Electrical Engineering

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

This program affords an opportunity for engineers and others to advance their competency in analysis and design to better meet the high technology needs of local industry. Each student selects two core courses and three graduate courses in one area of emphasis, and the remaining courses must augment and support the area of emphasis. Some current examples of areas of emphasis are biomedical, communications, computer/communication networks and security, control systems and robotics, digital signal processing, digital and computer systems, electromagnetics and optics, electronics, networks and filters, and power. Students may create other areas of emphasis with the approval of the graduate advisor. Students will choose one of the three alternatives: thesis, project, and comprehensive exam. Successful completion of a thesis provides a unifying culmination to the program, and an enhanced resume for future industrial or academic endeavor. A limited number of laboratory and teaching assistantships are available to qualified graduate students.

Prerequisites

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited program in electrical engineering or a bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering, natural science or other appropriate program with the requirement that essential undergraduate deficiencies in electrical engineering are removed prior to Advancement to Candidacy.

2. The student should apply online at CSU Mentor. Do not send an application to the Department. International students should apply online at CSU Mentor or through the Center for International Education.

To be considered for admission the prospective graduate student must have attained a GPA of at least 2.8 for the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) attempted prior to entry in the MSEE program. The general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required.

The student should apply online at CSU Mentor. Do not send an application to the Department. International students should apply online at CSU Mentor or through the Center for International Education.

Requirements

Take at least 2 out of the below 5 courses appropriate to area of emphasis and subject to graduate advisor approval:

• EE 503 Advanced Systems Engineering (3)
  
• EE 505 Advanced Engineering Mathematics for EE (3)
  Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
• EE 508 Probability Theory and Random Processes (3)
  Prerequisite: EE 380 with a grade of "C" or better.
• EE 509 Network Theory (3)
  Prerequisites: EE 386 or EE 430 all with a grade of "C" or better.
• EE 511 Linear Systems Analysis (3)
  Prerequisite: EE 470 all with a grade of "C" or better or equivalent mathematical maturity.

Complete 30 unit minimum in 400-, 500-, or 600-level courses as approved in advance by the graduate advisor.

Take one of the following three alternatives:

1. Thesis Alternative:

• 500/600-level EE courses including core (15 units);
• EE 697 Directed Research (3);
• EE 698 Thesis or Industrial Project (6);
• 400/500/600-level courses in EE (6 units);
• Comprehensive Oral Exam on Thesis.

2. Project Alternative:

• 500/600-level EE courses including core (21 units);
• EE 697 Directed Research (6) (on a capstone project);
• 400/500/600-level EE courses (3 units);
• Comprehensive Oral Exam on the capstone project.

3. Comprehensive Exam Alternative:

• 500/600-level EE courses including core and at least three courses forming area of emphasis (24 units);
• 400/500/600-level EE courses (6 units);
• Comprehensive Written and Oral Exam on the area-of-emphasis.

Tentative Program

Upon matriculation graduate students must consult with the graduate advisor and a tentative program must be approved by the advisor by a few weeks into the first semester. The program must contain two core courses and exhibit an area of emphasis comprised of at least three related graduate courses (500 or 600 level). Students should obtain the MSEE Handbook, which covers the procedures and requirements, from the advisor or Electrical Engineering Department office or Electrical Engineering web.

Advancement to Candidacy

At least one semester before the graduating semester students must advance to candidacy. To apply for advancement to candidacy students must satisfy the following requirements:

1. All deficiencies must have been made up with a GPA of at least 3.0.

2. Currently enrolled in a regular session.

3. Demonstration of competence in technical writing by passing an appropriate writing course such as ENGL 317, ENGL 417, ENGL 418, or ENGL 419 with a grade of "C" or better or by providing acceptable proof of technical writing ability to the graduate advisor. This requirement can be waived for thesis or project students upon recommendation of the graduate advisor.

4. Fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).

5. Completion of at least 9 units as a graduate student in residence while maintaining both an overall GPA and a program GPA of at least 3.0. Students are advised to seek advancement before completing 15 units of the program.

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