Master of Science (MS) Requirements

The Master of Science degree programs at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth provide sufficient structure to ensure that each graduate has a firm foundation to go on to further graduate studies or to succeed at the advanced level in industry. However, there is enough program flexibility to allow students to pursue studies of their own particular interest. The MS in Computer Engineering and the MS in Electrical Engineering, although separate degrees, share some common requirements:

1. Each candidate for the Master of Science Degree must obtain a minimum of 30 graduate credits with the following constraints: All credits applied toward the degree must be in accordance with a program of study filed by the student and approved by the student�s graduate advisor. Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 out of a 4.0 grading scale in all courses and obtain no more than two course grades below B-minus. Furthermore, courses with grades of C- or below do not count toward graduation requirements.
2. At least 24 of the required 30 credits must be at the graduate level (500 series or higher). As many as six credits of 400 series courses will be allowed to compensate for variations in the student�s background; a grade of B or better is required for them to be counted towards the degree. Undergraduate courses in excess of the 6-credit limit are allowed, but will not count for credit toward the degree.
3. ECE 599 Graduate Seminar (0 Credits) is required for all ECE graduate students. Students need to register for the course once in their graduate study and pass the course requirements. The course is graded on Pass / Fail basis. Students registering in ECE599 must attend at least six seminars publically announced on campus in order to receive a Pass grade.
4. There are three tracks to the Master of Science degree that a student may choose from:

Master of Science Degree, Thesis Track

In addition to the common requirements listed above, a student pursuing the Thesis Track must successfully complete at least six credits of graduate research ( ECE 600) and submit a thesis satisfactory to the student’s committee. A written thesis approved by the student’s committee and successful oral defense of the thesis work is required prior to completion of the program.

Master of Science Degree, Project Track

In addition to the common requirements listed above, a student pursuing the Thesis Track must successfully complete at least six credits of graduate research ( ECE 600) and submit a thesis satisfactory to the student’s committee. A written thesis approved by the student’s committee and successful oral defense of the thesis work is required prior to completion of the program.

Master of Science Degree, All Course Work Track

In addition to the common requirements, a student pursuing the All Course Work Track must pass a MS comprehensive examination at the completion of 30 credits of course work. Students with at least 2 years post-BS experience in industry may request a waiver of the comprehensive examination from the ECE Graduate Committee.

Transfer of Credit

Upon approval, a maximum of six credits may be transferred from another institution. A total of nine course credits completed prior to admission to an ECE graduate or certificate program may be transferred, including courses taken as a non-degree candidate at UMass Dartmouth. A grade of B or better is required for transfer credits. All credits taken as part of an ECE certificate program can be applied to a degree program.