Program Overview

Master of Applied Science (MASc) Program

The Master of Applied Science (MASc) program is intended for students who are interested in pursuing advanced studies and research at the postgraduate level. The MASc degree requires the completion of a thesis and course work.

Program Details

• The expected MASc time-frame is roughly 24 months.
• MASc degree candidates registered as full-time students are required to spend at least one winter session at the University.
• MASc candidates may also register as part-time students.
• The program must be completed within five years of initial registration.
• To complete the degree, an examining committee of three, including the supervisor, a co-reader, and the committee chair, conduct a public examination after copies of the student’s thesis have been made publicly available.

Requirements to Complete the MASc Program

• Completion of a total of 30 credits
• Successful completion of an MASc Thesis (EECE 599) which culminates in a MASc Thesis Defense, worth 12 credits
• 18 remaining credits must be from course work – Full-time students usually complete these 18 credits of coursework during their first year in the program.
• Students are required to obtain approval of their course selection from their thesis supervisor before they register for courses.
• Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering courses (EECE, ELEC, or CPEN) must make up at least 6 of the overall 18 credits of coursework.

Important Program Restrictions

• For students with a previous degree in a subject other than Electrical and Computer Engineering, at least 12 credits must be taken in ECE department courses
• Directed studies courses can only count for a maximum of 3 credits towards the MASc program
• Only a maximum of 6 credits of undergraduate 300/400-level coursework can be counted towards the 18 course credit requirement

The MASc Thesis Defense

The MASc Defense serves as a departmental review of the student and their research, in which an audience is welcome.

• A student’s MASc defense is typically scheduled by the supervisor.
• Once the defense is scheduled, the student must provide copies of their thesis to the members of the students’ Supervisory Committee for review, with at least one week allowed for reading and comments prior to the exam date.
• The examining committee must comprise of the Research Supervisor, one Committee member, and the Chair.
• The Chair acts as an examiner as well as moderator of the defense.

MASc Defense Procedure

• The student will present a brief summary of their thesis (not to exceed 30 minutes in length).
• This will be followed by an oral examination in the general area of the thesis.
• Each examiner should ask questions for 15-20 minutes, with the option of a brief second round for follow-up questions.
• Afterwards, members of the audience should be asked for questions.
• Following the examination, the candidate and audience members will be asked to leave the room and the Committee will hold a private, “in camera” session.
• The examination committee will discuss the thesis work and the student’s performance during the examination.
• The Chair moderates the discussion to determine a final grade.

Grading and Thesis Submission

• The grade will be based on the quality of the research and the preparation and defense of the thesis.
• A failing grade must be accompanied by a written summary from the committee outlining the reasons for this decision.
• If a student fails the exam, the examining committee may recommend a re-examination at a later date, but the committee is not required to do so.
• The examining Committee may recommend that the thesis is acceptable in the form presented, or it may request changes be made to the thesis before the title page is signed.
• Responsibility for ensuring that such changes are made will lie with the Supervisor.
• The Chair will then recall the student and supervisor and announce the decision and grade.
• The Chair may ask at this time that the title page of the thesis be signed by the Committee or may ask that the student first make required revisions.
• The Chair will then complete an MASc Examination Report and submit it to the department in a timely manner.
• After members of the Examining Committee have signed the thesis approval form, the student will be required to submit the thesis.

Recommended MASc Program Timeline

• Prior to Start Date: Discuss with Supervisor course selection, expectations of both the student and supervisor, policies and timelines, and register for courses.
• First Month: Meet with supervisor to discuss coursework, research plan.
• Fourth Month: Decision made on research or advanced development project in consultation with supervisor.
• Eighth Month: Project Outline, Complete yearly Progress Reports.
• Second Year: If you and your supervisor wish you to upgrade to a Ph.D., ensure that you have completed requirements within first 18 months, discuss research results from first year, possible further research, timeline to thesis completion, complete research, ideally, student will complete writing the thesis by the end of the second year, complete yearly Progress Reports.
• Thesis Submission: Approval by supervisor, supervisor will identify members of the examining committee, make copies of thesis publicly available and to examining committee at least one week prior to thesis defense date, examination.

MASc Admissions

Applications and Deadlines

• Applications for September 2026 intake will open October 15th, 2025.
• Applications for January 2027 will open May 2026.
• A note for CGSM/Affiliated/GSI award hopefuls: All applications must be submitted by December 1st and fully completed (including references) by December 31st.

Research Areas

• Biomedical Technologies
• Communication Systems
• Computer and Software Systems
• Energy Systems
• Micro and Nano Technologies

Prospective Applicants

• Prospective applicants can explore the personal web pages of the faculty members they might be interested in working with.
• We recommend that prospective students consider their financial situation and the costs of living in Vancouver during a graduate program.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants to the M.A.Sc program must have an accredited (by UBC) four year Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or a closely related field.
• It is preferred that M.A.Sc applicants have a bachelor’s GPA in the first-class range and can show demonstrated aptitude for research.
• Applicants to the MASc program must have a faculty member who is willing to supervise them before they can be admitted.

Language Requirements

• Applicants who have recently completed a degree in one of the following countries do not need to submit a language score: Australia, Botswana, Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the English-speaking countries of the West Indies.
• Other applicants, including Canadians and Permanent Residents, who have completed their most recent degree in other countries must submit a current, official TOEFL or Academic IELTS score.

Application Documents

• Official Transcript from each post-secondary institution you have attended.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• UBC-Specific Statement of Purpose.
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (if required).
• A scan of your Permanent Resident Card (if applicable).
• Three Reference Letters.

How to Apply

Submit your application online through UBC’s admission portal. The online application system will ask several ECE-specific questions. Please think about the following questions in advance of beginning your online application:

• Which research area are you interested in?
• For MASc and PhD applicants, which faculty members are you interested in working with?
• Do you require financial support?