A minimum of 32 units of approved work in the University (26 units of course work and 6 units of thesis) is required for the MSFS degree. The 26 units distributed as: 17 units required courses, 3-9 units of elective courses and 0-6 of cognates.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FOOD SCIENCE

A. Required Courses:

FS 215 Advanced Food Analysis 3

FS 216 Advance Food Microbiology 3

FS 217 Sterilization Processes 3

FS 218 Dehydration & Freezing 3

FS 286 Special Problems 2

FS 290 Seminar in Food Science 1

HE 290 Graduate Seminar 2

(1 unit, must be taken twice)

FS 300 Master’s Thesis 6

B. Elective Courses:

FS 231 Sensory Evaluation Methods 2

FS 234 Tropical Fruit and Vegetables Processing 3

FS 299 Methods of Research in Food 2

FS 238 Development of Protein-Rich Product 2

FS 236 Industrial Food Fermentation 3

FS 257 Meat and Dairy Technology 3

FS 267 Confectionery and Baking Technology 2

FS 291 Advanced Food Biochemistry 3

C. Cognates: A maximum of 6 units from any of the following related fields

Botany Nutrition

Business Administration Pharmacy

Chemistry Statistics

Engineering Veterinary Medicine

Microbiology Zoology

Revised program approved by the University Council on December 9, 1995

Course Description:

FS 215 Advanced Food Analysis. Theory and application of physical and chemical methods in the analysis of foods with emphasis on current instrumental techniques.

Prereq: Physical Chem, Analytical Chem. 7 h. (1 lec, 6 lab) 3 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 216 Advanced Food Microbiology. Important groups of food microorganisms, their isolation and characterization in relation to food processing. 

Prereq: FS 106/COI. 7 h. (1 lec, 6 lab) 3 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 217 Sterilization Processes. Emphasis on the sterilization of foods by heat treatment; other sterilization methods such as irradiation, use of chemicals and physical destruction techniques. 

Prereq: FS 216, Math 54. 7 h. (1 lec, 6 lab) 3 u

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 218 Dehydration and Freezing. Effects of new processing techniques on cellular structure, biochemical composition, and quality of food. 

Prereq: COI. 7 h. (1 class, 6 lab) 3 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 231 Sensory Evaluation Methods. Organoleptic tests, flavor studies, their statistical

interpretation and relation to physicochemical studies. 

Prereq: COI. 4 h. (1 class, 3 lab) 2 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 234 Tropical Fruit and Vegetable Processing. Theoretical and experimental considerations in the processing of selected tropical fruits and vegetables. 

Prereq: COI. 7 h. (1 lec, 6 lab) 3 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 236 Industrial Food Fermentation. The chemistry, microbiology, and technology of

fermented foods; fermentation techniques in developing new foods. 

Prereq: FS 106, 215. 7 h. (1 lec, 6 lab) 3 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 238 Development of Protein-Rich Products. Nutritional and technological problems in processing protein rich foods. 4 h. (1 class, 3 lab) 2 u

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 257 Meat and Dairy Technology. Microbiological, and physico-chemical principles

applied to the processing of meat and dairy products. (1 lec , 6 lab) 

Prereq: FS 106/COI. 3 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 267 Confectionery and Bakery Technology. Unit operations in the production of

bread, bread products and confectioneries useful in the baking industry. 

Prereq: COI. 4 h. (1 class, 3 lab) 2 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 286 Special Problems in Food Science. 

Prereq: 12 u. of graduate credit. 2 u.

FS 290 Seminar in Food Science. 

Prereq: 12 u. of graduate credit. 1u./ sem; maximum of 2 u. shall be credited for PhD.

FS 291 Advanced Food Biochemistry. The biochemical reactions in food, their mechanisms and regulations. Prereq: Basic Biochem, Physical Chem/COI. 5 h. (2 class, 3 lab) 3 u.

Parent-type meeting. Lecture to issue grade

FS 299 Methods of Research in Foods. 

