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M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Specialized M.S. Themes

The Master's program in Electrical Engineering (MS in EE) offers several specialized themes. Click on the themes below for more details.

*  Embedded Real-Time Systems and Internet of Things are also relevant to the CEN Master's Program.

Students in the M.S. degree obtain mastery of an area of Electrical Engineering through completion of either a Thesis Option (Plan I) or Exam Option (Plan II).

  • Focus is on obtaining mastery of a specific area through taking advanced courses and/or completing a thesis.
  • Program is 1-2 years. At least 36 units in ECE and related areas.
  • Additional requirements depend on whether students choose a Thesis Option (Plan I) or Exam Option (Plan II).

Specific rules and qualifications regarding coursework requirements will be explained in the latest graduate student manual.

  • Plan I: Thesis Option

    Students will be required to  write and present a Master’s thesis as part of their degree requirements. They will also be required to complete an additional 12 units of research.

    • 6 formal graduate courses (24 units)
    • 12 research units (EE 297/299)
    • A thesis must be submitted and defended
    • Typical time-to-degree is 1-2 years

    *Timeline of M.S. Plan I (Thesis Option)

    Milestone

    Time to Completion

    Submit a course plan, drafted in consultation with Faculty Advisor and/or the Advisor to M.S. Students Start of program
    Find a Faculty Advisor As soon as possible
    Take classes and work on thesis Normally between one and two years
    Submit Advancement to Candidacy form First week of desired quarter of graduation
    Submit application to graduate through R’Web By Mon. of 4th week of graduation quarter
    Present M.S. Thesis and submit approved thesis to Graduate Division Quarter of Graduation

    *Latest rules and qualifications regarding coursework requirements will be explained in the latest graduate student manual.

  • Plan II: Exam Option

    Students will be required to pass a comprehensive exam that consists of five questions selected from one of the following three exam areas: Nano-materials and Devices; Signals, Systems, and Machine Intelligence; and VLSI Circuits and Systems.

    • 6 formal graduate courses (24 units)
    • 3 upper-division EE undergrad courses (12 units) - may include up to 8 units of directed studies
    • Must pass the Comprehensive Exam  (CEP)
    • Typical time-to-degree is 1

    *Timeline of M.S. Plan II (Exam Option)

    Milestone

    Time to Completion

    Submit a course plan, drafted in consultation with the Advisor to M.S. Students Start of program
    Take classes and and complete Capstone Experience Problems (CEP) Normally between 1 and 1.5 years
    Submit Advancement to Candidacy form First week of desired quarter of graduation
    Submit application to graduate through R’Web By Mon. of 4th week of graduation quarter
    Complete Comprehensive Exam requirement – via coursework taken to finish Capstone Experience Problems (CEP) Normally between 1 and 2 years

    *Latest rules and qualifications regarding coursework requirements will be explained in the latest graduate student manual.