ERE-MS - Energy Resources Engineering (MS)

Refer to University policy on Transfer Work

The Department of Energy Resources Engineering is committed to providing academic advising in support of our M.S. students’ education and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative engagement by both the advisor and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the advisor and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

At or before the start of graduate study, normally at the beginning of Autumn Quarter, each student is assigned an advisor: a member of our faculty who provides research advice and guidance in course selection and in exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways. A significant advising milestone is the M.S. Program Proposal that each student completes at the end of their first quarter.  

The department’s graduate handbook provides information and suggested timelines for advising meetings. Typically, research M.S. students meet with their advisor on a twice weekly basis, once individually and once as part of the research group meeting. If a meeting is not possible, the student should send the advisor a brief email highlighting his/her activities for the week. Usually, the same faculty member serves as program advisor for the duration of master’s study, but the handbook does describe a process for formal advisor changes.

In addition, the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) meets with all the master’s students at the start of the first year and is available during the academic year by email and during office hours.

Students are expected to have a discussion with their advisor during or before the first week of each quarter to agree upon the courses that the student plans to take that quarter. Advisors formally approve the study list in person or by email.

The department’s student services office is also an important part of the master’s advising team. The student services office informs students and advisors about University and department requirements, procedures, and opportunities, and it maintains the official records of advising assignments and approvals. 

Finally, graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin.