Electrical Engineering, M.S.

The MS in Electrical Engineering (EE) program is designed to increase the student’s knowledge and competence in basic areas necessary for modern electrical engineering, while affording sufficient freedom to allow an in-depth study of such areas as communications, control systems, electronics, and digital processing. The Electrical Engineering department offers five areas of concentration. The concentration areas allow EE students to acquire in-depth knowledge of a specific area of their interest. Each concentration consists of 400-600 level specialization courses. EE students, perusing a concertation, will be required to take at least 4 courses from the area of concentration. Students may request to record concentrations on the degree or certificate after completing graduation requirements. Some elective courses, as noted below, may require special permission or additional prerequisites.

1. Power and Renewable Energy
2. Signal Processing and Communications
3. Robotic, automation and PLC
4. VLSI and Integrated Circuits
5. Biomechatronics

In addition, the department also offers the opportunity to acquire dual graduate degrees along with the MS degree in Electrical Engineering. Candidates for these dual master’s degree programs are typically required to complete a total of 48 credit hours to satisfy the requirements of two master’s degrees. This implies 18 credit hours in addition to the 30 hours required for the MS degree in Electrical Engineering.

Furthermore, customized study plans to allow receiving the Electrical Engineering MS degree while pursuing either the Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Engineering  or the Ed.D. degree in Education  are available. Doctoral students in these two programs should consult their respective doctoral advisors to work on their individualized plans.

Admission requirements

Students must have a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or a related field. In both cases, the department may require make-up of background deficiencies.

Learning outcomes

Students in the MS Electrical Engineering program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;
2. Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct laboratory experiments and interpret and report results;
3. Demonstrate the ability to identify and apply concepts of engineering economics and project planning;
4. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary global and societal issues and their relationship; and
5. Exercise strong oral and written communication skills including those needed for technical writing.

Graduation requirements

1. A total of 30 semester hours is required in an approved program of study. Some students in this program enter with an undergraduate record lower than desired. These students are told in their admit letter that they must take 33, 36, or 39 credits for their MS in EE program.
2. The master’s thesis is optional. If undertaken, it counts as 6 semester hours and must be conducted under the supervision of an EE department faculty member. If the master’s thesis is not taken, then ELEG 597   must be taken for 3 credits.
3. 400 or 500 level courses in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science are acceptable, with advisor approval, to count for the course requirements of the MS in EE program.
4. It is recognized that not all students will have the necessary depth of study in their preparatory program for the MSEE. Consequently, the department may permit a maximum of two undergraduate electives to be taken for graduate credit.
5. A total of one course in Mechanical Engineering or Technology Management is allowed to be taken toward the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.

6. The elective courses may be chosen from the list of Electrical Engineering concentration areas or chosen in consultation with a graduate advisor.

   The concentration areas can be applied to satisfy the requirements of dual master’s degree programs of study.