Prereq: Elem Stat/FS 118. 2 u

FS 300 Master’s Thesis. 6 u.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

1. Qualifications for MS Thesis

a. Mastery of research skills (e.g. laboratory and data gathering skills; development and validation of data collection tools in nutrition; advanced statistical techniques)

b. Basic research

c. Independent study with considerable supervision on:

i. Conceptualization

ii. Design and execution

iii. Data gathering, analysis and interpretation

iv. Report writing

v. Results communication (i.e. conference presentation and publication)

d. Examples: Degradation kinetics, development and validation of a dietary assessment tool

e. Publication: 1 paper submitted for peer-review

2. Evaluation of thesis proposals prior to presentation to the Thesis Committee

a. The students should submit a proposal to the Department Graduate Committee (DGC) with a cover letter explaining under what research thrusts of the Department does the thesis fall under, and the qualifications of the nominated members of the thesis committee.

b. The DGC (en-banc) evaluates the proposal if: (i) it qualifies as an MS Thesis, (ii) the study falls under any of the research thrusts of the Department, and (iii) the nominated members of the Thesis Committee are qualified. The DGC members may also comment on the scientific merit of the proposal.

c. If the composition of the DGC does not include a faculty member from the Food Science discipline, the proposal will be sent to an external reviewer (e.g. a known expert in the field of Food Science). The external reviewer will evaluate the proposal based on the qualifications for MS thesis (refer to 1), and its scientific merit.

d. The student will be informed of the decision of DGC and if needed, will be asked to submit a revised proposal, prior to presentation of the proposal to the Thesis Committee.

GENERAL POLICIES

Graduates of the University of the Philippines or other universities, colleges and schools of recognized standing, who hold a bachelor’s degree in food technology, agriculture, nutrition, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, pharmacy and related fields, shall be eligible for acceptance to this graduate program.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Application Form

A duly accomplished application form for graduate admission (CHE GForm 01) which provides some basic personal , professional and academic information should be submitted on or before the deadline set by the Department. The application form shall be accompanied with:

a. a formal letter addressed to the Dean of the College stating his/her purpose in pursuing a higher degree.

b. a short writing sample or essay written in English about the applicant’s purpose in applying to the program; plans for graduate study; specific areas of interest; assessment of academic, mental, emotional preparedness for graduate study; and future prospects.

c. Payment of application fee of P 400.00 for Filipinos and $25.00 for foreign applicants. The amount must accompany the application credentials.

d. Curriculum vitae, including a passport-size photograph.

Transcript of Records and General Weighted Average (GWA)

a. Documentary Evidence. One (1) original and two (2) photocopies of the official transcript of records for each college or university attended shall be submitted.

b. General Weighted Average (GWA). The GWA requirement for admission to the MS Food Science is 2.0 or better for non-UP graduates and 2.5 or better for UP graduates.

c. If for any reason an applicant fails to meet the required GWA, the applicants should*.

i. Exemplify a very high degree of accomplishment, substantiated with documentary evidence, in his/her desired field of study.

ii. Pass a series of in-depth interviews to be conducted by the members of the Departmental Graduate Committee.

iii. Pass at least 9 units of undergraduate work before he/she will be admitted to the program.

*Provision iii of c shall NOT apply to graduates of BS Food Technology of UP.

Undergraduate work before admission

The Departmental Graduate Committee will recommend the undergraduate subjects to be taken given following guidelines:

a. UP graduate: to take courses the BSFT curriculum provided the courses have not yet been credited to the student.

b. Non-UP graduate: to take courses under the BSFT curriculum.

Letter of Recommendation

Please use standard reference form - CHE GForm 01-Appendix A.

Each applicant will be required to submit at least two recommendations from 1 (1) former professors and/or (2) immediate supervisor or employer. Each recommendation should incorporate:

a. The applicant’s emotional maturity.

b. The applicant’s ability to pursue graduate work.

c. The applicant’s sense of commitment in pursuing graduate studies.

d. Whenever applicable, the applicant’s potential to create, innovate and/or produce cutting edge work or ideas.

e. Whenever applicable, the applicant’s creative promise.

f. Other qualifications that may contribute to good performance.

Interview

Applicants should be available for an interview to be conducted by the Department Graduate Committee.

