Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the 1 + 1.5 M.S. arrangement?
A: It is an arrangement between the University of Tehran (UT) and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)that will enable UT students to obtain a Purdue University Master's degree awarded by IUPUI.UT will advise students directly on its own requirements. This document provides guidance for successful completion of IUPUI and Purdue University requirements.
Q: Which Purdue University degrees are available through this arrangement?
A: The following M.S. degrees are available:
- Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.S.E.C.E.)
- Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (M.S.M.E.)
Q: Which departments are participating?
A: Two departments from the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI are participating. They are the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy (MEE).
More information about each department can be found at the following links
- ECE:http://www.engr.iupui.edu/departments/ece/about/index.php
- MEE:http://www.engr.iupui.edu/departments/me/about/index.php
Q: Who should I contact in ECE for more information?
A: Dr. Brian King,briking@iupui.edu, +1 317 274 9723
Q: Who should I contact in MEE for more information?
A: Dr. Jie Chen,jchen3@iupui.edu, +1 317 274 5918
Q: What is the duration of the program?
A: UT students will spend approximately 1 year studying at UT. The duration of study after that at IUPUI is expected to be at least 1.5 years. The program is commonly referred to as the 1+1.5 M.S. program.
Q: How many credit hours can be transferred?
A: UT students seeking a Purdue University Master's (M.S.) degree may transfer to IUPUI at most 12 degree-applicable credit hours at the M.S. degree level from UT, providing that the receiving department at the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology deems the credits equivalent.
Q: Is there a minimum grade requirement for the courses to be transferred?
A: Onlycourses that have a grade of “B” (equivalent to14.0 on the UT scale) or better can be transferred. Students must also have an overall UT grade average of 14 for acceptance by IUPUI into the program.
Q: How soon can a UT student start?
A: Students that have been admitted at UT into the 1+1.5 program are encouraged to identify a research topic as well as contact and begin working with an IUPUI faculty member whose research expertise matches the topic chosen by the student even before arriving at IUPUI. Getting an early start on the research topicwill help the students finish in 1.5 years.
Q: Will students seeking to obtain a Master’s (M.S.) degree be required to take the GRE to gain admission?
A: The GRE exam will be waived as an admission requirement for students pursuing the M.S. degree via the 1+1.5 program. However, the GRE may be required if a student wishes to be considered for some of the fellowships available at IUPUI.
Q: What English exams will Master’s (M.S.) degree students be required to take?
A: The 1+1.5 M.S. program has English proficiency requirements that include
- Eligibility for admission requirements:
- TOEFL iBT 79, with minimum subscores: Writing (18), Speaking (18), Listening (14), Reading (19)
- IELTS 6.5: No minimum subscore required
- Post arrival at IUPUI requirements: After arriving at IUPUI UT students may be required to take an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Test and subsequent coursework depending on their TOEFL and IELTS scores, as specified in the Table below
TOEFL iBT 100 | EAP Test not required | No EAP coursework |
TOEFL iBT 79-99 | EAP Test Required | EAP coursework may be required. Most students in this range take only one course (Reading and Writing for Academic Purposes for Graduate Students). Many students at the upper end of this proficiency range require no EAP coursework. |
Q: What are the requirements to complete the application for admission to IUPUI and receive an I-20 to apply for the F-1 student visa?
A: Students applying for admission need to submit
- the online application with application fee,
- all post-secondary academic records (including transcripts and copies of degrees),
- TOEFL or IELTS scores,
- three letters of recommendation, and
- a personal statement.
After receiving an admission decision from the department and the Purdue Graduate School, students will submit a financial support agreement and proof of funding for the first year of studies to the International Admissions Office, which will finalize the admission and issue the I-20.
Q: Is there any Financial Support?
A: There is Financial Support available for the 1+1.5 graduate students in the form of:
- A guaranteed scholarship with an amount of at least 25% of tuition.
- In addition, competitive graduate assistantships with a stipend, for which a student applies and competes with other students, are also available and offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Graduate assistantships however are not guaranteed. Moreover,
- The amount of the stipend varies depending on the availability and particular source of funding.
- Students selected to receive a full-time graduate assistantship, which requires 20 hours per week of teaching and/or research assistance during an academic semester, will receive a stipend and, in lieu of the scholarship described in (a) above, receive a scholarship in an amount equivalent to the non-resident portion of tuition (such a scholarship amounts to approximately 65% of tuition).
- A limited number of highly competitive assistantships and fellowships are available that provide full-tuition remission in addition to a stipend.
Q: How are students selected for competitive financial support awards? Is there a deadline to apply?
A: Students applying for the competitive financial support awards will be selected based on their academic performance that includes the IUPUI GPA, cumulative GPA, number of publications, type of publications whether journal or conference, and letter of support from faculty overseeing the research. The deadlines for applying are:
- For new students seeking admission in Fall, the deadline for priority consideration and University Fellowship is January 1 of the same year.
- Continuing students will have the opportunity at the end of each semester to apply for future support.
