2011-2012 Graduate Programs

The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science (HSSEAS) offers courses leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, to the Master of Science in Engineering online degree, to the Master of Engineering degree, and to the Engineer degree. The school is divided into seven departments that encompass the major engineering disciplines: aerospace engineering, bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering. It also offers a graduate interdepartmental degree program in biomedical engineering. Graduate students are not required to limit their studies to a particular department and are encouraged to consider related offerings in several departments.

Also, a one-year program leading to a Certificate of Specialization is offered in various fields of engineering and applied science.

Master of Science Degrees

The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science offers the M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The thesis plan requires seven formal courses and a thesis, which may be written while the student is enrolled in two individual study courses. The comprehensive examination plan requires nine formal courses and a comprehensive examination. In some fields students may be allowed to use the Ph.D. major field examination to satisfy the M.S. comprehensive examination requirement. Full-time students complete M.S. programs in an average of five terms of study (about a year and a half). To remain in good academic standing, an M.S. student must obtain a 3.0 grade-point average overall and a 3.0 GPA in graduate courses.

Master of Science in Engineering Online Degree

The primary purpose of the Master of Science in Engineering online degree program is to enable employed engineers and computer scientists to augment their technical education beyond the Bachelor of Science degree and to enhance their value to the technical organizations in which they are employed. For further information, see http://msengrol.seas.ucla.edu.

Master of Engineering Degree

The Master of Engineering (M.Engr.) degree is granted to graduates of the Engineering Executive Program, a two-year work-study program consisting of graduate-level professional courses in the management of technological enterprises. For details, write to the HSSEAS Office of Academic and Student Affairs, 6426 Boelter Hall, UCLA, Box 951601, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1601, (310) 825-2514.

Engineer Degree

The Engineer (Engr.) degree is similar to the Ph.D. degree in that the program of study is built around a major and two minor fields, and the preliminary written and oral examinations are the same. However, a dissertation is not required. Unlike the Ph.D. degree, the Engineer degree does have a formal course requirement of a minimum of 15 (at least nine graduate) courses beyond the bachelor’s degree, with at least six courses in the major field (minimum of four graduate courses) and at least three in each minor field (minimum of two graduate courses in each).

Ph.D. Degrees

The Ph.D. programs prepare students for advanced study and research in the major areas of engineering and computer science. To complete the Ph.D. all candidates must fulfill the minimum requirements of the Graduate Division. Major and minor fields may have additional course and examination requirements. For further information, contact the individual departments. To remain in good academic standing, a Ph.D. student must obtain an overall grade-point average of 3.25.

Established Fields of Study for the Ph.D.

Students may propose other fields of study when the established fields do not meet their educational objectives.

Biomedical Engineering Interdepartmental Program

Biomaterials, tissue engineering, and biomechanics

Biomedical instrumentation

Biomedical signal and image processing

Biosystem science and engineering

Medical imaging informatics

Molecular and cellular bioengineering

Neuroengineering

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department

Chemical engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering Department

Environmental engineering

Geotechnical engineering

Hydrology and water resources engineering

Structures (structural mechanics and earthquake engineering)

Computer Science Department

Artificial intelligence

Computational systems biology

Computer network systems

Computer science theory

Computer system architecture

Graphics and vision

Information and data management

Software systems

Electrical Engineering Department

Circuits and embedded systems

Physical and wave electronics

Signals and systems

Materials Science and Engineering Department

Ceramics and ceramic processing

Electronic and optical materials

Structural materials

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department

Applied mathematics (established minor field only)

Applied plasma physics (minor field only)

Dynamics

Fluid mechanics

Heat and mass transfer

Manufacturing and design

Nanoelectromechanical/microelectromechanical systems (NEMS/MEMS)

Structural and solid mechanics

Systems and control

For more information on specific research areas, contact the individual faculty member in the field that most closely matches the area of interest.

Admission

Applications for admission are invited from graduates of recognized colleges and universities. Selection is based on promise of success in the work proposed, which is judged largely on the previous college record.

Candidates whose engineering background is judged to be deficient may be required to take additional coursework that may not be applied toward the degree. The adviser helps plan a program to remedy any such deficiencies, after students arrive at UCLA.

Entering students normally are expected to have completed the B.S. degree requirements with at least a 3.0 grade-point average in all coursework taken in the junior and senior years.

Students entering the Engineer/Ph.D. program normally are expected to have completed the requirements for the master’s degree with at least a 3.25 grade-point average and to have demonstrated creative ability. Normally the M.S. degree is required for admission to the Ph.D. program. Exceptional students, however, can be admitted to the Ph.D. program without having an M.S. degree.

For information on the proficiency in English requirements for international graduate students, see Graduate Admission in the Graduate Study section of the UCLA General Catalog or refer to http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/INTLREQT.HTM.

To submit a graduate application, see http://www.seasoasa.ucla.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/. From there connect to the site of the preferred department or program and go to the online graduate application.

Graduate Record Examination

Applicants to the HSSEAS graduate programs are required to take the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Specific information about the GRE may be obtained from the department of interest.

Obtain applications for the GRE by contacting the Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000. See http://www.gre.org.