Electrical & Computer Engineering MS
Program Purpose
The mission of the Electrical and Computer Engineeringgraduate programis to develop and train engineers who contribute to science and engineering through scholarly research, improve society through the creative practice of engineering, serve in positions of technical leadership, and demonstrate faith, character, lifelong learning, and high professional ethics. Through instruction in advanced Electrical and Computer Engineering topics, students will learn analytical thinking, language, and skills associated with the discipline. By participating in research with faculty mentors, students will learn how to conduct scholarly research and contribute new ideas and engineering concepts to society.
Electrical Engineering MS
The MS degree concentrates on establishing a sound theoretical foundation and on exposing students to advanced developments. The critical thinking and high level of mathematical and algorithmic facility required by the abstract nature of graduate courses allows the MS graduate to assume responsibility and supervision beyond that normally given a BS engineer. MS students study in one of the four broad areas while pursuing either the course work or thesis option. The MS degree typically takes from one to two years to complete. Two MS degree options are available: the Thesis Option and the Course Work Option:
Thesis Option
The focus of the thesis degree is to develop the research and design tools necessary to participate in the leading edge developments in the discipline. The thesis option is the preferred degree option.
Course Work Option
The focus of the course work option is to provide the breadth of technical material necessary for remaining current in the rapidly changing field and providing professional leadership in a variety of technical capacities.
Curricular Structure
MS Degree Objectives
The MS degree program is guided by a set of degree objectives that define desired accomplishments of students who complete the MS degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering in the years following graduation. The degree objectives for MS student graduates are listed below.
- Apply knowledge in service to community and family and engage in lifelong learning through personal study and continuing education.
- Obtain employment appropriate for the M.S. degree, engage in technology-based entrepreneurship, government lab service, or complete further graduate study.
- Play a meaningful role in research or technical development leading to significant contributions to engineering and technology; serve in responsible positions of technical leadership.
- Be examples of faith, character, and high professional ethics.
Learning Outcomes
The MS degree program is guided by a set of Learning Outcomes that define the skills, attributes, and knowledge that students should possess at the time of graduation in order to attain the MS degree objectives described above. The learning outcomes for student MS graduates are:
Oral and Written Communication
Communicate difficult technical concepts both orally and in writing.
Understanding of fundamental concepts in a broad range of Electrical and Computer Engineering topics.
Contribute to peer-reviewed scholarship.
Participate in mentored research experiences.
Evidence of Learning
A variety of assessment tools are available for measuring student learning. A variety of direct and indirect assessment tools are used for evaluating the success of each of the learning outcomes listed above. The assessment tools to demonstrate evidence of learning for each degree program are listed below.
MS Degree Assessment of Learning Outcomes
- Bi-annual graduate student rating reports produced by advisor.
- Thesis committee's evaluation of student's performance with respect to the learning outcomes at the time of the thesis defense.
- Student grades in courses listed in program of study.
- Sample publications that include the student as co-author and demonstrate the student's research contribution.
- Program evaluation by students - done at the time of graduation.
- Online Course and Faculty Evaluations by students - required by every teacher for every course every semester.
Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement
The department continually monitors the achievement of the degree objectives and learning outcomes for each of the graduate programs. The graduate committee meets regularly to discuss graduate program issues, propose changes, and improve student learning. The following formal mechanisms are currently in place for evaluating and improving student learning at the graduate level:
- Institutional reviews of graduate program.
- Yearly faculty stewardship interviews with department chair.
- Student feedback from course evaluations.
- Department advisory board recommendations and feedback.
- Yearly department retreat.