Electrical Engineering is the discipline that drives our increasingly-connected society. Electrical engineers design systems, devices, and algorithms that contribute innovative solutions across a broad spectrum of applications. The Electrical Engineering program offers the following concentrations: bioengineering, communications and networking, control and robotics, electronics, signal processing, and space-based systems. The graduates of our program develop reliable, secure, and high-speed communication networks and systems; apply modern signal processing algorithms to extract information from images, audio, video, sonar, and radio signals; apply control theory and robotics foundations to applications such as autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, and multi-agent systems; design nanoscale devices for the highly integrated circuits that drive the Internet of Things, health-monitoring devices, smartphones, tablets, and modern-day computer systems; develop prosthetic devices, brain-machine interfaces, and systems to ameliorate neurological disorders. Students in this program will develop theoretical foundations, analytical capabilities, and practical hands-on skills in their chosen field of specialization. They will also develop the oral and written communication skills necessary to articulate their ideas and succeed as entrepreneurs, practicing engineers, or technical managers in high-tech companies.
Admissions
Requirements
To be considered for admission to the degree, applicants should have a baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely-related discipline from an accredited program, and have earned a GPA of B or better during the last 60 credits. Other requirements are as follows:
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably from academic references or references in industry or government who hold advanced degrees and are familiar with the applicant’s professional accomplishments
- Resume and detailed statement of career goals and aspirations
- For students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. university, satisfactory performance on the GRE
- For applicants who have not earned an academic degree in an English-speaking country (as defined in the GMU Catalog), a satisfactory score on any of the English proficiency examinations accepted by Mason, namely, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Satisfactory scores are specific to Volgenau School of Engineering and are listed here.
Students with BS or MS degrees in ECE-related disciplines (for example, bioengineering, computer science, cyber security engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, or physics) are encouraged to apply for admission. Domestic students may be admitted provisionally and required to satisfy provisional requirements before taking advanced coursework. Such students may also be advised to take some courses from the undergraduate electrical engineering curriculum, according to their intended specialization and specific backgrounds.
Policies
Student Advising
Students can select a concentration from those available in the MS degree program at the time of application to the program or later during their studies. In the former case, students are assigned an academic advisor from the selected concentration at the time of the admission, in the latter case, students can petition for a change of an academic advisor to match their concentration choice.
Plan of Study
Before completing 6 credit hours of coursework, each student must submit to the department a plan of study that has been approved by the academic advisor. This plan should be kept up to date by regular consultation with the academic advisor. A final, signed version of the plan must be turned in when the student submits a graduation application.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
Students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. The plan of study for the degree must fulfill the following requirements:
Core Course Requirement
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Select 15 credits from the following: | 15 | |
| Computer Architecture | ||
| Linear Systems and Control | ||
| Neural Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Digital Signal Processing | ||
| Computer Network Architectures and Protocols | ||
| Small Spacecraft Engineering | ||
| Semiconductor Device Fundamentals | ||
| Digital Integrated Circuits | ||
| Design of Analog Integrated Circuits | ||
| Systems Identification | ||
| Statistical Communication Theory | ||
| Master's Thesis 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| 1 | See Thesis/Scholarly Paper option. |
Concentration Requirement
Accomplished by choosing one of the concentrations, and then meeting course requirements for this concentration with the grade B or better in each course. For each concentration, related ECE 590 Selected Topics in Engineering courses can be used in addition to all explicitly listed 500-level courses, and related ECE 699 Advanced Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering courses in addition to all explicitly listed 600 level or above courses, subject to approval by the student's academic advisor. With assistance from their advisors, students may petition the graduate program coordinator to approve a specialization area of their own design, not fulfilling the requirements of any concentration.
