Submit inquiries to:
Coordinator of Graduate Programs
Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science
Binghamton University
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, New York 13902-6000
E-mail: wtsngrad@binghamton.edu
Prospective students should visit the Graduate School website (gradschool.binghamton.edu) to apply online, or to print an application. In addition to the application, official transcripts, a statement of professional goals, and two letters of recommendation are required. International applicants must submit GRE scores and a statement of financial means, and those whose native language is not English must also submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Prospective students may also be admitted to coursework by submitting an application to the Graduate School for Continuing Education (Non-Degree) status. Continuing Education students are allowed to take courses without submitting lengthy documentation, but are encouraged to apply for matriculated (Degree) status after one semester of study. This process is especially advantageous for students who must first complete undergraduate prerequisite courses before beginning graduate-level coursework. This process should be discussed with one of the program advisers.
The Watson School provides a variety of fellowships, teaching assistantships and graduate assistantships for outstanding applicants. These awards may include full tuition as well as a graduate stipend. Applicants will automatically be considered for these awards as part of the admission process. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of merit and required skills.
The Watson School offers master of science (MS) degrees in biomedical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering and systems science. A master of engineering (MEng) degree with various specializations is also available. These programs are described fully under the appropriate headings below.
Students may wish to consider one of the various concurrent BS/MS programs offered by the Watson School. Those majoring in computer science, computer or electrical engineering, or industrial and systems engineering may apply to a concurrent bachelors-masters degree program in their major during the second semester of the junior year. This is done in their department of major. Additionally, any Watson School junior may apply to the combined BS/MBA program with the School of Management. Both programs allow for completion of the masters degree in an additional year of study after graduation. Further information is available in the appropriate department listings.
The Watson School offers the PhD in biomedical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, and systems science (with optional specializations in intelligent systems, manufacturing systems and biosystems). Research areas are multidisciplinary and reflect the interests of Watson School faculty. Current research areas include:
The role of physical interactions in mediating the growth, development and adaptation of biological tissues, organisms and living systems; gene and protein expression patterns using microarray technology; biological/social networks; bioelectromagnetics; environmental toxicology; endocrine disruption by environmental chemicals; proteomics of cancer and endocrine related diseases; environmental remediation of contaminated soils and wastewater; physiological and endocrine adaptations to stresses and their relation to the development of chronic diseases.
Computer architecture, computer networks, database systems, distributed systems, information retrieval, operating systems, parallel processing, real-time systems, software specification and verification, and VLSI systems.
Predictive testing for interconnect reliability, contact resistance of engineered surfaces, noise analysis, subsurface imaging, laser communication, signal processing, control systems, computer security, digital security (digital steganography and digital steganalysis).
Mechanics and design (with emphasis on solid mechanics/stress analysis, vibrations, tribology), thermofluids (with emphasis on heat transfer, lubrication, microfluidics and environmental/biological transport phenomena), materials engineering (with emphasis on microstructural/property relationships, thin films and materials processing) and computational mechanics (with emphasis on finite element and finite volume computational models and hybrid analytical/computational methods).
Uncertainty, fuzzy logic, optimization, biosystems, intelligent systems and the electronics manufacturing process, particularly in the areas of printed circuit board production and automated assembly
For admission to a doctoral program, current students in a Watson School masters program are required to present to the director of graduate studies letters of recommendation from two Watson School faculty and a statement of the area of research in which they plan to do their dissertation. Students from other institutions should write to the director of graduate studies in their prospective program (Watson School, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000), and give a summary of their academic background and a statement of their field of research interest. Because of the wide range of potential research topics and the limited enrollment in the PhD program, preliminary discussions with the applicant are expected before the students acceptance. Applicants must submit GRE scores in the verbal, quantitative and analytical tests.
All application materials should be received before Feb. 15 for decisions on fall admission and before Nov. 1 for decisions on spring admission.
On acceptance into a program, students must form an approved guidance committee. The guidance committee consists of from three to five members, normally full-time Watson School faculty; however, students may propose members from other schools at Binghamton University, faculty from other universities or professionals from outside academe. The guidance committee advises the student and evaluates and certifies the students performance throughout the program of study and research.
In consultation with the guidance committee, the student prepares a learning contract in which a program of study is specified, including the major area of research, additional course requirements, teaching requirement, evaluation procedures and the form of the comprehensive examination. Although the learning contract may be modified as the research interests of the student develop, to ensure competence and depth in the major area and breadth in relevant disciplines, each modification must be approved by the guidance committee and properly documented. A copy of the learning contract is placed on file with the coordinator of graduate programs in the Watson School Deans Office.
On admission to a PhD program, the student must prepare to demonstrate mastery of fundamental skills to the guidance committee. This comprehensive qualifying requirement is normally satisfied by:
In exceptional cases, with approval of the graduate studies committee, a student may satisfy some of the requirements by means of previous academic experience, publications or other evidence of competence.
When the comprehensive requirement is accepted by the guidance committee, the student is recommended for admission to candidacy. The student has six months from completion of the comprehensive requirement to submit an approved prospectus to the coordinator of graduate programs in the Watson School Deans Office.
The student presents, for evaluation by the Watson School faculty, a colloquium on the proposed research, demonstrating an ability to use suitable research methodologies and to identify relevant problems in the area of concentration.
Using the results of the colloquium, the student, in consultation with the guidance committee, prepares a more detailed prospectus outlining the dissertation research, which is filed with the coordinator of graduate programs in the Watson School Deans Office.
In addition to the coursework and research, doctoral candidates must demonstrate proficiency in teaching. Doctoral students must meet a teaching requirement in one of the following ways:
Refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this publication.
There is no formal language requirement; however, individual students may have a language requirement specified in the learning contract.
With the guidance of the dissertation adviser, the student completes research and preparation of the dissertation, an original written contribution demonstrating originality and competence in the chosen field of research. The guidance committee has direct charge of all matters pertaining to the dissertation, which must have the committees unanimous approval before arrangements are made for the final examination for the degree. The dissertation is to comply with the format and filing requirements set forth in the Graduate School Student Handbook.
In defense of the dissertation, the student is required to pass an oral examination, open to the University community. The evaluation of the students performance in this oral examination is made by an examination committee consisting of members of the students guidance committee, augmented by an outside examiner appointed by the vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. The decision to recommend the candidate for the doctoral degree is made by unanimous vote of the guidance committee.