsuponitsqualityrather
thanthetimeandcredithoursspentontheresearchwork.
Whenthedissertationresearchiscompletedtothesatisfactionofthefacultyadvisor(dissertation
advisor),thestudentwillprepareafinaldraftofthePhDdissertation.Thisdraftshouldbesubmitted
tothedissertationadvisorforcriticalreviewandevaluationbeforeschedulingthefinaldefenseofthe
dissertation.Thestudentshouldgivetheadvisorsufficienttimetoreviewthedraftofthedissertation
29
Aftertheadvisorhasgoneoverthedraftandhasapprovedthedocument,thestudentwillpreparethe
dissertationinthefinalformandwillsubmitacopyofthecompleteddissertationtoeachdissertation
committeememberforcriticalevaluationatleast1weeksbeforethefinaldefense.Information
concerningtherequireddissertationformat,reproduction,andotherregulationsforpreparinga
dissertationisavailablefromtheUniversityofCincinnatiGraduateSchool
(https://grad.uc.edu/student-life/etd.html).
Afinaldefenseofthedissertation(finaloralexamination)isrequiredofeverydoctoralcandidateafter
he/shehasfulfilledalloftheotherrequirementsofthedoctoralprogram.Thisexaminationis
administeredbyeachstudent'sdissertationcommitteeandisrestrictedtothecontentofthe
dissertationandcloselyrelatedsubjectmatter.Thedissertationadvisor(whoisalsothechairpersonof
thecommittee)willschedulethefinaldissertationdefenseinconsultationwiththeothercommittee
members.Allthemembersofthedissertationcommitteeshouldbepresentatthefinaldefenseofthe
dissertation.
Studentsmustsubmita2weekpublicnoticetotheCEASGraduateStudiesOffice,665BaldwinHall
andalsomustposttheirpublicnoticeontheUCGraduateSchoolswebsiteatwww.grad.uc.edu.Both
noticesarerequirednolessthantwoweekpriortothedissertationdefense.Ifnoticeisnotgiventhe
defenseisnotvalid.
Thedissertationdefenseincludesapproximately45minutesoforalpresentationofthedissertation
researchbythestudent,followedbyquestionsandcommentsfrommembersofthedissertation
committee.Thedissertationpresentationisimportantandshouldbewellpreparedinconsultation
withthefacultyadvisor.Visualaidsarehighlyrecommended.
Afterthecommitteehascompleteditsquestioning,attendingfaculty,studentsandothersareallowed
toposequestions.Attheconclusionofthequestionanddiscussionperiod,allthosepresentother
thanthedissertationcommitteememberswillbeexcused.Thecommitteemaythenchooseto
continuequestioningofthestudentuntiltheyaresatisfiedthattheyhavesufficientinformationto
makeadecisionregardingthedefenseoutcome.AfterthePhDcandidateisexcusedfromtheroom,
thedissertationcommitteewillmakeadecisionforthwithbyvoteregardingtheacceptabilityofthe
dissertationanditsdefense,andreporttothecandidate.Atleasta3/4majorityofthecommittee
mustconcurinthefinaldecision.
Ifthestudentdoesnotpassthefinaldefenseofthedissertation,thenthecommittee,inconsultation
withtheGraduateProgramDirector,willdecideuponafuturecourseofaction.Ifthestudentpasses,
thecommitteewillcompleteandsignthedissertationapprovalpageandotherEECSformsand
forwardthemtotheGraduateProgramDirector.
Theremaybemajororminorchangesandadditionsordeletionsrequiredinthedissertationbythe
committee.Thesemustbemadebythestudentandapprovedbythedissertationadvisorbeforethe
studentcanbecertified.Thefinalcorrectedversionmustbesubmittedinelectronicformbythedate
dissertationsaredue.
Whilethereisnolongeranexpectationtoproduceboundcopiesofthefinaldissertationdocument.If
studentsand/orfacultychoosetohaveafinalcopyofthedissertationbound,resourcesfor
dissertationbindingcanbefoundonline.Itisalsogenerallyexpectedthatthedoctoralcandidate
writesupthedissertationresearchasapaper,forpublicationinarefereedjournalorforpresentation
ataconferenceforwhichpapersreceiveacomparablereview.
