Graduate Programs

Students interested in completing a guided study or directed research project may enroll in ECE 591: Directed Studies. Projects must involve academically appropriate work supervised by an eligible full-time ECE faculty member, including tenured or tenure-track faculty and Lecturers III or IV.

• Credits and degree requirements
  • ECE 591 may be taken for 1–3 credit hours.
  • Graduate students may apply up to 6 total credit hours of directed study toward the professional elective requirements for the following programs:
    • MSE in Computer Engineering
    • MSE in Electrical Engineering
    • MSE in Robotics Engineering
  • Students in the MSE in Energy Systems and Sustainability Engineering program may enroll in ESE 591 with prior approval from the ESE program director. If approved, ESE 591 may be used in place of one elective course.
• How to enroll

1. Identify a faculty supervisor. Discuss your project idea with an eligible faculty member and ask whether they are willing to supervise and evaluate your work.
2. Complete the required documents. If the faculty member approves the project, complete the course authorization form and a written proposal. The proposal mustL
   1. Clearly describe the project and its goals
   2. Explain the academic value of the proposed work
   3. Identify the specific work you will complete
   4. Be signed and dated by your faculty supervisor
3. Obtain the faculty member’s approval. Your faculty supervisor must sign and date both documents.
4. Submit your materials. Send the completed course authorization form and proposal to the ECE Department for final review and approval by the ECE Department Chair.

• Courses & Credits:
  • MSE in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Robotics Engineering: Elect ECE 699 (6 credits) for Professional Elective requirement.
  • MSE Energy Systems & Sustainability: Elect ESE 699 (6 credits) replacing two electives, with Graduate Program Director approval.
  • Registration: Thesis work spans at least two terms. Students may register for all six (6) credit hours in a single semester or split them as three (3) credit hours across two consecutive semesters.
• Registration Steps:
  1. Secure an ECE faculty advisor to supervise your research.
  2. Complete the Course Authorization and Proposal Form, detailing your project goals and scope.
  3. Obtain your advisor's signature and submit the form to the ECE Department for final review and approval by the ECE Department Chair.

For campus-wide formatting, defense guidelines, and submission deadlines, visit the Office of Graduate Studies Master's Thesis Policies and Procedures.