Q: What is the application deadline for new students?
A: The deadline for submitting an application by new students seeking admission in Fall, is March 1 of the same year. Students will have to provide by March 1, TOEFL scores, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. Students seeking financial support need to apply by January 1. Also while GRE scores may not be required for general admission, they are required for students seeking University Fellowship. See Questions on receiving financial support.
Q: What are the different Electrical & Computer Engineering Research Areas?
A: The different Electrical & Computer Engineering Research Areas include:
- Controls engineering, transportation safety, vehicle systems
- Power electronics, renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, fault-tolerant systems, active power filters
- Computer engineering
- VLSI, nanotechnology, MEMS/NEMS, system-on-chip
- Digital signal processing, image processing, medical imaging, multimedia, audio & video signal processing
- Mobile computing, wireless communication, embedded systems/devices, wireless security
- Networking, algorithms, computer systems, database, machine learning, big data & data analytics
- Medical electromagnetics, superconducting devices
Q: Who are the Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty (ECE) and which areas do they work in?
A: The Table below lists ECE faculty by their research areas
Area | Faculty |
1. Controls engineering, transportation safety, vehicle systems | Yaobin Chen |
2. Power electronics, renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, fault-tolerant systems, active power filters | Euzeli dos Santos |
3. Computer engineering | Zina Ben Miled |
4. VLSI, nanotechnology, MEMS/NEMS, | Lauren Christopher |
5. Digital signal processing, image processing, medical imaging, multimedia, audio & video signal processing | Lauren Christopher |
6. Mobile computing, wireless communication, embedded systems/devices, wireless | Stanley Chien |
7. Networking, algorithms, computer systems, database, machine learning, big data & data analytics | Zina Ben Miled |
8. Medical electromagnetics, superconducting devices | Maher Rizkalla |
More information about each of the ECE faculty and their interests can be found at http://www.engr.iupui.edu/departments/ece/research/faculty-research-interests.php or by searching http://www.engr.iupui.edu/main/people/index.php
Q: What are the different Mechanical Engineering and Energy Research Areas?
A: The different Mechanical Engineering and Energy Research Areas include:
- Biomechanics, biomaterials, dental mechanics, microfluidics
- Advanced materials
- Advanced manufacturing, design optimization, product lifecycle management
- Mechatronics, controls, motorsports
- Renewable energy systems, power plants and engines
- Fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, thermal sciences
- Nano technology
Q: Who are the Mechanical Engineering and Energy Faculty (MEE) and which areas do they work in?
A: The Table below lists MEE faculty by their research areas
Area | Faculty |
1. Biomechanics, biomaterials, dental mechanics, microfluidics | Sohel Anwar |
2. Advanced materials | Mangilal Agarwal |
3. Advanced manufacturing, design | Sohel Anwar |
4. Mechatronics, controls, motorsports | Ali Razban |
5. Renewable energy systems, power plants | Sohel Anwar |
6. Fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, thermal sciences | Jian Xie |
7. Nano Technology | Mangilal Agarwal |
More information about each of the MEE faculty and their interests can be or by searching http://www.engr.iupui.edu/main/people/index.php
Q: Are there any restrictions on M.S. Thesis Research Topics?
A: Depending on the topic, research performed for the M.S. degree may require a specific license from the U.S. Government prior to commencing the work. The Indiana University General Counsel’s Office and the Export Control Office will need to assess the proposed research topic area in conjunction with the student’s primary advisor at IUPUI to determine if the Export Control Office needs to apply for a license prior to the research commencing.Therefore, it is important to identify the research topic area as soon as possible after acceptance into the 1+1.5 program to minimize possible delays. The topic must be approved by the IUPUI faculty member who will serve as the primary advisor before review by the Export Control Office.
Q: Can a UT Faculty serve as a co-advisor for a thesis of a UT student enrolled in the program?
A: It is possible that up to 2 UT faculty members can be appointed to serve on a UT student’s advisory committee as co-advisors with the necessary approvals. Depending on the research topic a student chooses for the thesis, an export license may also be required for UT faculty members to serve on the advisory committee and gain access to the technical data. The IU General Counsel’s Office and the Export Control Office must make this determination.
Q: When will I receive my Purdue University degree?
A: According to the agreement between IUPUI and UT, a student must return to the home campus of UT in Tehran to present their master’s thesis, and upon successful presentation of the thesis, the M.S. degree from Purdue University granted by IUPUI will be awarded at the next available graduation date provided all remaining requirements for the M.S. degree from Purdue University awarded by IUPUI have been satisfied.
Q: Can IUPUI help with the visa process?
A: Following formal admission, IUPUI provides the I-20 and detailed instructions for students to apply for an F-1 student visa. Students may apply for visas at the US consulate of their choice. The security clearance process will include an evaluation of the research element of the graduate program, which may take several months. IUPUI cannot influence the timing of the visa process, but the student’s IUPUI faculty advisor should provide a description of the student’s research to facilitate the visa application review. Students should complete the application process to IUPUI as early as possible.