30
9.9 Timeline for completion of the PhD Degree
TheDirectRoutePhDprogramcanbecompletedin4academicyears.ThePhDprogrambeyondthe
MSdegreecantypicallybecompletedin3academicyears.Highlymotivatedstudentsmaybeableto
completeallrequiredPhDdegreemilestonesinlesstimethanthetypicalcompletiontimeline.
Studentswhofacesignificantresearchchallengesmaytakelongerthantypicalcompletiontimeline.
ThetimelinebelowshowsthesignificantPhDdegreemilestonesforthetypicalstudent.
PhDDegreeMilestones:
PrepareProgramofStudywithsupportofTemporaryAdvisor
duringDepartmentOrientation(attendanceismandatory)
AttendProgramSeminarI
Chooseresearchfacultyadvisorbythemiddleofspringsemester.
ReviseProgramofStudyifneeded.
AttendProgramSeminarII
CompleteonesemesterofPracticalExperienceafterallcourse
requirementsarecompleted
ExplorefeasibilityofPhDDissertationResearchproject
ObtainfinalapprovalofProgramofStudybyGraduateDirectorby
theendof1styear
FinalizefeasibilitystudiesofPhDDissertationResearchproject
Completedegreecoursework
WriteDissertationProposalbasedonEECSProposalGuidelines
EstablishPhDDissertationCommittee(atleast5faculty--majority
fromEECSFacultyplus1-2outsideexperts)
Schedule/PassPhDProposaldefenseandoralexam
AdvancetoPhDcandidacybyoneyearaftercompletionof
courseworkrequirements
FulfillresearchrequirementsasdefinedbyDissertationProposal
Publish≥1manuscriptas1stauthorinpeer-reviewedscientific
journal
Presentresearchresultsat≥1technicalmeeting.
WriteDissertationDocument
ScheduleandsubmitpublicnoticeofFinalDefensetwoweeks
priorandpostongraduateschoolwebsite
SuccessfullydefendPhDDissertationResearchproject
3-5years(dependingonDirectRouteorPostMSPathway)
31
10 EECS MS Thesis and PhD Dissertation Awards
Topromoteresearchexcellenceandinspiregraduatestudents,theDepartmentofElectrical
EngineeringandComputingSystemshasestablishedthefollowingawards:
•
•
•
•
EECSOutstandingMSThesisAward
EECSOutstandingPhDDissertationAward
EECSGraduateServiceAward
EECSOutstandingGraduateAssistantAward
Inaddition,uptothreerunners-upineachcategory(MSThesisorPhDDissertation),dependingupon
therecommendationoftheawardcommittee,willreceivea"CertificateofMerit."Theseawardswill
bepresentedattheEECSAnnualHonorsandAwardsBanquet.Theeligibilityrequirementsandthe
proceduresforeachawardareasfollows:
•
•
Inordertobeeligiblefortheaward,thestudentmusthavecompletedallrequirementsforthe
MSorPhDdegree,andpassedtheMSThesis/PhDdissertationoraldefenseexaminationduring
thecalendaryearendingwiththespringsemesterduringwhichtheawardsceremonyisheld.
AcommitteeappointedbytheGraduateProgramDirectorwillreviewallnominationsand
selectonestudentineachcategoryforeachaward.Uptothreerunners-upineachcategory,as
recommendedbythecommittee,willreceivea"CertificateofMerit."
