University of Denver

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

The MS in Computer Engineering (CPE) or Electrical Engineering (EE) is designed to advance the student’s knowledge in several areas of engineering. Each degree provides breadth through its flexible minor or technical elective requirement, while permitting the student to achieve depth in one of several areas of specialization.

Program Requirements

Program Structure
Candidates for the Master of Science in CPE or EE may elect either the thesis or non-thesis option. This choice may be made at any time, although a delay in declaration may impact the completion date. Students who are GTAs or who receive financial support from a University research grant as graduate research assistants (GRAs) are required to elect the thesis option. These programs are designed to be completed in about seven quarters if two courses (6 or 7 qtr. hrs.) are taken each quarter.

Non-Thesis Option
The more flexible of the two options, this is designed with the working professional in mind. For this option, a grade of B or better must be obtained in each course in order for that course to count toward the 45-quarter-hour requirement. The basic structure of the minimum 45 quarter hours for the non-thesis option is as follows:

Specialty Track - 18 quarter hours
(with a minimum of four 4000-level courses
of at least 3 QH each )      

Technical Electives - 21 quarter hours
(with a minimum of two 4000-level courses
of at least 3QH each)       

Advanced Mathematics Requirement - 6 quarter hours
          ---------
TOTAL 45 quarter hours

Thesis Option
A thesis permits a candidate to obtain depth in an area of study and is especially useful for individuals seeking to pursue a subsequent degree. Thesis candidates work closely with a thesis advisor. The thesis option is required for all graduate research assistants (GRAs) and graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). The basic structure of the minimum 45- quarter-hours for the thesis option is as follows:

Specialty Track - 15 quarter hours
(with a minimum of three 4000 level courses
of at least 3QH each)       

Flexible Minor - 12 quarter hours
(with a minimum of one 4000level course
of at least 3QH)       

Advanced Mathematics Requirement -  3 quarter hours

Thesis - 15 quarter hours
---------
TOTAL 45 quarter hours

About the Advanced Mathematics Requirement
All MS candidates must complete an advanced mathematics requirement. Advanced mathematics courses at the 3000 level or higher are selected with the prior approval of the student’s advisor.

About Technical Electives (Non-Thesis Option)
A minimum of two technical elective courses must be at the 4000 level (each with no less than 3 quarter hours of credit), with each selected from two differing specializations from the one chosen for the respective degree. A course that appears in more than one specialization may only be counted toward one specialization. The remaining technical electives require prior approval from the student’s advisor and are chosen from appropriate courses numbered 3000 or higher offered by either the computer science or the natural sciences and mathematics departments.

About the Flexible Minor (Thesis Option)
At least one of the courses for the flexible minor must be at the 4000 level (with no less than 3- quarter-hours of credit) and selected from a specialization other than the one chosen for the respective degree. A course that appears in more than one specialization may only be counted toward one specialization. Remaining courses for the flexible minor must be selected from the other specializations offered for the degree, with prior approval from the student’s advisor.

Specialization Requirements
Areas of specialization have been selected to coincide with those of high current interest as well as those emerging technologies that hold promise of increasing importance for the future. The purpose of these specializations is to serve the profession of engineering and the Colorado community through advanced study in computer, electrical or mechanical engineering and related fields. Each specialization prepares the student for academic and industrial advancement. All offer a thesis and a non-thesis option.

CPE Specializations
The CPE program offers four areas of specialization:

• Communications, DSP and Networking
•  Robotics, Embedded Systems and Instrumentation
•  Computer Systems Engineering
•  Software Engineering

The following course listings specify which courses may be taken to fulfill the specialty track course requirements.

Communications, DSP and Networking
This area of specialization prepares students for research, development and implementation in the area of communication system development where competency is developed in topics from network design and signal processing to high-speed implementation of digital systems.

ENCE 4100  High Speed Digital Design
ENCE 4300  Mixed Signal Design and Testing
ENEE 3130  Principles of Communications Systems
ENEE 3141  Digital Communications
ENEE 3660  Communications Systems Design
ENEE 3665  Introduction to Telecomm Systems
ENEE 3670  Introduction to DSP
ENEE 3150  Communication Systems Lab
ENEE 4325  Data and Computer Communications
ENEE 4360  Digital and Space Communications
ENEE 4630     Optical Netwroking
ENEE 4416  Advanced Topics
ENEE 4620  Advanced Optical Fiber Communications
ENCE 4800  Advanced Topics (CPE-appropriate topics)

Robotics, Embedded Systems and Instrumentation
This area of specialization prepares students for research, development and implementation in the area of robotic and embedded systems where competency is developed in topics from controls and system design to algorithm implementation.

