Electrical and Computer Engineering—MS | Electrical and Computer Engineering

Seek Emerging Pathways

This new degree allows students to determine a flexible mix of coursework in electrical and computer engineering, engineering from related fields, physical sciences, and computer science to meet their educational and career goals. Pursue graduate study in electrical energy systems, robotics, signal and image processing, communications, embedded systems, electro-magnetics, optics, and photonics. Learn the connections between hardware, software, and the physical world. Explore the convergence of electrical engineering and computer engineering.

A Flexible Program

There are no required courses.
Applicants with undergraduate backgrounds in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, mechanical engineering, and other diverse areas are welcome.
Students benefit from an interdisciplinary yet rigorous program.
The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE) program is offered both on campus and online.

The curriculum structure of the MSECE program has three options: Coursework, Report, and Thesis. All require 30 credits of graduate work beyond the BS degree.

MS Options

MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

A total of 30 advisor approved credits consisting of the following components:

20 credit minimum of coursework consisting of:
- 12 credits minimum of advisor approved 5000 level or higher ECE, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Math, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics (not including EE 5990).
- 9 credits maximum of 4000 level if approved by the Graduate Academic Advisor.
At least 6 and up to a maximum of 10 credits of EE 5990 Thesis Research.
A maximum of 3 credits of co-op experience.
Students must meet the Graduate School’s requirements for degree completion.

MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

A total of 30 advisor approved credits consisting of the following components:

24 credit minimum of coursework consisting of:
- 12 credits minimum of advisor approved 5000 level or higher ECE, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Math, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics (not including EE 5991)
- 12 credits maximum of 4000 level if approved by the Graduate Academic Advisor.
At least 2 and up to a maximum of 6 credits of EE5991 Project Research.
A maximum of 3 credits of co-op experience.
Students must meet the Graduate School’s requirements for degree completion.

MS, Electrical and Computer Engineering: Coursework Option

No Oral Examination

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

A total of 30 advisor approved credits consisting of the following components:

A minimum of 18 credits of advisor approved 5000 level or higher ECE, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Math, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics.
A maximum 12 credits of advisor approved 4000 level courses
A maximum of 3 credits of co-op experience.
Students must meet the Graduate School’s requirements for degree completion.

Tailored to Meet Your Goals

There are no required courses in this program. However, the Graduate Academic Advisor and the departmental faculty will help the students tailor programs to fit their interests and needs. All course options must be approved by the graduate program.

The credit requirements for the three options are summarized in the table below.

	Coursework	Report	Thesis
5000 level EE, CS, BE, MA, MEEM, or PH	18 minimum	12 minimum	12 minimum
4000 level courses	12 maximum	12 maximum	9 maximum
Co-op credits (included in above)	3 maximum	3 maximum	3 maximum
Research credits	0	2-6	6-10

Choose an Online Focus

The coursework option also features an online focus area.

Power Systems

Current Students

Students can finish in their program or switch to the new MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

MS in Electrical Engineering (Closed)

There are 3 options available for the MS: research, projects, or coursework.

Thesis Option

Graduation Requirements for Thesis MS Students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of an advisor. A thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The minimum requirements are as follows:

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

30 approved credits minimum
20 credit minimum of coursework consisting of:
- 12 credits minimum of 5000 level or higher EE courses (not including EE 5990)
- 9 credits maximum of 3000-4000 level if approved by the Graduate Academic Advisor
6 to 10 research credits EE 5990
3 credits maximum of co-op work experience
3 credits maximum EE 5805 (directed study)
Responsible Conduct of Research on-line course or UN5001
Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher required. Up to 6 credits of BC or C may be used to fulfill graduation requirements provided the overall GPA of 3.0 is attained