Anymemberofthefacultycanmakeanominationfortheseawardsbysubmittinganominationletter
thatincludes:
•
•
•
•
Nameofthestudentbeingnominated
Awardforwhichthestudentisbeingnominated
Thesis/DissertationTitleandabstract(ifawardnominationisforOutstanding
Thesis/Dissertation)
Briefjustificationforthenomination
Theawardrecipientsareselectedbasedontheoverallqualityandthedemonstratedimpactofthe
contributionsmadebythestudentandhis/herwork
11 Continuation and Dismissal
11.1 Completion of Thesis/Dissertation Research
Itisexpectedthattheresearchdoneforeitherdegree(MS/PhD)andtheresultingthesisor
dissertationwillbecompletedwhilethestudentisstillinfull-timeresidence,andthisisespeciallyto
beexpectedofthosestudentswhohavereceivedfinancialaid.Departurebeforefinalacceptanceof
thethesisordissertationgenerallyresultsinlongdelaysbeforecompletion,insomecasessolongthat
theworkhasbeensupersededbytheworkofothersandmaynolongerbeacceptabletomeetthe
requirements.Foreignstudentsmust,ofcourse,maintainfull-timestatusandremaininresidence
untilallrequirementsforthedegreearemet.
Inthoseinstanceswhereunusualcircumstancesexistandthestudentwishestocompletehis/her
degreewhilenolongerinresidence,thestudentmustprovideadequatejustificationandsecurein
advanceboththeadvisor'sandtheGraduateProgramDirector’sconcurrenceinwriting.Thestudent
32
andtheadvisormustalsoagreeonatimetabletocompletethedegree.Failuretodosocanresultin
theadvisor’sresignationand/orthestudentbeingconsideredaswithdrawnfromtheprogram.
11.2 Continuation
AstudentmaycontinueintheDepartmentaslongasreasonableprogressisbeingmadetowardthe
degree.Fromanacademicviewpoint,thismeansthatthestudent'srecordingraduatecoursework,
exclusiveofthesis/dissertationresearchandseminars,continuestoexhibitanaverageofBorbetter
withanappropriatedistributionofA,B,andCgrades,thatIgradesappearonlyinfrequentlyandfor
goodcause,andthatsuchgradesareconvertedintoacceptablegradeswithinoneyear,andpreferably
withinthenextsemester.Forstudentsinthethesis/dissertationresearchphaseoftheirwork,
reasonableprogressmeansthattheymaintainanaverageofBinthethesis/dissertationresearch.
Ifreasonableprogressisnotbeingmade,theGraduateProgramDirectorwillinformthestudentin
writingthathis/herprogressininadequate.Further,theGraduateProgramDirectorwillincludeinthe
writtencommunicationstepsthatmustbeundertakentoreturnstatusasastudentingoodstandingin
theirprogram.
11.3 Dismissal
DismissalofthestudentfromthegraduateprogramoftheDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringand
ComputingSystemswilloccurifhe/shefailstomaintainaBaverageortheproperdistributionof
grades.AfteronesemesterofperformancebelowBaverageorwhenitbecomesobviousthata
satisfactorydistributionofgradesisnotbeingachieved,astudentwillbewarnedbyaletterfromthe
GraduateProgramDirectorthathis/herperformanceisbelowstandardand,ifcontinued,willresultin
dismissal.Ifsubstantialimprovementdoesnotoccurinthenextsemester,thestudentmaybe
dismissedfromthegraduateprogrambyamajorityvoteofthefull-timefacultyofEECS.
Itisexpectedthatthestudentwillconducthis/herrelationshipswithfacultyandotherstudentsina
professionalmanner.Ifitisdeterminedthatastudenthasbeendishonestincompletionof
coursework,writingofanexam,writingofaresearchpaperoranyotherassessableworkproduct,
he/shewillreceiveagradeofFforthecourseforthatsemester.TheGraduateProgramDirectorwill
beinformedandaletterofwarningwillbeissuedtothestudentwithacopyplacedinthestudent's
Schoolrecord.Asecondinfractionmayresultinthestudent'simmediatedismissalfromthegraduate
programbyamajorityvoteofthefull-timeEECSfaculty.Astudentwhowillinglyaidsanotherstudent
inacademicdishonestywillreceivetheidenticalpenalty.
PersistentnonprofessionalactivitiesoractivitiesdetrimentaltotheDepartment'sreputationmay
resultinthestudent'simmediatedismissalfromthegraduateprogrambyamajorityvoteofthefulltimeEECSfaculty.
