Advance your career in electrical engineering by updating your knowledge and developing new skills through the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering program at Villanova University. The MSEE offers five concentration areas, as well as an option for a custom degree plan.
- Bio-Signals, Systems and Informatics (BSI)
- Electronic Circuits and Systems (ECS)
- Electric Energy Systems (EES)
- Microwave, Antenna, and Photonic Systems (MAPS)
- Signal Processing and Communications (SPC)
Admission Criteria for Applicants with a BSEE from an accredited US university:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.00
- Two recommendations
Admission Criteria for International Applicants with a BSEE from a non-US university:
- Minimum GPA of 3.25 out of 4.00 or equivalent.
- Minimum TOEFL score of 90 or IELTS score of 7.0
- Two recommendations
Admission Criteria for Applicants with undergraduate degrees from a US university in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Math, Electrical Engineering Technology:
- Minimum GPA of 3.25 out of 4.00
- Two recommendations
- Satisfy the required BSEE courses or their equivalent (see below). The graduate equivalent of the following courses can be taken:
- ECE-3242, Fundamentals of Signal Processing: ECE-7231
- ECE-2530, Analog Electronics I
- ECE-3690, Engineering Electromagnetics : ECE-8675 or ECE-8670
- ECE-4290, Energy System Models & Control: its EGR equivalent
If taken at the graduate level, a maximum of two of these courses can be transferred toward the MSEE degree (Provided no other courses from other institutions have been previously transferred)
Applicants with BS degrees in other engineering disciplines may also be considered on individual bases.
Prerequisites for MSEE
MAT 2500 – Calculus III: Parametric equations; polar, cylindrical, and spherical
coordinates; vectors and the geometry of space; vector functions (derivatives, integrals, curvature, etc.); partial derivatives; optimization; multiple integration and its applications; vector calculus (line integrals, vector analysis). Continued use of a computer algebra system.
MAT 2705 - Differential Equations: First order and linear second order differential equations, matrices and linear equation systems, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and linear systems of differential equations.
PHY 2402 - Physics II Electricity & Magnetism: Electrostatics, DC Circuits, magnetism, and AC circuits. Designed for students in the College of Engineering.
ECE 2030 – Electrical Circuit Fundamentals: Basic concepts, steady-state dc circuit analysis, network theorems, energy storage elements, complete response of first-order circuits, steady-state sinusoidal circuit analysis, AC systems and Laplace Transform. (also EE 2031, Electrical Circuit Fundamentals Lab)
ECE 2530 - Analog Electronics I: Basic electronic concepts. Waves and particles, semiconductor device physics, diodes and BJT circuits and amplifier circuits.
ECE 3690 - Engineering Electromagnetics: Maxwell's equations, plane waves, dissipative media, reflection, and transmission of waves at an interface, metallic and optical waveguides, transmission lines, linear and array antennas. Practicum includes computer projects, laboratory demonstrations and problem solving. Three lecture hours and a two-hour practicum per week.
ECE 3220 - Signal Processing: Signal representation, Fourier series, Fourier transform, discrete-time systems, convolution, discrete-time Fourier transform, Z-transform. Practicum includes MATLAB exercises on transform properties and their use in modulation and filtering. Three lecture hours and a two-hour practicum per week.
ECE-2290- Energy System Models & Control: Modeling and analysis of electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical systems; open-loop and feedback systems; frequency domain models; state equations; linearization, time response; steady-state error; block diagrams and signal flow graphs; stability criteria; root locust method.
Degree Requirements
- A minimum of 30 earned semester credits (10 courses) of graduate work
- At least 21 course credits and up to 9 credits of research
- Electrical engineering courses must be chosen from the MSEE course offering list, however the required elective course may come from the Department of Computer Engineering, Computer Science or other appropriate programs
- Students may elect to choose the thesis or non-thesis option. Before applying for the thesis option, students must complete ECE 9030 in preparation. The application also requires the submission of a written research proposal and recommendation and approval from the student's research advisor and the department chairperson. Students who qualify for the thesis option are required to make an oral presentation prior to graduation.
- Graduate students electing the non-thesis option may substitute three credits of independent study for an approved elective course.
Ten courses (30 credits) are required to complete a Master’s in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Bio-Signals, Systems and Informatics (BSI).
Required Core Courses:
Breadth Courses:
Additional courses may be selected with the approval of your advisor to complement those above and to support your professional interests.
Ten courses (30 credits) are required to complete a Master’s in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Electronic Circuits and Systems (ECS).
Core Courses:
And one of:
Area Courses (choose two):
Additional Course: should be selected to complement ECS core and area courses such that your degree supports your professional interests.
Ten courses (30 credits) are required to complete a Master’s in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Electric Energy Systems (EES).
Core Courses:
Area Courses:
Courses also included in Alternate & Renewable Energy track in Sustainable Engineering are:
Approved Electives (up to two courses):
Ten courses (30 credits) are required to complete a Master’s in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Microwave, Antenna, and Photonic Systems (MAPS):
Core Courses:
Area courses:
Additional Course: should be selected to complement MAPS core and area courses such that your degree supports your professional interests.
Ten courses (30 credits) are required to complete a Master’s in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Signal Processing and Communications (SPC). The following core courses are required:
Core Courses:
Area courses include three of the following:
Math Courses (1)
Up to 3 additional courses should be selected to complement those above and to support your professional interests.
Thesis Option Courses: