The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering is designed to serve those students who wish to obtain advanced knowledge in the design of high-speed electronic systems or computer-based systems. This knowledge helps prepare students for a doctoral program or an intermediate level position in industry.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework.  This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through the Center for Regional and Continuing Education.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Program Selection

Students will choose either the Option in Computer Engineering or the Option in Electronic Engineering.

MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering with an Option in Computer Engineering:

This option is designed primarily for students who wish to apply electrical and software engineering principles to the design and development of computers and computer-based systems.

MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering with an Option in Electronic Engineering:

This option is designed primarily for students who wish to expand their study of principles and applications of electrical engineering to high-speed circuits, components, and systems.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements in the University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Studies.

3. A professionally accredited baccalaureate in electrical or computer engineering, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Studies.

4. Successful completion of the Graduate Record Examination if required by the Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Successful completion of the Graduate Writing Examination.

2. Completion of background preparation equivalent to the following undergraduate courses: CSCI 111, EECE 237, EECE 315, EECE 343, and EECE 344, EECE 365.

All required undergraduate electrical and computer engineering (ECE) courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a grade of C or better must be earned in each course. Students are required to complete the background courses immediately as a matter of reasonable progress toward the master's degree.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Formation of the graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

2. Development of an approved program, including a thesis or project proposal if the thesis or project plan is chosen, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

3. Classified graduate standing and completion at the University of at least 9 units of the proposed program with a minimum 3.00 grade point average.

Requirements for the MS Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Completion of all requirements as established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows:

(a) Completion of the 12-unit core:

(b) At least 18 units, including a thesis or project if chosen, must be in electrical and computer engineering (EECE); remaining units may be selected from electrical or computer engineering or in related areas with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

(c) At least 18 of the units required for the degree must be 600-level courses.

(d) At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through the Center for Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).

2. Completion and final approval of one of the following three plans as specified by the graduate advisory committee:

(a) Thesis Plan. This plan includes 24 units of course work and 6 units of thesis research (EECE 699T). Research may be theoretical or applied, but must reflect an individual in-depth study into an approved topic. This plan requires a formal research thesis which must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval and accession to the library.

(b) Project Plan. Requirements for this plan consist of 27 units of course work and 3 units of project preparation (EECE 699P). The project must show how analysis and design have been applied to a particular area of electronic or computer engineering. A written project description must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval and accession to the library.

(c) Examination Plan. Requirements for this plan consist of 30 units of course work and a comprehensive oral examination prepared by the faculty. The two-hour examination will cover areas covered in four courses from the candidate's course of study.

3. Approval by the Graduate Coordinator and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the University.

Option in Computer Engineering: 18 units

Undergraduate background:

Programming in C++ and assembly language

Data structures

Operating systems

Signals and transforms

Analog electronics

Digital systems and state machine design

Computer interface circuits

Microprocessor system design

8 units selected from:

10 units selected from:

Any approved senior or graduate-level courses not otherwise required for the degree.

Option in Electronic Engineering: 18 units

Undergraduate background:

Programming in C++ and assembly language

Signals and transforms

Advanced analog electronics

Digital systems design

Computer interface circuits

Control systems

Digital Signal Processing

Communication Systems

8 units selected from:

10 units selected from:

Any approved senior or graduate-level courses not otherwise required for the degree.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Electrical Engineering students will demonstrate their writing competence through successfully completing either a departmentally administered examination or CSCI 301. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specific information.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

In addition, students may not count more than two courses in which they received a grade of C toward the approved program.