Program Overview

Electrical & Computer Engineering - Professional Master of Science (MSECE)

The professional Master of Science degree in electrical & computer engineering is a professional degree composed of advanced courses relevant to working engineers.

Program Tracks

The department offers many professional degree tracks, each of which result in a professional Master of Science degree in electrical engineering (MSEE).

Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) Track

• The Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) track provides comprehensive coverage of essential embedded technologies, current tools, and trends.
• It is structured to provide students with a broad, versatile skill set and is coupled with industry input for continuous curriculum updates.
• Through flexible core course options and electives, students enrolled in the ESE program pursue a 30-credit-hour MSEE degree.
• Many courses offer distance learning options through CU Boulder Distance Education.

High-Speed Digital Engineering (HSDE) Track

• The High-Speed Digital Engineering (HSDE) track is an innovative practical degree plan that prepares students for a career in industry with the specialized knowledge required to be a successful high-speed design engineering team member.
• The program facilitates lifelong learning capabilities and is continuously updated with industry input.
• Through five core courses and five elective options, students enrolled in this program pursue a ten-course, 30-credit-hour degree.
• Most courses emphasize practical, hands-on experience, understanding, and solving real-world problems faced by the electronics industry today.

Next-Generation Power and Energy Systems (PPS) Track

• The Next-Generation Power and Energy Systems (PPS) track offers five core courses and numerous electives for the 30-credit hour program to prepare students with the specialized knowledge required to practice grid integration of renewable energy into integrated energy systems.
• Through flexible core course options and electives, students enrolled in the PPS program pursue a 30-credit-hour MSEE degree.
• Many courses also offer distance learning options.

Power Electronics (PPE) Track

• Power Electronics is a key enabling technology in essentially all electronic systems and is increasingly important in the grid interface of renewable energy sources and in efficient electrical loads.
• The necessity for power electronics technology in these rapidly expanding areas creates an increasing need for design engineers equipped with knowledge and skills to actively participate in multidisciplinary teams.
• Through flexible core course options and electives, students enrolled in this program pursue a 30-credit-hour MSEE degree.

Quantum Engineering (QE) Track

• Inspired by the promise of more powerful computers and better sensors, the global rise in funding for quantum technology has skyrocketed.
• The quantum engineering track provides a unique overview of one of the fastest-growing technological fields and will help to prepare students for the quantum workforce of today and tomorrow.
• The QE track provides students with a working knowledge of the principles of quantum mechanics and how they can be implemented in technological areas such as quantum computing, communications, and sensing.

Requirements

Admission

• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 is required for application to the master's program.
• Students who are interested in the PhD degree and have strong academics (including 3.50 or higher GPA) should apply directly to the PhD program.

Course Requirements

• Students must complete a total of 30 course credit hours with a grade of C or better and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.
• At least 24 credit hours must be completed at the 5000-level or above, and at least 18 of those credits must be in sufficiently technical ECEN 5000+ level courses.

Time Limit

• All degree requirements must be completed within four years of the date of commencing coursework.
• Most students complete the degree in one-and-a-half to two years.

Program Tracks Details

Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) Track

• Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
  • A minimum of 5 ESE core courses (15 credit hours) and 2 ESE elective courses (6 credit hours) from the ESE course list are required.
  • ESE Core Courses:
    • Choose five of the following:
      • ECEN 5613 | Embedded System Design
      • ECEN 5623 | Real-Time Embedded Systems
      • ECEN 5803 | Mastering Embedded Systems Architecture
      • ECEN 5813 | Principles of Embedded Software
      • ECEN 5823 | Internet of Things Embedded Firmware
      • ECEN 5833 | Low Power Embedded Design Techniques
      • ECEN 5853 | Embedding Sensors and Motors
      • ECEN 5863 | Programmable Logic Embedded System Design
  • ESE Program Electives:
    • Choose two of the following (or additional ESE core courses):
      • ECEN 5133 | Fundamentals of Computer Security
      • ECEN 5224 | High Speed Digital Design
      • ECEN 5593 | Advanced Computer Architecture
      • ECEN 5713 | Advanced Embedded Software Development
      • ECEN 5763 | Embedded Computer Vision
      • ECEN 5730 | Practical Printed Circuit Board Design and Manufacture
      • ECEN 5773 | Developing the Industrial Internet of Things
      • ECEN 5783 | Embedded Interface Design
      • ECEN 5313 | Concurrent Programming
      • ECEN 5139 | Computer-Aided Verification 1
  • Open 5000 Level Electives:
    • Choose three 5000-level electives from the ESE core, ESE electives, other ECEE courses, or courses in other departments, with approval of academic advisor.
  • Total Credit Hours: 30

High-Speed Digital Engineering (HSDE) Track

• This program track consists of 10 courses totaling 30 credits.
• Five of the courses (15 credits) must be the core courses of the curriculum.
• A minimum of two additional courses (6 credits) must be chosen from the HSDE PMP elective courses list.
• The remaining three courses (9 credits) may be chosen from the HSDE PMP elective courses list OR from the courses that fulfill general ECEE Master’s degree requirements.
• A grade of C or better is required for each course applied towards the HSDE PMP track for degree-seeking students.

