Email: subrata@voyager5.sdsu.edu

|To Graduate Home Page |

Step 1. Admission

 Step 2. Graduate Bulletin/Graduate Advisor

 Step 3. Understand Plan A & B, Group A & B (Official Program)

 Step 4. Attain Classified Standing

 Step 5. Submit Official Program for MS

 Step 6. Advance to Candidacy

 Step 7. Submit a Thesis Committee form if on Plan-A

 Step 8.  Finish Project if on Plan-B

 Step 9. File an Application to Graduate
 
 

Purchase a Graduate Bulletin in the Aztec Shops Bookstore. Refer to the section entitled Admission to Postbaccalaureate and Graduate Study.

Meet the Graduate Advisor as soon as you join the program. He will be able to assist you with thesis topic, financial support and other important matters.

Plan A: A fancy name for thesis option. You have to write your thesis and defend it in front of your thesis committee.

Plan B: A fancy name for non-thesis option. In that case you have to do a project (the comprehensive exam option has been dropped)

Group A: Thermal science area.

Group B: Mechanical design area.

1. At least 12 units from the area of specialization, Group A or Group B (see below for the definitions of Group A and B).
2. At most 9 units of 500 level classes approved by the Graduate Advisor.
3. A mandatory 3 units of 797 (research exploration course). For those on Plan A (thesis plan), additional 3 units of 797.
4. For those on Plan A, 3 units of 799 (thesis research).

Suppose you are following a Plan A, Group B option (i.e. Design area thesis option). What are the minimum course requirement?

• 3 units of thesis (ME799).
• 6 units of research exploration (ME797).
• 12 units of coursework (600 level) on Group B (Design) areas.
• 9 units of 500 level (or up) classes approved by the graduate advisor.

1. If you were admitted with a classified standing, you need not read this section any more.

 
2. If you were admitted with a conditional classified status, after fulfilling the condition(s), file a Change of Status (this link is for you to see how the form looks like, you have to obtain it from the Graduate School (Administration building, 3rd floor)) application.

 
3. If you were admitted with a postbaccalaureate unclassified status, you have to file a CGS (Classified Graduate Standing) form.

1. After you have taken classes for a couple of semesters you should, in consultation with your thesis advisor or graduate advisor, fill out (type) a Program Form (this link is for you to see how the form looks like, you have to obtain it from the Graduate School (Administration building, 3rd floor)) and submit it to the Graduate division for approval. The form must be submitted no later than a semester prior to anticipated graduation.
2. If there is any deviation from the rules (see Plan A and B for some guidelines and Graduate Bulletin for details) file a Petition for Adjustment of Academic Requirements.

 
3. Once the official Program Form has been approved, changes can be made by submitting a Change in Program Form.

• After you have finished Step 5, i.e. submitted your Official Program, the Graduate Division will check your eligibility. If you are eligible (i.e. if you have satisfied most of the requirements for a Master's degree), Graduate Division will send a form to the Graduate Advisor who makes a recommendation and return it to the Graduate Division. If things go well, you advance to candidacy.
• If you are not found eligible, your file will be reviewed for advancement by the Graduate Division at the end of each semester.

1. After you have finished Step 6, i.e. advanced to candidacy, file the Thesis Committee Form (this is just a jpeg image, do not use this form. Instead obtain it from the Grad Affairs. Look at the site official site ) of Graduate Affair) to the Graduate Affair after making your committee in consultation with your thesis advisor. There must be a minimum of 3 faculty in your committee including one from outside the department.
2. You must register in Thesis (799A or 799B) during the semester you plan to submit your thesis. Graduate Division will give you the schedule number necessary.
3. Consult the SDSU Masters Thesis, A Manual of Instruction (available in Aztec shops) for policies, procedure and guidelines for preparing the thesis.
4. Guidelines (as of 1996) are included below:
• Page 1
• Page 2
• Page 3
• Page 4
• Page 5
• Page 6
• Page 7
5. An oral defense of your thesis is required. Consult with your thesis advisor to fix a time and date for your defense.
6. You have to get your thesis signed by all committee members. In addition, the graduate advisor has to submit a 'Report of Final Examinations of the Master's Degree' form. Please get this form from the Graduate Advisor and fill it out. This should be your last paper work before you get the degree.

1. If you are on Plan A ignore this section.
2. If on Plan B then, work on a semester long project with any faculty in the ME department (ME 797). A letter from your advisor saying that you have completed a project satisfactorily must be furnished to the Graduate Advisor before or after you have finished Step 6, i.e. advanced to candidacy.
3. These rules change from semester to semester, so consult with the Graduate Advisor for information on the current procedure.

• Graduation is not automatic even after Step 7 or 8. You have to submit an application for graduation to the Cashier's Office. Consult the current class schedule for the deadline.