Entrance Exam

Applicants should pass an oral exam to be prepared, administered, and processed by the Department Graduate Committee. The entrance exam is designed to assess the applicant’s general aptitude for graduate studies. The date and venue of the oral exam will be indicated in the application form.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

a. A Certified True Copy of the English translation of the diploma with the seal of the University and the signature in INK of the Registrar.

b. Proof of English and/or Filipino proficiency, except for those who graduated from institutions where the medium of instruction is English.

i. For applicants whose medium of instruction is English – a certification from the school that English is their medium of instruction.

ii. For applicants whose medium of instruction is not English – IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Examination Results shall be required. The minimum required overall band score is 7 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component of the IELTS Academic or General test.

iii. For applicants outside the Philippines or for those who are not living in areas geographically proximate to a U.P. constituent university, the Department Graduate Committee concerned shall require any of the following:

1. an online synchronous interaction;

2. a telephone interview;

3. a personal interview to be conducted by a duly accredited U.P. alumnus, alumna or representative (usually from a Philippine embassy or consulate) living in an area close to the applicant’s place of origin.

NOTE: Application form should be submitted one (1) year ahead for purposes of processing the Student Visa and Study Permit.

OTHER GUIDELINES

a. The Department Graduate Committee will sit en banc to evaluate graduate applications. Decision by referendum will NOT be allowed.

b. The Department reserves the right to recommend a waiver of a requirement in exceptionally meritorious cases, for approval by the Dean.

c. All requirements must be submitted to the Office of the College Secretary. Acceptance of an applicant is determined by the department chairman in consultation with the graduate faculty after careful and thorough consideration of the applicant’s academic records, professional experience and background.

d. Upon admission to the Master’s program, the department chairman assigns to each student a program adviser which, together with the student shall plan a program of study based on the student’s needs, interests, and requirements for the degree.

Graduate Studies Admission Requirements

Approved by the UC on its 82nd Meeting

July 23, 2003

Revised by the CHE College Graduate

Faculty Council on July 13, 2018

The Master’s Degree may be obtained through either of the following two (2) options.

a. Thesis Option

To qualify for the Master’s Degree under the Thesis Option, a student must satisfy the following requirements.

i. Completion of a Program of Study consisting of a minimum of twenty four (24) units of formal graduate courses and those units stipulated by the Residence Rules (see 4.10), if applicable;

ii. Maintenance of a Cumulative Weighted Average Grade (CWAG) of “2.00” or better in his/her graduate courses at the end of each academic year until completion of the Program of Study;

iii. Completion of a master’s thesis based on a significant, independent, original, scientific research or creative work;

iv. Successful public oral defense of the master’s thesis; and

v. Submission of at least five (5) certified bound copies of approved Master’s thesis.

b. Non-Thesis Option

To qualify for the Master’s Degree under the Non-Thesis Option, a student must satisfy the following requirements.

i. Completion of a Program of Study consisting of a minimum of thirty (30) units of formal graduate courses and those units stipulated by the Residence Rules, if applicable;

ii. Maintenance of a Cumulative Weighted Average Grade (CWAG) of “2.00” or better in his/her graduate courses at the end of each academic year until completion of the Program of Study; and

iii. Passing the Master’s Comprehensive Examination after completion of all course work in the student’s Program of Study and those units stipulated by the Residence Rules, if applicable.

c. Additional Requirements

Additional requirements over and above these minimum University requirements and standards for the Master’s Degree may be adopted with the approval of the appropriate bodies (Department Graduate Committee, College Graduate Committee or College Graduate Faculty Council).

a. The Program Adviser

i. Each student admitted into a master’s program shall be assigned a Program Adviser who holds at least a master’s degree. The Department Graduate Committee shall recommend the Program Adviser to the Dean.

ii. The Program Adviser shall advise, guide, and evaluate the student until completion of the student’s program of study.

iii. The adviser should monitor the academic performance and progress of graduate students in the College through the Office of the College Secretary, and to recommend to the Dean, through channels, such students’ continuation in or disqualification from, a graduate program.

b. Program of Study

i. Within the first semester of the student’s initial year in the master’s program, a Program of Study shall be designed by the Program Adviser in consultation with the student and the program of study committee (if applicable) on the basis of the student’s academic preparation and desired specialization.

ii. A copy of this Program of Study shall be submitted to the Department Graduate Committee and Office of the College Secretary for records and evaluation purposes. Subsequent revisions in the Program of Study must be authorized by the Program Adviser.

c. Study Load Per Semester

The normal study load of a full-time student shall be nine (9) to twelve (12) units per semester of formal graduate courses. Part-time students may take a study load between one (1) to eight (8) units.

