The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department offers the Degree of Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.S.E.C.E.) with a thesis option (24 course credit hours and 6 thesis credit hours) or a non-thesis option (30 course credit hours and no thesis credit hours).  The M.S.E.C.E. program offers five tracks: audio engineering, data analytics, Microdevices and Photonics, cybersecurity, and a general ECE track.

Admissions Requirements

Admission to MS degree programs in the College of Engineering (CoE) at the University of Miami is competitive. A qualified applicant needs a strong academic record, as evidenced by their grades in relevant coursework (traditionally a cumulative gpa of 3.0 or higher). Additionally, prospective students should have a 300 or higher on the GRE General Test (verbal plus quantitative), acceptable scores on TOEFL or ILETS exams (English proficiency exams for international students only), as well as comprehensive letters of recommendation. Transfer of credits from other institutes complies with the rules of the graduate school. Many of our applicants have research experiences that have resulted in publication. 

Traditionally a BS degree in engineering is required for admission into one of our MS programs. Students who do not have a degree in an Engineering field can still apply and will be considered by the admission committee, but if admitted pre-requisite coursework is traditionally required before being fully admitted into MS studies with us.

Graduation Requirements

The M.S.E.C.E. program with the non-thesis option complies in full with the CoE degree requirements

  • An approved integrated program with a minimum of 30 credit hours with an average grade of B or better and no grade below C.
  • At least 12 course credit hours must be at the 700-level.
  • In addition, the cybersecurity track requires a 3-credit-hour graduating project.  

The M.S.E.C.E. program with the thesis option, complies with the following CoE degree requirements

  • An approved integrated program with a minimum of 30 credit hours with an average grade of B or better and no grade below C.
  • At least 6 of the course credit hours must be at the 700 level
  •  6 credit hours of the required 30 must be earned in thesis work.

In addition to the CoE degree requirements, the M.S.E.C.E. program with the thesis option requires the following:

  • Appointment of a Thesis Defense Committee comprised of at least 3 members: the Chair of the committee is the Research Advisor who must have RF/GF status within ECE; at least one other member (excluding the Research Advisor) must have RF/GF status within ECE; at least one member must be from outside ECE.

Curriculum Requirements: General ECE Option

Any 600-level and 700-level ECE courses and courses in other departments with the approval of the academic advisor. 

Electives
Any 600- or 700-Level ECE Courses24
Select Thesis or Non-Thesis Option6
Thesis Option:
Master's Thesis
Research in Residence
Continuous Registration--Master's Study
Non-Thesis Option:
Any 600- or 700-Level ECE Courses
Total Credit Hours30

Curriculum Requirements: Audio Engineering Option

Suggested Courses for Audio Engineering Option
ECE 602Engineering Acoustics3
ECE 633Random Signals and Noise3
ECE 636Adaptive Filters and Signal Processing3
ECE 638Introduction to Digital Image Processing3
ECE 640Digital Speech and Audio Processing3
ECE 648Machine Learning3
Remaining credits may be taken from 600/700 level courses in ECE, CS, MTH, or any other department in consultation with the academic advisor.6
Select Thesis or Non-Thesis Option6
Thesis Option:
Master's Thesis
Research in Residence
Continuous Registration--Master's Study
Non-Thesis Option:
Any 600- or 700-Level ECE Courses
Total Credit Hours30

Data Analytics Option

Suggested Courses for Data Analytics Option
ECE 600Engineering Analytical Techniques3
ECE 633Random Signals and Noise3
ECE 648Machine Learning3
ECE 672Object-Oriented and Distributed Database Management Systems3
ECE 676Internet and Intranet Security3
ECE 677Data Mining3
CSC 632Introduction to Parallel Computing3
CSC 640Algorithm Design and Analysis3
Remaining credits may be taken from 600/700 level courses in ECE, CS, MTH, or any other department in consultation with the academic advisor.
Select Thesis or Non-Thesis Option6
Thesis Option:
Master's Thesis
Research in Residence
Continuous Registration--Master's Study
Non-Thesis Option:
Any 600- or 700-Level ECE Courses
Total Credit Hours30

Microdevices and Photonics Option

Suggested Courses for Microdevices and Photonics Option
ECE 603Laser Communications3
ECE 604Fundamentals of Optical Imaging3
ECE 605Semiconductor Photonic Devices3
ECE 606Microfabrication3
ECE 632VLSI Systems3
ECE 643BioNanotechnology3
Remaining credits may be taken from 600/700 level courses in ECE, CS, MTH, or any other department in consultation with the academic advisor.6
Select Thesis or Non-Thesis Option6
Thesis Option:
Master's Thesis
Research in Residence
Continuous Registration--Master's Study
Non-Thesis Option:
Any 600- or 700-Level ECE Courses
Total Credit Hours30

Cybersecurity Option

Required Courses for Cybersecurity Option
ECE 676Internet and Intranet Security3
CSC 609Data Security and Cryptography3
ECE 673Information Assurance3
ECE 785Advanced Problems in CyberSecurity3
Electives (Select a minimum of 9 credit hours) 1,29-12
Random Signals and Noise
Communication Networks
Agent Technology
Digital Forensics
Data Mining
Network Security
Pattern Recognition and Neural Networks
Introduction to Parallel Computing
Parallel Algorithms
Select Thesis or Non-Thesis Option6
Thesis Option:
Master's Thesis
Research in Residence
Continuous Registration--Master's Study
Non-Thesis Option:
Any 600- or 700-Level ECE Courses
Total Credit Hours30

1 Remaining credits may be taken from 600/700 level courses in ECE, CS, MTH, or any other department in consultation with the academic advisor. 

2 Additional Elective Course Areas: Legal Issues (Digital Evidence and Analysis, Privacy, Legal Response/Responsibilities, Policies)

Mission

The MS program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is designed to prepare students for both of the following:

  • Advanced academic degrees leading to successful careers in teaching and research; and
  • Rewarding and productive careers in industrial and government research positions. 

Student Learning Outcomes

  • The graduate will be able to exhibit broad understanding and mastery of the basic corpus of knowledge representing the discipline. They should be able to apply in their work 1) advanced mathematical principle and 2) advanced knowledge of science and engineering.
  • The student will leave the university with the ability to apply critical thinking to complex engineering problems. This means that they should be able to 1) identify advanced engineering problems and address then, and 2) demonstrate proficiency in critically analyzing and solving advanced engineering problems.
  • The students will demonstrate proficiency in conveying the results of their work both in terms of written communication and convincing oral presentation.