ECE Masters and Doctorate Degree Requirements

Master of Engineering
Master of Science
Doctoral Degree

 

Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering

A total of 45 graduate credits* are required. In addition to the University’s degree requirements, a candidate for the M.E. degree must have 32 graduate-level credits in electrical and computer engineering, including at least one graduate ECE course sequence and excluding all omnibus numbered courses (ECE 501/601, 503/603, 504/604, 505/605, 506/606, 507/607, 510/610) and transfer courses. Additionally, 10 credits of approved electives that may include transfer credits and credits from other allied disciplines, and 3 credits of ECE 507 Graduate Seminar taken at 1 credit per term are required.

Up to 12 credits of graduate ECE requirements indicated above (32 core credits) may be replaced by approved graduate courses taken within other programs of affiliated institutions: PSU, OSU and UO. Approved courses are courses that have gone through the full curriculum review and approval processes of their respective institutions and that have also been approved by the student’s advisor. Total transfer credits cannot exceed the university limit of 15.

All students are required to complete a tentative degree study plan that has been approved by the adviser no later than the second quarter of residence at PSU. The M.E. degree study plan form for this purpose is available in the ECE Department Office. Coursework taken without adviser approval may not be accepted as part of the student’s program.

A thesis is not required for an M.E. degree.

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The total number of graduate level credits in a student’s program must be at least 45.* In addition to the University requirements listed in the “Graduate Studies” section of the PSU Bulletin, a candidate for the M.S. degree in electrical and computer engineering must complete at least 24 graduate-level credits in electrical and computer engineering, including at least one graduate ECE course sequence and excluding all omnibus numbered courses (ECE 501/601, 503/603, 504/604, 505/605, 506/606, 507/607, 510/610) and transfer courses. A minimum of 3 credits of graduate seminar (i.e. ECE 507 Seminar) taken at 1 credit per term must be completed. Specific course requirements depend on the student’s area of emphasis, and the student’s program must be approved by his/her academic advisor.

Up to 12 credits of graduate ECE requirements indicated above (24 core credits) may be replaced by approved graduate courses taken within other programs of affiliated institutions: PSU, OSU and UO. Approved courses are courses that have gone through the full curriculum review and approval processes of their respective institutions and that have also been approved by the student’s adviser. Total transfer credits cannot exceed the University limit of 15.

THESIS The candidate’s program must include a minimum of 6 and not more than 9 thesis credits and a final oral thesis defense. The defense is public, and its schedule must be posted in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at least two weeks in advance. All students are required to complete tentative degree plan that has been approved by the adviser no later than the second quarter of residence at PSU. The M.S. degree study plan form for this purpose is available in the ECE Department Office. Coursework taken without adviser approval may not be accepted as part of the student’s program.

Doctoral Degree (PH.D.) in Electrical and Computer Engineering

In addition to the University doctoral degree requirements listed in the PSU Bulletin, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering must complete a minimum of 45 graduate credits* in Electrical and Computer engineering and at least 9 graduate credits in a minor field outside the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Coursework for the minor field must be supportive of, but distinct from, the major field and must not include transfer courses or the following omnibus numbered courses: 501/601, 503/603, 504/604, 505/605, 506/606, 507/607. Each Ph.D. student is required to present at least one departmental seminar and is expected to have at least one archival publication. Specific course requirements depend on the student’s area of emphasis, and the student’s program must be approved by his/her academic adviser. Students in the Ph.D. program in Electrical and Computer Engineering are required to pass a comprehensive examination (written or oral) after completing their coursework. They are also required to obtain approval of their proposed research plan by their doctoral committee before they can be advanced to candidacy. A dissertation containing a real contribution to knowledge based on the candidate’s own investigation and a final oral dissertation defense are required. The dissertation must show a mastery of the literature of the subject and be written in credible literary form. The defense is public and its schedule must be posted in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at least two weeks in advance.

Students are required to complete a tentative degree plan that has been approved by their advisor not later than the second quarter of their residence at PSU. A Ph.D. Study Plan form for this purpose is available in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Office. Students are also required to obtain their advisors’ approval of their coursework each quarter on a Quarterly Study Plan form. Coursework taken without advisor approval may not be accepted as part of a student's program.

*Please note that Portland State University operates on the quarter-system calendar. Semester credits transferred from other accredited United States schools may be converted to PSU's credits by multiplying by 1.5. For example, 30 credits at another university would equal 45 credits at PSU. The 1.5 multiplication rules apply only to semester credits transferred from U.S. schools. Semester credits transferred from accredited schools outside the U.S. will be converted according to established international transfer credit guidelines and policies.