Implementation Date: 2009
Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.
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M.S. IN OPTICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Degree Requirements
The degree of Master of Science in Optical Science and Engineering with the thesis option is awarded for completion of scholarly research that advances the knowledge base in the field of that research. Evidence of this is demonstrated by a successful thesis defense. The degree of Master of Science in Optical Science and Engineering with the non-thesis option is awarded for completion of formal course work. Additionally, recipients of this degree should demonstrate mastery of relevant subject matter and a potential for success, usually in a position with government or industry.
The minimum requirement for the M.S. degree in Optical Science and Engineering is 32 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. For the thesis option, the requirement includes a minimum of 9 credit hours of thesis research, 2 credit hours of seminar (OPTI 6110), and a minimum of 21 credit hours of formal course work. For the non-thesis option, the requirement includes 2 credit hours of seminar (OPTI 6110), and a minimum of 30 credit hours of formal course work. Both options must include at least 15 credit hours in approved courses having an OPTI prefix.
All graduates of the program must demonstrate competency in the Core Curriculum. Students may demonstrate competency in the subject matter of the Core Curriculum by earning a grade of Pass on each of the five sections of a comprehensive qualifying examination. Each section of the comprehensive examination is based on subject matter in one of the five courses comprising the Core Curriculum. Students who do not receive a grade of Pass on a given section of the comprehensive examination must enroll in the corresponding Core Curriculum course. Students demonstrate competency in the Core Curriculum by passing the comprehensive examination or by earning a grade of B or better in those core courses not passed during the comprehensive examination.
Well-prepared students may earn a grade of pass on one or more of the five sections of the comprehensive examination. In those cases, credit hours that would have been earned in the courses, upon which the sections passed were based, may be replaced by credit hours in other electives approved by the student’s Advisory Committee and the Optics Program Director.
A student in the M.S. program must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework attempted for the degree. An accumulation of two C grades will result in termination of the student’s enrollment in the program. A grade of U earned in any course will result in termination of the student’s enrollment in the program.
Qualifier and Admission to Candidacy
All graduates of the program must demonstrate competency in the Core Curriculum. Students in the thesis program must prepare a Plan of Study before the end of the second semester following admission to the program. The Plan of Study must be approved by the Advisory Committee.
Residency Requirement
The student must satisfy the residence requirement for the program by completing 12 credit hours of continuous enrollment in coursework/thesis credit. Residence is considered continuous if the student is enrolled in one or more courses in successive semesters until 12 credit hours are earned.
Time Limit for Completion of Program Requirements
All program requirements must be completed within 5 calendar years from the date the student is admitted into the program.
Transfer Credit Accepted
Up to 6 credit hours of approved coursework may be transferred from other accredited masters and doctoral programs. Only courses in which the student earned a grade of B or better (or its equivalent) can be transferred. No more than 6 credit hours of approved coursework taken as a post-baccalaureate student may be applied toward the degree. Credit for thesis research cannot be transferred.
Assistantships
Support for beginning graduate students is usually a teaching assistantship. Continuing students are often supported by research assistantships.
Language Requirement
The program has no language requirement.
Thesis option:
After successful completion of the Core Curriculum requirement and approval of the Plan of Study, the student will prepare a Research Plan for the thesis that is approved by the Advisory Committee. The Research Plan must demonstrate: (a) the student’s knowledge of the relevant literature base, and (b) a research plan that, if successfully completed, will lead to an approved thesis. The student must present a written plan to the Advisory Committee. The student must also make an oral defense of the Research Plan at a presentation before the Advisory Committee.
After successfully demonstrating competency in the Core Curriculum, preparation of an approved Plan of Study, and approval of the Research Plan by the Advisory Committee, the student is admitted to candidacy. The qualifier, as described, must be completed within two years following admission to the program. A full-time student is normally expected to complete the qualifier prior to the end of the third semester following admission to the program.
Thesis
Each student will complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of thesis research. The student must present a written thesis to the Advisory Committee. The student must defend the thesis at a presentation before the Optics Faculty. Upon approval of the written thesis and oral presentation by the Advisory Committee, the student has successfully completed the thesis requirement. The thesis must be written using a format acceptable to the Graduate School.
Thesis Advisor and Advisory Committee
Each student in the program must have a Thesis Advisor and an Advisory Committee before being admitted to candidacy. The student should select a thesis advisor before the end of the first year of residency. The student and the thesis advisor jointly determine the advisory committee. The Thesis Advisor serves as Chair of the Advisory Committee and must be a member of the Optics Faculty at UNC Charlotte. The advisory committee must have at least 3 members, the majority of which must be members of the Optics Faculty. Composition of the Advisory Committee must be approved by the Optics Program Director.
Comprehensive Examination
The thesis defense is the final examination.
Non-thesis option:
After successfully demonstrating competency in the Core Curriculum, the student is admitted to candidacy. All courses used to satisfy the degree requirements must be approved by the Optics Program Director.