12 Special Rules
12.1 Nondiscriminatory Policy
TheDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystemsaffirmsUniversitypolicythat
discriminationonthebasisofrace,color,religion,nationalorigin,sex,sexualorientation,disabilities,
oragewillnotbepracticedortoleratedinitsactivities.Complaintsinvolvingdiscriminationshouldbe
directedtotheEECSGraduateProgramDirectorand/ortheEECSDepartmentChair.
33
12.2 Right to Review Records
Students,onceenrolled,havetherighttoreviewtheireducationalrecords,exceptforthoseexcluded
bylaw,suchasthosemaintainedbyaphysicianorpsychiatristoraparent’sfinancialstatement.
RecordsaremaintainedinsuchofficesasUCStudentRecords,CollegeofEngineeringandApplied
ScienceDean’sOffice,theOfficeoftheVicePresidentforResearchandUniversityDeanforAdvanced
Studies,StudentFinancialAid,CareerDevelopmentandPlacement,andEducationalAdvising,andthe
DepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystemsOffice.Toreviewrecordsandany
appropriateexplanation,thestudentshouldaddresstheproperoffice.InEECS,studentsmustsubmit
arequesttotheGraduateProgramDirector.Ifthestudentfeelsthereareinaccuracies,he/shemay
placealetterofexplanationinthefile.
12.3 Academic Honesty
Academicdishonestyinanyformisaseriousoffenseandcannotbetoleratedinanacademic
community.Dishonestyinanyform,includingcheating,plagiarism,deceptionofeffort,or
unauthorizedassistance,mayresultinafailinggradeinacourseand/orsuspensionordismissalfrom
theDivisionofResearchandAdvancedStudies(UniversityStatement).TheUniversity'sSTUDENT
CODEOFCONDUCTcoversallaspectsofstudentacademicdishonestyandmisconductandspecifies
possiblesanctionsorpenalties.Disciplinaryproceduresaredetailed,asareproceduresfortheappeal
ofdecisions
12.4 Grievance Procedures
InthoseinstanceswhereastudentobjectstoactionstakenbytheDepartmentofElectrical
EngineeringandComputingSystemsoranyofitsfaculty,he/sheisadvisedtodiscussthoseobjections
withthefacultymember(s)involved,theGraduateProgramDirector,and/ortheDepartmentChair.
Whereamutuallyacceptablesolutionisnotpossible,proceduresfortheredressofgrievancesare
detailedintheUCGraduateStudentGrievanceProceduresmanual(http://grad.uc.edu/studentlife/policies/grievances.html).Eachstudentwillreceiveacopyoftheseproceduresatthetimehe/she
firstregistersasagraduatestudentinEECS.AdditionalcopiesareavailablefromtheUniversityof
CincinnatiGraduateSchool.TheDepartmentofElectricalEngineeringandComputingSystemsaffirms
itsadherencetotheseprocedures.
12.5 Change of Degree Requirements
AnystudentinanEECSgraduatedegreeprogrammust,ataminimum,meetallrequirementsforthe
appropriatedegreethatwereineffectwhenthestudentfirstregisteredfortheprogram.
13 Application for Graduation
Studentsmaygraduateattheendofanysemesterincludingthesummersemesterprovidedtheymeet
thenecessarydegreerequirementsandallDepartmentandUniversitydeadlines.Astudentneednot
beregisteredforanycoursesinthesemesterinwhichhe/shegraduatesprovidedthathe/shehas
beenregisteredforatleastonecreditatthegraduatelevelintheirgraduateprogramintheacademic
yearinwhichhe/sheisgraduating.Allstudentsmustmaintainaminimumregistrationof1credithour
everyacademicsemester(fallandspring)untilgraduation.
Theinitialstepinthegraduationprocessconsistsofthestudentformallyapplyingforgraduation.