Available Concentrations
- Concentration in Bioengineering (BIOE)
- Concentration in Communications and Networking (CONE)
- Concentration in Control and Robotics (CORO)
- Concentration in Electronics (ELE)
- Concentration in Signal Processing (SIGP)
- Concentration in Space-Based Systems (SBSY)
Concentration in Bioengineering (BIOE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECE 526 | Neural Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 538 | Medical Imaging | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select at least three courses from the following, including two courses at the 600 level or above: | 9 | |
| Bioengineering Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Advanced Medical Image Processing | ||
| Linear Systems and Control | ||
| Introduction to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Sensor Engineering | ||
| Digital Signal Processing | ||
| Introduction to Digital Image Processing (DIP) | ||
| Computer Network Architectures and Protocols | ||
| Optimal Control Theory | ||
| Systems Identification | ||
| Kalman Filtering with Applications | ||
| Detection and Estimation Theory | ||
| Advanced Digital Signal Processing | ||
| Optimum Array Processing I | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Concentration in Communications and Networking (CONE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECE 528 | Introduction to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 542 | Computer Network Architectures and Protocols | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select at least three courses from the following, including two courses at the 600 level or above: | 9 | |
| Internet of Things | ||
| Introduction to Wireless Communications and Networks | ||
| Optical Fiber Communications | ||
| Statistical Communication Theory | ||
| Software-Defined Radio | ||
| Error Control Coding | ||
| Satellite Communications | ||
| Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks | ||
| Network Switching and Routing | ||
| Applied Cryptography | ||
| Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Digital Communications | ||
| Mobile Communication Systems | ||
| Detection and Estimation Theory | ||
| Wireless Networks | ||
| High-Speed Networks | ||
| Information Theory | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Concentration in Control and Robotics (CORO)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECE 521 | Linear Systems and Control | 3 |
| ECE 528 | Introduction to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select at least three courses from the following list: 1 | 9 | |
| Real-Time Embedded Systems | ||
| Nonlinear Systems and Control | ||
| Optimal Control Theory | ||
| Systems Identification | ||
| Kalman Filtering with Applications | ||
| Adaptive Control | ||
| Adaptive Signal Processing | ||
| Discrete Event Systems | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | At least two courses must be different than ECE 612, ECE 635, and ECE 673. |
Concentration in Electronics (ELE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECE 584 | Semiconductor Device Fundamentals | 3 |
| ECE 586 | Digital Integrated Circuits | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select at least three courses from the following, including two courses at the 600 level or above: | 9 | |
| Applied Electromagnetic Theory | ||
| Introduction to Optical Electronics | ||
| Design of Analog Integrated Circuits | ||
| VLSI Design for ASICs | ||
| MOS Device Electronics | ||
| Nanoelectronics | ||
| Sensor Device Technology | ||
| Radio Frequency Electronics | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Concentration in Signal Processing (SIGP)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECE 528 | Introduction to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 535 | Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select at least three courses from the following, including two courses at the 600 level or above: | 9 | |
| Linear Systems and Control | ||
| Learning From Data | ||
| Sensor Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Digital Image Processing (DIP) | ||
| Medical Imaging | ||
| Digital System Design with VHDL | ||
| Systems Identification | ||
| Kalman Filtering with Applications | ||
| Statistical Communication Theory | ||
| Software-Defined Radio | ||
| Error Control Coding | ||
| Adaptive Signal Processing | ||
| Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Digital Communications | ||
| Mobile Communication Systems | ||
| Detection and Estimation Theory | ||
| Advanced Digital Signal Processing | ||
| Digital Signal Processing Hardware Architectures | ||
| Information Theory | ||
| Optimum Array Processing I | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Concentration in Space-Based Systems (SBSY)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECE 511 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| ECE 580 | Small Spacecraft Engineering | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Select at least three courses from the following, including two courses at the 600 level or above: | 9 | |
| Real-Time Concepts | ||
| Applied Electromagnetic Theory | ||
| Linear Systems and Control | ||
| Introduction to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Sensor Engineering | ||
| Digital Signal Processing | ||
| Digital System Design with VHDL | ||
| System Engineering Design | ||
| Real-Time Embedded Systems | ||
| Software/Hardware Codesign | ||
| Optimal Control Theory | ||
| Kalman Filtering with Applications | ||
| Adaptive Control | ||
| Statistical Communication Theory | ||
| Software-Defined Radio | ||
| Adaptive Signal Processing | ||
| Satellite Communications | ||
| Optimum Array Processing I | ||
| Space Systems Engineering | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Upper-Level Course Requirement
A minimum of 9 credit hours of ECE courses at the 600 level or above, other than ECE 698, ECE 798, and ECE 799 (including, but not limited to, the selected concentration elective), with the grade B or better in each course.
ECE Course Requirement
A maximum of 6 credits of non-ECE courses may be used to fulfill degree requirements, subject to prior approval by the student's academic advisor, in the form of a plan of study signed by the advisor and submitted to the ECE Office.
Electives
Electives can be chosen from among all ECE graduate courses, as well as related graduate courses with other designations. The students are encouraged to discuss their choice of electives with their academic advisor prior to the registration.
GPA Requirements
A maximum of 6 credits of courses with grades of C or B- may be applied toward the degree. The student must present a GPA of at least 3.00 for all courses submitted for the degree.
Seminar Requirement
Graduate students are expected to participate actively in the exchange of knowledge and ideas in their discipline. Towards this objective, all degree candidates must attend a minimum of 6 graduate seminars approved for the degree program. Approved seminars are publicized on the departmental website.
To demonstrate completion of the seminar requirement, students must register for ECE 795 Engineering Seminar in their final semester. The department office will verify that the seminar requirement has been met and submit a grade of S (satisfactory) upon completion of the requirement. Students who have not met the seminar requirement in their final semester must continue to register for ECE 795 in subsequent semesters until the requirement is met.
