Master of Science Degree

The Master of Science degree is offered in many fields of engineering and applied science upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 points of credit of approved graduate study extending over at least one academic year.

While a suitable Master of Science program will necessarily emphasize some specialization, the program should be well balanced, including basic subjects of broad importance as well as theory and applications. The history of modern economic, social, and political institutions is important in engineering, and this is recognized in the prescribed undergraduate program of the School. If the candidate’s undergraduate education has been largely confined to pure science and technology, a program of general studies, totaling from 6 to 8 points, may be required. Supplementary statements covering these special requirements are issued by the School’s separate departments. An applicant who lacks essential training will be required to strengthen or supplement the undergraduate work by taking or repeating certain undergraduate courses before proceeding to graduate study. No graduate credit (that is, credit toward the minimum 30-point requirement for the Master of Science degree) will be allowed for such subjects. Accordingly, Master of Science programs may include from 35 to 45 points and may require three terms for completion. Doctoral research credits cannot be used toward M.S. degree requirements.

All degree requirements must be completed within five years of the beginning of graduate study. Under extraordinary circumstances, a written request for an extension of this time limit may be submitted to the student’s department for approval by the department chair and the Assistant Dean. A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 is required for the M.S. degree. A student who, at the end of any term, has not attained the grade-point average required for the degree may be asked to withdraw.

An M.S. student may submit an application to apply and transfer to another academic program but cannot transfer earlier than the first semester of enrollment. If the student is not successful with the application process, then they must make sure requirements for the original academic program are completed.

Professional Development Leadership M.S. Requirement

(ENGI E4000 PROF DEVELOPMENT＆LEADERSHIP)

The Professional Development and Leadership (PDL) program educates students to maximize performance and achieve their full potential to become engineering leaders. The core modules focus on development of professional skills and perspectives needed to succeed in a fast-changing technical climate.

M.S. students must complete the professional development and leadership course, ENGI E4000 PROF DEVELOPMENT＆LEADERSHIP, as a graduation requirement. This course is expected to be completed during the first two semesters of enrollment.

Professional Development Leadership Doctoral Requirement

(ENGI E6001 Professional development and leadership for first year doctoral students–ENGI E6004 Professional development and leadership for fourth year doctoral students)

The Professional Development and Leadership (PDL) program educates students to maximize performance and achieve their full potential during and after the doctoral program. The goal is to cultivate future scholars and leaders in their respective fields. The modules are tailored for each stage of the doctoral program, with a focus on the development of academic, research, and professional skills. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in small group communication workshops for doctoral students and individualized coaching tailored to their specific goals. Doctoral students will be enrolled in ENGI E6001 Professional development and leadership for first year doctoral students–ENGI E6004 Professional development and leadership for fourth year doctoral students and should consult their program for specific PDL requirements.

Executive Master of Science in Engineering and Applied Science

Offered by Columbia Engineering, the Executive Master of Science in Engineering and Applied Science will provide students with a broad understanding of engineering science and the end-to-end product development process. It is intended for professionals who are preparing for leadership roles that need an understanding of the development process of new products (goods or services). Candidates for the Executive Master of Science in Engineering and Applied Science are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits, which includes core courses (15 credits), electives in their concentration (12 credits in one concentration), and a capstone project that integrates their overall learning experience and prepares them to take on a significant leadership role (3 credits). M.S. students must complete the professional development and leadership course, ENGI E4000 PROF DEVELOPMENT＆LEADERSHIP, as a graduation requirement.

The 4-2 Master of Science Program

The 4-2 Master of Science Program provides the opportunity for students holding bachelor’s degrees from affiliated liberal arts colleges (see the listing under the heading The Combined Plan Program with Other Affiliate Colleges) with majors in mathematics, physics, chemistry, or certain other physical sciences to receive the M.S. degree after two years of study at Columbia in the following fields of engineering and applied science: biomedical, chemical, civil, earth and environmental, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering; applied physics; applied mathematics; computer science; engineering mechanics; operations research; and materials science.

Each applicant must produce evidence of an outstanding undergraduate record, including superior performance in physics and mathematics through differential equations. The program of study will be individually designed in consultation with a faculty adviser and will integrate undergraduate work with the field of engineering or applied science the student chooses to follow. During the first year, the program will consist primarily of basic undergraduate courses; during the second year, of graduate courses in the selected field. The student must complete at least 30 credits of graduate study to qualify for the degree.

A student whose background may require supplementary preparation in some specific area, or who has been out of school for a considerable period, will have to carry a heavier than normal course load or extend the program beyond two years.

Graduates of the 4-2 Master of Science program may not be eligible to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam if their undergraduate degree is not in engineering or a related field. Students should also check with individual state boards to determine eligibility requirements for employment.

Please contact the Office of Engineering Student Affairs. You should also contact your home institution’s Combined Plan liaison for program information. You may, in addition, email questions to seasgradmit@columbia.edu.

Dual Degree Program with Columbia Business School (MBAxMS)

Columbia Business School and Columbia Engineering offer a dual degree program leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Engineering and Applied Science. (See Executive Master of Science in Engineering and Applied Science.)

Dual Degree Program in Computer Science with the School of Journalism

The School of Journalism and the Engineering School offer a dual degree program leading to the degrees of Master of Science in Journalism and the Master of Science in Computer Science. (See Computer Science.)

Dual Degree Program in Industrial Engineering with Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School and the Engineering School offer a joint program leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering. (See Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.)

Master of Science Program in Management Science and Engineering

In collaboration with Columbia Business School’s Decision, Risk and Operations Division, the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research department offers a master’s degree program focused on management and engineering perspectives in solving problems of complex systems. (See Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.)

Master of Science Program in Business Analytics

In partnership with Columbia Business School’s Decision, Risk and Operations Division and Marketing Division, the Industrial Engineering and Operations Research department offers a master’s degree program designed for those who want to focus on learning the modeling techniques and data science tools that help businesses use data to make better decisions. (See Industrial Engineering and Operations Research.)

Master of Science in Data Science

Offered by the Engineering School (jointly between the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research), in partnership with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (the Department of Statistics), the M.S. in Data Science allows students to apply data science techniques to their field of interest.

Candidates for the Master of Science in Data Science are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate-level credits, which includes seven required courses: Algorithms for Data Science, Machine Learning for Data Science, Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization, Probability and Statistics for Data Science, Statistical Inference & Modeling, Computer Systems for Data Science, and Data Science Capstone & Ethics. A minimum of 9 credits of elective coursework are chosen in consultation with the student's adviser and should be technical in nature and must be a 4000-level graduate course or higher that expands the student's expertise in data science. M.S. students must complete the professional development and leadership course, ENGI E4000 PROF DEVELOPMENT＆LEADERSHIP, as a graduation requirement.

Certificate of Professional Achievement in Data Science

Graduate Online delivery is also available for this program. Candidates for the Certification of Professional Achievement in Data Science, a nondegree part-time program, are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits, including four required courses: Algorithms for Data Science, Probability and Statistics for Data Science, Machine Learning for Data Science, and Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization.