GRADUATE CATALOG 2013-2014 Academic Calendar 2013–2014 The graduate academic calendar is divided into fall, spring and summer semesters. The undergraduate academic calendar is divided into seven-week terms: the fall semester terms, A and B; the spring semester terms, C and D. Term E is the summer semester. Some graduate courses are offered on a term-basis, coincidental with the undergraduate calendar. Details of the WPI academic calendar, including dates on which graduate classes begin and end for each semester, appear below. 2013 2014 August 21-22 January 8 Teaching Assistants Training Graduate Student Orientation August 27 (for students beginning Spring 2014) Graduate Student Orientation January 8-9 August 29 Teaching Assistant Training (new TA’s only) Graduate classes begin, Fall semester January 16 September 2 Graduate classes begin, Spring semester Labor Day January 20 October 1 Martin Luther King Day (no classes) Deadline for filing application for February 3 graduation for February 2014 Deadline for filing application for October 17 graduation for May 2014 Last day of classes, Term A 7-week March 7 graduate courses Last day of classes, Term C 7-week October 21-25 graduate courses Semester Break March 10-14 October 28 Semester Break Semester classes resume, Term B 7-week March 17 graduate courses begin First day of classes, Term D 7-week November 26-29 graduate courses Thanksgiving recess March (TBD) December 20 Graduate Research Achievement Day Graduate classes end, Fall semester (GRAD 2013) and Term B April 21 Patriots Day (no classes) May 5 Graduate classes end, Spring semester and Term D May 17 Spring 2013 commencement July 1 Deadline for filing application for graduation for October 2014 2 Academic Calendar Return to Table of Contents Table of Contents Academic Calendar ....................................................2 Graduate Programs ....................................................4 Graduate Programs by Degree ............................................5 Graduate and Advanced Graduate Certificates ................................7 Corporate and Professional Education ......................................9 Admission Information ................................................11 Application Requirements ..............................................14 Financial Information .................................................15 Grading System and Academic Standards ..................................16 Registration Information and Procedures ...................................19 Degree Requirements. .21 Theses and Dissertations ...............................................23 Student Services ......................................................23 Academic Departments and Programs Bioinformatics and Computational Biology ............................26 Biology and Biotechnology. .28 Biomedical Engineering ...........................................31 School of Business ...............................................38 Chemical Engineering ............................................48 Chemistry and Biochemistry . 52 Civil and Environmental Engineering ................................55 Computer and Communications Networks ............................62 Computer Science ...............................................64 Computer Security ...............................................73 Electrical and Computer Engineering ................................74 Fire Protection Engineering ........................................84 Interactive Media and Game Development ............................87 Interdisciplinary Programs .........................................89 Learning Sciences and Technologies ..................................93 Manufacturing Engineering ........................................96 Materials Process Engineering ......................................99 Materials Science and Engineering ..................................100 Mathematical Sciences ...........................................106 Mechanical Engineering ..........................................117 Physics .......................................................131 Robotics Engineering ............................................135 STEM for Educators ............................................141 System Dynamics ...............................................143 Systems Engineering .............................................147 Index .............................................................149 Driving Directions ...................................................150 Table of Contents 3 Graduate Programs Bioinformatics and Computer Science Materials Process Engineering Computational Biology Graduate Certificate Master of Science in Materials Process Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Master of Science in Computer Science Engineering Computational Biology Master of Science in Computer Science specializing in Computer and Materials Science and Biology and Biotechnology* Communications Networks Engineering Master of Science in Biology/ Master of Science in Computer Science Master of Science in Materials Science Biotechnology specializing in Computer Security and Engineering Ph.D. in Biology and Biotechnology Advanced Certificate Ph.D. in Materials Science and Ph.D. in Computer Science Engineering Biomedical Engineering* Electrical and Computer Mathematical Sciences Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering Engineering Master of Mathematics for Educators Master of Science in Biomedical Graduate Certificate Professional Master of Science in Engineering Master of Engineering in Electrical and Financial Mathematics Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering Computer Engineering Professional Master of Science in Master of Engineering in Power Systems Industrial Mathematics Business Engineering Master of Science in Applied Mathematics Graduate Certificate Master of Science in Electrical and Master of Science in Applied Statistics Master of Business Administration Computer Engineering Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences (M.B.A.) Advanced Certificate Master of Science in Information Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Mechanical Engineering Technology Engineering Graduate Certificate Master of Science in Mechanical Master of Science in Management Fire Protection Engineering Master of Science in Marketing and Engineering Technological Innovation Graduate Certificate Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Master of Science in Operations Design Master of Science in Fire Protection and Leadership Engineering Physics Ph.D. in Business Administration Advanced Certificate Master of Science in Physics Ph.D. in Fire Protection Engineering Ph.D. in Physics Chemical Engineering Interactive Media and Master of Science in Chemical Robotics Engineering Engineering Game Development Graduate Certificate Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering Master of Science in Interactive Media Master of Science in Robotics and Game Development Engineering Chemistry and Biochemistry Ph.D. in Robotics Engineering Master of Science in Biochemistry Interdisciplinary Studies Master of Science in Chemistry Master of Science in Interdisciplinary STEM for Educators Ph.D. in Biochemistry Studies Master of Science in Mathematics for Ph.D. in Chemistry – Impact Engineering Educators (MMED) – Manufacturing Engineering Master of Science in Physics for Civil and Environmental Management Educators (MPED) Engineering – Power Systems Management System Dynamics Graduate Certificate – Systems Modeling Master of Engineering in Civil Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Certificate in System Dynamics Master of Science in System Dynamics Engineering Learning Sciences and Master of Science in Civil Engineering Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Social Science Master of Science in Environmental Technologies and Policy Studies Engineering Master of Science in Learning Sciences Systems Engineering Interdisciplinary Master of Science in and Technologies Construction Project Management Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and Graduate Certificate Advanced Certificate Technologies Advanced Certificate Ph.D. in Civil Engineering Master of Science in Systems Manufacturing Engineering Engineering Graduate Certificate Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering *Fall Semester admission only 4 Graduate Programs Return to Table of Contents Graduate Programs by Degree WPI offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) Master of Engineering (M.E.) master of science, master of engineering, Programs Programs master of mathematics for educators, Available, on a full-time and part-time Offered in: master of business administration, and the basis, in the following disciplines: doctor of philosophy degrees. • Biomedical Engineering • Applied Mathematics • Civil Engineering The schedule of courses over a period of • Applied Statistics time generally allows a student taking – Environmental Engineering three or four courses per semester to • Biochemistry* – Master Builder Program complete the course requirements for • Bioinformatics and Computational • Electrical and Computer Engineering Biology most Master’s degree programs in about Master of Business • Biology/Biotechnology* two years. Students taking two courses per Administration (M.B.A.) semester complete the course requirements • Biomedical Engineering Program for the master of science or engineering • Chemical Engineering* degrees in about three years, or the master Provides students with strategies for the • Chemistry* of business administration degree in about successful application of technology to four years. • Civil Engineering