Electrical Engineering

Coordinator: Bouzid Aliane, Professor, Ph.D., Polytechnic Institute of New York

The master of science in electrical engineering (M.S.E.E.) provides students and practicing engineers alike with a background for analysis, design, development, or research on electrical or computer engineering systems in a spectrum of professional settings. It enables students to expand and deepen their knowledge beyond the baccalaureate degree and gives them the ability to adapt to ever-changing technological developments.

Unique features of the program include the following:

The program is structured in two options — electrical engineering and computer engineering.
Students enjoy the learning environment, which offers advantages such as small class size, low student- faculty ratio, excellent interaction with dedicated faculty, and student participation in funded research activities.
The M.S.E.E. program is open to both part-time and full-time students.
Areas of research and study at the graduate level include communications, control, digital signal processing, digital system design and simulation, microprocessor systems, optical sensors, embedded systems, computer architecture, computer engineering, computer networks, VLSI design, and other relevant areas of electrical and computer engineering.

Admission Policy

To be eligible for admission to the electrical and computer engineering graduate program, a student must have an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), or its equivalent, showing a strong academic record with at least a B average. In some instances, students who do not meet the above criteria may be considered for admission on the basis of their current status, goals, and potential for success in the program. Such students may be admitted to the program subject to making up deficiencies in their undergraduate studies. Students with deficiencies must either (1) take a course and earn a grade of B or better, or (2) pass a proficiency exam on the subject. Students are advised to rectify deficiencies before attempting to enroll in graduate-level courses.

Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation (professional or academic) from individuals familiar with their potential for success with graduate study. Applicants also must submit official transcripts of undergraduate work completed.

International students are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores to provide additional information for the admission decision.

A student need not be admitted to the program in order to enroll in an individual course; however, approval should be obtained from the course instructor. Courses completed prior to achieving official admission may be applied to the degree requirements with the approval of the program coordinator.

Transfer Credit

The transfer of graduate credit from other institutions may be permitted with the approval of the program coordinator and subject to Graduate School policy on transfer credit detailed elsewhere in this catalog.

Financial Support

Financial support is available through teaching or research assistantships. Financial support is offered to those students who, in the estimation of the Department faculty, hold greatest promise of being successful graduate students.

Research Project/Thesis Requirement

Students may elect to undertake a thesis for partial fulfillment (six or nine credits) of the requirements for the degree, provided that they have at least a 3.2 QPR or a strong endorsement from their advisor. The thesis must be a well-written document on an original topic of research or development in electrical and computer engineering. It must show the ability to organize materials in a clear and original manner and to present well-reasoned conclusions. The student must write a master’s thesis and successfully defend it at a final oral presentation. Thesis preparation and submission must comply with Graduate School policy on theses as well as with specific department requirements. Detailed information concerning these requirements is available from the Department office.

Students who do not elect to undertake thesis work must complete a research project (EE 690 ). A written final report and an oral presentation are required. The oral presentation is intended to verify that the research represents the student’s own contribution to knowledge and to test the student’s understanding of research. One copy of the final draft must be submitted to the graduate coordinator.