Program Goals

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering Master of Science program is to promote critical thinking and creative skills based on the theory, principles, and techniques of electrical engineering. Graduates will be prepared for careers in private industry, government, and/or doctoral studies in electrical engineering or related fields.

Student Learning Goals

Goal 1: Students will develop a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of electrical engineering through graduate-level coursework.
Goal 2: Students will develop critical thinking skills through research activities or focused project activities.
Goal 3: Students will develop skills to communicate the results of their research in an effective and professional manner.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related field. Students holding B.S. degrees in other fields, e.g., physics, mathematics, and computer science, may be admitted to Provisional or Qualified status until selected undergraduate requirements in electrical engineering have been satisfied.
2. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 or a GPA of at least 3.00 for the last two years.
3. Applicants holding degrees from non-ABET accredited programs/universities must submit scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
4. Most international students will be required to achieve a minimum TOEFL score or equivalent. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test is required. For the Internet-based TOEFL, minimum scores of 23/30 (speaking), 19/30 (listening), 19/30 (reading), and 15/30 (writing) are required. Applicants may also meet language requirements by presenting IETLS scores of 6.5.
5. Students who have received a Bachelor’s degree or higher from the United States or English-speaking Canada are not required to submit the TOEFL. 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Thesis Option

• A minimum of 30 semester credits, including credits granted for the thesis.
• A minimum of 21 semester credits, including 6 thesis credits, must be in the major field of electrical engineering.
• A minor field of study can be obtained by completing 9 semester credits from another department that offers a graduate program. A graduate faculty member from that department must serve on the thesis committee.
• A cognate can be obtained by completing 9 semester credits from more than one department outside of electrical engineering, or from a single department that does not offer a graduate program.
• At least one-half of the credits must be at the 500 level or above.
• A maximum of one-fourth (usually eight-to-nine semester credits) of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
• Completion of a research project and its presentation in a thesis.

Non-Thesis Option

• Completion of at least 32 semester credits, including credits required for the major.
• A minimum of 2 credits of Independent Study.
• At least one-half of the credits must be at the 500 level or above.
• A maximum of one-fourth (usually eight-to-nine semester credits) of the credit hours required for the degree may be transferred from another institution.
• Preparation of a written Independent Study report approved by the faculty advisor.
• Comprehensive final examination.

List of Courses

Program Goals

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering Master of Engineering program is to promote critical thinking and creative skills based on the theory, principles, and techniques of electrical engineering. Graduates will be prepared for careers in private industry, government, and/or doctoral studies in electrical engineering or related fields.

Student Learning Goals

Goal 1: Students will develop a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of electrical engineering through graduate-level coursework.
Goal 2: Students will develop critical thinking skills through research activities or focused project activities.
Goal 3: Students will develop skills to communicate the results of their research in an effective and professional manner.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related field. Students holding B.S. degrees in other fields, e.g., physics, mathematics, and computer science, may be admitted to Provisional or Qualified status until selected undergraduate requirements in electrical engineering have been satisfied.
2. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 or a GPA of at least 2.75 for the last two years.
3. Applicants holding degrees from non-ABET accredited programs/universities must submit scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
4. Most international students will be required to achieve a minimum TOEFL score or equivalent. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based test is required. For the Internet-based TOEFL, minimum scores of 23/30 (speaking), 19/30 (listening), 19/30 (reading), and 15/30 (writing) are required. Applicants may also meet language requirements by presenting IETLS scores of 6.5.
5. Students who have received a Bachelor’s degree or higher from the United States or English-speaking Canada are not required to submit the TOEFL.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Courses necessary for basic-level ABET accreditation. Normally, graduation from an ABET-accredited institution will satisfy this requirement.
• A program of study must include the following: a. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours. b. 3 to 6 semester credit hours of an approved design project (EE 595). c. 15 semester credit hours of coursework at the 500 level or above (including the design project). d. All major courses must be at the 400 level or above.
• An overall GPA of 2.75 or better for all coursework.
• Complete the approved design project.
• Pass a comprehensive written examination.

List of Courses

Program Description

Electrical Engineering track of the Engineering PhD program provides a student with specialized training customized to meet his or her specific interests and goals. Faculty advisors work with each student to structure a graduate program consisting of traditional engineering study, complementary multidisciplinary studies, strong interaction between fellow engineering students, and high quality research. The program is based upon the research strengths of faculty. Students receive a Ph.D. of Engineering with an Electrical Engineering track.
The program recognizes that effective researchers should have extensive expertise in a specialization (track) coupled with a familiarity and awareness of related research needs and the context for applying that expertise. Students enrolled in the Engineering Ph.D. program will develop a broad and inclusive background in the chosen track while also working with faculty from related disciplines to create the interdisciplinary and integrative research paradigms necessary for comprehensive research. A principal goal of the program is to produce Ph.D. research engineers for careers that focus on the invention and development of new technologies and advances for the 21st Century and beyond. Activities to develop professional and personal skills are intended through a multidisciplinary emphasis to enable participants to 1) understand the ethical, political, and economic impacts of their research developments and policies and 2) improve their ability to communicate about complex technical subjects in both professional and general settings.

Admission Requirements

1. Direct approved admission status to the Doctoral Program in Engineering requires a baccalaureate degree in an engineering discipline with a GPA of 3.3 or higher or a master of science degree in an engineering discipline with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

2. A minimum composite score of 550 on the paper-based or 85 on the Internet-based TOEFL for international students whose native language is not English is required for direct approved admission status to the Doctoral Program.

3. In addition to meeting the general provisions in the UND graduate catalog and the minimum requirements in items 1-2 above, candidates are assessed using a holistic process that considers
GRE test scores (students with a B.S. engineering degree from an ABET accredited program are not required to submit GRE scores), transcripts of previous college work, relevant research and work experience, letters of recommendation, research interests, and English language skills. Students must specify a track on their admission form to facilitate this evaluation.

4. A student holding a non-engineering degree or who does not meet the minimum requirements in items 1-2 above, may apply to one of the Master of Science degree programs in the School of Engineering and Mines. Students successfully completing a UND M.S. engineering degree will be considered to satisfy the requirements of items 1-2 above. However, these students shall still be subject to the holistic evaluation process described in item 3 with the exception that new GRE test scores will not be required.

Students admitted to an engineering M.S. program but meeting the minimum requirements in items 1-2 above, may after one calendar year, and upon the recommendation of his/her advisory committee, request to by-pass the masters degree and work directly toward the Ph.D. degree. The recommendation of the advisory committee shall be brought to a vote by the program graduate committee relevant to the degree track requested by the student. A minimum of one week before such a meeting, the program graduate committee shall be notified and provided with the student’s updated file which shall consist of the materials used for application into the M.S. program, a transcript of all academic work completed at UND, and any additional materials the student wishes to have considered. If the recommendation is approved by the relevant graduate committee, the student will be given the qualifying exam for the specific track the student wishes to enter. Passing this exam will advance the student to Approved Status in the Doctoral Program in Engineering.