The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering students receive a broad background in areas such as electromagnetics and optics, signal processing and systems, and micro-systems and nano-systems.
The Department of Electrical Engineering (Electrical Engineering Program) supports a number of technical (research) areas in which a Master of Science student may specialize. These technical areas are: Electromagnetics and Optics (EO), Signal Processing and Systems (SPS), and Micro-Systems and Nano-Systems (MNS). The Micro-Systems and Nano-Systems area covers the typical Electrical Engineering topic areas of Electronics, Power Electronics, and Micro-Electronics, while the Signal Processing and Systems area covers the typical electrical topic areas of communications, controls, and signal processing. All MSEE programs offer a thesis and a nonthesis option, as well as an Accelerated BS to MSEE program. Students in the program receive a broad background in the various technical areas while specializing in a research area of their interest.
The specific research area that each one of the EE faculty conduct can be found at the Department of EE website.
Please note: Electrical Engineering MSEE may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
Program Prerequisites
Undergraduate articulation courses are required to be completed prior to admission for students who do not hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. In particular, the articulation courses specified below, plus all of the prerequisite string which any of them require, must be completed prior to admission. Grades of "B" or higher must be obtained in each articulation course specified below. Articulation courses are not eligible for inclusion on a graduate Program of Study.
- EEL 3123C - Network and Systems
- EEE 3307C - Electronics I
- EEL 3470 - Electromagnetic Fields
- EEL 3552 - Signal Analysis and Communications
- EEE 3350 - Semiconductor Devices I
In addition, choose one of the following:
- EEL 3657 - Linear Control Systems
- EEE 4309C - Electronics II
- EEL 4750 - Digital Signal Processing Fundamentals
Degree Requirements
Formal Courses
24 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- The Electrical Engineering MSEE supports a number of specialization areas. These technical areas are: Electromagnetics and Optics (EO), Signal Processing and Systems (SPS), and Micro-Systems and Nano-Systems (MNS). The Micro-Systems and Nano-Systems area covers the typical Electrical Engineering topic areas of Electronics, Power Electronics and Micro-Electronics, while the Signal Processing and Systems area covers the typical electrical topic areas of communications, controls, and signal processing. Each MSEE student’s Plan of Study (POS) must comply with all university requirements outlined in the Graduate Catalog and must receive both departmental and college-level approval. Specifically, every POS must satisfy the following three criteria: -At least 15 credit hours must be in EEE or EEL courses. -At least 15 credit hours must be at the 6000 level or above. -At least 15 credit hours must be specialization-focused (i.e., aligned with one of the three technical areas). For each specialization, a suggested course list is provided below. In certain cases, students may substitute courses not listed, subject to approval by their advisor and/or the Graduate Program Director. Any such substitutions must be documented in a signed and approved POS.
Specialization Areas- Complete all of the following
- The Plan of Study must be finalized and approved by an advisor in the student’s chosen specialization area no later than the end of the second semester following admission.
- Earn at least 24 credits from the following course sets:
- arrow_drop_down Electromagnetics and Optics (EO)
- EEE5542 - Random Processes I (3)
- EEE5557 - Introduction to Radar Systems (3)
- EEL5437C - Microwave Engineering (4)
- EEL5439C - RF and Microwave Active Circuits (4)
- EEL5462 - Antenna Analysis and Design (3)
- EEL5432 - Satellite Remote Sensing (3)
- EEL6425C - RF and Microwave Measurement Techniques (4)
- EEL6481 - Numerical Techniques in Electromagnetics (3)
- EEL6482 - Electromagnetic Theory I (3)
- EEL6489 - Advanced Topics in Electromagnetics and Microwaves (3)
- EEL6504 - Wireless Communications (3)
- EEL6530 - Communication Theory (3)
- MAP5426 - Special Functions (3)
- MAP5435 - Advanced Mathematics for Engineers (3)
- OSE5041 - Introduction to Wave Optics (3)
- OSE5414 - Fundamentals of Optoelectronic Devices (3)
- OSE6111 - Optical Wave Propagation (3)
- OSE6143 - Fiber Optics Communication System (3)
- OSE6211 - Imaging and Optical Systems (3)
