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Top ranked bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs at our residential campus

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Classroom Learning

Melbourne (Main) Campus

Top ranked bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs at our residential campus

Download Brochure

Extended Studies (Off-Campus Sites)

Master's degree and graduate certificate programs at 9 sites in AL, FL, MD, NJ, VA

Orlando – (Florida)
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Patuxent – (Maryland)
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Online Learning

Curriculum program plans shown reflect current degree requirements. Previous academic year requirements can be accessed from the catalog page by choosing the appropriate academic year.

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Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Major Code:8042Degree Awarded:Master of Science
Delivery Mode(s):ClassroomLocation(s):Main Campus - Melbourne, Orlando, Patuxent
Admission Status:GraduateAge Restriction:No

The master of science program can be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. A two-year projection of course offerings is available on request. Course offerings are arranged to permit the master’s program to be completed in three semesters for full-time students and in two calendar years for part-time students.

Admission Requirements

The undergraduate backgrounds of applicants for admission to the master’s degree programs vary considerably. An applicant from a U.S. school should have a bachelor of science or equivalent degree from an electrical engineering program accredited by ABET. In evaluating an international application, consideration is given to academic standards of the school attended and the content of the courses leading to the degree obtained.

Applicants whose bachelor’s degrees are in other engineering fields, mathematics or the physical sciences may be accepted, but will be required to remedy any deficiencies by satisfactorily completing a number of undergraduate courses in preparation for graduate study in electrical engineering. Students with backgrounds in electrical engineering may wish to inquire about study in the biomedical engineering option of the mechanical engineering master’s degree program.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is offered with both thesis and nonthesis degree paths. Each requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved graduate study; however, course choices vary considerably depending on the student’s area of interest. Prior to the completion of nine credit hours, a student must submit for approval a master’s degree program plan to indicate the path chosen and the specific courses to be taken. Up to six credit hours of thesis may be included in the 30-credit-hour requirement. A nonthesis candidate must pass the master’s final program examination. The master’s final program exam measures the student’s understanding of the technical concentration area they have chosen and corresponds to the department research areas.

Curriculum

To earn the master of science degree, the student must complete an approved program plan for a total of 30 credit hours. The program may be tailored to a specific area of study or it may follow the requirements for one of the available specialization areas.

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering applies engineering and science methodologies to the analysis of biological and physiological problems and the delivery of healthcare. The biomedical engineer serves as an interface between traditional engineering disciplines and living systems, and may focus on either, applying the patterns of living organisms to engineering design or engineering new approaches to human health. A biomedical engineer may use his/her knowledge of engineering to create new equipment or environments for such purposes as maximizing human performance or providing non-invasive diagnostic tools. Students can choose elective courses in their area of interest offered by other engineering disciplines.

The minimum program requirements include six credit hours of thesis (ECE 5999) and the following:

Required Courses
BIO 5210
Applied Physiology
BME 5702
Biomedical Applications in Physiology
Three courses from the following
BME 5103 Transport Processes in Bioengineering
BME 5259 Medical Imaging
BME 5569 Biomaterials and Tissue Regeneration
BME 5710 Orthopedic Biomechanics
BME 5720 Biomedical Instrumentation

Three additional courses selected in consultation with the student’s adviser.

Electromagnetics

This area of specialization provides a background in applied and computational electromagnetics. Students develop analytical and computational tools needed to understand and solve complex field interactions including antennas and radiating structures, radar, field and wave propagation, scattering and interaction with materials. The curriculum requirements are provided as follows:

  CREDITS
ECE 5410 Electrodynamics 1 3
ECE 5425 Antennas 1 3
ECE 5431 Computational Electromagnetics 3
  Approved electives (may include 6 credit hours of thesis) 21
  TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 30

Photonics

Recent advances in optical communications and sensing have been largely due to the development of photonic devices and systems. This specialization is oriented to both devices and systems encompassing a wide range of areas including fiber-optic communication and sensing, lasers and laser system applications, and optical computing and signal processing. The study and research of these advanced devices and systems comprise the direction of this program.