a. Transfer of Credits from Another University

i. Subject to the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee and the approval of the Dean, graduate courses taken by a student in another university may be credited towards his/her master’s program provided that:

1. these courses were taken within the last five (5) years prior to admission;

2. these were validated through appropriate means by the Department Graduate Committee concerned; and

3. the total number of credits transferred shall not exceed three- eighths (3/8) of the total number of units in the student’s master’s course requirements.

ii. However, condition (2) shall not apply if the courses were taken in an institution with which the University of the Philippines has a special academic arrangement and if these courses are part of the student’s approved Program of Study.

b. Transfer of Credits from Another Program

Subject to the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee and the approval of the Dean, graduate courses taken by the student under another program of the University of the Philippines may be transferred for credit to his/her new master’s program provided that:

i. these courses were taken during the last five (5) years prior to the student’s admission or transfer to the master’s program;

ii. these units have not been credited to a degree previously obtained by the student; and

iii. these courses are relevant to his/her new program.

c. Processing of Transfer of Credits 

Transfer of credits shall be done within the first semester of the student’s admission into the program (CHE GForm 03). The course/s credited shall be specified in the student’s record by the Department Graduate Committee and the Office of the College Secretary. A copy of the approval shall be sent to the Office of the University Registrar, through channels.

a. Grading System

The following numerical grades shall be used in graduate courses: 1.00 (Excellent), 1.25, 1.50 (Very Good), 1.75, 2.00 (Good), 2.25, 2.50 (Satisfactory), 2.75, 3.00 (Pass), 4.00 (Conditional Failure), INC (Incomplete), and 5.00 (Fail). A grade of “3.00” or better is a passing grade. A graduate student earns credit for a course when he/she obtains a grade of “3.00” or better. A grade of 5.00 disqualifies the student from the program.

b. Cumulative Weighted Average Grade (CWAG)

The Cumulative Weighted Average Grade (CWAG) shall be based on all courses taken by the student in his/her approved Program of Study, including those taken in compliance with the Residence Rules (See 4.10), if applicable. To remain in good standing, a student must maintain a CWAG of “2.00” or better in his/her course work at the end of each academic year until the completion of the Program of Study. The CWAG shall be computed by the Office of the College Secretary and reported by the latter to the Department Graduate Committee.

c. Failure to Satisfy the Grade Requirement

A student who fails to satisfy the CWAG of “2.00” at the end of the academic year shall be dismissed from the master’s program. Likewise, a student who gets a grade of 5.0 shall be dismissed from the program. The student may appeal for reconsideration to the Dean, through channels. The Dean decides on the appeal upon the recommendation of the student’s Program Adviser and the Department Graduate Committee. A student who has been dismissed from her program may apply in another program in the College provided that she/he meets the admission requirements of the said program.

a. A student shall enroll the 6-unit research course (300 level) to officially start the Master’s thesis. If unable to finish the thesis after 2 years, then the student shall re-enrol the course.

b. Standards for the Master’s Thesis

The Master’s Thesis shall:

i. embody an original or highly advanced, independent, significant, scientific research or creative work showing depth and breadth of knowledge that significantly contributes to the field of specialization

ii. show the student’s capacity to make a critical evaluation of previous work done in his/her chosen research topic; and

iii. demonstrate the student’s ability to present research findings in a clear, systematic, and scholarly manner.

iv. show advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields of study (that may be inter-disciplinary or multi-disciplinary) for professional practice or self-directed research

v. demonstrate careful consideration of ethical procedures and standards applied during the research as approved by the CHE Ethical Advisory Committee.

c. The Thesis Committee

i. Upon completion of course work, a Thesis Committee consisting of three (3) to five (5) members shall be constituted. The Committee may consist of an Adviser, a Reader/Critic, and one (1) to three (3) panel members/readers. In special cases requiring joint advising, the Committee may consist of an Adviser, a Co-Adviser, and a Reader/Critic; one (1) to two (2) additional panel members/readers may be included. The Dean shall appoint a representative to take part in the proposal and oral defense.

ii. The Thesis Committee shall consist of graduate faculty members with master’s degrees, upon the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee. The Thesis Committee members shall be chosen based on their area of specializations and the specific requirements of the student’s research. A maximum of one (1) out of three (3) or two (2) out of (5) members of the Panel (excluding the Dean’s Representative) may come from an institution outside the University.

