It is necessary to fulfill the requirements of and receive the 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, or 6-14 degree along with, or before, the MEng degree. MEng students are expected to make progress on their theses each term and are expected to take at least one class (if needed) each term. Students are encouraged to take courses and work on the thesis simultaneously, in order to ensure timely completion of the degree.
Subject and Thesis Requirements
In addition to the subject requirements below, students must complete an MEng thesis proposal during their first semester as MEng students, and submit an MEng thesis the semester they plan to graduate.
Note that the subject requirements for 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, and 6-4 students in the MEng program differ slightly from those for 6-7 and 6-14 students.
Requirements for 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, or 6-4 MEng
Requirements for 6-7 MEng
Requirements for 6-14 MEng
Units
The MEng requires 90 units (in total) beyond the units that are required for the undergraduate degree(s): 24 units of thesis (6.THM) and 66 units of additional credit; at least 42 of those additional units must come from Approved Advanced Graduate Subjects (AAGSes). Most MEng students end up with 48 units from AAGSes, since the majority of AAGSes are 12-unit subjects. Units from subjects on PNR grading cannot be used to meet the unit requirement.
Additional units beyond AAGS subjects are generally derived from excess undergraduate units (beyond the 180 units of GIRs required for an undergraduate degree).
Subjects fulfilling GIRs or any minor/s cannot be moved up into the graduate program to meet the 66 units requirement. For double majors, any subject appearing on the double major form cannot be pulled into the graduate program for units.
Thesis Units
Thesis units work differently than for other subjects. Students must register for 12 units of 6.THM in each graduate term until their thesis is submitted. However, only 24 units will affect their grade point average (the thesis receives a letter-grade).
During their first semester, students who submit a thesis proposal receive a J (satisfactory) grade in 6.THM; those who do not receive a U (unsatisfactory). Once a proposal has been submitted, students will continue to receive J grades in 6.THM as long as they are making satisfactory progress. During the semester that a student submits their MEng thesis, their research advisor will assign a final letter grade in 6.THM.
Academic Expectations
MEng students are expected to maintain a 4.0 GPA and to make continual progress towards their thesis each term. Students who do not meet these requirements will be contacted by the EECS Undergraduate Office for support in planning the remainder of their MEng. In some situations, students may receive warning letters from the Office of the Vice Chancellor.
Registration During a Typical MEng Term
In addition to the “normal” subjects (AAGSes, MEng restricted electives), MEng students register for the following:
- Thesis: All MEng students should register for 12 units of 6.THM during each MEng term.
- Professional perspectives requirement (PPR; one-time registration): register for 6.9830 (1 unit). See below for further details.
Professional Perspectives Requirement (PPR): 6.9830
MEng students are required to gain professional experience through one of the following ways:
- An internship (industry, government, or academic) of 4+ weeks in IAP or summer; no internships during fall/spring. Students may complete this internship as MEng students or as undergrads.
- Previous employment. If you deferred your MEng entry, work experience you gained during your deferral can fulfill this requirement.
- As part of the 6-A program.
- Colloquia. Attend a series of three colloquia, seminars, or technical talks related to your research.
To receive credit for this requirement, register for the subject number 6.9830 (one unit). 6-A students register for 6.9870 to fulfill the professional perspective requirement.
When to enroll: Domestic students may register concurrently with, or subsequent to, completion of the professional experience; most register subsequent to the experience (e.g., if you have a summer internship, register for 6.9830 in the following fall). International students must enroll concurrently with the internship experience to comply with curricular practical training (CPT) requirements. Summer enrollment in one unit of 6.9830 carries tuition (charge is for one unit).
Completing the requirement: Students registered in 6.9830 receive access to the online portal for the class. All students respond to short answer prompts about the professional experience. For internships or deferral work experience, students also upload a letter from the internship employer confirming dates of employment.
Note: international students must receive work authorization through CPT or OPT; consult with ISO on the process and allowable internship start/end dates.