Courses from several branches of Electrical and Computer Engineering are included in the department's extensive and adaptable Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) degree program. Furthermore, the following specific M.S.E. specialty areas are available:
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- Language and Speech Processing
- Photonics and Optoelectronics
- Computer Engineering and Microelectronics
- Image Processing and Analysis
- Control Systems
- Sustainable Energy
We also have a concentration called the Human Language Technology Masters-Level.
More information on these research areas and our current projects can be found here.
1. Course requirements (Eight courses total)
1.1 Students must complete eight graduate courses (at least 3–4 credits each) at the 600–700-level, approved by the student’s advisor.
- At least five of the eight courses must be ECE courses (EN.520.6xx). Specific 400-level courses may be allowed with advisor approval, if a course is not offered at the 600-level. The five required ECE courses may not include independent-study/research courses (e.g., EN.520.800, EN.520.802, EN.520.806).
- The remaining three courses must be at the 600-level or higher. A maximum of one research or independent-study course may count toward these three remaining courses. Any research/independent-study course used to satisfy this requirement must include a faculty-approved written report submitted to the supervising faculty member.
2. Additional degree requirement (choose one path) Students must complete either the Coursework Option or the Research Option.
Coursework option
2.1 Complete two additional graduate courses (3–4 credits each), approved by the advisor. These courses must be at the 600 level or above.
2.2 At least one of these two courses must be an ECE course (EN.520.6xx).
2.3 Independent-study or research courses may be used only if accompanied by a faculty-approved written report.
Research option (project or essay)
2.4 Complete either an M.S.E. Essay or a Special Project under the supervision of an ECE faculty member. Students wishing to work with a faculty member outside the ECE department must receive prior approval from the Director of Graduate Studies.
2.5 M.S.E. Essay:
• Must follow university guidelines.
• Students must register for at least 3 credits of research while completing the essay.
• Submission to the university library is optional.
2.6 Special Project:
• Must include a faculty-approved written report submitted to the department and placed in the student’s academic record.
3. Additional requirements
3.1 All courses counting towards the degree, aside from research courses, must have a letter grade (not pass/fail). Up to two C (C-/C/C+) or P/S grades may be counted toward the course requirements.
3.2 Students must complete at least two semesters as full-time resident graduate students (excluding concurrent B.S./M.S.E. students). Full-time status requires at least three courses (9 credits) per semester.
3.3 Students must complete:
- EN.500.603: Graduate Academic Ethics (by the end of the first semester)
- Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training (Please see the WSE Policy on the Responsible Conduct of Research).
- Complete two semesters of EN.520.895 (ECE Seminar).
3.4 Students must be registered in the semester they complete degree requirements, including when resolving incomplete grades or final requirements.
3.5 The degree must be completed within five consecutive academic years (10 semesters). Approved leaves of absence do not count toward this limit.
Additional notes and clarifications
• Seminar courses (including EN.520.895) do not count toward either the eight (8) course requirement or the Course Option.
• Research/essay credits for the Research Option do not substitute for any of the eight required courses.
• Up to two courses may be transferred from outside the university. Transfer or prior graduate courses may be applied only with graduate-advisor approval. These courses must have been completed after the undergraduate degree and may not have been counted toward any other awarded degree. Contact departmental academic staff for more information.
• Seminar and research/independent-study courses used toward degree requirements are graded Pass/Fail.
• Students in the combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program may count 4xx-level courses that have an equivalent 6xx-level number toward the M.S.E. degree. Approval from the student’s undergraduate academic advisor is required. For more information about the combined program, please contact departmental academic staff.
Academic/Research Probation
Whenever it is determined that a graduate student has failed to meet minimum academic or research requirements, that student may be placed on academic probation. Students who obtain D or F grades in a course are often placed on academic probation. Receiving a D or F while on academic probation usually leads to the student's departure from the program.
This change in status requires a formal letter and a meeting between the student and either their faculty advisor, chair, and/or departmental director of graduate studies. The letter should clearly outline the student’s academic shortcomings, indicate the corrective measures necessary to remain in the program and state the length of the student’s probationary period. Any funding ramifications for the student should be included as well.
Please see the full policy for more information on process, appeals, etc.