iii. The Adviser shall belong to the Department where the student is enrolled. The Co-Adviser and one of the Readers may belong to an outside unit/College/University.

iv. Professorial Lecturers, Professors Emeriti, and experts from outside the College/unit/University may also serve as Co-Adviser, Reader, and panellists upon approval by the Dean, through channels.

v. The Thesis Committee members shall be appointed by the Dean, through channels.

d. Functions of the Thesis Committee

The Thesis Committee shall (1) approve the thesis proposal: and (2) evaluate the acceptability of the final thesis.

e. The Thesis Adviser and Co-Adviser

i. After the student completes the prescribed academic requirements, he/she shall request the Dean for a Thesis Adviser and a Co-Adviser, if necessary. The Dean shall then appoint the Adviser/Co-Adviser who shall be chosen onnthe basis of their expertise in the student’s research topic, upon recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee (CHE GForm 10). The Adviser must come from the Department where the student is enrolled. In cases of joint advising, the Co-Adviser may come from outside the unit. In cases that there is no available adviser in the concerned Department to handle the student’s research topic, expert faculty members within the college may be assigned by the Dean, through channels.

ii. The Thesis Adviser shall be mainly responsible for:

1. advising the student in the preparation of the thesis proposal;

2. guiding and monitoring his/her thesis research;

3. endorsing his/her master’s thesis for oral defense to the reader/critic and panel

4. evaluating the pre-print article as second author

iii. The Thesis Co-Adviser shall provide additional guidance to substantiate the research paper. Likewise, the co-adviser shall also be responsible in:

1. advising the student in the preparation of the thesis proposal;

2. guiding and monitoring his/her thesis research; and

3. endorsing his/her master’s thesis for oral defense to the reader/critic and panel.

f. The Reader/Critic

The functions of the Reader/Critic are to (1) evaluate the thesis for oral defense; and (2) endorse the thesis to the Oral Defense Panel.

g. The Panel Chair

One member of the panel should be assigned as the panel chair. The panel chair will be responsible in facilitating the conduct of the thesis proposal and final oral defense (i.e. introducing the student and the other members of the panel, managing time during the oral examination, facilitating questions at the end of the student’s presentation, and announcing the results of the oral defense)

h. The Dean shall also appoint a representative to take part in the proposal and oral defense of the master’s thesis (CHE GForm 15A). The representative must have the following qualifications:

i. He/she must be a member of the CGFC and a fulltime faculty.

ii. He/she must be teaching in a degree program that is distinct from that of the thesis student.

iii. He/she must have a master’s degree.

The Dean’s Representative shall have the following functions:

i. To ensure that the procedures involving the proposal and oral defense have been followed.

ii. To participate in the student’s proposal and oral defense, without voting rights.

iii. To report to the Dean the proceedings of the oral defense (CHE GForm 20).

i. Change in the Composition of the Thesis Committee

i. Any change in the composition of the Thesis Committee (e.g. Adviser, Reader) shall be approved by the Dean. The new member/s of the panel shall be appointed by the Dean upon the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee.

ii. A student who wishes to change the composition of the Thesis Committee shall formally write the Dean, through channels, stating the reason/s for the request. Such request shall be endorsed by the thesis adviser and the committee member to be replaced. (CHE GForm 13)

iii. The Adviser may request to be relieved of his/her duties for justifiable reasons. He/she shall formally write the Dean, through channels.

j. Number of Thesis Advisees

The number of advisees (inclusive of thesis and dissertation students) shall be left to the discretion of the College Graduate Faculty Council. The College Graduate Committee, headed by the Dean, recommends a maximum of three (3) thesis advisees at a time per adviser.

k. The Thesis Proposal

The student shall submit a written thesis proposal to the Thesis Adviser, Co-Adviser (if any) and Reader. The proposal shall be defended orally before the Thesis Committee members. A certified copy of the approved thesis proposal and a form endorsing it, duly signed by the thesis Committee shall be submitted to the Dean, through channels. Upon approval of the proposal, the student may then carry out the thesis research.