Applicationscanbedoneonlineathttp://www.grad.uc.edu/graduation.aspx
34
Thismustbedonebytheannounceddeadline.Adeadlineschedulecanbefoundat
http://www.grad.uc.edu/graduation-deadlines.aspx.Ifthestudentisunabletomeetallofthe
graduationdeadlineshe/shemustreapplyatthebeginningofthefollowingsemesterinorderto
graduateinthatsemester.Thereisafeetoapplyforgraduation.Studentsmustpaythefeeevery
timetheyapplyforgraduation.Thefeeisnon-refundableifthestudentfailstomeetthegraduation
deadlines.
ThegraduationprocessforMSandPhDincludes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
35
Followandcompletealltheguidelinesfoundatthegraduateschoolwebsiteat
http://www.grad.uc.edu/graduation.aspxAndallguidelinesrequiredfromtheCEASat
http://www.ceas.uc.edu/Graduate_Studies/CurrentStudents/GraduationRequirements.html
Resolveallgradeissuesonrecord.TheDepartmentmustcertifynotonlythatstudentshave
metalldegreecreditrequirements,butthatanygradesofI,IP,SP,andNGhavebeenresolved.
Meetwiththethesis/dissertationadvisoranddecideonanacceptabledateandtimeforthe
finaldefense.Verifywiththecommitteemembersthattheyallwillbeavailable.Schedulea
roomandconfirmtheschedulingofthedefenseinwritingwiththeadvisorandcommittee.
Normallythedeadlineforthefinaldefenseisattheendofthelastweekofclassesforthe
semester.
SubmitaPublicNoticeofFinalDefenseofThesis/Dissertationform.ForPhDstudentsthis
Noticemustbegiventwoweekpriortothefinaldefense.FortheMSdegree,thepublicnotice
mustbesubmittedoneweekinadvance.IfnoticeisnotgiventheThesis/Dissertationisnot
consideredvalid.Publicnoticesarealsorequiredtobepostedonthegraduateschoolwebsite
atwww.grad.uc.edu.Theymustbepostedonthiswebsite2weekspriorforPhDandone
weekpriorforMS.
Preparecompletedcopiesofthethesis/dissertationincludingallchaptersandsections
appropriatelynumbered,andallfigures,tables,equations,etc.infinalform(subjectto
committeerecommendedchanges).Thethesis/dissertationmustbepreparedinaccordance
withUniversityguidelines;pleaseconsulttheseguidelinesbeforeyoubeginwriting.Guidelines
canbefoundathttp://www.grad.uc.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.ETDSubmission.
Deliverafinalcopyofthethesis/dissertationtoeachmemberofthecommitteeatleastone
weekbeforethedefenseforanMSthesisandatleasttwoweeksbeforeforthedefenseofa
doctoraldissertation.
SubmitthethesisordissertationthroughBlackboardonSafeAssign.ApprovaloftheSafeAssign
fromthestudent’sadvisormustbeobtainedtograduate.
Obtaininstructionsonelectronicsubmissionanddownloadthenecessaryformsfrom
http://www.etd.uc.edu/
Atthedefense,thefollowingformsmustbesignedbythecommitteeandtheadvisor:
o TheCommitteeApprovalFormgeneratedathttp://www.grad.uc.edu/Roadmap/
o EECSThesisorDissertationDefenseFormlocatedat
http://www.ceas.uc.edu/content/dam/ceas/documents/EngGrad/CEAS_Defense_Forms
_2010.pdf
• Allfinalcorrectionsrequiredbytheadvisorandcommitteemustbeincorporatedin
thethesis/dissertationbeforeelectronicsubmissionandbindingcantakeplace.
Thefinalcorrectedversionmustbesubmittedinelectronicforminaccordancewith
theinstructionsprovidedbytheCEASGraduateSchoolandonepermanentlybound
copyofthethesis/dissertationmustbeprepared.Oneboundcopyistobeprovided
forthefacultyadvisorwhohasdirectedthestudy.Thestudentmayeithersubmita
permanentlyboundcopyforhis/heradvisordirectlytotheCEASGraduateProgram
CoordinatororsubmitacopyofareceiptfromArtGuildBinderyindicatingthata
permanentlyboundcopywillbeshippedtotheadvisor.Copiesofthebinding
receiptsmustbesubmittedtotheCEASGraduateProgramCoordinatorinorderfor
thestudenttobecertifiedforgraduation.Athis/herdiscretion,thestudentmay
prepareandbindadditionalcopiesforcommitteemembersorothers.
