M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Director

Wenbin Luo, Ph.D.

The Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering is an interdisciplinary graduate program that combines the strengths of both electrical and computer engineering. The program will be replacing our graduate programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. The new program will give students the flexibility to take courses in the areas of both electrical and computer engineering, such as machine learning, data sciences, computer security, parallel computing, computer networks, digital signal processing, communications theory, wireless communication, automatic control, neural networks, and wireless security etc. It will help students build a solid foundation and prepare them for highly sought-after jobs in the areas of electrical and computer engineering.  

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements of the program are the following:

  • Have a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in engineering, physical science, mathematics, or a closely related discipline. The Graduate Program Director will evaluate applicants from other disciplines on an individual basis.
  • Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (A = 4.00) for their bachelor's degree.
  • All students are required to submit proof of English proficiency for admission into St. Mary’s University. If you have studied in the US, this may fulfill the English proficiency requirement. Proof of English proficiency can be submitted directly to St. Mary’s from one of the following ways:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 80 on the Internet-based (IB) test is required for full admission.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum band score of 6.0 is required for full admission.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): A minimum score of 105 is required for full admission.
  • Submit a completed application form, a written statement of purpose indicating the applicant's interests and objectives, two recommendation letters, official transcripts of all college level work and resume.
  • Applicants who fail to meet any of the above requirements may be admitted on a conditional status. The Graduate Program Director will evaluate these cases on an individual basis.
Students in the MS ECE graduate program will take ten 3-credit courses (in a total of 30 credits) from, but not limited to, the following courses:
DSP, Control, and Communication
Digital Signal Processing I
Digital Signal Processing II
Automatic Control Systems
Digital Control Systems
Communication Systems
Wireless Communications
Random Variables and Stochastic Processes
Parallel Processing, Networking, Architecture, and Software Engineering
Parallel Processing
Computer Networking
Computer Architecture
Software Engineering
Security
Cryptography Principles and Practices
Wireless Security
Data Sciences and Machine Learning
Special Topics (Data Sciences Using Python and Julia)
Data Mining
Neural Networks
Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
Non-Thesis/Capstone Project Option
Capstone Project
Thesis Option
Thesis I
Thesis II

Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering degree options

The MS ECE is a 30-credit hour program. The graduate degree may be earned by one of the following
three options. Students can elect to choose from capstone project, thesis, and all course options. Students will take six credits from out of their major area, in consultation with their program director.

Plan I - Capstone
In Major21
Out of Major (Other EG, CS, GSB, Law and CAHSS selected with program director's permission)6
Project/Thesis3
Total Semester Hours30
Plan II - Thesis
In Major18
Out of Major (Other EG, CS, GSB, Law and CAHSS selected with program director's permission)6
Project/Thesis6
Total Semester Hours30
Plan III - All Course
In Major24
Out of Major (Other EG, CS, GSB, Law and CAHSS selected with program director's permission)6
Project/Thesis0
Total Semester Hours30