Academic Programs Catalog

College of Engineering

Graduate Study

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.  Graduate study is available in research areas such as: computer engineering including computer architecture, computer networks, and VLSI/microelectronics; electrosciences including electromagnetics, electronic materials and devices, and non-destructive evaluation; systems including control and robotics, and power as well as systems including signal processing, communications, and biomedical engineering.  An interdisciplinary approach marks many of the research projects and helps prepare students for leadership roles in industrial or academic research. A Graduate Certificate in Secure and Connected Cyber-Physical Systems and a Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Manufacturing, Processing, and Devices are also available.

 


Electrical and Computer Engineering - Master of Science

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Applicants for admission should possess a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering or a related field such as physics, mathematics, or computer science, and should have a grade–point average that would indicate  success in graduate study. 

Students who are admitted without a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering may be required to complete collateral courses. International applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination General Test scores.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The student must complete a total of 30 credits under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis) and meet the requirements specified below:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B:
1. Core Courses.  Complete a minimum of four Electrical and Computer Engineering courses at the 800 or 900-level totaling at least 12 credits. Two of the courses must be selected from the following:
ECE 821 Advanced Power Electronics and Applications 3
ECE 830 Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems 3
ECE 835 Advanced Electromagnetic Fields and Waves I 3
ECE 842 Performance Modeling of Communication Networks 3
ECE 851 Linear Systems and Control 3
ECE 863 Analysis of Stochastic Systems 3
ECE 874 Physical Electronics 3
Electrical and Computer Engineering 801 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
2. Completion of supporting course work outside the department and college at the 400-level and above chosen in consultation with the student's academic advisor. Plan A students must have at least 20 credits at the 800-level or above and Plan B students must have 18 credits at the 800-level or above.
3. Seminar Requirement. First-year graduate students are required to attend seven seminars from the graduate seminar series.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. Completion of at least 4 credits of ECE 899 Master's Thesis Research, and no more than 8 credits.
2. Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Completion of a final examination or evaluation.


Electrical and Computer Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy

Admission

International applicants are required  to submit Graduate Record Examination General Test scores.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Engineering, students must meet the requirements specified by their guidance committees.

  1. The doctoral program must include a minimum of 36 credits, in addition to 24 credits of Electrical and Computer Engineering 999.
  2. No 800-900 level independent study credits taken beyond the bachelor’s degree may be counted towards the doctoral degree.
  3. A minimum of 3 credits must be taken outside of the College of Engineering in disciplinary areas such as mathematics, statistics, or physics.
  4. All courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the degree must have been completed under the numerical grading system.
  5. Students may request up to 3 credits of master’s thesis research be applied towards this requirement.
  6. First year graduate students are required to attend seven seminars from the graduate seminar series.


Secure and Connected Cyber-Physical Systems - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Secure and Connected Cyber-Physical Systems is intended for students with interest in the modeling, design, and analysis of secure and networked cyber-physical systems (CPS). The certificate prepares students for both research work as well for jobs in government and industry in secure and connected CPS, which are growing rapidly.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Secure and Connected Cyber-Physical Systems

Students must complete all of the following courses (9 credits):
ECE  816 Cryptography and Network Security 3
ECE  830 Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems 3
ECE  842 Performance Modeling of Communication Networks 3
Students must have a minimum 3.00 grade-point average over the courses applied to the certificate for it to be awarded.

Semiconductor Manufacturing, Processing, and Devices - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Manufacturing, Processing, and Devices is designed to provide students with semiconductor research training that will make them more competitive in the field of semiconductor processing and manufacturing.
 
Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Manufacturing, Processing, and Devices

Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits from the following courses:

ECE  813 Advanced VLSI Design 3
ECE  832 Analog Integrated Circuit Design 3
ECE  850 Electrodynamics of Plasmas 3
ECE  870 Introduction to Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems 3
ECE  871 Micro-electro-mechanical Systems Fabrication 3
ECE  874 Physical Electronics 3
ECE  875 Electronic Devices 3
ECE  877 Cleanroom Procedures 3
ECE  931C Properties of Semiconductors 3
ECE  989 Advanced Topics in Plasma 3