Program Overview

Engineering M.S.

Program Details

The Master of Science in Engineering degree is a joint venture between the Dr. Muhammad Harunur Rashid Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This program offers one-on-one interaction with highly trained faculty and a flexible course schedule. Students can choose to attend live lectures at the Pensacola campus, UWF Emerald Coast in Fort Walton Beach, watch a live feed of the lecture anywhere in the world, or watch recorded lectures at their convenience.

• Credit Hours: 30
• Course Length: 16 weeks
• Estimated Program Length: 24 Months

What You Will Learn

Students will choose one of three high-demand areas of specialization—power, robotics, or advanced materials—and mix in a wide variety of elective courses to develop a program that best suits their needs. Regardless of which specialization you choose, you will enroll in Principles of Engineering Analysis, which covers topics in advanced engineering analysis, including linear algebra, partial differential equations, Fourier series, complex variables, and vector calculus with numerical techniques. Students will take three courses in their area of specialization, concluding with a thesis or an engineering project.

Courses & Requirements

All students in the MSE program must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" or better. Note that students must complete at least 15 credits of courses that are 6000 level or above.

Required Core Courses

• EGN 6429 - Principles of Engineering Analysis
• Students must take a minimum of 3 courses from one of the areas of concentration: Robotics and Systems, Smart Power Systems with Data Analytics, or Materials and Manufacturing.
• Students can choose any 12 credits of a combination of 5000 and 6000 technical electives from Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and/or Intelligent Systems and Robotics.
• Students must choose between completing a thesis or a project.
  • Thesis Option: EGN 6975 - Thesis
  • Project Option: EGN 6960 - Engineering Project

Concentrations

Robotics and Systems Concentration

The Robotics and Systems concentration focuses on the mathematical and algorithmic principles underlying intelligent systems and robotics. Topics include knowledge representation and reasoning, perception and sensing in agents, and efficient methods of search, as well as ethical issues of intelligent systems. Students must take a minimum of 3 courses for this concentration:

• EEL 5630 - Digital Control Systems
• EEL 5553 - Digital Signal Processing
• EEL 5520 - Communications Networks
• EEL 5654 - Advanced Control Systems
• EEL 5683 - Introduction to Autonomous Systems
• EEL 6692 - Wearable Robotics
• EML 6805 - Foundations for Robotics

Smart Power Systems with Data Analytics Concentration

The Smart Power Systems with Data Analytics concentration focuses on operation and control problems and solution techniques, including the current and advanced technologies and trends in development that will shape future electrical power systems. Students must take a minimum of 3 courses for this concentration:

• EEL 5245 - Advanced Topics in Power Electronics
• EEL 5267 - Intelligent Systems Applications to Power Systems
• EEL 5291 - Smart Distribution Systems
• EEL 5266 - Power System Operation and Control
• EEL 5277 - Cyber Security of Industrial Control System
• EEL 6042 - Data Analytics and Applications to Engineering
• EEL 6246 - Power Electronics and Utility Applications

Materials and Manufacturing Concentration

The Materials and Manufacturing concentration focuses on the microstructure of high-strength fiber materials (glass, carbon, polymer, ceramic fibers) and matrix materials (polymer, metal, ceramic, and carbon matrices) with various applications in mind. Students must take a minimum of 3 courses for this concentration:

• EML 5546 - Composite Materials
• EML 5570 - Principles of Fracture Mechanics
• EML 6237 - Advanced Solid Mechanics
• EEL 6042 - Data Analytics and Applications to Engineering

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements, the department bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

1. Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited program in electrical, computer, or mechanical engineering (or a closely related field)
2. Undergraduate institutional GPA

Students who are admitted to the program but do not have a sufficient background for their chosen concentration area may be required to complete additional coursework. All other students can only be admitted by approval of the Graduate Committee. These students will likely have to complete additional coursework as recommended by the Graduate Committee.

Students with a lower Undergraduate GPA (below 3.0) have the option to take and submit scores for one of the following graduate exams to help strengthen their application:

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester: August 8
• Spring Semester: December 1
• Summer Semester: April 15

Careers & Outcomes

A master's degree in engineering opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities in technology, manufacturing, and research sectors, equipping graduates with advanced skills in system design, problem-solving, project management, and innovation to drive industry growth and development.

Job Titles

• Senior Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Robotics Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Material Engineer

Employers

• Eglin Air Force Base
• Air Force Research Labs
• BAE Systems
• Southern Company
• Florida Power and Light
• General Electric
• Mott McDonald
• QMotion

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour

• In-state Tuition: $377.60 per credit hour
• Out-of-state Tuition: $1,037.24 per credit hour

Alabama, Military & Financial Aid

• Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition: Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate.
• Military & Veterans: The UWF Military & Veterans Resource Center serves as the campus advocate for military, dependents, and veteran students.
• UWF Financial Assistance: The University of West Florida offers various financial aid options for students, including loans, scholarships, and grants for degree-seeking students.

Scholarship Opportunities

The following is a partial list of scholarships available for UWF engineering students:

• John C. Pace Scholarship: New graduate students with an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 and enrolled in six or more semester hours of graduate credit.
• Graduate Merit Scholarship: New graduate students with an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 and enrolled in six or more semester hours of graduate credit.
• Graduate Grant: Full-time students in the Engineering graduate program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• GA-TA Scholarship: Limited number available for full-time, degree-seeking students in the Engineering graduate program with a minimum of 3.0 GPA.