Forms and Timelines

For the Master’s degree programs in Boise State University’s ECE Department

 

There are many forms that graduate students need to access and file to complete their degree. The forms mentioned in this document can be accessed at: http://www.boisestate.edu/gradcoll/ by clicking on the “Forms” menu item on the left side of this webpage.

 

Apply to ECE graduate program

  • This should be done early in your program. The application form is available online.

  • A maximum of 10 credits may be transferred into the program (15 from UI/ISU) and only with approval of your advisory committee and the Graduate Dean. Therefore definitely resolve your transfer credits before the end of your 4th graduate course, and preferably earlier to make sure the courses you take will transfer and apply to your graduate program.

  • For specific admission requirements (letters of recommendation, GRE scores, statement of purpose, etc.) see the Electrical and Computer Engineering section of the graduate catalogs and the department’s graduate policies. All application materials, unless otherwise specified in the graduate catalog or these policies, e.g., portions of international applications, should be submitted to the Graduate College’s admissions office.

 

During your 1st semester

  • Select an MS/MEngr advisor. If pursuing an MS, this will be your thesis advisor. If pursuing an MEngr this will be the professor who writes the comprehensive exam.

  • Fill out “Program Development” form. Fill this out with your research advisor when you start your graduate program to get a roadmap towards completion of your program. Transfer credits should be transferred ASAP (10 max may be transferred, 15 from UI/ISU – on approval of advisory committee and Graduate Dean).

 

Before the last semester

  • File “Application for Admission to Candidacy” form. This form is filled out after 15 credits have been completed and two semesters before graduation (see catalog for exact date).

  • Apply for your degree via BroncoWeb

    • late January for May graduation

    • early June for August graduation

    • or, late August for December graduation (see catalog for exact date)

Graduate students must be enrolled at Boise State during the semester they graduate. Typically, students are enrolled in at least:

  • one credit of Thesis, ECE 593, for an MS student defending their Thesis,
  • Masters comprehensive exam, ECE 600, for an M.Engr. student, or
  • one credit of dissertation, ECE 693, for doctoral students

Not understanding and following these requirements will delay your graduation. Every ECE graduate student should be familiar with the Graduate Catalog and the policies linked to: http://coen.boisestate.edu/ece/ECE_advising.asp

Question: I’ve already taken 6 credits of Thesis. Do I really need to enroll in a 7th credit of Thesis the semester I defend (my Thesis) and graduate? Answer: Yes, you must be enrolled at Boise State to graduate (re-read comments above and ECE/Graduate College policies). Note that you can take 50 Thesis credits; however, only 6 count towards your MS.

For MEngr (coursework-only master’s)

During your final semester register for 1 credit of ECE 600 ASSESSMENT [Comprehensive Exam]. The comprehensive exam is graded pass/fail only.

  • At the beginning of the semester contact your advisor to schedule the exam

  •  “Completion of comprehensive exam” deadlines are typically in mid-October for December graduation and early April for May graduation. (see catalog for exact date)

  • Your advisor will write the exam and thus tell you what material to study

  • In some special cases, for example a student with a minor area considerably outside the major area of emphasis, another faculty member may write part of the exam

  • In all cases the advisor is responsible for proctoring and coordinating the writing of student’s comprehensive exam

  • The exam length is typically 4 hours at the advisor’s discretion

 

Immediately after the advisor grades the comprehensive exam, generally within a week of taking the exam, the student will

  • Notify the EE or CompE graduate coordinators of their exam results by filling out the “Report of Culminating Activity” form. This form requires the signature of the student’s advisor (in the committee chairperson location) and either the EE or CompE graduate coordinator. Only these two signatures are required prior to submission to the Graduate College.

 

For MS (thesis students)

After working with your advisor to determine a Thesis topic, generally after your first semester in grad school, fill out and submit to Graduate Admission and Degree Services (MG-141) the “Appointment of Supervisory Committee” form.

 

During the final semester register for at least 1 credit of ECE 593 THESIS. While there is no limit to the number of thesis credits the student can take there is a minimum requirement of 6 credits (only 6 thesis credits can count towards the MS). Thesis is graded pass/fail only. The format information for theses is in the document Standards for Preparation of Dissertations, Theses, and Projects in the Graduate College at: http://coen.boisestate.edu/ece/msece.asp

 

2 weeks before thesis defense

  • Give semi-final copies of thesis to all committee members for their review

  • Schedule exact defense date. Defense deadlines are typically in mid-October for December graduation and early April for May graduation. (see catalog for exact date)

  • Hang posters advertising defense around ET & MEC buildings. A template is seen at: http://coen.boisestate.edu/ece/msece.asp

 

Immediately after the thesis defense

  • Notify the EE or CompE graduate coordinators of their defense results by filling out the “Report of Culminating Activity” form. This form requires the signature of the student’s advisor, the committee members, and either the EE or CompE graduate coordinator. Submit the form to the Graduate College.

 

After making the changes to the thesis requested by the committee members at defense

  • Obtain signatures on thesis approval page

  • Bring full copy to Graduate College for format review

  • Submit final copies on watermarked, 25% paper to Graduate College

  • Submit copies to advisor and any other committee members who want one (survey the other committee members for interest, and paper/binding requirements: hard, comb, spiral)

  • Thesis submission deadlines are typically mid-November for December graduation and 1 week after defense deadline in early April for May graduation (see catalog for exact date)

  • Remind advisor to change thesis credits grades from IP (in progress) to P (pass)

 

Other notes:

  • Students are allowed 7 years to complete MS/MEngr degree requirements. Coursework older than 7 years cannot be applied towards a Master’s degree unless there are special circumstances and a waiver of the rules is provided by the Graduate College (the student must petition the Graduate College).