Specialization in specific Ocean Engineering programs is offered through in-depth studies in the areas of Acoustics, Signal processing, Materials and Corrosion, Marine structures, Marine Hydrodynamics and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles.All students choosing the MS thesis option and receiving financial assistance must be full-time students. This requires that they are registered for a minimum of 9 credits in the fall semester, 9 credits in the spring semester, and 6 credits for the summer semester. All international students must be registered as full-time students. A maximum of 12 credits may be taken in a semester. In the graduation semester the student may be allowed to take one credit.