Program Overview

---

Electrical and Computer Engineering: Professional, MS

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department (ECE) offers the Electrical and Computer Engineering MS-Professional named option program for students looking for an advanced entry into industrial electrical engineering. This program is designed to deepen the students technical knowledge and sharpen their professional skills for a well-prepared entry into industry.

Program Overview

The program provides a practical focus through a course-only curriculum, an accelerated and predictable 16-month completion time, and a professional development component. Well-prepared students and UWMadison undergraduates may find it feasible to complete the program in 12 months. The student, in consultation with an academic advisor, will choose courses that align well academically and target their career interests.

Admissions

• The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below.
• Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School.
• Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).
• Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Admission Requirements

Requirements

• Fall Deadline: December 15
• Spring Deadline: This program does not admit in the spring.
• Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required but may be considered if available.
• English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy.
• Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): n/a
• Letters of Recommendation Required: 3

Application Requirements

• A submitted online application is required, consisting of:
  • Resume/CV.
  • Statement of purpose detailing why the applicant wishes to pursue further education in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
  • Most up-to-date unofficial transcript(s) from all previous higher education institutions, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned (official transcripts are requested of only recommended applicants); international academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation.
  • Test scores as detailed above.
  • Three letters of recommendation are required from people who can accurately judge the applicant's academic and/or work performance.

Curriculum Requirements

University General Education Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 23 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.

Other Grade Requirements

1. A grade of B or better in any course is acceptable.
2. A grade of BC in an ECE course is acceptable, provided the total cumulative GPA for ECE courses is greater than or equal to 3.00.
3. A grade of BC or C in a non-ECE course is acceptable only if approved by the Graduate Committee.

Required Courses

• Mandatory Course:
  • ECE 610: Seminar in Electrical and Computer Engineering (1 credit)
• Elective Courses: 12 of the 30 credit hours must be taken within one curriculum path.
• Other Course Requirements: 21 of the 30 credit hours must be taken in ECE.

Sample Curriculum Paths

Computer Engineering

• Select 12 credits from the following:
  • ECE 537: Communication Networks (3 credits)
  • ECE/COMP SCI 707: Mobile and Wireless Networking (3 credits)
  • ECE 751: Embedded Computing Systems (3 credits)
  • ECE 753: Fault-Tolerant Computing (3 credits)
  • ECE/COMP SCI 763: Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (3 credits)
  • ECE/COMP SCI 782: Advanced Computer Security and Privacy (3 credits)
  • COMP SCI 537: Introduction to Operating Systems (4 credits)
  • COMP SCI 642: Introduction to Information Security (3 credits)

E&M Fields and Waves

• Select 12 credits from the following:
  • ECE 447: Applied Communications Systems (3 credits)
  • ECE 545: Advanced Microwave Measurements for Communications (3 credits)
  • ECE 547: Advanced Communications Circuit Design (3 credits)
  • ECE 740: Electromagnetic Theory (3 credits)
  • ECE 742: Computational Methods in Electromagnetics (3 credits)
  • ECE 744: Theory of Microwave Circuits and Devices (3 credits)
  • ECE/PHYSICS 748: Linear Waves (3 credits)
  • ECE/N E/PHYSICS 749: Coherent Generation and Particle Beams (3 credits)

Energy and Power Systems

• Select 12 credits from the following:
  • ECE 411: Introduction to Electric Drive Systems (3 credits)
  • ECE 412: Power Electronic Circuits (3 credits)
  • ECE 427: Electric Power Systems (3 credits)
  • ECE 504: Electric Machine & Drive System Laboratory (3 credits)
  • ECE 511: Theory and Control of Synchronous Machines (3 credits)
  • ECE 711: Dynamics and Control of AC Drives (3 credits)
  • ECE 713: Electromagnetic Design of AC Machines (3 credits)

Solid State/Photonics

• Select 12 credits from the following:
  • ECE 445: Semiconductor Physics and Devices (3 credits)
  • ECE/N E 528: Plasma Processing and Technology (3 credits)
  • ECE 542: Introduction to Microelectromechanical Systems (3 credits)
  • ECE 548: Integrated Circuit Design (3 credits)
  • ECE 549: Integrated Circuit Fabrication Laboratory (4 credits)
  • ECE 745: Solid State Electronics (3 credits)
  • ECE 845: Transport in Semiconductor Devices (3 credits)

Professional Development

The ECE Department strongly encourages students to utilize the Graduate School's professional development resources. Engineering Career Services (ECS) hosts multiple career fairs each semester where students can directly interact with prospective employers, schedule interviews, and find internships and full-time jobs. ECS also maintains job listings and hosts a variety of professional development workshops each semester.

Policies

Prior Coursework

• With program approval, UW-Madison courses numbered 400 or above may be transferred to fulfill the minimum credit requirement, or ECE courses numbered 700 or above can be transferred to fulfill the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement.
• No credits can be applied to fulfill the minimum residence credit requirement.
• Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a masters degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

A faculty advisor will be assigned in the student's curriculum area of interest. The faculty advisor assists with course selection and academic planning.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.

Time Limits

Students are expected to complete the degree requirements and graduate within 3 academic semesters.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

ECE Grievance Procedures

The ECE Department, College of Engineering, and University of Wisconsin offer multiple avenues to resolve unfair or inappropriate treatment by faculty, staff, or another student. This includes hostile and intimidating research group climate, authorship disputes, unreasonable expectations, and disrespectful behavior. The manner in which the grievance is handled depends on the nature of the issue and specific concerns of the aggrieved student.