• Inordertograduateattheendofthesemester,astudentmustcompleteallofthe
abovestepsandmeetalloftheabovedeadlines.
• StudentswhomissanyDepartmentorUniversitydeadlinesmustfileagainfor
graduationatthebeginningofthefollowingsemesterandproceedtocompletethe
remainingsteps.Thereisanapplicationfeethatmustbesubmittedeachtimea
studentappliesforgraduation.
ThegraduateprocessforMEngstudentsinclude:
• Completionofthefollowingforms,signedandreturntotheCEASGraduateOffice(665
Baldwin):
o Finalprogramofstudyform
o CapstoneCompletionform
•
TheEECSGraduateProgramDirectorcertifiestotheCEASGraduateSchoolthatallrequirementshave
beenmetbeforethestudentcangraduate.
Finally,everydoctoralcandidateisexpectedtoattendthehoodingceremonypreceding
commencement.Atthisceremony,theadvisorhoodsthestudentasamarkofthedistinction
accompanyingthedoctorate.
14 EECS Degree Requirements
14.1 Master of Science:
Minimumof30semestercreditsconsistingof:
•
•
•
•
36
Aminimumor21creditsofgraduatecourseworkthatcoverthefollowingrequirements:
o Aminimumof9coursecreditsmustbecompletedfromasetoftrackcoursesthatare
appropriatetothestudent’sdegreearea.
o Aminimumof6coursecreditsmustbecompletedat7000+level.
o Remainingcoursecreditstobedeterminedinconsultationwiththeadvisor.
9credithoursofThesisResearch(EECE/CS9089)
2creditsofseminar(EECE/CS7001&7002)and1creditofEECE/CS7004Practical
Experience.SeminarandPracticalExperiencedonotcountascourseworkortowardsthe
30minimumcredithours.
Completionofthedegreerequirementsandgraduatewithin5yeartimeline.
InordertobeawardedthedegreeofMS,thestudentmusthaveatleastaBaverage(GPAof3.0+)for
allgraduatecredits.Inaddition,atleast2/3ofthegraduatecreditsofthecourseworknecessaryfor
thedegreemustbeatalevelofBorhigher.(B-countsasbelowB)
14.2 Master of Engineering:
Minimumof30credithourswithnogradesbelowaCin:
•
•
•
•
6-9credithoursinMEngprogramcore
10-15credithoursinrequiredtrackcourses
2-9credithoursinelectivecourses
0-4credithoursinCapstoneProject
InordertobeawardedthedegreeofMEng,thestudentmusthaveatleastaminimumof3.0GPA.
14.3 Doctor of Philosophy:
14.3.1 Credit hours for the Direct PhD Route Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree:
90credithoursconsistingof:
•
•
•
•
Aminimumof30creditsofgraduatecourseworkthatcoverthefollowingrequirements:
o Aminimumof9coursecreditsmustbecompletedfromasetoftrackcoursesthatare
appropriatetothestudent’sdegreearea.
o Aminimumof15coursecreditsmustbecompletedat7000+level.
o Remainingcoursecreditstobedeterminedinconsultationwiththeadvisor.
Aminimumof40creditsofDissertationResearch.
2creditsofseminar(EECE/CS7001&7002)and1creditofEECE/CS7004PracticalExperience.
SeminarandPracticalExperiencedonotcountascourseworkortowardsthe90minimum
credithours.
Nomorethan6creditsofEECE/CS9080,DoctoralDissertationProposal,maybecounted
towardsfulfillingthe90creditsofPhDdegreerequirement.The6creditsofEECE/CS9080may
onlybeappliedtoresearchrelatedtothepreparationofthedissertationproposalandnot
towardstherequirementsoftheclassroomcourseworkcredits.