ORAL DEFENSE OF THE MASTER’S THESIS

a. Administration of the Oral Defense

i. After the student’s completed draft has been favourably evaluated by the Research Adviser and Reader/Critic, they shall endorse it for oral defense to the Dean, through channels using CHE GForm 15.

ii. The request for oral defense should be at least one (1) month prior to the intended date.

iii. The oral defense must be held in the College/unit at a time recommended by the Panel, and authorized by the Dean, through channels.

iv. The time and place of the master’s defense shall be officially announced by the Office of the College Secretary at least two (2) weeks before the scheduled oral defense (CHE GForm 16). Announcements consisting of the title of the research and time and place of the defense shall be posted at designated places in the College for the information of the public. The schedule of the defense may be changed only upon the recommendation of the Oral Defense Panel, and authorized by the Dean, through channels. The oral defense must be held in the College/unit at a time recommended by the Panel, and authorized by the

Dean, through channels.

v. The oral defense may be held only under the following conditions:

1. The thesis manuscript has been received by each member of the Oral Defense Panel at least two (2) weeks before the scheduled examination; and

2. All members of the Oral Defense Panel are present, except for programs that require the inclusion of a foreign Co-Adviser or foreign external examiner. If the latter is absent, he/she shall be required to send his/her comments to the Chair of the Panel who shall integrate this in the final report. In unavoidable circumstances, live video conferencing of a maximum of one out of three and two out of five panel members may be allowed.

vi. If any other member of the Panel is absent, the defense shall be rescheduled.

vii. The oral defense shall be open to the public, the duration of which shall be left to the discretion of the Panel. The evaluation and rating of the student’s oral defense shall be done by the Panel in a closed-door meeting to be held

immediately after the defense.

b. Oral Defense Panel

i. The Oral Defense Panel shall consist of three (3) to five (5) members, inclusive of the members of the Thesis Committee, who are master’s degree holders. The panel members shall be appointed by the Dean upon recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee. In addition, the Dean shall appoint a representative to take part in the proceedings.

ii. A maximum of one (1) out of three (3) or two (2) out of five (5) members of the Master’s Oral Defense Panel (excluding the Dean’s Representative) may come from an academic institution or qualified agency outside the University.

c. Rating

i. There shall be three (3) ratings for the defense: “Pass,” “Provisional Pass,” or “Fail.”

“Pass” means that a few minor revisions are required that need to be approved by the adviser only.

“Provisional Pass” means that several minor revisions are required that need to be approved by the panel members. All

members of the Panel must agree on the recommended revisions, which must be specified in writing and attached to the final report (CHE GForm 17). A second rating sheet shall be signed only after the student has incorporated the revisions and the Oral Defense Panel has certified that the revisions have been made.

“Fail” means substantial/major revisions are required by at least two-thirds of the Panel members. Any member who fails the student must specify the reason/s in writing, a copy of which shall be attached to the report of the panel.

ii. The result of the oral defense must be reported by the Panel to the Dean, through channels, within three working days after the defense (CHE GForm 17).

d. Passing or Failing the Master’s Defense

If the student passes the oral defense, his/her master’s thesis shall be considered approved. If the student fails the defense, he/she may submit himself/herself to a second oral defense within one (1) academic year after the first defense. Failure to pass the second oral defense or to retake it within the prescribed period disqualifies the student from his/her current master’s program, and from being admitted into other master’s programs offered by the same unit.

a. Nature

i. The Comprehensive Examination shall be a written examination that must be taken by a student in the Non-Thesis Option. It shall aim to test the student’s mastery of his/her discipline or area.

ii. The student may apply for the comprehensive examination after satisfying the following requirements:

1. completing the course work in his/her Program of Study,

2. satisfying the language requirement, if any; and obtaining a CWAG of “2.00” or better in all his/her courses, including those courses taken to comply with the Maximum Residence Rules.

iii. Each department has their own Comprehensive Exam Guidelines.

b. Administration

i. The Comprehensive Examination in each master’s program shall be scheduled and administered by the appropriate Department Graduate Committee. The Program Adviser shall recommend to the Dean, through channels, the schedule of the Comprehensive Examination (CHEG Form 05).

ii. The Dean, based on the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee shall appoint an Examination Committee of a minimum of three (3) members who shall schedule, conduct, and evaluate the Comprehensive Examination.

iii. The examination shall be administered by the Department Graduate Committee at intervals of at least two (2) days in the officially designated Examination room in the College with the approval of the Dean, through channels. Students may vary in terms of schedule and content of examinations.

iv. Results of the Comprehensive Examination must be officially reported by the Examination Committee to the Department Graduate Committee and the Dean, through channels, within two (2) weeks after the last day of the examination.

c. Comprehensive Examination Committee

The Comprehensive Examination Committee shall consist of a minimum of three (3) graduate faculty members with master’s degree. The members of the committee shall be appointed by the Dean upon the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee (CHE GForm 06).

