The college's graduate student resources webpage is a central base with links to key resources at the Graduate School and more.

ChBE Graduate Student Handbook

Detailed Descriptions and Instructions for most process can be found in the ChBE Graduate Student Handbook.

Student Academic Reponsibilities

CHBE Guidelines on Student Academic Responsibilities(site)

CHBE Guidelines on Student Academic Responsibilities(pdf)

ChBE Policy on Comprehensive Examinations for Master's Candidates

The following table indicates whether or not a comprehensive examination is required for each of the Masters degrees awarded by the CHBE Department. When a comprehensive examination is required, the type of examination is also indicated.
Degree
Comp.Req'd
Type of Exam
When Taken
Percentage of Coursework
MS CHE(Thesis)
Yes
Oral Defense of Thesis
End of Program
(Ignored)
MS CHE(Non-Thesis)
No
N/A
 N/A
N/A
MS BioE
Yes
Oral Defense of Thesis
End of Program 
(Ignored)
 ME CHE
No
N/A
N/A
N/A
ME BioE
No
N/A
N/A
N/A
MS EnvE(Thesis)
Yes
Oral Defense of Thesis
End of Program
(Ignored)
MS EnvE(Non-Thesis)
Yes
Oral Defense of Prog Paper
When Paper is Complete
2/3 or more

Notes:

  • For the MS CHE (Non-Thesis), the student’s professional paper is reviewed by major advisor only (not full committee)
  • The ME EnvE degree has not been established

While the Department policy is that a comprehensive examination is not required for the MS CHE (Non-Thesis), the student’s major advisor may require the student to publically present and defend the professional paper.

CHBE Policy on Comprehensive Examinations for Master's Candidates (pdf)

Master's En-Route for PhD Students

If you are pursuing an Chemical or Environmental Ph.D. and you do not already have an M.S. degree, you can file paperwork to get a Plan B M.S. “enroute to your Ph.D.”, i.e. at the same time as you pass your comprehensive exam.

The Plan B M.S. requires a professional paper and so students would need to enroll in ECHM/EBIO 575 and provide some sort of professional paper, typically this would be a draft manuscript or the comprehensive proposal.  The comprehensive exam public seminar and closed-door examination serve as the presentation and defense for the M.S.  In addition, the Graduate School would require a program of study form to be filed for the Plan B M.S. This is included as an option while filling out your Plan of Study for your Ph.D.

If you plan to file for the Plan B M.S. enroute to Ph.D., you will need to plan ahead. See the graduate school website and speak with your advisor or the graduate program coordinator for more information at least a semester before your comprehensive is scheduled.  

Office of Sponsored Programs - Finding Funding

Office of Sponsored Programs page on finding additional funding.