14.3.2 Credit hours for PhD beyond the Master’s Degree:
60credithoursconsistingof:
•
•
•
•
37
Aminimumof18creditsofclassroomcourseworkthatcoverthefollowingrequirements:
o Aminimumof9coursecreditsmustbecompletedfromasetoftrackcoursesthatare
appropriatetothestudent’sdegreearea.
o Aminimumof9coursecreditsmustbecompletedat7000+level.
o Remainingcoursecreditstobedeterminedinconsultationwiththeadvisor.
Atminimumof30creditsofDissertationResearch
2creditsofseminar(EECE/CS7001&7002)and1creditofEECE/CS7004PracticalExperience.
SeminarandPracticalExperiencedonotcountascourseworkortowardsthe60minimum
credithours.
Nomorethan6creditsofEECE/CS9080,DoctoralDissertationProposal,maybecounted
towardsfulfillingthe60creditsofPhDdegreerequirement.The6creditsofEECE/CS9080may
onlybeappliedtoresearchrelatedtothepreparationofthedissertationproposalandnot
towardstherequirementsoftheclassroomcourseworkcredits.
14.4 Rules applicable to all PhD students
1. InordertobeawardedthedegreeofDoctorofPhilosophy,thestudentmusthaveat
leastaBaverage(GPAof3.0)forallgraduatecredits.Inaddition,atleast2/3ofthe
graduatecreditsoftheabove“Required”courseworknecessaryforthedegreemustbe
atalevelofBorhigher(B-countsasbelowB).
2. AllPhDstudentsmustsuccessfullywriteanddefendadissertationproposalinorderto
beadmittedintoPhDcandidacy.Thewrittenproposalmustfollowaformatdefinedby
thegraduatecouncilthatisconsistentwithproposalguidelinesforfederalfunding
agencies.Theoraldefenseofthedissertationproposalmaynotbeattemptedany
soonerthanconcurrentlywiththelastsemesterofrequiredcourseworkandmustbe
successfullycompletednolaterthan1yearaftercompletionofrequiredcoursework.
3. Thefinaldefenseofthedissertationmustbecompletedwithinfouryearsofadmittance
intoPhDcandidacy.AtwoweekpublicnoticemustbesubmittedtotheCEASGraduate
ProgramDirector,665BaldwinHalltoannounceyourfinaldefenseandyoumustpost
yournoticeontheGraduateSchool’swebsiteatwww.grad.uc.edu.Bothnoticesare
mandatoryandfailuretosubmitthenoticewillresultinthedefensebeinginvalid.A
noticesubmittedlessthantwoweekswillnotbeaccepted.Ifthereareanychangesin
dateortimeofthedefenseanewtwoweeknoticemustbesubmitted.Committee
membersmustreceiveacopyofthedissertationaminimumoftwoweekpriortothe
defense.
14.5 Course Requirements for Degree Tracks
AsetoftrackcoursesisgivenbelowforthecurrentlyrecognizedEECSdegreetracks.
A. Deviceandmaterialtrackcourses(takeatleast3outof4)
6007IntroductiontoBiomedicalMicrosystems(Fall)
6008FundamentalsofMEMS(Fall)
6018MicrofabricationofSemiconductorDevices(Fall)
6048OpticsforEngineers(Fall)
B. Systemstrackcourses(takeatleast3outof5)
6019IntroductiontoRandomProcesses(Fall)
6024IntroductiontoDigitalSignalProcessing(Fall)
6026CommunicationSystems(Spring)
6036IntelligentSystems(Spring)
7033LinearSystemsTheory(Fall)
C. Computerengineeringtrackcourses(takeatleast3outof5)
6010DatabaseManagement(Fall)
6029IntroductiontoOperatingsystems(Fall)
6080PhysicalVLSIDesign(Fall)
6083CompilerTheoryandPractice(Spring)
7095IntroductiontoComputerArchitecture(Fall)
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D. VLSIDesignTrack
TheVLSIDesignTrackcanbetakenbystudentsenrolledinEE,CompEorCSEdegreeprograms.