Master of Science in Computer Engineering

30 approved credits minimum
20 credit minimum of coursework consisting of:
- 12 credits minimum of 5000 level or higher EE or CS courses (not including EE 5990) with 6 credits minimum in CS and 6 credits minimum in EE contributing to this requirement
- 9 credits maximum of 3000-4000 level if approved by the Graduate Academic Advisor
6 to 10 research credits EE 5990
3 credits maximum of co-op work experience
Responsible Conduct of Research on-line course or UN5001
Overall GPA of 3.0 or better required. Up to 6 credits of BC or C may be used to fulfill graduation requirements provided the overall GPA of 3.0 is attained

No credit towards graduation is allowed for courses which substantially repeat completed courses completed at other universities. The Graduate Academic Advisor reviews transcripts at is responsible for making these determinations prior to registration for graduate students seeking to enroll in 3000 or 4000 level classes.

Report Option

Graduation Requirements for Report MS Students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

This option requires an independent study project and report conducted and prepared under the supervision of an advisor. The minimum requirements are as follows:

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

30 approved credits minimum
24 credit minimum of coursework consisting of:
- 12 credits minimum of 5000 level or higher EE courses (not including EE 5991)
- 12 credits maximum of 3000-4000 level if approved by the Graduate Academic Advisor
2 to 6 project credits EE 5991
3 credits maximum of co-op work experience
3 credits maximum EE 5805 (directed study)
Responsible Conduct of Research on-line course or UN5001
Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher required. Up to 6 credits of BC or C may be used to fulfill graduation requirements provided the overall GPA of 3.0 is attained

Master of Science in Computer Engineering

30 approved credits minimum
24 credit minimum of coursework consisting of:
- 12 credits minimum of 5000 level or higher EE or CS courses (not including EE 5991) with 6 credits minimum in CS and 6 credits minimum in EE contributing to this requirement
- 12 credits maximum of 3000-4000 level if approved by the Graduate Academic Advisor
2 to 6 project credits EE 5991
3 credits maximum of co-op work experience
Responsible Conduct of Research on-line course or UN5001
Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher required. Up to 6 credits of BC or C may be used to fulfill graduation requirements as long as the overall GPA of 3.0 is attained

Coursework Option - No Oral Examination

Graduation Requirements for Coursework MS Students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

30 approved credits minimum
18 credits minimum of 5000 level or higher EE courses (not including EE 5990 or EE 5991)
12 credits maximum of 3000-4000 level if approved by Graduate Academic Advisor
3 credits maximum of co-op work experience
Responsible Conduct of Research on-line course or UN5001
Overall GPA of 3.0 or better required. Up to 6 credits of BC or C may be used to fulfill graduation requirements provided the overall GPA of 3.0 is attained

Master of Science in Computer Engineering

30 approved credits minimum
18 credits minimum of 5000 level or higher CS and EE courses, with a minimum of 6 CS credits and a minimum of 6 EE credits contributing to this requirement.
12 credits maximum of 3000-4000 level if approved by Graduate Academic Advisor
3 credits maximum of co-op work experience
Responsible Conduct of Research on-line course or UN5001
Overall GPA of 3.0 or better required. Up to 6 credits of BC or C may be used to fulfill graduation requirements provided the overall GPA of 3.0 is attained

No credit towards graduation is allowed for courses which substantially repeat completed courses at other universities. The Graduate Academic Advisor reviews transcripts at is responsible for making these determinations prior to registration for graduate students seeking to enroll in 3000 or 4000 level classes.

MS in Computer Engineering (Closed)

There are 3 options available for the MS: research, projects, or coursework.

30 approved credits minimum
18 credits of 5000 level or higher CS and EE courses, with a minimum of 6 CS credits and a minimum of 6 EE credits contributing to the 18 credits required here
12 credits maximum of 3000-4000 level if approved by Graduate Academic Advisor
3 credits maximum of co-op work experience
Responsible Conduct of Research on-line course or UN5001
Overall GPA of 3.0 or better required. Up to 6 credits of BC or C may be used to fulfill
graduation requirements as long as the overall GPA of 3.0 is attained
Grades lower than C may not be used to fulfill graduation requirements.