BE AN ENGINEER WHO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

The ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE) program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and mindset to advance in your engineering career and make significant contributions to the discipline. The MSECE degree combines several related disciplines, including Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Software Engineering. Expertise in any of these fields is in high demand in the technical industry.

²ÝÁñÉçÇø’ MSECE program targets these key areas through high quality, challenging and industry-relevant course content, emphasis on hands-on modules, through a set of core courses aimed at honing fundamental engineering values such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, innovation, designing under constraints, and understanding trade-offs. The technology landscape may evolve at a rapid pace, but these core skills never become obsolete, regardless of your engineering field or subdiscipline! In short, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø’ MSECE program takes a holistic approach in developing knowledgeable, skilled and well-rounded professional engineers ready to take on today’s real-world problems and make a difference.



LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Apply advanced electrical and computer engineering knowledge and skills to solving complex, real-world problems.

  • Deliver qualified engineering solutions through the application of industry-relevant engineering design processes, practices and tools.

  • Practice professional conduct and ethical judgments in engineering situations where decisions could have global, economic, environmental and societal impacts.

  • Function effectively within an engineering team with articulated role(s) and contributions.

  • Produce written reports and oral presentations that effectively communicate ideas, procedures, system descriptions, results and conclusions to a range of audiences.

  • Evaluate the safety, quality and reliability of engineered systems using formal methods that incorporate relevant industry standards.

  • Demonstrate attributes of a lifelong learner through independent pursuit of newer or deeper knowledge and skills.

SPECIALIZE IN A RELEVANT FIELD WHERE YOUR SKILLS WILL BE IN HIGH DEMAND

The work of Electrical and Computer Engineers (ECE) can be found in almost every aspect of modern life – from computers to industrial automation… even in the appliances you use on a daily basis! As such, ECE is a broad discipline with many fields that you can explore and specialize in. ²ÝÁñÉçÇø’ MSECE program currently offers two concentrations in the following areas:

Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems CONCENTRATION

Students who choose this concentration will gain specialized knowledge in the design and implementation of contemporary electronic and robotic devices that are embedded and tightly integrated in modern society. These devices can range from the smart gadgets in our homes, to advanced automation infrastructure in industrial manufacturing. The program also includes strong emphasis on the safety, security and reliability of devices through the consideration of a wide range of constraints and impacts of engineering designs in real-world applications.

Smart Grid and Power Systems CONCENTRATION

Students who choose this concentration will gain specialized knowledge in the operation, design and maintenance of large scale, reliable and safe energy and power systems. The program also includes a strong emphasis on renewable and sustainable energy sources, and the design and analysis of modern smart grids and microgrids.

VIEW THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM


CONVENIENT LEARNING OPTIONS

²ÝÁñÉçÇø' MSECE program is designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Many MSECE courses are offered in an accelerated eight-week, blended format where live, on-campus lectures are simulcasted and recorded for remote attendance as well as asynchronous learning. Face-to-face on-campus classes are generally held in the evenings once a week (typically from 6-10 PM).

flexible HANDS-ON MODULES

At ²ÝÁñÉçÇø, we believe that hands-on activities and experience within courses are essential in every engineering program. Hence, we have developed an innovative model for balancing flexibility and ensuring that students gain practical and applicable skills. All MSECE students are required to complete hands-on modules within some courses. The options for completing these hands-on modules will depend on your chosen specialization:

Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems CONCENTRATION Hands-on Modules Options

The hands-on modules for this concentration can be completed through the following options:

  1. Students can attend regularly scheduled on-campus lab activities.

  2. Geographically remote students who can justify non-attendance of regularly scheduled on-campus lab activities can arrange to complete all lab activities for a course together, on campus, for up to 20 hours per course.   

  3. Students can create their own “electronics lab” home setup using their own equipment and materials with instructions provided by ²ÝÁñÉçÇø’ MSECE faculty. This may cost between $500 to $1500, but the equipment and materials can be used across multiple courses. Additionally, students choosing this option will need a reliable way to live demo lab activities through video conferencing.

  4. Students can rent a remote “electronics lab” home setup kit from ²ÝÁñÉçÇø at a low cost (plus shipping costs). This option is subject to the availability of kits, which are rented out on a first come, first served basis. As with Option C, students choosing this option will need a reliable way to live demo lab activities through video conferencing.

