Electrical Engineering Project Option - Handbook


The project option fulfills some credits for the degree requirement through a research project of the student’s own design. The project must be approved by faculty advisers, must be submitted in a formal report, and must be presented publicly to an audience of peers and instructors. This track is ideal for students who want to perform an in-depth research project without writing and defending an entire thesis. Read more about the project option HERE.

This schedule summarizes the requirements and due dates for the MS Degree – Project Option. Students who have not completed requirements or submitted required forms to the Graduate Coordinator by the due dates may be dropped from the program. Students should graduate in the semester in which 32 hours of coursework are completed. All students who are on visas must be registered for at least 9 credit hours of coursework in every semester (excluding summer), including their final semester, unless they receive permission from the Department Graduate Committee prior to the beginning of the semester.

 

Requirement Process Due Date
Supervisory Committee 3 members

The chair of the committee must be a regular ECE faculty member

The chair is chosen by the student; the two remaining members are assigned by the department.

Submit a Request for Supervisory Committee Form.

To amend, resubmit form.

Full time: drop deadline of second semester of study

Part time*: drop deadline of third semester of study

*Please note that international students must be full-time students.

Candidacy (Program of Study) 32 semester hours of coursework beyond B.S. degree in ECE including:

  • 2 hours of Graduate Seminar
  • 3-6 hours of ECE 6950 M.S. Special Study
  • At least 18 hours of ECE coursework must be at the 6000- or 7000-level classes
Submit a Program of Study Form

In preparation to submit a Program of Study form, it is recommended that students use it is recommended that students use the MS Electrical Engineering checklist and/or meet with the Graduate Coordinator.

Full time: drop deadline of second semester of study

Part time*: drop deadline of third semester of study

Changes must be made before an added class is taken; classes cannot be dropped after they have been completed

Proficiency Requirement Yes, students with a non-EE/ECE B.S. degree must complete additional steps to satisfy the ECE proficiency requirements Submit Fulfillment of Proficiency Requirements Form Full time: drop deadline of third semester of study

Part time*: drop deadline of fourth semester of study

Residency Requirement At least 24 hours must be in resident study
Final Exam The completion of the project could include a formal presentation or report. This combination could serve as the final exam. These decisions are dependent on the student’s committee. ECE 6950 Special Study Request Form – Complete prior to enrollment in ECE 6950 Special Study

ECE 6950 Final Exam Verification Form

Program of Study

After consulting with the approved supervisory committee chair, the student must plan a program of study. They must complete and submit the Program of Study Form by the drop deadline of the second semester of study. After approval of the Department Graduate Committee, the program of study is submitted to the Graduate School for their approval. In preparation to submit a Program of Study form, it is recommended that students use the MS Electrical Engineering checklist and/or meet with the Graduate Coordinator.

Modifications to the Program of Study may be made by re-submitting a Program of Study Form for approval prior to registering for added courses with the supervisory committee and obtaining required approval before enrollment in any added courses. Completed courses cannot be removed from the program of study. Credit towards obtaining a degree will not be granted for classes taken prior to approval of the form, unless the student is changing degree status.

Requirements

All coursework is to be completed within 4 consecutive calendar years. The Program of Study must include a minimum of 32 hours of graduate coursework including:

    • 2 hours of Graduate Seminar (ECE 6900/6910) required in first year
    • 3-6 hours of ECE 6950 Special Study
    • A minimum of 18 hours of ECE courses must be at the 6000 or 7000 level*
    • Up to 12 credit hours of 5000-7000 level allied courses will be accepted (Computer Science, Math, Science, or other Engineering department courses)

*Thesis Research (ECE 6970) is not permitted on the Project Option Program of Study.

Additional Criteria

  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on coursework listed on the program of study with no grade lower than C- is required for graduation. A student who receives a grade lower than C- in a course listed on the program of study must repeat that same course and receive a higher grade. Courses cannot be removed from the program of study after they are taken.
  • Students who receive an “Incomplete” grade in a class must complete the class by the following semester, even if the semester is the summer semester.
  • Coursework cannot be used for more than one degree on the same level.
  • Cross-listed courses must be registered through the ECE course numbers.
  • A course taken for 5000-level credit cannot be taken again for 6000-level credit.
    • Where a course has both a 5000- and 6000-level number, the 5000-level version is intended for undergraduates and the 6000-level version for honors and graduate students. The two versions of the class will meet together, but extra work will be expected of honors and graduate students.

Master of Science Electrical Engineering students should graduate in the semester in which 32 hours of coursework are completed. All students who are on visas must be registered for at least 9 credit hours of coursework in every semester (excluding summer) unless they receive permission from the Department Graduate Committee prior to the beginning of the semester.

A student’s supervisory committee will guide the student’s graduate program and must be selected by the beginning of the second semester of study. If a student does not choose a committee, they will be placed with the default supervisory committee.

A supervisory committee consists of three faculty members. The chair of the committee is chosen by the student, and the two remaining members are assigned by the Graduate Committee.  Typically, the other members include one member from the Graduate Committee and the Department Associate Chair.

Any regular Electrical & Computer Engineering faculty member may serve as a supervisory committee chair. After the faculty member has agreed to chair a supervisory committee, the student should submit a completed Request for Supervisory Committee. The form can be re-submitted if an amendment needs to be made to the committee. The Graduate Committee approves all supervisory committee forms; final approval is granted by the Graduate School.

Report of Final Examination (Non-Thesis)
The department has an approved list of 6000-7000 level courses that incorporate either an oral presentation or a written report as a required component of the class. Students will select their course by completing the Course Designation for Final Exam form.  Once completed, the course instructor or a designated department representative must approve it to signify that the student has passed the final exam.

Additional Project Exam
The completion of the ECE 6950 Project could include a formal presentation or report. This combination could serve as the final exam. These decisions are dependent on the student’s committee

If the student’s supervisory committee requires it: The topic and scope of the project must be approved in advance by a faculty advisor (i.e. the ECE 6950 instructor). The completion of the project requires that a formal report be submitted to the advisor and that a public presentation be given. The combination of the report and the presentation serves as the final exam. Students must complete the top portion of the Final Exam Verification Form and attach a copy of their abstract. The Graduate Coordinator will obtain the signature of the Project Advisor or designated department representative to signify that the student has passed the final exam.

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Additional Questions?

One of our program contacts will happily answer any additional questions or concerns you may have.

John Bolke

Phone: 801-581-6943

Email: john.bolke@utah.edu

Office: MEB 2110D