The MSEE requires 30-credit-hours of graduate-level course work. The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options. However, students who are supported as research assistants are required to pursue the thesis option.
Thesis option, and Non-thesis option
A thesis option is offered for students who want the opportunity to obtain expertise in research and who may be interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering. A non-thesis option is offered for students who want a practical industrial applications-oriented degree. Thesis and project reports must be approved and signed by the graduate school.
MSEE General Requirements
Maximum of two graduate-level course units may be transferred from another institution to apply toward the MSEE degree. Transferred courses must logically fit into the student’s graduate program.
The student’s graduate advisor decides which courses are acceptable. The UDC approval of transfer credit may also be required. These two courses should not have been used in fulfillment of any other degree(s).
At least half of the coursework credits, excluding thesis or technical report credits, must be taken with other than a single professor.
Any coursework more than six years old at the time of the final examination will not be used to fulfill any of the MSEE degree requirements.
All graduate credits must have letter grades of A, B, or C, or pass/fail grades of S (Satisfactory). No More than two graduate courses with letter grade C will be accepted.
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required to remain in good standing and to graduate.
Degree Requirements for the Thesis Option
Plan of Study – the student must meet with his/her advisor to formulate a plan of study. The plan of study must be submitted to the student’s advisory committee after completing at least 9 but no more than 18 semester credits.
Satisfactory completion of 30 hours of approved graduate credits including 6 hours of thesis.
At least 18 credits of course work, excluding thesis, must be at or above the 500 level. Courses below the 500 level must be approved by the student’s advisory committee.
Admission to Candidacy – the admission to candidacy form must be completed prior to the thesis defense. The student should consult the schedule of classes for deadlines on submitting this form for spring graduation.
Thesis Defense – a copy of the thesis should be distributed to each member of the advisory committee and to the graduate school at least two weeks prior to the defense. The student should make a public announcement of the defense within the department to allow attendance by interested faculty, students, and the University Community. Upon application for the thesis defense, students are required to submit a technical paper or abstract, based on some aspect of the thesis research, in a form suitable for submission to a regional technical conference.
Degree Requirements for the Non-Thesis Options
Plan of Study – the student must meet with his/her advisor to formulate a plan of study. The plan of study must be submitted after completing at least 9 but no more than 18 semester credits.
Satisfactory completion of 30 hours of approved graduate credits. At least 24 credits of course work must be at or above the 500 level. Courses below the 500 level must be approved by the student’s advisory committee.
Satisfactory passing of a written comprehensive exam. Students can take the comprehensive exam after completing the core courses in their area of study.
A 3-credit project report based on a current practical industry-type problem may be substituted for the comprehensive exam.
