Navigating your Degree

Staying on Track

The Materials Science & Engineering graduate program is here to support each student navigate the academic program efficiently and effectively. To help ensure that you stay on your desired schedule for graduation, we encourage you to use the following resources. Each of these forms are available on the graduate student success center.

Program Development Form.

This form should be completed during your first semester of graduate school or during MSE 601, graduate student orientation. It helps establish a plan for coursework and degree milestones, and will help you and your advisor establish goals and plans, as well as look at your degree from a big picture view early in your career, a critical step for success. Once completed, return form to APM to update your file.

Graduate Degree Checklist

These checklists show all degree requirements for your program, as described in this handbook, in an easy-to-use one page format.

• PhD

• MS

• MEngr

Progress Evaluation Form.

You are encouraged to complete an evaluation of progress with your advisor each semester. The form provided is a tool, but your advisor may prefer a different format. Taking time throughout the program to evaluate progress will help support your goals. Once completed, return to the APM.

Course options

Selecting courses for your graduate degree should take into account your research goals and future career plans. Beyond required core courses, significant flexibility is available to students to create a degree plan that meets their needs. Students are encouraged to look at coursework outside the MSE designation, especially at courses offered in ECE, MBE, PHYS, ENGR, CHEM, BIOL, GCOLL, business, or other topics. All course decisions should be made in collaboration with the Major Advisor and Supervisory Committee

Transferring courses

Graduate coursework can be transferred to Boise State University and applied for credit to an MSE program requirement in accordance with Graduate College policy. Please note that no credits that have been applied toward an undergraduate degree can count for graduate credit.

Internships

The MSE graduate programs encourage and support internships and similar opportunities that provide hands-on and field experience relevant to research and future goals. Internship credits can be used to fulfill degree requirements if approved by the ADGP and Major Advisor in accordance with university policy.

Independent Study

Independent study is a great option for a student looking to gain a deeper knowledge regarding a specific topic relevant to ongoing research. Up to four credits of coursework can be used for degree requirements if they are part of a graded independent study experience. Please see the ADGP for additional details.