M.S. Program Requirements
The curriculum incorporates uniform requirements for the M.S. program that apply to all students in the department regardless of their area of study. The curriculum allows flexibility in the selection of courses by students and their faculty advisers, in an effort to promote and encourage multi-disciplinary education and research.
M.S. students may select either the thesis plan or one of comprehensive examination plans. The selection of courses is tailored to the student’s professional objectives and must meet the requirements stated below. The courses should be selected and approved in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor. Departures from the stated requirements are considered only in exceptional cases and must be approved by the Department’s Vice-Chair of Graduate Affairs. The minimal requirements for the M.S. Program are as follows:
Course Requirements
The selection of courses for the master’s degree program is tailored to the student’s professional objectives and must meet the requirements outlined below. The courses should be selected and approved in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor. Changes from the stated requirements are considered only in exceptional cases and must be approved by the Vice-Chair of Graduate Affairs.
The minimum standards and course requirements for the master’s degree program are:
Prerequisite: B.S. degree in engineering or a related field.
Time-to-Degree: All master’s degree course requirements must be completed within two academic years from admission into the program.
Academic Standards: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 each quarter and a grade of B or better in all graduate courses.
A formal graduate course is defined as any 200-level course, excluding seminar or tutorial courses.
A maximum of one upper division courses may replace one of the formal graduate courses provided that (1) the undergraduate course is not required of undergraduate students in the department, and (2) the undergraduate course is approved by the student’s faculty adviser.
Comprehensive Examination Exam Plan
The comprehensive examination exam plan may be satisfied two ways—through courses or through a project. The default program option for all admitted students is the comprehensive examination exam courses option. Upon enrollment, students are assigned an academic, faculty advisor. These advisors will assist students in course selection and guidance on program options. Students indicate their area of study on their application. Area transfers with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department are competitive and are considered once per year. These areas determine the broad focus of a student’s study (providing depth) while still providing the flexibility needed within the program to allow for breadth and the desire to meet each individual student’s goals for study.
Comprehensive Exam Plan—Courses
- EE 297 (Seminar)
- 9 Lecture Courses
- At least 5 must be a 4-unit lecture course within the AREA
- Each Electrical Engineering graduate course will contain a question, set of questions, problem, project, or combination thereof designated by the instructor as the Comprehensive Examination Score. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 average (out of 4.0) on these Comprehensive Examination Scores. NOTE: This Comprehensive Examination Score is different from the student’s GPA. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department maintains a system for students to view and monitor their CE Score average.
Comprehensive Exam Plan—Project
- EE 297 (Seminar)
- 8 Lecture Courses
- At least 5 must be a 4-unit lecture course within the AREA
- EE 299 (Project Seminar)
- Students who have a faculty advisor who has agreed to supervise a project may choose this option. Projects typically take 1-2 quarters to complete. However, students only enroll in EE 299 once. The project culminates in a presentation and a paper.
Thesis Plan
- EE 297 (Seminar)
- 7 Lecture Courses
- At least 4 must be a 4-unit lecture course within the AREA
- 8 units of EE 598 Thesis Preparation
- A properly formatted thesis approved by a formal Thesis Committee and the current University rules and regulations
Time-to-Degree
The average length of time for students in the M.S. program is five quarters. The maximum time allowed for completing of the degree is two academic years from the time of admission into the M.S. program