Why do the thesis option for M.S. in Engineering?

[Patrick_Nth]

So from what I've seen for some grad schools, you are offered 2 or 3 different pathways to obtain the M.S. in ______ Engineering discipline (in my case, Electrical).

A class-only option where you complete X units before you are awarded your degree.

A comprehensive exam option where you take the comp in a topic or two of your choosing after so many classes.

A thesis-based option.

I'm curious to know what are some of the merits of doing a thesis-based M.S. over the other two options available. I'm not trying to go as far as saying it's pointless, but I'm curious as to what kinds of things would be learned along the way (although I guess that would vary from project to project).

 

[MathematicalPhysicist]

The merits is to see if you can do some sort of independent research as a preparation for PhD or research outside academia.

 

[Vanadium 50]

More than that - it says that you do a project of some complexity taking several months and then write it up afterwards. This is valued in many places, not just academia.