College of Science and Engineering

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) offers high-quality academic degrees consistent with the role of a regional public university. Plans within the college prepare graduates to enter fields in natural sciences, mathematics, computing and computer engineering. Individuals in the college’s plans are expected to develop skills in problem solving, independent study and critical thinking, and to be able to adapt knowledge to new situations and to the benefit of society. Students in these plans attain a sense of professional values and ethics as well as knowledge and skills relevant to their specific subject area. This sense of professional responsibility is essential for society to benefit from the interfaces with advanced technology and science.

The college supports research and development directed toward producing new knowledge and identifying additional applications of existing knowledge. Dissemination of scientific knowledge through publications and presentations is encouraged, as well as professional service to local, regional, national and international communities.

Accreditations and Approvals

Various programs in CSE are accredited by the following organizations:

The undergraduate programs in computer science and computer information systems are accredited by the Computer Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
The undergraduate degree plan in computer engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission.
The chemistry program has complete accreditation from the American Chemical Society (ACS). The undergraduate occupational safety and health programs are accredited by the Commission of ABET.
The collaborative UHCL-UTMB Bachelor of Science in Biology-Master of Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree plan is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Departments

The College of Science and Engineering has 6 departments. The faculty of each department aspires to a professional model that includes balance among the components of the CSE mission: teaching, research and service.

Department of Computing Sciences
Department of Engineering
Department of Physical and Applied Sciences
Department of Biology and Biotechnology
Department of Environmental Sciences
Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Contact Us

Office of the Dean
Phone: 281-283-3703
Web: http://www.uhcl.edu/science-engineering
Bayou Building 3611

Office of Academic Advising
Phone: 281-283-3711
Email: cseadvising@uhcl.edu
Web: http://www.uhcl.edu/science-engineering/advising
Bayou Building 3611

Admission into a CSE Degree Plan

Following admission to the university, students’ transcript evaluations are forwarded to the Office of Student Advising. All graduate plans require that faculty admissions committees review the students’ files and determine whether students will be accepted into degree plans. Students are notified of their admission status by the associate dean. Once accepted to a degree plan, students meet with academic advisers at New Student Orientation to obtain detailed instructions about completing a Candidate Plan of Study (CPS). The CPS delineates specific requirements of a study area and must be completed during the semester of acceptance into a degree plan.

In general, no more than nine hours for a graduate degree taken at University of Houston-Clear Lake prior to completion of a CPS may be applied toward any degree in the college. These hours, along with the hours accumulated during the semester the CPS is being finalized, will be evaluated for acceptance by the faculty adviser and approved by the associate dean.

Standards for Graduate Degrees

The GRE is required of all students applying for admission to a graduate plan in the college. Computer information systems and engineering management may accept the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in lieu of the GRE. It is recommended that students who apply for admission to a graduate plan have a GPA of at least 3.000 for the last 60 hours of course work. A minimum score of 290 (verbal + quantitative) is preferred. GRE scores will be evaluated by the degree plan’s admissions committee and will be used as one of the indicators of the applicant’s potential for completion of the plan. Individual degree plans may specify additional qualifications. (See individual plan descriptions.)

All graduate degrees in the College of Science and Engineering require 30-36 hours depending on specific plan requirements; a minimum of 30 hours must be graduate courses. No more than 6 hours of upper-level (4000 level) credit will be allowed in any master’s degree. A maximum of 6 hours of independent study may be applied to any master’s degree. A maximum of 6 hours of grades within the range of C+ or C may be counted toward any graduate degree.

Graduate Degree Options

Thesis Option

Students selecting the thesis option must select a committee and submit a formal thesis proposal to the Office of the Dean prior to enrolling for thesis courses. The thesis committee will consist of at least two members, two of whom must be full-time UHCL faculty members. A fulltime faculty member of the College of Science and Engineering will serve as the chair of the committee. The Office of the Dean will notify students, chairs and committee members of approval of the committee composition. The chair will report the final grades.

Students must register for the appropriate thesis research course no later than the first long semester after the dean has accepted the proposal. See Master’s Degree Option: Master’s Thesis for more information.

University and CSE guidelines and procedures relating to the graduate thesis committee, thesis proposal, the thesis document and defense are described in the Graduate Thesis Guidelines and Procedures Manual available in the Office of the Dean and online at http://www.uhcl.edu/science-engineering/student-resources/masters-thesis.

Extended Course Work Option

All graduate plans in the college offering this option require a capstone course. See the specific plan area for the specific extended coursework option requirements.

Internship Option

Some plans offer an internship option. See the specific plan of interest.

Research Project Course Option

Some plans offer a research project course option. See the specific plan of interest.