This section contains answers to many of the frequently asked questions from graduate students. If you have questions that are not answered below, please contact the EECS Graduate Office Phone: (785) 864-4487 or Email: graduate@eecs.ku.edu .
No. This is personal information, which is only given to the applicant directly by mail/email. As a university policy, this information is never given over the telephone, since we have no way to confirm the applicant's identity over the telephone.
The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 student credit hours of approved graduate course work. Students normally take 24 hours of courses and 6 hours of thesis (EECS 899). The nonthesis requires a minimum of 33 student credit hours of approved graduate course work.
Students admitted to the Ph.D. program in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with an M.S. degree in their intended field of study must complete 18 semester credit hours of approved course work and a minimum of 18 semester credit hours of doctoral dissertation (EECS 999).
Students admitted to one of the department's Ph.D. programs without an M.S. in their intended field of study must complete 42 credit hours of approved course work and a minimum of 18 semester credit hours of doctoral dissertation (EECS 999).
Yes. Students are allowed to take a "reasonable number" of classes beyond their EECS degree requirements to satisfy their personal interests. Normally, this would consist of one or two classes at the undergraduate level or in another department to strengthen their background. Students who wish to take more than six hours beyond their MS degree requirements, should first complete their EECS degree, and then return as a Ph.D. student or non-degree seeking student to take additional classes.
Print out a copy of your enrollment forms, meet with your EECS faculty advisor to select classes, bring your class selections (and an updated plan of study if necessary) to the EECS department office to have the enrollment hold released, and go online to enroll in your classes. Please check the online catalog at www.opensections.ku.edu for our current graduate offerings. International graduate students must visit the Applied English Center (AEC) in 204 Lippincott Hall to pick up their enrollment forms their first semester at the University of Kansas.
Every semester is divided into two "drop periods" and the withdrawal procedure is different for each period. In the first drop period, you can drop your class online and no grade will be recorded for the class. In the second drop period, you need the class instructor's signature who gives you either a 'WP' or a 'WF' grade. These grades will show on the transcript. Dropping a class will have a financial penalty, as you may not get money back (see the University's policy on that). In conclusion, if you decide to drop a class, it is best to withdraw from classes as soon as possible.
No. You may choose another professor to work with, as long as he/she is agreeable to taking you on. You should revise your plan of study as needed with your new advisor and submit it to the Graduate Committee for approval. As a courtesy, you should inform your old advisor that you are working with someone else.
All graduate students are required to have an approved plan of study submitted to the Graduate Office by the end of their first semester of graduate studies in EECS. If you do not have a plan of study by this time, the department will not release your enrollment hold, which means that you cannot enroll. Work with your faculty advisor to complete a plan of study.
All graduate students are expected to work with their faculty advisors to keep their plan of study up to date. Minor changes can be easily made using the online plan of study system. A new plan of study is required if you change major or change advisors.
Meet with your advisor or another faculty member in the area you wish to move into to discuss your academic background and make an appropriate plan of study for your intended major. This may include a number of preparation (deficiency) classes which would not count towards your graduate degree. Pick up a change of major form in the EECS Graduate Office. After it is filled out, return it and your revised plan of study to the Graduate Office for submission to the Graduate Committee.
The graduate school at the University of Kansas has limited the number of transfer hours to 6 credit hours. Transfer classes must be included in your plan of study and approved by your advisor, your committee, and the EECS Graduate Studies Committee in order to count towards your MS or PhD.
Meet with your advisor to determine if the classes are appropriate for your plan of study. If so, pick up a transfer credit request form in the EECS Graduate Office. After it is filled out, return it and your revised plan of study to the Graduate Office for submission to the Graduate Studies Committee.
No. As a general rule the same credits may never be used for more than one degree. Only classes that are taken above and beyond your other degree requirements would be eligible for your EECS degree.
Yes. You must be enrolled at the time you take your finals orals, unless you take them within the first two weeks of classes of the semester during Fall and Spring and the first week of classes during Summer. M.S. and PhD students should enroll for at least one hour per semester, unless the student has requested an official leave of absence from the graduate program (see Graduate Office).
Enrollment is done online, however, you need to have your "Permit to Enroll" form signed by your advisor in order for the Graduate Office to release your hold. Have your advisor contact the Graduate Office if you are out of town.
