UMBC's Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department offers both M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Electrical Engineering. Below you will find information on both Electrical Engineering graduate programs, and information about how to apply.
M.S. in Electrical Engineering
Students pursuing a Master’s of Science (M.S.) in Electrical Engineering can choose from a thesis and non-thesis option. The thesis option requires the completion of a thesis that must be defended with an oral examination and approved by the student’s master’s thesis committee. In addition, thesis M.S. students must complete 30 credit hours including the Graduate Seminar, 4 core courses and 6 credit hours of research. The non-thesis option requires the completion of a scholarly paper. In addition, non-thesis M.S. students must complete 33 credit hours including the Graduate Seminar, 4 core courses and 3 credits of ENEE 698. Both options must be completed within 5 years and students must maintain a 3.0 G.P.A.
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
Students pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering are required to complete 33 credit hours including the Graduate Seminar, 4 core courses, 7 electives and 18 credit hours of doctoral dissertation research. Ph.D. students must complete and defend their dissertation, pass the comprehensive portfolio, and pass the preliminary examination to be admission to candidacy. The program must be completed within 4 years after admission to doctoral candidacy and students must maintain a G.P.A. of 3.33.
Core Courses (4 out of 8 core courses required)
- ENEE 601: Linear Systems Theory
- ENEE 620: Probability and Random Processes
- ENEE 621: Detection and Estimation Theory
- ENEE 622: Information Theory
- ENEE 630: Solid-State Electronics
- ENEE 631: Semiconductor Devices
- ENEE 680: Electromagnetic Theory
- ENEE 683: Lasers
For a list of Computer Engineering graduate courses, go here.
Research Areas
- Communications
- Signal processing
- Microelectronics
- Sensor technology
- Photonics
In signal processing, both traditional model-based (such as statistical signal processing) as well as data-driven signal processing methods are emphasized with applications in medical imaging and data analysis, communications and remote sensing. In nano/micro/opto-electronics, the current emphasis areas are MOCVD crystal growths, NIR and MIR optoelec-tronics and technologies for health and environ-mental applications, bio-photonic and photoacoustic sensing for chemical and biological imaging and identification. Finally, In photonics, the current work includes silicon photonics, Ultra-high capacity optical networks, RF-photonic systems and components.
Meet the Professors
Dr. Fow-Sen Choa, Optoelectronics
Dr. Fow-Sen Choa uses a Chemical Vapor Desposition System to grow semiconductors that are used for chemical detection and breath analysis using photo-acoustic (PA) effects. In addition, he has been working with undergraduate students at UMBC on projects dealing with flying robots, Fourier analysis of music instrument, x-ray scan of superlattice crystal growths, and brainwave measurement and analysis. For more information, read his research profile.
Dr. Tulay Adali, Statistical Signal Processing
Dr. Tulay Adali specializes in statistical signal processing.Since 1992, Dr. Adali has been the director of the Machine Learning for Signal Processing Lab (MLSP-Lab) at UMBC. Currently, she has been working on diagnosing schizophrenia by analyzing functional MRI and other medical imaging data. For more information, read her research profile.
Click here for a complete list of Electrical Engineering Faculty.
How to Apply
Pre-requisites for Admission
Applicants must have a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited undergraduate program with a GPA equivalent to 'B+' or higher. Individuals whose records indicate strong potential for successful pursuit of the master’s or doctoral degree objectives and who have similar undergraduate preparation with strong academic records in computer science, mathematics, physics or other areas of engineering or science are encouraged to apply (B.S. degrees in engineering technology are not considered equivalent to the B.S. degree in engineering or the B.A. degree in the sciences). Students whose degrees are not in electrical engineering generally will be required to take courses to make up deficiencies in their backgrounds. Students who plan to pursue the Ph.D. degree but who do not already have an M.S. degree are advised to apply for admission to the M.S. program.
The Application Process
Apply online through UMBC's Graduate School Website. Applicants must also submit:
- An Official Transcript
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
- TOEFL scores (International students only)
Application Deadlines
International Students
- Fall: January 1st
- Spring: June 1st
Domestic Students
- Fall: January 1st (for financial consideration), June 1st
- Spring: June 1st (for financial consideration), November 1st