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Graduate Catalog | 2016-2017 Previous Edition
Electrical Engineering, M.S.E.E.
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The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) program provides advanced knowledge and technical skills in electrical and computer engineering. In addition to taking graduate level courses in one or more areas of concentration within the department, students in the MSEE program also have opportunities to engage in research and individualized projects. The goal of this program is to graduate engineers with effective problem solving and communication skills.
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Additional Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering seeks the following from applicants to the Master’s programs in Electrical Engineering:
Applicants should have baccalaureate degrees in electrical and/or computer engineering with a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0. Applicants must have satisfactory scores in the quantitative and verbal sections of the Graduate Record Examinations general test.
Applicants with baccalaureate degrees in fields closely related to electrical and computer engineering (e.g., electronics, computer science, mathematics, physics, etc.) may also be considered. However, satisfactory evidence on the aptitude to pursue graduate studies in electrical and computer engineering must be demonstrated. If additional preparatory courses are required, such courses should be taken before applying for the MSEE.
Admission is based on the overall background, motivation, and potential, as determined by the department.
Early Entry to the Graduate School
Exceptional undergraduate students of UNC Charlotte may be accepted into the graduate program and begin work towards a graduate degree before completion of their baccalaureate degree. An Early Entry student may take up to six hours of graduate coursework that will be counted towards his/her undergraduate hours and also towards his/her graduate degree, i.e., up to six credits of graduate coursework may be “double counted” for both baccalaureate and graduate degrees.
An applicant may be accepted at any time after completion of 75 or more hours, although it is expected that close to 90 hours will have been earned by the time the first graduate course is taken. To be accepted into this program, undergraduate students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.2 and have earned satisfactory scores in the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general tests. If any Early Entry student does not meet the normal admission requirements of a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA at the end of his/her baccalaureate degree, he/she will be dismissed from the graduate program.
Degree Requirements
The MSEE degree requires successful completion of 30 graduate credits as approved by the student’s graduate advisor. This can be done using one of three options: (a) the thesis option, where the student completes 9 credit hours of thesis (ECGR 6991 ) and 21 credit hours of coursework, (b) the project option, where the student completes 3 credit hours of individual study and projects (ECGR 6890 ) and 27 credit hours of coursework, and (c) comprehensive examinations option, where students complete 30 credit hours of coursework and pass a comprehensive written examination.
Thesis and Non-Thesis Options
Students may pursue either the Thesis or Non-Thesis Option for a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. In the Thesis Option, students must complete 9 credit hours of thesis research. Alternatively, students may complete the requirements of a Master’s degree under the Non-Thesis Option by taking 30 credit hours of coursework only, or by taking 27 credit hours of coursework along with 3 credits of individualized project work.
Degree Requirements for the Thesis Option
- Plan of Study - students must meet with their advisor to formulate a plan of study and get the committee’s approval. The plan of study must be submitted after completing at least 9 but no more than 18 credit hours.
- Satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours of approved graduate credits in major or related area of study including 9 credit hours of thesis.
- Not more than 6 credit hours may be taken from outside the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- Admission to Candidacy
- Thesis Defense - a copy of the thesis should be distributed to each member of the program committee at least two weeks prior to the defense. Students should make a public announcement of the defense within the department to allow attendance by interested faculty members and students of electrical and computer engineering.
Degree Requirements for the Non-Thesis/Project Option
- Plan of Study - students must meet with their advisor to formulate a plan of study and get the committee’s approval. The plan of study must be submitted after completing at least 9 but no more than 18 credit hours.
- Satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours of approved graduate credits. At least 21 credit hours of courses must be in the ECE department.
- A student must take three credits of individualized project that will require a written report and an oral presentation.
- Admission to Candidacy
- Students must pass an oral exam during the presentation of the project that is administered by the program advisory committee.
Degree Requirements for the Comprehensive Examinations Option
- Plan of Study - students must meet with their advisor to formulate a plan of study and get the committee’s approval. The plan of study must be submitted after completing at least 9 but no more than 18 credit hours.
- Satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours of approved graduate coursework. At least 21 credit hours of courses must be in the ECE department.
- Admission to Candidacy
- Students must pass a written comprehensive that is administered by the department. Students receive two chances to successfully pass the comprehensive examinations.
Program Committee
For the thesis and non-thesis project options, the student must select a program committee that is composed of at least 3 members of the graduate faculty, the majority of whom must be members of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department. The graduate program advisor generally serves as the chairman of the committee. For the non-thesis coursework only option, the advisor alone plays the roles of the committee (i.e., no other members are required).
Concentration in Power and Energy Systems
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a Concentration in Power and Energy Systems for the MSEE degree, which requires taking a set of core and elective courses. Students who elect to pursue the Concentration in Power and Energy Systems towards their MSEE degree primarily take coursework in modern power and energy systems, devices modeling, analysis, protection and control. This concentration prepares students for jobs with power utilities, power and energy devices manufacturing companies, national and regional laboratories, or for continued academic training in power and energy fields. The concentration is reflected in the student’s transcript upon successful completion of the MSEE program. Students interested in earning their MSEE degree with the concentration must indicate their interest in this option in their Plan of Study that must be submitted within their second semester into the MSEE program. The MSEE degree can also be earned without specifying a concentration, where the student has greater flexibility in selecting their courses.
There are two course tracks for the Concentration in Power and Energy Systems: (a) the Power Systems track, and (b) the Power Electronics and Machines track. In order to earn an MSEE degree with a Concentration in Power and Energy Systems, a student must take the four core courses from one of these course tracks and a minimum of three courses from the list of elective courses as described below.
Power Systems Track Core Courses
Note:
Students who opt to take the Power Systems course track are expected to have taken the following courses or their equivalents before entering the Master’s program: ECGR 4141, ECGR 4143, and ECGR 4144. If a student has not taken these courses or their equivalents, the student must take their graduate equivalents as elective courses for the graduate concentration or obtain permission from their advisor.
Power Electronics and Machines Track Core Courses
Note:
Students who opt to take the Power Electronics and Machines course track are required to have taken ECGR 4141 or its equivalent before entering the Master’s program. If a student has not taken this course or its equivalent, the student must take its graduate equivalent as an elective course for the graduate concentration or obtain permission from their advisor.
Elective Courses (for both tracks)
Note:
With written permission from their advisor, a student may request to take one course outside of the above listed course electives. Students are advised to review the ECE graduate program webpages for updates and additions to the list of electives.
In addition to the seven courses from the above lists, students seeking a graduate concentration must also complete the general requirements for the MSEE degree for their chosen option. This involves taking 9 credit hours of thesis, if taking the thesis option; 3 credit hours of individualized studies and projects plus two additional courses as approved by the advisor, if taking the project option; and three additional courses approved by the advisor and pass the comprehensive examinations, if taking the comprehensive examinations option.
Application for Degree
Students preparing to graduate must submit an online Application for Degree by the filing date specified in the University Academic Calendar. If a student does not graduate in the semester identified on the Application for Degree, then the student must update his/her Admission to Candidacy and submit a new Application for Degree for graduation in a subsequent semester.
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