Credits and Courses
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required. At least 24 credits must be earned in formal course credits representing at least 8 courses. Up to 6 of the 30 credits may be earned through an acceptable thesis (through registered thesis credits – Geo Sci 990). All students in their second or later year are required to present a progress report annually to the Department.
Thesis
The student must write an acceptable thesis embodying the results of original research completed under the direction of the advisor. The student must defend the thesis and receive approval by the Thesis Committee. The Thesis Committee consists of the faculty advisor and two other individuals (usually two other UWM faculty members, but may be faculty members from other institutions). The faculty advisor must approve the members of the thesis committee.
The student will present their research results in a public thesis presentation that must be advertised within the department at least one week in advance. The student is responsible for scheduling the thesis presentation and defense. Immediately after the presentation, the thesis must be orally defended before the entire Thesis Committee. The defense may include questions related to the conducted research and any of the student’s fields of study. If the thesis is defended and the oral examination is passed to the satisfaction of a majority of the Thesis Committee, the candidate is passed and recommended for the degree.