Thesis/Scholarly Paper Option
To complete the program, students may select one of the following options:
Thesis Option
Students who select this option must complete:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 799 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Coursework | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
The thesis is particularly recommended for those students who wish to develop and document their research skills or contemplate subsequent enrollment in a PhD program. The thesis involves a research effort, which is conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Choosing the thesis option requires approval of a full-time faculty member willing to serve as a thesis advisor. The topic and scope of the thesis must be approved by the thesis advisor. In some cases, permission may be granted to complete a portion of the work at the student’s place of employment. The final written thesis and oral defense are approved by the student’s advisory committee.
This committee consists of at least three full-time faculty members, including two from the student’s concentration, and one from outside the concentration. Thesis students may not register for ECE 798 Research Project. Students must register for at least 3 credits of ECE 799 Master's Thesis for their first thesis semester. Following their first thesis semester, they must register for at least 1 credit of ECE 799 Master's Thesis each fall and spring semester until graduation.
Scholarly Paper Option
Students who select to complete their degree program with a scholarly paper must:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 30 credits of coursework | 30 | |
| ECE 797 | Scholarly Paper | 0 |
| Enroll in a 600-level or above course requiring a research project | ||
| Write a Scholarly Paper project report and present findings as part of the course requirements | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
An acceptable scholarly paper must be technically sound, adhere to accepted formatting standards for technical reports, and contain a significant literature review evidenced by a comprehensive list of cited references.
A list of courses requiring projects that can be used to satisfy the scholarly paper requirement will be published on the department website. Scholarly papers must be individual written project reports – not group projects. To qualify as a scholarly paper an oral presentation of the project is required. A passing grade for the project, reflecting both the written report and the oral presentation, satisfies the scholarly paper requirement.
A successful scholarly paper will be recorded by awarding a satisfactory (S) grade for ECE 797 Scholarly Paper. Students are eligible to attempt the scholarly paper and register for ECE 797 Scholarly Paper after completion of 18 hours of coursework. Students choosing the scholarly paper option are not eligible for graduation until they have received a final, passing grade for ECE 797 Scholarly Paper.
Computer Engineering, BS/Electrical Engineering, Accelerated MS
Overview
The university offers highly-qualified students in the Computer Engineering, BS the option of obtaining an accelerated Electrical Engineering, MS.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Computer Engineering, BS program may apply to this option if they have earned 75 undergraduate credits with an overall GPA of 3.00. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Electrical Engineering, MS program.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students must complete all credits that satisfy the requirements for the BS and MS programs, with 6 credits overlap.
Students take 6 credits of 500-level courses as part of their technical electives or substitutes for required courses as part of their 126-credit undergraduate program. The specific courses that may be taken and applied to the accelerated program will be specified by the ECE Department.
Students may take additional graduate-level courses as part of their BS technical electives with advisor approval. These additional graduate-level courses will not count toward the MS degree.
Degree Conferral
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student's final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form that is submitted to the Office of the University Registrar and the VSE Graduate Admissions Office. At the completion of MS requirements, a master's degree is conferred.
Electrical Engineering, BS/Electrical Engineering, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified students in the Electrical Engineering, BS have the option of obtaining an accelerated Electrical Engineering, MS.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Electrical Engineering, BS program may apply to this option if they have earned 75 undergraduate credits with an overall GPA of 3.00. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Electrical Engineering, MS program.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students must complete all credits that satisfy the requirements for the BS and MS programs, with 6 credits overlap.
Students take 6 credits of 500-level courses as part of their technical electives or substitutes for required courses as part of their 121-credit undergraduate program. The specific courses that may be taken and applied to the accelerated program will be specified by the ECE Department.
Students may take additional graduate-level courses as part of their BS technical electives with advisor approval. These additional graduate-level courses will not count toward the MS degree.
Degree Conferral
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student's final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form that is submitted to the Office of the University Registrar and the VSE Graduate Admissions Office. At the completion of MS requirements, a master's degree is conferred.
Mechanical Engineering, BS/Electrical Engineering, Accelerated MS
Overview
The university offers highly-qualified students in the Mechanical Engineering, BS the option of obtaining an accelerated Electrical Engineering, MS.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Mechanical Engineering, BS program may apply for this option if they have earned 90 undergraduate credits, with an overall GPA of at least 3.25, and passed MATH 203 Linear Algebra and STAT 346 Probability for Engineers, or their equivalents, with the grade C or better. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Electrical Engineering, MS program.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students must complete all credits that satisfy the requirements for the BS and MS programs, with 6 credits overlapping.
Students take 6 credits of 500-level ECE or SYST courses as part of their technical electives or substitutes for required courses in the Mechanical Engineering, BS program.
Specifically, students are encouraged to take two of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 521 | Linear Systems and Control | 3 |
| ECE 526 | Neural Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 527 | Learning From Data | 3 |
| ECE 528 | Introduction to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 580 | Small Spacecraft Engineering | 3 |
| SYST 521 | Network Analysis | 3 |
Degree Conferral
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student's final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form that is submitted to the Office of the University Registrar and the VSE Graduate Admissions Office. At the completion of MS requirements, a master's degree is conferred.