Graduate Plan of Study
Specific degree requirements are described in the three sections which follow pertaining to the M.I.E., M.S., and Ph.D. respectively. Note that 500 and 700 level courses on a student's Plan of Graduate Work must be taken for a letter grade (NOT "Credit Only"). Plans of Graduate Work may include 600 and 800 level courses, which are S/U-graded ("Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory").
For the M.I.E. degree, no minor as such is required; however, some "concentration" of coursework outside the department may be elected and is encouraged. For the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, the major and minor coursework, as listed on the POGW, normally should constitute about two-thirds and one-third, respectively, of the total coursework hours for the degree. The minor for the M.S. typically includes 9 hours (three courses), that for the Ph.D. 15-18 hours (five to six courses). In some cases, minor coursework (and examination) requirements have been established by other departments. Thesis and project work (e.g. ISE 677, 695) and other courses taken to meet department requirements (unless part of the minor) should be listed as part of the major. The listing of ISE courses in the minor should be avoided; some exceptions may be permitted as in the case of cross-listed courses (e.g. ISE/OR 505, ISE/PSY 745, ISE/CSC 556). The important thing is that the minor should constitute a logical, coherent "theme" of study outside of, but complementary to, the major area of study.
At the doctoral level, dual minors are acceptable (i.e. 6 to 9 hours of coursework in each) and should be identified accordingly as to their theme (e.g., Economics or Operations Research). Courses taken at the 400 level can only be included as part of the minor on the POGW for the M.S. degree; no 400-level courses may be included on the POGW for the Ph.D. degree. Note: For a student who is continuing for the Ph.D. degree, the Graduate School advises that courses which have been taken at the M.S. level (i.e. those which are listed on the M.S. POGW) should not be listed again on the Ph.D. POGW. Listing of M.S. courses on the Ph.D. POGW leads to two problems:
- It obscures what is really being taken and/or being required for the Ph.D.; and
- The Graduate School, seeing that listed courses have been taken two or three years earlier, may question why the POGW was not submitted earlier in accordance with their policy. For the Ph.D. POGW, a copy of the masters plan or transcript must be attached for review by the Graduate School.
For additional information on the Plan of Graduate Work see the Graduate School Handbook and review the Plan of Graduate Work Forms.
Contact Information: For more information please contact Ms. Cecilia Chen, Graduate Administrative Assistant.
