Common Degree Requirements for CPE or ELEN Master's Program
The following policies apply to students pursuing the MS in computer engineering or the MS in electrical engineering.
Student Advising
Newly admitted graduate students must consult with the ECE graduate coordinator before they register for classes. Students should make an appointment by calling the ECE office. Students are expected to select an emphasis from those available in each MS degree program. Students then are assigned an academic advisor from that specialization.
Plan of Study
Before the end of the second semester, each student must submit to the graduate coordinator’s office a plan of study that has been approved by the academic advisor. This plan should be kept up to date by regular consultation with the academic advisor. A final, signed version of the plan must be turned in when the student submits a graduation application.
Seminar Requirement
All degree candidates must attend a minimum of 10 graduate seminars approved for the given degree program.
GPA Requirements
A maximum of 6 credits of courses with grades of C or B- may be applied toward the degree. The student must present a GPA of at least 3.00 for all courses submitted for the degree.
Graduation Requirements
To complete requirements for graduation, students may select one of the following options:
Thesis Option
Students must complete ECE 799 Master’s Thesis (6 credits) and 24 credits of course work. The thesis is particularly recommended for those students who wish to develop and document their research skills or contemplate subsequent enrollment in a PhD program. The thesis involves a research effort, which is conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor. In some cases, permission may be granted to complete a portion of the work at the student’s place of employment. The final written thesis and oral defense are approved by the student’s advisory committee.
For the electrical engineering program, this committee consists of at least three full-time faculty members, including two from the student’s major emphasis, and one from outside the emphasis. For the Computer Engineering Program, this committee consists of at least three full-time faculty members, including two affiliated with the MS in Computer Engineering Program, one of which must be from the ECE Department. Thesis students may not register for ECE 798 Research Project. Students must register for at least 3 credits of thesis for their first thesis semester. Following their first thesis semester, they must register for at least 1 credit of thesis each fall and spring semester until graduation.
Scholarly Paper Option
Students who select this option must complete 30 credits of course work or 27 credits of course work plus ECE 798 Research Project, and must present a scholarly paper. The scholarly paper, with the theme selected under the guidance of a faculty advisor, can be a technical report on an independent study or laboratory or computer experimentation; a literature search on a current scientific or technological topic, such as a survey of new technologies or new methodologies; or a case study of new applications. Students must demonstrate knowledge of the topic and make a satisfactory technical presentation of the paper in the graduate seminar. The scholarly paper and final presentation must be approved by the student’s advisory committee. When a student elects to submit an ECE 798 final report as a scholarly paper, it is expected that the 3 credits of effort in ECE 798 will result in a much more substantial paper than a scholarly paper submitted in addition to 30 credits of regular course work.