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School of Engineering and Computer Science Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Graduate Program Overview

     

 

The Department of ECE offers both part-time and full-time programs. The ECE Department recognizes that a student may be employed full-time while studying for a degree. Therefore, most courses are offered at times and on days that will permit a student to complete the program by taking courses either late in the day or outside normal business hours. Many employers will permit additional flexibility by releasing employees early to attend classes. The MS degree programs can generally be completed in about four years if one course is taken each quarter, but it is usually possible to take two courses per quarter, bringing completion time closer to the more common duration of two years. For part-time students who are working in industry positions and who have chosen the thesis option, a topic related to the job function may be acceptable as the thesis research topic. Furthermore, a qualified staff member at the place of employment may be approved to serve as an Adjunct faculty on the thesis committee.

Students not interested in pursuing a degree but interested in taking an occasional course may register as special status students by following an abbreviated admissions process. However, only 15 QH earned as a special status student may be applied toward an MS or PhD degree.

Minimumn Credit Requirements

Every candidate for the MS degree must complete 45 QH of credit, at least 36 of which must be completed at the University of Denver.

Admission to the Master's Program

MSCpE
• Circuits and Electronics
• Digital Systems
• Computer Organization
• A high- or low-level computer language

MSEE
• Digital Design Methods
• Physical Electronics
• Introductory Electromagnetics
• Signals and Systems
• Principles of Communications
• Circuits and Electronics

MSE
• Controls
• Robotics
• Signals and Systems
• Circuits and Electronics
• Digital Design Methods
• Mechanics
• Electromagnetics

Students may be admitted provisionally while they take the appropriate prerequisite courses should it be determined from the competency examination or from the prior academic records that certain needed skills are lacking. Through the satisfactory completion of the stated provisional requirements, the student's status will be changed from provisional to regular status. 

Master of Science in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronic Systems Engineering, or Engineering

The Master of Science in Computer Engineering (MSCpE), Electrical Engineering (MSEE), Mechatronic Systems Engineering (MSMSE) or Engineering (MSENGE) is designed to advance the student’s knowledge in several areas of engineering. Each degree provides breadth while permitting the student to achieve depth in one of several specialization areas. These specialization areas, with thematic sequences of courses, 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 programs is to serve the profession of engineering and the Colorado community through advanced study in computer, electrical engineering and related fields. Each program prepares the student for academic and industrial advancement. All programs offer a thesis and a non-thesis option.

Program Structure

Candidates 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, such as GRAs, are required to elect the thesis option. These programs are designed to be completed in about seven quarters if two courses (usually 8 QH) are taken each quarter.

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option is the more flexible of the two options. This program 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 requirement of 45 QH. An overall minimum GPA of 3.0 is also required for graduation. Students may only take up to 8 quarter hours of independent study to be counted toward the degree. Each student must take a minimum of 24 quarter hours at the 4000-level. The basic structure of the minimum 45 QH for the non-thesis option is as follows:

 

Core Requirement Based on Degree Minimum Quarter Hours (QH)

Each degree program has two required classes,    8 QH 

please see program for specifics

Depth Requirement - Specialization Area          20 QH

Additional Mathematics Requirement

One approved course at 3000-level or higher        3 QH (*)  

Breadth Requirement                                      14 QH

Total Quarter Hours, non-thesis option                45 QH

 

(*) This indicates minimum number of quarter hours. Any credits over the required 3 quarter hours from the mathematics courses will count toward the breadth requirement.

 

Thesis Option

A thesis permits a candidate to obtain depth in an area of study and it is especially useful for individuals who seek to pursue a subsequent degree, for example, a PhD degree. Thesis candidates work closely with a thesis advisor. The thesis option is required for all GRAs and GTAs. For this option, a grade of C or better must be obtained in each course in order for that course to count toward the 45 QH hour requirements. An overall minimum GPA of 3.0 is also required for graduation. Students may only take up to 8 quarter hours of independent study to be counted toward the degree. Each student must take a minimum of 16 quarter hours at the 4000-level.The basic structure of the minimum 45 QH for the thesis option is as follows:

 

Core Requirement based on Degree Minimum Quarter Hours (QH)

Each degree program has two required classes,   8 QH 

please see program for specifics

Depth Requirement- Specialization Area          16 QH

Breadth Requirement                                      6 QH (*)

Thesis                                                           15 QH

Total Quater Hours, thesis option                      45 QH

 

(*) This indicates minimum number of credit hours. Any credits over the required 3 quarter hours from the mathematics courses will count toward the breadth requirement.

