BS/MS
Frequently Asked Questions on the BS/MS Degrees
General Information
What do I need to do to get the BS/MS degrees? This file contains a simplified set of steps to take.
Where can I find out more information about WPI's graduate programs? The graduate catalog is a great place to start. Other information is here.
Is it hard to get into the BS/MS program? If you are a student with decent grades (A's/B's) then you should have a really good chance of being accepted.
What types of degrees are offered? We currently offer three MS degrees: the (a) thesis-based, (b) course-based, and the (c) professional masters degree. The thesis degree is for those who want research and development careers, and involves doing a significant amount of research as part of the degree and writing a thesis report. The course-based masters involves just taking courses to fulfill the degree. The professional masters degree is a new option in our department - see next question for more description of this.
What is the professional masters degree? The degree is designed to help you get a boost in an industrial career path. For the degree you would take classes in an industrially-relevant focus area (currently bioengineering or process engineering) and also complete a GQP.
What is the GQP? Graduate Qualifying Project. Students will work with a partner company or organization on a graduate-level project, very similar to the MQP. Only the Professional Masters degree requires a GQP.
Which MS degree should I seek? It depends on what you want to do with your career. The course-based option is the easiest since you would only need to take a bunch of courses. If you want to graduate in a 5th year, you should plan on this degree. The thesis option is the hardest since it is heavy on research, but would be the best option for a Research and Development career path. If you want to work in industry as a process engineer or similar career, then the Professional Masters degree may be best option. Both the Thesis masters and Professional Masters usually take 1-2 years to finish beyond the BS degree.
How long does it take to finish the BS/MS degrees? It depends on which degree you are completing and what classes you've taken as an undergraduate. The thesis option is usually a 2 year degree (beyond the BS) since it requires you to complete a major research project. The other two degrees usually take 1 to 1 1/2 years if you've already taken several graduate courses as an undergraduate. If you have taken some graduate courses as an undergraduate, and fully double-count undergraduate courses, you can finish the course-based masters in less than 1 year.
How do I apply? Through the grad admissions office.
When should I apply? I recommend you apply in your sophomore or junior years. You can still apply as a senior. Note that you'll need to be accepted into the BS/MS program before you can double-count any undergraduate courses. To apply you'll need letters of recommendations, so getting your IQP or MQP advisor(s) or course instructors to write letters is a great idea after you've started/finished them.
Classes/Coursework
What classes are required for the MS degree? You can find the departmental graduate handbook here. All MS degrees require 30 graduate credits. A typical course is 3 graduate credits.
What are core courses and what are elective courses? Three core courses are required to complete all MS degrees. Current core courses are CHE 504, 509, 561, and 571. Elective courses are courses that you choose to take to fulfill your requirements. The graduate handbook lists the requirements for each degree.
What are the seminar/colloquium courses? They are courses on professional development and research topics. They are worth 0 credits, but are required by all graduate students every semester. Starting your fifth year at WPI you should plan on taking them. These are listed as CHE 501/502/503.
What undergraduate courses double-count for the BS/MS program? The advantage of double-counting undergraduate courses is that it will allow you to graduate sooner, since these courses could fill some MS elective requirements. A maximum of 4 undergraduate courses may count towards the MS degree. Below are the undergraduate courses currently allowed to double-count.
- CHE 3501 Applied Mathematics in Chemical Engineering
- CHE 4405 Chemical Process Dynamics and Control Laboratory
- MQP Major Qualifying Project (1/3 unit maximum)
- An Independent Study in Chemical Engineering at the 4000 level (1/3 unit maximum)
Only One of the Following May Count:
- CHE 4401 Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering I
- CHE 4402 Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering II
Only One of the Following May Count:
- CHE 4404 Chemical Plant Design Project
- CHE 4410 Chemical Process Safety Design
What do I need to double-count an undergraduate course? In order to double-count the above-listed undergraduate courses, you must demonstrate graduate-level competence within the course. This will typically be an extra project, literature review, or some other assignment. Before you take these courses notify the instructor that you intend to count these courses towards the MS degree. The instructor will let you know what extra work you must complete. After the course is over, sign and complete this form, and then scan/send the signed form to the departmental graduate committee through the graduate program Canvas site. If you need to be added to the Canvas site email Professor Deskins.
Can I take graduate courses while an undergraduate? Yes! If you took some graduate courses while an undergraduate they could double-count as your undergraduate electives and also fulfill graduate degree (MS) requirements. If you want to graduate in 5 years (4 years for BS + 1 year for MS) you should take at least one graduate course while an undergraduate. Note that these graduate courses also don't have to be just in our department.
Where can I found out when classes are offered? Look at the current catalog.
I want to do some research, but don't want to complete a thesis. What should I do? You can take Independent Study credit. Find a professor who will advise you for this class and then complete some research or a project with the professor for credit. Independent Study would count as elective credit.
How do graduate courses convert to undergraduate credit and vice-versa? A 3-credit graduate course is equivalent to 1/2 undergraduate units. A 2-credit graduate course is equivalent to 1/3 undergraduate units. Be aware of this and your total course load if you're taking graduate courses.
How do I graduate in five years in the BS/MS program? (a) Get four undergraduate courses to double-count towards the MS degree. See above. (b) Take as many graduate courses as you can while an undergraduate.
Note that you can take as many graduate courses as you'd like, but only four courses however will count towards the undergraduate degree, usually as electives. Many students take graduate courses either as juniors or seniors. We offer many graduate elective courses as term courses. Some courses are taught as semester courses. Graduate courses are also on a different credit system, with a typical graduate course being 3 graduate credits (equivalent to 1/2 undergraduate unit). Finally, you don't just have to take chemical engineering graduate courses while an undergraduate. You can take graduate courses from other departments that will count towards your MS degree, so keep this in mind.
