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ECE-MS - Electrical and Computer Engineering, M.S.

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Departmental Degree Requirements



 To receive an MS degree in ECE the student should complete all the MS requirements specified by the University and the College of Engineering. Additionally, certain departmental requirements listed below shall also be satisfied:

Thesis Option


An MS-ECE program of study with thesis option requires a minimum of 22 credit hours of course work and a minimum of eight (8) credit hours of thesis completed under the supervision of the graduate thesis advisor. The coursework shall include 1-credit-hour of course - Introduction to Graduate Research, during the first semester of study; at least 15 hours of graduate ECE courses that must include 9 credit hours of ECE graduate level breadth courses from a list maintained by the ECE Department; no more than three (3) hours of directed/independent study courses to satisfy the required minimum of 21 hours of coursework. The thesis requirement includes research, the findings of which must be submitted in writing subject to the policies and satisfaction of the College of Graduate Studies and the advisory committee. In addition, each student must pass a comprehensive exam which includes a defense of his/her research work before the advisory committee. The advisory committee shall be chaired or co-chaired by and ECE faculty member and include and additional member from the ECE Department.

Degree Requirements

  • Core Required Course,  course: 1 hour

  • ECE Breadth Courses*: 9 hours

    Advisor Approved Electives*: 12 hours

  • Research and Thesis, course: 8 hours

  • Total Degree Requirements: 30 hours

*Selection of appropriate courses (ECE 5000, 6000, 7000 level) will be made in consultation with the student’s advisory committee and/or the graduate coordinator.

Advisor Approved Electives


Advisor Approved Electives (within the department)

Selection of appropriate courses (ECE 5000, 6000, 7000 level) will be made in consultation with the student’s advisory committee and/or the graduate coordinator.

Advisor Approved Electives (outside of the department ). It may include a maximum of 3 credit hours of directed study.

The student’s advisory committee and/or the graduate coordinator may advise a student to take courses outside of the ECE discipline. Common prefixes appropriate for the ECE program of study include: ME, MATH, CSC, CHEM, CHE, PHYS, and CEE. 

Non-thesis Option


An MS-ECE program of study with non-thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work and shall include:  9 credit hours of  graduate level breadth courses from a list maintained by the ECE department; a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours of graduate level ECE elective courses; a three (3) credit hours course - Non-Thesis Design Project course that will enhance independent learning skills and a maximum of nine (9) hours of graduate level elective courses from outside the department. 

  • ECE Breadth Courses*: 9 hours

  • Advisor Approved Electives*: 18 hours

  • Non-Thesis Design Project, course: 3 hours

  • Total Degree Requirements: 30 hours

*Selection of appropriate courses (ECE 5000, 6000, 7000 level) will be made in consultation with the student’s advisory committee and/or the graduate coordinator.

Advisor Approved Electives


Advisor Approved Electives (within the department)

Selection of appropriate courses (ECE 5000, 6000, 7000 level) will be made in consultation with the student’s advisory committee and/or the graduate coordinator.

Advisor Approved Electives (outside of the department)

The student’s advisory committee and/or the graduate coordinator may advise a student to take courses outside of the ECE discipline. Common prefixes appropriate for the ECE program of study include: ME, MATH, CSC, CHEM, CHE, PHYS, and CEE.