UCLA Engineering: UCLA Engineer Magazine

UCLA Engineering to Launch Online Master of Science in Engineering Program
Beginning Fall 2006, New Degree Program Will Aid Engineers and Computer Scientists Interested in Furthering their Knowledge and Careers

Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Stephen Jacobsen

The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science is developing a Master of Science online program the school hopes to launch next fall.

“This new program will enable employed engineers and computer scientists to enhance their value to their organizations,” explains Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Stephen Jacobsen. “It will allow them to specialize in depth and update their knowledge without having to quit their jobs and become full-time students.”

“There’s significant demand for online degree programs that advance engineering and computer science skills,” notes Jacobsen. “Our program not only offers the students flexibility, but also uses the School’s advanced course management system – CourseWeb – to provide online students with all of the materials, including lectures, that are available to on campus students.”

Through CourseWeb, students will have access to all assignments, the ability to upload their completed projects and assignments, a threaded-forum for discussions, and a “live meeting” facility for additional contact with instructors.

The students will have full control over the frequency by which they view the video lectures. Each lecture includes video of the instructor that is synchronized with slides of the course material. The video is timed to correspond with the slide showing on screen, and each student can view the lecture at his or her own convenience and pace.

UCLA’s new online Master of Science in Engineering program will be taught by the same faculty who teach the courses on campus, and who are well-known for being exceptional educators and researchers. The course materials will cover advanced technologies at the forefront of their fields.

The new program will consist of nine courses, including both core classes and electives for specialization. The ninth class, a directed study course, will ask the student to complete a design project. The program will allow enrollees to complete the requirements in five quarters as full-time students, or in nine quarters at a part-time pace.

The new online MS program offers students flexibility not only in how rapidly they complete the course material, but also in what they choose to study, allowing them to focus on areas critical to their careers.

Already approved by the UCLA Academic Senate, the program is now under review by the University of California’s Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs. From there, it will be evaluated by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

“We anticipate that we’ll have full approval and be ready to receive applications by Spring Quarter 2006,” says Jacobsen.

To learn more about the new Master of Science program, view the operation of CourseWeb, and complete a surevey to the help the School decide which programs will be most relevant to working engineers and scientists, please visit http://msengrol.seas.ucla.edu/index.html.

-Marlys Amundson