M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Description

The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.S.E.E.) degree is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skill, and professional practices needed to develop and design electrical or computer engineering related systems. The program also prepares students who desire to pursue further graduate work leading to a Ph.D. degree.

The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering degree (MSEE) is developed by the Weisberg Department of Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering at the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences (CECS) to graduate electrical and computer engineers for serving highly employable electrical and computer engineering disciplines and provide skills based on industry needs. The master program is designed to prepare candidates for careers in industry or government or for pursuing a career in academia; both thesis and non-thesis options are available. Furthermore, graduates with this degree will contribute to West Virginia’s economic development, advance its competitive edge globally and contribute to improvement in the quality of life.

The Master’s degree (thesis or non-thesis option) requires 30 credit hours to satisfy the degree requirements. Requirements for the thesis option are 24 hours of coursework and 6 hours of thesis research. The non-thesis option requires 30 hours of coursework.

The program integrates in-depth knowledge of core areas in electrical and computer engineering, which include (1) Antennas and Wireless Communications, (2) Energy and Power Systems, (3) Control Systems, (4) Electronics and Embedded Systems. Both simulation and experimental-based learning tools are developed and applied in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of fundamental phenomena, processes, and system characteristics in these areas.

Applicants who are interested in joining the program are encouraged to apply online. Applications to a thesis-based degree might be considered for funding by the faculty based on the students’ academic standing after the first semester. However, there is no guarantee that student will receive a financial support.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSEE) degree is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skill, and professional practices needed to develop and design electrical and computer engineering related systems. The program also prepares students who desire to pursue further graduate work leading to a Ph.D. degree.

Each degree candidate is required to complete at least 30 graduate credit hours, depending on the “option” chosen below (thesis, or coursework only), with a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 for the courses included in the student’s Plan of Study.  At least one-half of the minimum required hours for the degree must be earned in classes numbered 600 or above.

Each degree-seeking student must file an approved “Plan of Study,” developed with a faculty advisor, before the student registers for the 12thcredit hour. The Academic Regulations portion of the Graduate Catalog may be consulted for additional information.  The Plan of Study should define a Focus Area for the individual student that is related to the student’s technical and professional development interests.  Examples of focus areas include power, signal processing, control, and embedded systems, communications, and integrated systems, computer architecture, computer vision and machine intelligence, and network and security. At least three of the Elective Courses (9 CR) must be within the student’s Focus Area at the 600-level.

Students may choose to complete either the “thesis option,” or the “coursework only option” after consultation with their academic advisor.

Curriculum

Core Courses (12 CR):

All graduate students in the MSEE program are required to complete four required core courses:

1. EE-606 Electrical Engineering Analysis
2. EE-602 Random Signals and Noise
3. EE-607 Adv. Electrical Engineering Analysis
4. EE-608 Research Methods (another 600-level EE course approved by the advisor and department head can be substituted for the coursework-only option).

 Focus Courses (9 CR):

All graduate students in the MSEE program must develop a graduate focus area of study, with prior approval from their adviser and the department head. The focus area should consist of at least 9 CR of graduate study in electrical and computer engineering (EE 600 or higher) and be related to the student’s technical and professional development interests. Examples of focus areas include power, signal processing, control and embedded systems, communications, and integrated systems, computer architecture, computer vision and machine intelligence, and network and security

Elective Course (3 – 12 CR):

Graduate students pursuing the Thesis Option must complete a minimum of 3 CR of elective courses.  Graduate students pursuing the Design Project Option must complete a minimum of 6 CR of elective courses.  Graduate students pursuing the Coursework Only Option must complete a minimum of 12 CR of elective courses. The elective courses must be approved by the advisor.

Comprehensive Assessment (3-6 CR)

Thesis Option (6 CR):  Prior to completing 12 semester credit hours of graduate work, students should prepare and present a formal thesis proposal to their faculty advisor. An acceptable proposal (including a statement of work, extensive literature search, and proposed timeline), signed by the student and approved by their faculty advisor and department head, is required prior to registering for thesis credits. Students must form a graduate thesis committee in coordination with their advisor and present their proposal to their committee for review and approval during the first semester in which they have registered for thesis credit. Students are required to deliver a successful written and oral presentation of their thesis 

Coursework Only Option (NC):   The Master of Science degree may be completed without the preparation of a formal research thesis or report. Instead, a student may be permitted to enroll in a no thesis/no report (coursework only) program which involves additional course work.  The student must complete at least thirty-three graduate credits of approved courses. During the first semester of the MS program; the student should select an advisor.  Each student will have an individual Program of Courses approved by the student’s assigned advisor and the department’s chair by the end of the first semester of the program. For this option only, the student must satisfactorily complete the comprehensive examination prior to graduation.

Plan of Study

Students are required to complete a Plan of Study form in consultation with their academic advisors by the end of first semester in the program.

Approved Elective Courses

Any ME (Mechanical Engineering) course approved in advance by the student’s advisor

Any EM (Engineering Management) course approved in advance by the student’s advisor

Any ENGR (Engineering) course approved in advance by the student’s advisor

Any CS (Computer Science) course approved in advance by the student’s advisor

Summary of Courses in MSEE Degree

New Courses (proposals submitted concurrently)

The following course additions have been submitted to the Graduate Council for Approval:

1. EE 602 Random Signals & Noise
2. EE 606 Electrical Engineering Analysis
3. EE 607 Advanced Electrical Engineering Analysis
4. EE 608 Research Methods
5. EE 611 Digital Design
6. EE 615 Real Time Systems
7. EE 618 Data and Communication Networks
8. EE 624 Wireless Communications
9. EE 630 Robust Control
10. EE 631 Optimal Control
11. EE 636 Power Systems Operation
12. EE 638 Nonlinear Systems and Control
13. EE 639 Distributed Power Systems
14. EE 650-653 Special Topics
15. EE 685-688 Independent Study
16. EE 699 Thesis