ENCE 3231  Embedded Microprocessors
ENCE 4300  Mixed Signal Design and Testing
ENCE 4341  Distributed Systems
ENCE 4421  Robot Computer Vision
ENCE 3250  HDL Modeling and Synthesis
ENCE 4800  Advanced Topics (CPE-appropriate topics)
ENGR 3610 Engineering Analysis
ENGR 3721  Controls
ENGR 3730  Robotics
ENGR 3731    Robotics Lab
ENGR 4745  Advanced Nonlinear Control Systems
COMP 3501  Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
COMP 3801  Introduction to Computer Graphics

Computer Systems Engineering
This area of specialization prepares students for research, development and implementation in the area of computer systems where competency is developed in topics from hardware and software design to architectural implementation.

ENCE 3231  Embedded Microprocessors
ENCE 3501  VLSI Design
ENCE 4341  Distributed Systems
ENCE 4501  Advanced VLSI Design
ENCE 4600  HDL Modeling and Synthesis
ENCE 4800  Advanced Topics (CPE-appropriate topics)
COMP 3352  Elements of Compiler Design
COMP 3361  Operating Systems I
COMP 3694  Advanced Computer Architecture

Software Engineering
This area of specialization prepares students for research, development and implementation in the area of software engineering where competency is developed in topics from language development and algorithmic implementation to information management.

ENCE 3231  Embedded Microprocessors
ENCE 4341  Distributed Systems
ENCE 4800  Advanced Topics (CPE-appropriate topics)
COMP 3371  Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms
COMP 3381  Software Engineering I
COMP 3351  Programming Languages
COMP 3421  Database Organization and Management I
COMP 3422  Database Organization and Management II
COMP 4573  Scientific Computation

EE Specializations
The EE program offers three areas of specialization:

•  Electromagnetics and OpticalCommunications
•  Signal Processing and Communications
•  Systems and Controls

The following course listings specify which courses may be taken to fulfill the specialty track course requirements.

Electromagnetics and Optical Communications
This area of specialization prepares students for research, development and design of devices and systems that operate using wave theory: laser, optics and light wave devices, electromagnetic theory, waveguides and antennas.

ENEE 4030  Optoelectronics
ENEE 4035  Nano Photonics
ENEE 3620  Optical Fiber Communications
ENEE 3611  Antennas and Arrays
ENEE 3641  Introduction to EMC
ENEE 4610  Advanced Electromagnetics
ENEE 4620  Advanced Optical Fiber Communications
ENEE 4671  CAD of Microwave Circuits
ENEE 4800  Advanced Topics (EE-appropriate topics)

Signal Processing and Communications
This specialization prepares students for research, development and design of information transmission, reception and processing systems. Courses provide breadth with respect to algorithms for the processing of signals and information. Breadth is also provided in the study of alternate communication (information transfer over space and terrestrial channels) techniques and specific applications in image and speech processing methods. Depth is provided through several courses in specific areas.

ENCE 3310  Data Communications
ENCE 3321  Network Design
ENEE 3030  Optoelectronics
ENEE 3035  Photonics
ENEE 3141  Digital Communications
ENEE 3150  Communications Systems Lab
ENEE 3620  Optical Fiber Communications
ENEE 3660  Communications Systems Design
ENEE 3665  Introduction to Telecomm Systems
ENEE 3670  Introduction to DSP
ENEE 4310  Information Theory and Coding
ENEE 4325  Data and Computer Communications
ENEE 4360  Digital and Space Communications
ENEE 4416  Advanced Topics
ENEE 4425  Image Processing
ENEE 4450  Speech Processing
ENEE 4460 Real Time DSP
ENEE 4620  Advanced Optical Fiber Communications
ENEE 4630     Optical Networking
ENEE 4800  Advanced Topics (EE-appropriate topics)

Systems and Controls
This area of specialization focuses on the theory and design of modern analog and digital control systems to include nonlinear analysis methods, adaptive control, control of stochastic systems and control based on information and theoretical concepts available, with specific focus on robotics system design.

ENCE 3231 Embedded Microprocessors
ENCE 3241  Computer Organization
ENEE 3150  Communications Systems
ENEE 3620  Optical Fiber Communications
ENEE 3660  Communications Systems Design
ENEE 3670  Introduction to DSP
ENEE 4310  Information Theory and Coding
ENEE 4620  Advanced Optical Fiber Communications
ENEE 4720  Modern and Digital Control Systems
ENEE 4745  Advanced Nonlinear Control Systems
ENEE 4750  Adaptive Control Systems
ENEE 4800  Advanced Topics (EE-appropriate topics)
ENGR 3721  Controls
ENGR 3730  Robotics