ThistrackhasarequiredsequenceofVLSIfocusedcourses.Inaddition,studentsmust
completeaminimumoftwocoursesfromthelistofcorecoursesassociatedwiththeirdegree
designation
RequiredCourseSequence
EECE6080IntroductiontoVLSIDesign(Fall)
EECE6082VLSIDesignforTestandPower(Spring)
EECE6086VLSIDesignAutomation(Spring)
StudentsregisteredasEEstudents(i.e.EE-EMDorEE-Systems)mustcomplete2coursesfrom
thefollowinglist:
EECE6007IntroductiontoBiomedicalMicrosystems(Fall)
EECE6009FundamentalsofMEMS(Fall)
EECE6018MicrofabricationofSemiconductorDevices(Fall)
EECE6048OpticsforEngineers(Fall)
EECE6019IntroductiontoRandomProcesses(Fall)
EECE6024IntroductiontoDigitalSignalProcessing(Fall)
EECE6026CommunicationSystems(Spring)
EECE6036IntelligentSystems(Spring)
EECE7033LinearSystemsTheory(Fall)
StudentsregisteredasCompEMSorCSEPhDstudentsmustcomplete2coursesfromthe
followinglist:
EECE6010DatabaseManagement(Fall)
EECE6029IntroductiontoOperatingSystems(Fall)
EECE6083CompilerTheoryandPractice(Spring)
EECE7095IntroductiontoComputerArchitecture(Fall)
E. ComputerSciencetrackcourses(takeonecoursefromeachdisciplinearea)
Algorithms:
CS7081AdvancedAlgorithms(Spring)
Systems:
CS6029OperatingSystems(Fall)
CS6043ComputerNetworking(TBD)
CS6097IntrotoWirelessandMobileSystems(Fall)
ArtificialIntelligence
CS6033ArtificialIntelligence(Fall)
CS6052IntelligentDataAnalysis(Spring)
CS6037MachineLearning(Fall)
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F. BioinformaticsTrack
TheBioinformaticsTrackcanbetakenbystudentsenrolledintheCS-MSorCSE-PhDdegree
programs.ThistrackhasarequiredsequenceofBioinformaticsfocusedcourses.Inaddition,
studentsmustselectonecoursefromalistofcorecoursesintheComputerSciencediscipline
RequiredCourseSequence
CS7097IntroductiontoFunctionalGenomics(Fall)
CS7099IntroductiontoBioinformatics(Spring)
BioinformaticsCoreCourse(take1of3)
CS6033ArtificialIntelligence(Fall)
CS6052IntelligentDataAnalysis(Fall)
CS7081AdvancedAlgorithms(Spring)
NOTE:PhDstudentintheBioinformaticsTrackwhoreceivefinancialsupportfromthe
Bioinformaticsresearchareaarealsorequiredtocompletetworesearchrotationsduringthe
firstyearofstudy
G. CyberSecurityTrack
TheCyberSecurityTrackcanbetakenbystudentsenrolledintheCompE-MS,CS-MSorCSEPhDdegreeprograms.StudentsintheEEgraduateprogramsmaybeadmittedtothistrack
withpermissionfromthegraduatedirector.Thistrackhasarequiredsequenceofcourses
focusedoncybersecuritytopics.
RequiredCourseSequence
CS6021
MathematicalLogic(Fall)
CS6055
CyberDefenseOverview(Spring)
CS6056
SecurityVulnerabilityAssessment(Fall)
EECE70378 MalwareAnalysis(Spring)
Foralltracks,theremainingcoursesnecessarytosatisfythegeneralMSorPhDdegreerequirements
willbeselectedwithdirectionfromthestudent’sthesisadvisor.
StudentsareencouragedtolookatthecurrentcourseofferingsavailableontheEECSwebsiteorby
checkingcourseavailabilitythroughOneStop(http://onestop.uc.edu).
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