- OSE6421 - Integrated Photonics (3)
- OSE6445 - Fundamentals of Ultrafast Optics (3)
- OSE6455C - Photonics Laboratory (3)
- OSE5525 - Laser Engineering (3)
- OSE6615L - Optoelectronic Device Fabrication Laboratory (3)
- arrow_drop_down Micro-Systems and Nano-Systems (MNS)
- BME5572 - Biomedical Nanotechnology (3)
- EEL5245 - Power Electronics (3)
- EEE5332C - Thin Film Technology (3)
- EEE5352 - Semiconductor Material and Device Characterization (3)
- EEE5353 - Semiconductor Device Modeling and Simulation (3)
- EEE5356C - Fabrication of Solid-State Devices (4)
- EEE5370 - Operational Amplifiers (3)
- EEE5378 - CMOS Analog and Digital Circuit Design (3)
- EEE5390C - Full-Custom VLSI Design (3)
- EEE5555 - Surface Acoustic Wave Devices and Systems (3)
- EEE6317 - Power Semiconductor Devices and Integrated Circuits (3)
- EEE6358 - Advanced Semiconductor Device I (3)
- EEL6246 - Power Electronics II (3)
- EEE6326C - MEMS Fabrication Laboratory (3)
- EEE6338 - Advanced Topics in Microelectronics (3)
- arrow_drop_down Signal Processing and Systems (SPS)
- EEE5513 - Digital Signal Processing Applications (3)
- EEE5542 - Random Processes I (3)
- EEE5557 - Introduction to Radar Systems (3)
- EEE6504 - Adaptive Digital Signal Processing (3)
- EEL5820 - Image Processing (3)
- EEL5825 - Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition (3)
- EEL5630 - Digital Control Systems (3)
- EEL5173 - Linear Systems Theory (3)
- EEL6504 - Wireless Communications (3)
- EEL6530 - Communication Theory (3)
- EEL6590 - Advanced Topics in Communications (3)
- EEL6812 - Introduction to Neural Networks and Deep Learning (3)
- EEL6619 - Nonlinear Robust Control and Applications (3)
- EEL6621 - Nonlinear Control Systems (3)
- EEL6662 - Advanced Robotics (3)
- EEL6667 - Mobile Robotic Systems (3)
- EEL6671 - Modern and Optimal Control Systems (3)
- EEL6674 - Optimal Estimation for Control (3)
- EEL6616 - Adaptive Control (3)
- EEL6683 - Cooperative Control of Networked Autonomous Systems (3)
- EEL5669 - Introduction to Robotics and Autonomous Vehicles (3)
- EEL6026 - Optimization of Engineering Systems (3)
- CAP5415 - Computer Vision (3)
- CAP6411 - Computer Vision Systems (3)
- CAP6412 - Advanced Computer Vision (3)
- CAP6419 - 3D Computer Vision (3)
Thesis/Nonthesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis Option- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EEL 6971 - Thesis Students must complete 6 credit hours of thesis work (EEL 6971) in addition to 24 credit hours of formal coursework. Full-time thesis students must enroll in 3 credit hours of thesis coursework each semester until the thesis is completed. Only 6 thesis credit hours count toward the 30-hour degree requirement. Thesis Defense Announcement Policy: The College of Engineering and Computer Science requires that all thesis defense announcements be: Approved by the student’s advisor, and Posted on both the College website and the University-wide Events Calendar (via the College of Graduate Studies) at least two weeks prior to the defense date.
Nonthesis Option- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: Additional Elective Coursework. The nonthesis option is especially suited for part-time students. Nonthesis students must complete 6 credit hours of electives in addition to the 24 credit hours of formal coursework described above. With advisor approval, students may include up to 6 credit hours of Independent Study (XXX 6908) in their Plan of Study. At least half of the total coursework (typically 15 credit hours) must be at the 6000 level or above.
- Students must complete a culminating experience, which consists of submitting a portfolio of academic and professional activities. The portfolio must be submitted by the course withdrawal deadline of the semester prior to intended graduation. Specific portfolio requirements are available on the EECS website: http://www.eecs.ucf.edu.
Grand Total Credits: 30
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
Transfer CreditsGraduate students with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from UCF may transfer up to 9 credit hours of 5000-level or higher coursework, with grades of B or higher, toward the MSEE degree. Alternatively, a maximum of 9 credit hours may be transferred of graduate work conducted elsewhere from an accredited institution.
Equipment FeeStudents in the Electrical Engineering MSEE program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $45 per semester.
Independent LearningThe independent learning requirement is met by successful completion of a master's thesis or an approved portfolio of activities for nonthesis students.
Admission Requirements