Students are highly recommended to take the following three introductory courses:

   CREDITS
ECE 5301 Semiconductor Device Theory 3
ECE 5350 Optical Electronics 3
ECE 5351 Optical Communication Systems 3
  Approved electives (may include 6 credit hours of thesis) 21
  TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED  30


Recommended Electives
ECE 5311 Microelectronics Fabrication Laboratory
ECE 5333 Analog IC Design
ECE 5352 Fiber-optic Sensor Systems
ECE 5354 Acoustooptic and Electrooptic Devices
ECE 5355 Electrooptics Laboratory
ECE 5356 Optical Waveguides and Devices
ECE 5410 Electrodynamics 1
ECE 5418 Field Theory of Guided Waves 1
MTH 5201 Mathematical Methods in Science and Engineering
MTH 5202 Mathematical Methods in Science and Engineering 2
PHY 5020 Optics

Systems and Information Processing

Within this area of specialization, courses are selected to allow concentrations in areas that include systems, digital signal and image processing, neural networks and controls. Each student plans a program of study with a member of faculty whose professional field is related to student’s interest.

The curriculum requirements for this area are provided as follows:

  CREDITS
ECE 5201 Linear Systems 1 3
ECE 5234 Communication Theory or ECE 5223 Digital Communications 3
ECE 5245 Digital Signal Processing 1 3
MTH 5425 Theory of Stochastic Signals 3
  Mathematics Elective 3
  Approved Electives (may include 6 credit hours of thesis) 15
  TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 30

Wireless Systems and Technology

This area is focused on technologies surrounding wireless communication. It covers a wide range of topics both on the system level and the component level. On the system level, some of the studied areas include 2G and 3G cellular communication systems, wireless sensor networks, radars systems, smart antenna and MIMO communication systems, multimedia communication, radars, WLAN and WiMAX. On the component level, this specialization covers topics in electronics, electromagnetics and antenna design. Additionally, enabling signal processing, linear system theory and radio propagation topics are covered.

The curriculum requirements are separated into two parts as follows:

  CREDITS
All courses from the core curriculum list 15
Approved electives (may include 6 credit hours of thesis) 15
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 30


Core Curriculum CREDITS
ECE 5111 Radio Frequency Propagation 3
ECE 5201 Linear Systems 3
ECE 5234 Communications Theory 3
ECE 5245 Digital Signal Processing 1 3
MTH 5425 Theory of Stochastic Signals 3


Recommended Electives
ECE 5113 Wireless Local Area Networks
ECE 5115 Modern Wireless System Design
ECE 5117 Multimedia Communications
ECE 5118 Wireless Sensor Systems
ECE 5221 Personal Communication Systems
ECE 5223 Digital Communications
ECE 5238 Error Control Coding
ECE 5246 Digital Signal Processing 2
ECE 5248 Advanced Filtering
ECE 5251 Radar Systems
ECE 5333 Analog IC design
ECE 5418 Field Theory of Guided Waves
ECE 5425 Antennas 1
ECE 5426 Antennas 2
ECE 5450 Automated RF Measurements
ECE 5451 Microwave Circuit Design

With the approval of the student’s adviser, other 5000-level courses may be added to the list of the approved electives.

Program for Graduates from Other Fields

A student admitted to this program is expected to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent, with an undergraduate major in an engineering discipline, mathematics or the physical sciences, and an academic and/or professional record indicating a high probability of success in graduate work. Preparatory courses may be required to provide a student with the background necessary for successful graduate study. Depending on the individual’s background, other courses (e.g., differential equations and linear algebra) may also be required. Proficiency in these areas may be demonstrated by either successful course completion or by passing an equivalency examination. When possible, a student will be notified of deficiencies at the time of acceptance. In addition to the preparatory work described, all degree requirements listed above must be fulfilled.