 

If a student who has elected to pursue a thesis option, then at any time thereafter elects to change to a non-thesis option, all requirements for the non-thesis must be met. Any independent research taken may be forfeited and students must adhere to the grade requirements of the non-thesis option.  

Breath Requirement (Non-Thesis and Thesis Option)

Breadth Requirement courses (each with not less than 3 QH of credit) may be chosen from courses offered in other specialization areas. A course that appears in more than one specialization area may only be counted toward either the specialization requirement or the breadth requirement. The remaining courses are chosen from appropriate courses numbered 3000 or higher, offered by the Department Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Department of Computer Science or NSM (Natural Sciences and Mathematics). Prior approval by the student’s advisor is required.

 

 

Additional Mathematics Requirement

All MS non-thesis candidates must complete an advanced mathematics requirement. Students may choose from the following courses:

 

ENGR 3620                         Advanced Engineering Mathematics

ENGR 4620                         Optimization

ENEE 3670/4800                  Introduction to DSP

ENGR 4810                         Advanced Topics: Linear Systems

ENGR 3630                         Finite Element Methods

ENGR 4740                         Principles of Adaptive & Optimal Control Sys.

ENGR 4745                         Advanced Non-Linear Control System

ENGR 4350                         Reliability

ENME 4020                         Advanced Finite Element Analysis

ENGR 3800                         Topics in Engineering: Numerical Methods

MATH 3120                         Introduction to Topology

MATH 3151                         Advanced Linear Algebra

MATH 3152                         Linear Algebra II

MATH 3161                         Introduction to Real Analysis

MATH 3166                         Group Theory

MATH 3400                         Introduction to Geometry

MATH 3705                         Topics in Mathematics

MATH 3720                         Coding Theory

MATH 3851                         Functions Complex Variable I

MATH 3852                         Functions Complex Variable II

.

 

 

Computer Engineering

The MSCpE program offers one area of specialization:

  • Intelligent Information System Design

 

Each student must choose an area of specialization. The student’s degree program will be a combination of the core courses, specialization areas (depth requirement) and the breadth requirement. Each student is required to complete the 2 core courses. Students may choose from any of the courses from their area of specialization but should keep in mind the 4000-level requirement of the degree.

Core courses for all Computer Engineering Students

The following courses are required for all computer engineering students regardless of area of specialization:

 

            ENCE 4110 Modern Digital Systems Design

            ENGR 3620 Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Specialization in Intelligent Information System Design

This area of specialization prepares students with fundamental and working knowledge of methods for analysis, design and implementation of intelligent systems (IS). Particular attention is given to signal and information processing in IS, design of IS, and implementation of IS using state-of-the-art technology. This is accomplished through several theoretical courses and applied courses. Students must choose from the following courses:

 

            ENEE 3670 Introduction to Digital Signal Processing

            ENCE 4501 Advanced VSLI Design

            ENCE 4250 Adv. Hardware Des. Language (HDL) Modeling & Synthesis

            ENCE 3321 Network Design

            ENCE 4620 Advanced Computer Vision

 

 

Electrical Engineering

The MSEE program offers four areas of specialization:

  • Control System Analysis and Synthesis
  • Electric Power and Energy Systems
  • Microelectronics, Microsystems and Nanotechnology
  • Modern Communications System Design

 

Each student must choose an area of specialization. The student’s degree program will be a combination of the core courses, specialization areas (depth requirement) and the breadth requirement. Each student is required to complete the 2 core courses. Students may choose from any of the courses from their area of specialization but should keep in mind the 4000-level requirement of the degree.

Core courses for all Electrical Engineering Students

The following courses are required for all electrical engineering students regardless of area of specialization:

 

             ENEE 4640 Electromagnetic Compatibility

            ENGR 3620 Advanced Engineering Mathematics

 

Specialization in Control System Analysis and Synthesis

This area of specialization prepares students for basic and applied research and development of complex systems, including, electrical, mechanical, bio-inspired, mechatronic, and robotic systems, as well as unmanned systems. This is accomplished through several theoretical courses and applied courses. Students must choose from the following courses:

 