Professorial Lecturers and Professors Emeriti may also serve as examiners provided they are master’s degree holders and known experts in their fields and have taught in the Department or College during the last two (2) years.

d. Rating

i. There shall be three ratings for the Comprehensive Examination: “High Pass,” “Pass,” or “Fail.” (CHE GForm 07)

ii. A student who fails the Comprehensive Examination shall be allowed to re-take the examination within one (1) year after the first examination.

iii. A second failure or failure to re-take the examination within the prescribed period shall bar the student permanently from the master’s program, and from admission into other master’s programs within the same Department.

iv. If the student passes the Comprehensive Examination, he/she shall qualify for the Master’s Degree under the Non-Thesis Option.

v. Department Graduate Committee may impose stricter rating rules, upon the approval of the CGC.

a. One-Year Residence Before Graduation

The student must be officially enrolled in residence at least one (1) academic year prior to the conferment of the master’s degree.

b. Regular Period for Completion

i. The time limit for the completion of all master’s degree requirements shall be five (5) years.

ii. The counting of the period of residence shall start from the student’s first enrolment in a graduate course after admission into the master’s program and shall include all leaves of absence from the program.

iii. If there are courses taken by the student prior to his/her admission to the program and credited to his/her course requirements, then the allowed period of completion will be reduced by a number of semesters equivalent to one (1) semester for every nine (9) units of courses credited to his/her program.

c. Extension of Residence

i. In meritorious cases, extensions of residence beyond the above regular period of completion may be approved by the Dean upon the recommendation of the Department Graduate Committee.

ii. This extension shall be for a period not exceeding one (1) calendar year at a time. In no case shall the extensions exceed more than five (5) years

iii. The student granted an extension shall take additional units of graduate courses in his/her discipline or area during the extension period at a rate of three (3) units for every two (2) years of extension or a fraction thereof.

d. Non-Compliance with Maximum Residence Rules (MRR)

Any student who fails to complete all requirements of the degree within the regular period and any approved extension thereof shall be disqualified from the master’s program.

e. Leave of Absence (LOA)/Absent Without Leave (AWOL)

A student who goes on leave of absence (LOA) /absent without leave (AWOL) from a master’s program shall seek readmission into the program from the Dean, through channels.

Any student in the master’s program may be allowed to change option from thesis to non-thesis or vice versa, subject to the approval of the Dean, through channels.

a. Shifting from Diploma to Master’s Program (and vice versa)

Students who wish to shift from a Diploma program to a Master’s program must follow the admission procedures and additional requirements set by the preferred program (letter of request, good scholastic standing, and recommendation from professors). Graduate courses taken in the original program may be transferred to the new program subject to provisions of transfer of credits.

b. Shifting from Masters to Ph.D. Program (and vice versa)

Students who wish to shift from a Master’s program to a PhD program (and vice versa) in the College must follow the admission procedures and requirements set by the preferred program. Graduate courses taken in the original program may be transferred to the new program subject to provisions of transfer of credits.

a. Application for Graduation

After the student passes the master’s oral defense, he/she shall be qualified to apply for graduation to the University Registrar through the Office of the College Secretary.

b. Submission of Bound Copies of the Master’s Thesis

The applicant for graduation must submit to the Department five (5) bound copies of the approved master’s thesis as a prerequisite for graduation to be distributed as follows: three (3) all original copies for the CHE library; one (1) copy for the Thesis Adviser; and one (1) copy for the student. The bound copies must conform to the standard format of the college and contain the official approval of the thesis by the members of the Oral Defense Panel, the Department Graduate Committee and the official acceptance of the thesis by the Dean.

c. Conferment of the Master’s Degree

After the graduation of the student shall have been recommended by the College Faculty Assembly, or appropriate body, endorsed by the University Council, and approved by the Board of Regents, he/she shall be officially conferred the Master’s degree.