GRADUATE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
FOR STUDENTS WITHOUT A PRIOR ECE DEGREE
Before an Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate degree is awarded, a student must demonstrate that they meet the program’s proficiency requirements. This is done either by holding a prior Electrical and Computer Engineering degree from an accredited institution, or if a student has an allied STEM degree they can be admitted to the graduate program and demonstrate proficiency through completing the requirements below:
Proficiency Requirements Prior to Admission to ECE Graduate Program
Completion of each of the following with a B grade or higher:
Breadth Option
(for non-engineers)
ECE 3500 Fund. of Signals & Systems or
ECE 3600 Fund. of Power Engineering or
ECE 3700 Digital System Design
Please note: Courses listed are University of Utah equivalents. See University Course Comparisons or meet with the Graduate Student Coordinator to review your transcript for possible alternatives.
If an individual has completed the foundational prerequisite courses:
Individuals can directly apply to the ECE Graduate Program but will need to complete proficiency requirements as part of their degree (see section below). Applicants are strongly recommended to meet with an ECE member of their committee (see MS Areas of Emphasis and Default Committees). The purpose of this is to discuss additional courses that may be beneficial to meet student goals.
Proficiency Requirement After Securing Admission to the Graduate Program
Once admitted, students without a prior ECE degree must take a graduate-level course from at least two areas of emphasis. Students must complete these courses with a B grade or higher. Courses taken for proficiency will also count towards a student’s graduate degree credit total.
| Area of Emphasis | Course Numbering |
| Solid State / MEMS | X2xx |
| Electromagnetics | X3xx |
| Optics & Optoelectronics | X4xx |
| Signals & Systems | X5xx |
| Power, Control, & Robotics | X6xx |
| Circuits & VLSI | X7xx |
| Computer Engineering | X8xx |
