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Electrical & Computer Engineering

Yufeng Lu,
Graduate Program Coordinator

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE). The goal of the program is to enhance the student’s understanding of advanced concepts in core areas of modern electrical and computer engineering and to enrich the student’s design and/or research skills in a specialization of his or her choice.

Students work closely with the ECE graduate program coordinator to write a program of study best suited to their background and interests. Course sequences, design projects, and research are available in communication systems, control systems, computer engineering, microwave engineering, and signal processing. The ECE department has excellent computer and laboratory facilities to support advanced studies in these areas.

Degree Requirements

A total of 33 credit hours is required for the degree and students may elect either a thesis option, project option, or course only option. The specific requirements for each option are as follows:

Thesis Option 

Recommended for investigating a problem in depth for a semester or more

  • 27 hours of approved courses meeting the following conditions:
    • two 9-hour specializations
    • 6 hours of approved courses containing advanced math
    • 6 hours of approved 600-level courses
    • 6 hours of approved ECE or technical electives
  • 6  hours thesis in one of the student's specialties
  • Comprehensive assessment: Thesis presentation and demonstration

Project Option

Recommended for investigating a problem in depth for a semester

  • 30 hours of approved courses meeting the following conditions:
    • two 9-hour specializations
    • 6 hours of approved courses containing advanced math
    • 6 hours of approved 600-level courses
    • 6 hours of approved ECE or technical electives
  • 3 hours research project or design project
  • Comprehensive assessment: Project presentation and demonstration

Course-Only Option

Recommended for industry-bound students who wish to complete the program in fast track

  • 33 hours of approved courses meeting the following conditions:
    • one 12-hour specialization
    • one 9-hour specialization
    • 6 hours of approved courses containing advanced math
    • 6 hours of approved 600-level courses
    • 6 hours of approved ECE or technical electives
  • Comprehensive assessment: Written or oral exam in the area of specialization.

The student can take graduate courses as part of technical electives from other departments (up to 6 hours). For the student who chooses thesis option or project option, technical electives must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. For the student with the course-only option, technical electives must be approved by the ECE graduate program coordinator. A comprehensive assessment is required as stated above to receive the MSEE degree.

All the courses to be counted towards the MSEE degree must be listed in the student’s Graduate Program of Study. This document must be approved by the ECE graduate program coordinator before completion of the first twelve credit hours of coursework. Request to Change Program of Study form is needed to change the Graduate Program of Study. This request must be filed prior to registering for courses and approved by the ECE graduate program coordinator.

Admission

Successful completion of an undergraduate electrical or computer engineering program is required for admission. In addition to the general admission requirements of Graduate School, the GRE General Test is required as an entrance examination for applicants to the MSEE program.

International students must submit their scores of GRE General Test and material described in the general admission requirements of Graduate School. The primary factors considered in admission decisions are undergraduate GPA, a number of repeated undergraduate courses (if any), and GRE scores.   

The GRE General Test is waived for students who earned their BSEE degree from Bradley University.

Plans of study are available for those with non-electrical engineering or non-engineering undergraduate degrees. These plans require a number of undergraduate foundation courses to be successfully completed before admission to the MSEE program. Further information can be obtained by contacting the ECE graduate program coordinator.

This is the official catalog for the 2015-2016 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.