NREM offers one option for the MS degrees: Plan A is a thesis-driven research degree, and a student will be accepted into this plan if a faculty sponsor has agreed to advise the student.
Once admitted, MS students must select a specialization area with the approval of their advisor. To meet the integrative, interdisciplinary intent of the NREM program, a set of graduate level courses (the Primary MS Core) will be required of every student, regardless of their specialization/ concentration area.
In addition to the Primary (9 credits) MS Core, a set of electives (15 credits) and thesis credits (6 credits) are required for a total of 30 credits. Electives provide background in research methods and depth in the student’s area of specialization. The remaining credit requirements will be met with thesis credits (NREM 700 ) during the semester the student plans to graduate. Once the thesis topic is finalized, a research proposal must be approved by the committee. An oral defense of the proposal in front of the thesis committee is also required for final approval of the thesis topic. A public defense of the final thesis is also required, and an announcement with thesis abstract, defense date, and location must be sent to the graduate program chair and departmental academic assistant at least 2 weeks in advance.