ENCE 4231 Embedded Systems Programming

ENEE 3670 Introduction to Digital Signal Processing

ENGR 3721/3722 Controls and Controls Systems Laboratory

ENEE 4630 Optical Networking

ENGR 4730 Introduction to Robotics

Specialization in Electric Power and Energy

This area of specialization prepares students with the basic foundation and advanced knowledge, required for the research and development in the area of Power Systems, Renewable Energy Systems, and Power Electronic Devices. This is accomplished through several theoretical courses and applied courses. Students must choose from the following courses:

 

ENGR 3510 Renewable and Efficient Power and Energy Systems

ENGR 3540 Electric Power Systems

ENGR 3721/3722 Controls and Controls Systems Laboratory

ENGR 4530 Introduction to Power and Energy

ENGR 4560 Power Generation Operation and Control

ENGR 4545 Electric Power Economy

 

Specialization in Microelectronics, Microsystems & Nanotechnology

This area of specialization prepares students for careers in design, fabrication, and characterization of microelectronic devices and integrated circuits, MEMS and microsystems, as well as the emerging nano-electro-mechanical technologies.

 

ENEE 4030 Optoelectronics

ENEE 4035 Nanophotonics

ENGR 4200 Introduction to Nanotechnology

ENGR 4220 Introduction to MEMS and Microsystems

ENCE 4250 Adv. Hardware Desc. Language (HDL) Modeling & Synthesis

Specialization in Modern Communications Design

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. This is accomplished through several theoretical courses and applied courses. Students must choose from the following courses:

 

ENCE 3321 Network Design

ENEE 4030 Optoelectronics

ENEE 4035 Nanophotonics

ENEE 4620 Advanced Optical Fiber Communication

 

Mechatronics Systems Engineering 

This area of specialization is designed to meet the needs of industry and federal research laboratories for engineers with multidisciplinary experience and ability to design and integrate complex systems requiring knowledge from diverse engineering disciplines. Said differently, mechatronics involves integration of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to design complex systems that perform real-world tasks. This program includes a broad set of common course requirements along with a selection of appropriate technical electives providing both breadth and depth of knowledge in a student’s area of interest.

 

The MSE program offers one area of specialization:

  • Mechatronic System Design

 

This program is a combination of core courses, specialization areas (depth requirement) and technical electives (breadth requirement). Each student is required to complete two core courses. Students, along with their advisor, should develop a plan of study choosing thematic sequences of courses from different specialization areas, but they should keep in mind the 4000-level requirement of the degree.

 

Core courses for all Mechatronic Systems Engineering Students

The following courses are required for all mechatronic systems engineering students regardless of area of specialization:

ENEE 4641 Electromagnetic Compatibility OR

ENCE 4110 Modern Digital Systems Design

ENGR 3620 Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Specialization in Mechatronic System Design

ENMT 4220 Mechatronics II

ENGR 4730 Introduction to Robotics

ENCE 4620 Advanced Computer Vision

ENCE 4250 Adv. Hardware Desc. Language (HDL) Modeling & Synthesis

ENCE 4231 Embedded Systems Programming

ENCE 4900 Machine Learning 

 

Concentration in Engineering Management

This program allows students to pursue a concentration in engineering management. The concentration in engineering management is designed to meet the increasing needs of students to enhance their career opportunities as managers or as entrepreneurs by supplementing advanced engineering knowledge with a fundamental understanding of business principles within the context of technology enterprises. Drawing upon the strengths of both the School of Engineering and Computer Science (SECS) and the Daniels College of Business (DCB), the program provides relevant content for graduates to lead technology enterprises. There is only a non-thesis option available for this program. The program structure is as follows:

 

Engineering Focus (depth requirement) Minimum QH

  • A minimum of four 4000-level courses  24 QH
  • At the time of admission, students must choose an engineering focus area. Students must choose: computer, electrical or mechanical engineering.    
  • This focus area should be me mentioned in the Statement of Purpose
  • At least 6 courses must be in the Engineering

Student will be assigned to an engineering advisor which student must consult with when an advisors approval is required.

Engineering Mathematics Requirement        

Must be at the 4000-level and have 3 QH

Advisors approval is required

 

Management Focus 18 QH

Students may choose any 4000-level management

courses offered by the Daniels College of Business

Total QH 45 QH

 

The engineering focus must consist of a set of coordinated and related engineering courses designed to give the student depth in a particular engineering discipline (CpE, EE or ME). Students must choose and follow an area of specialization from a given discipline (the specializations are listed above), but this requirement may be waived with approval by the student’s engineering advisor if the student wishes to pursue a coherent inter-disciplinary curriculum.