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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 12 quarter hours of independent study to be counted toward the degree. The basic structure of the minimum 45 QH for the non-thesis option is as follows:
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Depth Requirement - Specialization Area
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Minimum QH
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Requires at least 16 quarter hours at the
4000-level, each course must be at least 3
quarter hours
Advanced Mathematics Requirement
Requires two approved courses, must be
at the 3000-level or higher
Breadth Requirement
Requires at least 12 quarter hours at the
4000-level, each course must be at least 3
quarter hours
Total QH, non-thesis option
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24 QH
6 QH (*)
15 QH (*)
45 QH
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(*) This indicates minimum number of credit hours, for a minimum total of 21. Students must choose two mathematics courses, after approval by their advisor. Any credits over the required 6 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 graduate research assistants 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 12 quarter hours of independent study to be counted toward the degree. The basic structure of the minimum 45 QH for the thesis option is as follows:
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Depth Requirement- Specialization Area
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Minimum QH
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Requires at least 12 quarter hours at the
4000-level, each course must be at least 3
quarter hours
Advanced Mathematics Requirement
Requires an approved course, must be at
the 3000-level or higher
Breadth Requirement
Requires at least 8 quarter hours at the
4000-level, each course must be at least 3
quarter hours
Thesis
Total QH, thesis option
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15 QH
3 QH (*)
12 QH (*)
15 QH
45 QH
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(*) This indicates minimum number of credit hours, for a minimum total of 15. Students must choose one mathematics course, after approval by their advisor. Any credits over the required 3 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.
Advanced Mathematics Requirement
All MS candidates must complete an advanced mathematics requirement. Advanced mathematics courses at the 3000-level or higher are selected with prior approval of the student’s advisor.
Breadth 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 one specialization. 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 of the student’s advisor is required.
Computer Engineering
The MSCpE program offers three areas of specialization:
• Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
• Computer and Wireless Sensor Networks
• Robotics, Embedded Systems and Instrumentation
Specialization in Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
This area of specialization deals with processing images and videos acquired with cameras to produce a representation of objects in the world. The research area includes motion analysis, object detection and tracking, video stabilization, and content-based image retrieval, to name a few.
ENCE 3610 Multi-Media Systems
ENCE 4620 Advanced Computer Vision
ENCE 4630 Advanced Pattern Recognition
ENCE 4800 Advanced Topics (CPE-appropriate topics)
ENEE 4425 Image Processing
Specialization in Computer and Wireless Sensor Networks
This area of specialization prepares students for research, development, and implementation in the area of computer networks and/or wireless sensor networks. The competency is acquired in topics including digital communication, networking, network design and formation, network-controlled systems, and smart sensor networks.
ENCE 4361 Wireless Communication and Mobile Networks
ENCE 4800 Advanced Topics (CPE-appropriate topics)
ENEE 3141 Digital Communication
ENEE 4620 Advanced Optical Fiber Communication
Specialization in Robotics and Embedded Systems
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, system design and algorithm implementation.
ENCE 3231 Embedded Microprocessors
ENCE 4250 Advanced HDL Modeling and Synthesis
ENCE 4800 Advanced Topics (CPE-appropriate topics)
ENGR 3730 Robotics
ENMT 4220 Mechatronics II
ENMT 4732 Advanced Ground Robotics
ENMT 4734 Unmanned Systems
Electrical Engineering
The MSEE program offers four areas of specialization:
• Electric Power and Energy Systems
• Microelectronics, Microsystems and Nanotechnology
• Optoelectronics and Photonics
• Systems, Communications, and Control
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-System, Renewable-Energy-System, and Power-Electronic-Devices. This is accomplished through several theoretical courses and laboratory.
ENGR 3540 Electric Power Systems
ENGR 4560 Power Generation, Operation, and Control
ENGR 4545 Electric Power Economy
ENGR 4590 Power System Protection
ENGR 4800 Advanced Topics (EE-appropriate topics)
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 3011 Physical Electronics
ENEE 4030 Optoelectronics
ENEE 4035 Nanophotonics
ENEE 4800 Advanced Topics (EE-appropriate topics)
ENGR 4200 Introduction to Nanotechnology
ENGR 4220 Introduction to MEMS and Microsystems or
ENGR 4210 Introduction to NEMS
Specialization in Optoelectronics and Photonics
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 Nanophotonics
ENEE 4620 Advanced Optical Fiber Communication
ENEE 4630 Optical Networking
ENEE 4800 Advanced Topics (EE-appropriate topics)
Specialization in Systems, Communications and Controls
This specialization prepares students for research, development and design of information transmission, reception and processing systems, as well as 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 theoretic concepts. Courses provide breadth with respect to algorithms for processing of signals and information, study of alternate communication (information transfer over space and terrestrial channels) techniques and specific applications in image and speech processing methods, as well as study of complex systems and design of controllers.
ENEE 3611 Antennas
ENEE 4360 Digital and Space Communication
ENEE 4641 Introduction to EMC
ENEE 4671 CAD of Microwave Circuits
ENEE 4800 Advanced Topics (EE-appropriate topics)
ENGR 3721 Controls
Mechatronic Systems Engineering
These areas of specialization are designed to meet the needs of industry and research laboratories for engineers with multidisciplinary experience and an ability to integrate systems of components and people from multiple engineering disciplines. Mechatronics involves the 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 to give depth in a student’s area of interest.
The MSE program offers two areas of specialization:
• Computer Systems
• Mechanical Systems
Courses in these two specialization areas are decided by the student and the student’s advisor based on the students interests and research focus. Thematic sequences of courses may be a combination of courses offered in other specializations. Students in the Mechatronics program must complete an individualized degree plan with his or her advisor by the end of the first quarter. This degree plan must be submitted to the Department for approval.
Engineering - Concentration in Engineering Management
The MS-ENGR 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 and the Daniels College of Business, the program provides the relevant content for graduates to lead technology enterprises. There is no thesis option available for this program.
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 chose 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.
The program structure is as follows:
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Engineering Focus (depth requirement) |
Minimum QH
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Requires at least 12 quarter hours at the
4000-level courses, each course must be at
least 3 credits hours
Management Focus
Sustainable Enterprise - BUS 4630
Innovation Design - BUS 4640
Project Management - ENGR 4810
Operations Management - ENGR 4810
Management Elective - MGMT XXXX
Engineering Mathematics
Requires 3000- level or higher course
Total QH
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24 QH
18 QH
4 QH
4 QH
3 QH
3 QH
4 QH
3 QH
45 QH
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