Next-Generation Power and Energy Systems (PPS) Track

• Core Courses:
  • ECEN 5797 | Introduction to Power Electronics
  • ECEN 5407 | Renewable Energy and the Future Power Grid
  • ECEN 5417 | Power System Analysis
  • ECEN 5427 | Power System Planning & Operations
  • ECEN 5437 | Distribution System Analysis
• Elective Courses:
  • At least 3 credit hours of ECEN courses at the 5000 level or above.
  • AREN 5010 | Energy System Modeling and Control
  • AREN 5570 | Building Electrical Systems Design 1
  • AREN 5060 |
  • AREN 5830 | Architectural Engineering Special Topic (Grid-Connected Systems)
  • ECEN 5007 | Special Topics (Electrified Transportation)
  • ECEN 5007 | Special Topics (Power System Protection)
  • ECEN 5007 | Special Topics (High Voltage AC and DC Transmission)
  • ECEN 5447 | Power System Dynamics with Renewable Energy
  • ECEN 5457 | Energy Systems Optimization
  • ECEN 5467 | Data Analytics and Data-Driven Decision Making for Modern Power and Energy Systems
  • ECEN 5517 | Power Electronics and Photovoltaic Power Systems Laboratory
  • ECEN 5807 | Modeling and Control of Power Electronic Systems
  • ENVM 5005 | The Business of Renewable and Sustainable Energy
  • ENVM 5006 | Sustainable Energy Policy

Power Electronics (PPE) Track

• Required Theory Courses:
  • ECEN 5797 | Introduction to Power Electronics
  • ECEN 5807 | Modeling and Control of Power Electronic Systems
  • ECEN 5817 | Resonant and Soft-Switching Techniques in Power Electronics
• Required Laboratory Courses:
  • The degree also requires completion of the following laboratory course in power electronics.
  • ECEN 5527 | Power Electronics Design Laboratory
  • ECEN 5517 | Power Electronics and Photovoltaic Power Systems Laboratory
• Electives:
  • Select at least one of the following power electronics electives:
    • Digital Control for Power Electronics
    • ECEN 5857 | Digital Control for Power Electronics
    • Electric Vehicles
    • ECEN 5607 | Power Electronics for Electrified Transportation
    • ECEN 5737 | Adjustable-Speed AC Drives
    • Power Management Integrated Circuits
    • ECEN 5827 | Analog IC Design
    • Grid Integration of Renewables (variable semesters)
    • ECEN 5407 | Renewable Energy and the Future Power Grid
    • ECEN 5417 | Power System Analysis
    • ECEN 5427 | Power System Planning & Operations
    • ECEN 5437 | Distribution System Analysis
    • ECEN 5447 | Power System Dynamics with Renewable Energy
    • ECEN 5457 | Energy Systems Optimization
    • ECEN 5467 | Data Analytics and Data-Driven Decision Making for Modern Power and Energy Systems
• Technical Electives:
  • Choose up to three technical electives with advisor approval.
• Open Elective:
  • Choose an additional elective course with advisor approval.
• Total Credit Hours: 30

Quantum Engineering Track

• Quantum engineering has a wide variety of hardware platforms to choose from and quantum engineers need a broad range of skills that are more traditional EE topics.
• To address this diversity and help quantum engineers make informed choices, the program offers a wide range of options, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests and to the specific demands of the quantum industry.
• 1-Both of the two core courses below are required.
• 2-Two quantum electives are also required (of the four listed below, with the offerings changing semester to semester).
• 3-Additionally, students may request specific 5000-level (graduate) courses be counted on a case-by-case basis.
• Required Core courses:
  • ECEN 5915 | Foundations of Quantum Engineering
  • ECEN 5925 | Foundations of Quantum Hardware
• Required Quantum Elective Courses:
  • PHYS 7570 | Quantum Information and Computing Must have UG Quantum pre-reqs
  • Quantum Metrology & Sensing. (Currently ECEN 5005 Special Topics: Optical & Quantum Metrology) Must have Quantum pre-reqs
  • CSCI 7000 Special Topics: Intro Quantum Comp Arch/Sys
  • CSCS 7000 Special Topics: Quantum Complexity and Beyond
• Other Electives:
  • Electromagnetics / RF Electives:
    • ECEN 5114 | Electromagnetic Theory
    • ECEN 5154 | Computational Electromagnetics
    • ECEN 5634 | Microwave and RF Laboratory
    • ECEN 5104 | Passive Microwave Circuits
    • ECEN 5014 | Special Topics (Active Microwave Circuits)
  • Optics Electives:
    • ECEN 5156 | Physical Optics
    • ECEN 5696 | Fourier Optics
    • ECEN 5645 | Introduction to Optical Electronics
    • ECEN 5126 | Computational Optical Imaging
    • ECEN 6006 | Special Topics (Crystal & Nonlinear Optics)
  • Embedded Systems Engineering Electives:
    • ECEN 5623 | Real-Time Embedded Systems
    • ECEN 5803 | Mastering Embedded Systems Architecture
    • ECEN 5593 | Advanced Computer Architecture
    • ECEN 5783 | Embedded Interface Design
    • ECEN 5863 | Programmable Logic Embedded System Design
  • Theory Electives:
    • ECEN 5712 | Machine Learning for Engineers
    • PHYS 5250 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 1
    • PHYS 5260 | Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 2
    • ECEN 5345 | Introduction to Solid State Physics
    • PHYS 7560 | Quantum Optics
• By petition, other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) courses will be considered if not explicitly listed.

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the necessary understanding and skillsets with specific kinds of software and hardware in order to perform at a relatively strong level in industry jobs, both for optional industry internships and in post-graduation employment.
• Practice the necessary technical and interpersonal skills to gain meaningful employment within their chosen field of study through university relations with local and national companies and laboratories in addition to career events.
• Demonstrate a deeper, specialized set of technical skills through successful completion of additional, concentrated coursework in a chosen specialty within the field of study.
• Demonstrate the experimental and/or analytical skills essential to a career in their chosen field of study.