Completion of a Masters of Science with thesis requires that each student perform original research advised by one of the core faculty of the Environmental Engineering program, this faculty member will be the Chair of the thesis defense committee. Ordinarily, the Thesis Committee Chair will arrange financial support for the student and the research. A thesis Master's degree typically requires two years (or more) of full time effort to complete the course work, plan and perform the research, and write and defend the thesis. The Masters of Science non-Thesis degree requires that the student take 30 credit hours of course work. Non-thesis students are self-supporting and usually attend classes part time. Taking 2 classes per long semester and 1 class each summer semester a student can complete the non-thesis masters degree in 2 years. Students are required to take the seminar class CIVE 6111 two semesters as part of the non-thesis degree. CIVE 6111 seminar hours are not counted in the 30-hour requirement.