MS in Engineering Information

The following information is for students who are interested in an Master of Science degree in Engineering with a specialization in Water Engineering with Dr. Howes of the BRAE department.  For advisor information and other forms, please click here.

1. Develop a schedule of classes in 2 formats and get approval of them by Dr. Howes.
   • According to catalog requirements.
   • Prepare a calendar, by quarter, showing what classes will be taken and when.
   • Required and approved elective classes are listed below.

Analytical methods (6)

These classes must have computer models and analytical procedures, research planning, etc.  Examples:

• SS 501 – Research Planning (4)
• CE 533 – Advanced Water Resources Engineering (4)
• BRAE 414 – Irrigation System Design (4) – this is required

Advanced Mathematics (3)

Some of the units from Analytical methods (if they exceed 6 units) can be used here.

•  STAT 512 (4) or the STAT class for Engineers or some other math class of interest or engineering class that uses higher math.

Required Core Classes (28)

• ECON 410 (4)
• BRAE 414 (4)  - This fulfills part of the Analytical methods
• BRAE 533 (4)
• CE 533 (4)  - This fulfills part of the Analytical methods
• BRAE 532 (4)
• Thesis or 9 units of approved electives
• Approved Electives (10) – from the list below or get advisor approval

• • BRAE 405 – Fertigation (1)
  • BRAE 435 – Drainage (4)  (currently hydrology and drainage)
  • BRAE 500 – BRAE 331 lecture plus special lab assignment (3)
  • CE 440 – Hydraulic Systems Engineering (4)
  • CE 433 – Open Channel Hydraulics (4)
  • CE 435 – Engineering Hydrology (4)
  • CE 535 – Water Resources Systems Planning (4)
  • CE 536 – Computer Applications in Water Res w/ GIS (4)
  • CE 537 – Groundwater Contamination (4)
  • CE 538 – Urban Water Systems (4)
  • CE 539 – Environmental Hydraulics (4)
  • Water Law, etc.

Sample Class Plan:

Category	Classes Listed in Catalog	Class Taken	Qtr.	Units of 400 level	Units of 500 level	Units required in category
Prerequisite	Intro to Irrigation	BRAE 236	Fall	3		n/a
	Surveying	BRAE 239	Any
	Organic Chem.		Any
Advanced Math	not specified	STAT 512(e.g.)	Wtr		4	3
Required courses	ECON 410	ECON 410	Wtr	4		17
	BRAE 435/414/440	BRAE 414*	Spr	4
	BRAE 533	BRAE 533	Wtr		4
	CE 533	CE 533			3
	BRAE 532	BRAE 532	Spr		4
	CE 573	CE 535*	Spr		3
Additional 9 units	not specified	BRAE 500	Wtr		3	9
	not specified	CE 440	Any	4
Approved Electives - 400 or 500 level	not specified	CE 434	Fall	4		10
	not specified	CE 536	Fall		4
	not specified	CE 539	Spr		4
Total units				16	29	45

*Meets the requirement for Analytical Methods for Engineers (6 units total)

                                 Total 500 level units required: 23
                                 Total 500 level units in proposed program: ______________
      

Prerequisites:

• A general irrigation class
• Soil Science intro.
• Surveying
• Organic Chemistry
• **Before receiving this degree, the student must pass the EIT exam.  

2. Select a committee of 3 persons: 1 or 2 from BRAE, 1 or 2 from CEE.  Fill out committee form obtained at Graduate Studies Office.
3. Formal study plan - to be completed prior to finishing 1st 12 units (available at Graduate Studies Office).  If you did not graduate from an accredited engineering BS program, be sure to list EIT exam as a "Conditional" requirement, as well as other BS level engineering classes.  All candidates for graduation must eventually provide proof of passing the EIT exam.
4. If you are planning to use any 400 or 500 level classes that you took during your undergraduate work (which did not count for your BS degree), fill out a "Petition for Special Consideration" available at the Res. and Grad. Programs office.
5. Pass the GWR (Graduate Writing Requirement).  Successful completion of the GWR during undergraduate work will satisfy this.
6. Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all MS classes.
7. 1-2 quarters prior to graduation, submit the Advancement to Candidacy form (available at GDO)
8. Pass the FE (Fundamentals in Engineering) exam and submit proof to Dr. Howes.
9. Submit a Request for M.S. Evaluation (available at the Evaluations office).  Must have already completed 1-4 above.
10. Must complete the written exam for the M.S.  Arrange for this with Dr. Howes.  Generally, the exam consists of five separate exams from 5 classes.  You must pass 4 of the 5.  The graduate coordinator must submit a letter with his signature (not an e-mail) to the Evaluations office stating successful completion, and the date of completion.  
11. Arrange for comprehensive exam dates. General procedure:

• Select the week during your last quarter of courses that you want to take the exams (must be before finals week). Dr. Howes will proctor all exams.
• Topic questions are provided by and graded by professors of the classes you took with those topics.
• At least 6 weeks prior to graduation (or 4 weeks prior to taking the exams), select 5 classes (400-500 level) that you want to take and get approval from Dr. Howes. Ask instructors from those courses if they would be willing to create and grade the exams.
• Provide the final list of exam courses to Dr. Howes. Dr. Howes will request the exams from the instructors prior to the exam dates.
• The exams should be designed for 2 hrs/class
• Usually, 2 topics/day
• Open or Closed book depending on instructor of original course
• Grading = P/F
• Must pass 4 out of the 5 classes

12. Finish classes.