Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Florida Tech Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Florida Tech Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Electrical Engineering, M.S.


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Major Code: 8042 Degree Awarded: Master of Science
Delivery Mode(s): Classroom Admission Status: Graduate
Admission Materials: letters of recommendation, GRE, résumé, objectives, transcripts Location(s): Main Campus - Melbourne; Southern Maryland, MD

The master of science program can be taken on either a full-time or part-time basis. A two-year projection of course offerings is available on request. Course offerings are arranged to permit the master’s program to be completed in three semesters for full-time students and in two calendar years for part-time students.

Admission Requirements

The undergraduate backgrounds of applicants for admission to the master’s degree programs vary considerably. An applicant from a U.S. school should have a bachelor of science or equivalent degree from an electrical engineering program accredited by ABET. In evaluating an international application, consideration is given to academic standards of the school attended and the content of the courses leading to the degree obtained.

Applicants whose bachelor’s degrees are in other engineering fields, mathematics or the physical sciences may be accepted but will be required to remedy any deficiencies by satisfactorily completing a number of undergraduate courses in preparation for graduate study in electrical engineering.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is offered with both thesis and nonthesis degree paths. Each requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved graduate study; however, course choices vary considerably depending on the student’s area of interest. Prior to the completion of nine credit hours, a student must submit for approval a master’s degree program plan to indicate the path chosen and the specific courses to be taken. Up to six credit hours of thesis may be included in the 30-credit-hour requirement. A nonthesis candidate must pass the master’s final program examination. The master’s final program exam measures the student’s understanding of the technical concentration area they have chosen and corresponds to the department research areas.

Curriculum


To earn the master of science degree, the student must complete an approved program plan for a total of 30 credit hours. The program may be tailored to a specific area of study or it may follow the requirements for one of the available specialization areas.

Electromagnetics


This area of specialization provides a background in applied and computational electromagnetics. Students develop analytical and computational tools needed to understand and solve complex field interactions including antennas and radiating structures, radar, field and wave propagation, scattering and interaction with materials. The curriculum requirements are provided as follows:

Photonics


Recent advances in optical communications and sensing have been largely due to the development of photonic devices and systems. This specialization is oriented to both devices and systems encompassing a wide range of areas including fiber-optic communication and sensing, lasers and laser system applications, and optical computing and signal processing. The study and research of these advanced devices and systems comprise the direction of this program.

Students are highly recommended to take the following three introductory courses:

Systems and Information Processing


Within this area of specialization, courses are selected to allow concentrations in areas that include systems, digital signal and image processing, neural networks and controls. Each student plans a program of study with a member of faculty whose professional field is related to student’s interest.

The curriculum requirements for this area are provided as follows:

Wireless Systems and Technology


This area is focused on technologies surrounding wireless communication. It covers a wide range of topics both on the system level and the component level. On the system level, some of the studied areas include 2G and 3G cellular communication systems, wireless sensor networks, radars systems, smart antenna and MIMO communication systems, multimedia communication, radars, WLAN and WiMAX. On the component level, this specialization covers topics in electronics, electromagnetics and antenna design. Additionally, enabling signal processing, linear system theory and radio propagation topics are covered.

The curriculum requirements are separated into two parts as follows:

  • All courses from the core curriculum list Credit Hours: 15
  • Approved electives (may include 6 credit hours of thesis) Credit Hours: 15

Program for Graduates from Other Fields


A student admitted to this program is expected to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent, with an undergraduate major in an engineering discipline, mathematics or the physical sciences, and an academic and/or professional record indicating a high probability of success in graduate work. Preparatory courses may be required to provide a student with the background necessary for successful graduate study. Depending on the individual’s background, other courses (e.g., differential equations and linear algebra) may also be required. Proficiency in these areas may be demonstrated by either successful course completion or by passing an equivalency examination. When possible, a student will be notified of deficiencies at the time of acceptance. In addition to the preparatory work described, all degree requirements listed above must be fulfilled.

Total Credits Required: 30


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