SMART GRID AND POWER SYSTEMS CONCENTRATION Hands-on Modules Options

Since this concentration can involve the use high-power device and equipment, as well as interaction with large scale electrical infrastructure, 2-3 courses within the concentration will require completion of hands-on activities that can only be completed within ²ÝÁñÉçÇø on-campus labs. Examples of these courses are:

  • ECEN-57000 Fundamentals of Electric Power Systems
  • ECEN-57500 Advanced Power Electronics

In these cases, the options for completing hands-on modules for these courses are:

  1. Students can attend regularly scheduled on-campus lab activities.
  2. Geographically remote students who can justify non-attendance of regularly scheduled on-campus lab activities can arrange to complete all lab activities for a course together, on campus, for up to 20 hours per course.  

WHY ²ÝÁñÉçÇø FOR YOUR MASTER'S DEGREE IN Electrical and Computer Engineering?

  • Ranked as one of U.S. News & World Report's “Top Tier Colleges”

  • Choose from two specializations that are highly relevant in today’s technology landscape: “Smart Grid and Power Systems” or “Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems”

  • Gain the experience to advance your career in robotics, automotive, health care, telecommunications, power engineering, and more

  • Emphasis on hands-on learning activities and the use of industry-relevant software and equipment

  • Innovative modular hands-on activities aimed at balancing flexibility and the need for hands-on experiences

  • Evening class schedules designed for the working professional

  • Blended course modalities that give students the choice of attending classes on-campus or online*

  • Small, interactive classes so you can grow with your peers led by dedicated faculty who are experts in their field with real-world experience

  • State of the art facilities designed with input from industry partners

  • In Illinois and national data, the skill "Electrical Engineering" is most requested at more than 46.54%

  • Educational Advisory Board (EAB) analysis reports Computer Engineering, Internet of Things and Automation are the top 10 skills sought by employers for applicants with a Master's in Electrical & Computer Engineering

  • Core courses designed to hone fundamental engineering skills and values that never become obsolete

  • Become a highly skilled, well-rounded engineer who can make a significant impact to the community and to the world!

LIFE AFTER ²ÝÁñÉçÇø

What can you do with a master's in electrical and computer engineering? A Market Pulsecheck research study conducted by the Educational Advisory Board (EAB) and ²ÝÁñÉçÇø in 2021 found that Illinois employer demand for MSECE professionals increased faster than the growth for all other master’s level professionals, suggesting ample employment opportunities for program graduates in the coming years. Some of the top job titles ²ÝÁñÉçÇø MSECE graduates are qualified for include:

  • Electrical engineer
  • Power engineer
  • Robotics engineer
  • Systems engineer
  • Hardware engineer
  • Embedded systems engineer
  • FPGA design engineer
  • Electrical design engineer
  • Adjunct faculty
  • Radio frequency engineer
  • Renewable energy engineer
  • Engineering project manager

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for admission to the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø MSECE program, the following admission requirements must be met and/or provided:

  1. A baccalaureate degree in computer and/or electrical engineering or a closely related field from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education.

  2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

  3. An application for graduate admission, accompanied by an application fee.

  4. Professional resume.

  5. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.

  6. A two-page statement of purpose.

  7. Two letters of recommendation.

International students are required to have a TOEFL test score greater than 550 (computer-based 213; Internet-based 79). 

MSECE 4+1 Program

Current undergraduate ²ÝÁñÉçÇø students enrolled in either the B.S. Computer Engineering (BSCE) or B.S. Electrical Engineering (BSEE) are eligible for the MSECE 4+1 fast track program, which allows undergraduate students to make progress towards the MSECE program while still completing their undergraduate degrees. Students in this program will no longer need to take the MSECE foundation courses. Additionally, BSCE and BSEE students in the MSECE 4+1 program can complete up to 9 credit hours of MSECE courses while completing their undergraduate degree, and count them toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Altogether, this will reduce the number of required credit hours for MSECE down to 24, which, ambitious students may be able to complete within a year (e.g. two courses within four eight-week terms). 

VIEW THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM


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