Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE)

CIP Code: 14.1001

Program Description:

The MSEE degree program is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in electronics and embedded system engineering, with an emphasis on the Internet of Things (IoT). Through the learning process, the students not only acquire knowledge in modern electronics and embedded system technologies but also cultivate abilities in designing, simulating, and integrating the engineering subjects learned. They are encouraged to apply their knowledge and skills to course projects that match industry trends.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students graduating with an MSEE degree are expected to demonstrate the following program learning outcomes-

  • Written Communication & Critical Thinking - Create reports for engineering projects that demonstrate an advanced level of proficiency and evidence-based decision making ability.
  • Specialized Knowledge & Written/Oral Communication - Apply the specialized skills relevant to graduate level work to examine problems, synthesize the data/information, and communicate the requirements and the solutions effectively.
  • Quantitative Reasoning - Prepare engineering prototype models, conduct experiments, collect measurements, analyze the data, and effectively interpret the results.
  • Information Literacy - Demonstrate the expertise and resourcefulness in utilizing multiple sources of information to research and strategize solutions necessary to complete engineering projects.
  • Integrative Learning, Problem Solving & Creative Thinking - Produce robust hardware/software solutions to meet industry needs in the modern technology areas by utilizing existing technology in a novel manner.

Background Preparation:

Students admitted into the MSEE degree program are required to have a bachelor's degree (BS / BA / BE) in electrical or in another field with a sufficient background in engineering, mathematics and science, including coursework and/or experience equivalent to (as deemed appropriate by the Academic team) all the following subjects:

  • Mathematics: Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Statistics/Probability;
  • Sciences: Physics;
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering Subjects: C Programming, Python Programming, Circuit Theory, and Logic Design.

Additional documents and/or an interview may be requested by the Academic team to assess and validate the qualification of an applicant who did not complete an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering.

A student who lacks any of the background preparation requirements listed above is expected to clear them by either (1) taking the course at SFBU or another approved institution/organization that is comparable in subject matter, quality, and rigor as SFBU and earning a grade of at least C or higher, or (2) taking and passing a proficiency exam on the subject. The student must clear background preparation requirements before acceptance to the MSEE program.

MSEE Curriculum

A minimum of 36 semester units of graduate study are required for the MSEE program. They include a few required foundation courses, a number of engineering courses based on the student’s selection of technical pursuit, a required capstone course, and electives. The engineering coursework in the ranges of electronics and computer engineering will develop technical skills beneficial to the student for career planning. The student also has the opportunity to take elective courses outside of the electronics or computer engineering areas to broaden the student’s skillset.

The student must meet prerequisite requirements when taking any course. Upon clearing background preparation work, the student starts to take courses to meet the degree requirements. The student must begin his/her graduate study with the subjects listed in the Foundation Requirements section.

I. Foundation Requirements (11 units)
(Required subjects)

CE450G Fundamentals of Embedded Engineering
CE450LG Embedded Engineering Lab
EE461G Digital Design and HDL
EE461LG Digital Design and HDL Lab
EE488G Computer Architecture

II. Engineering Course Requirements (12 units)

The student is advised to consider industry trends when selecting electronics and computer engineering courses. Before taking the Capstone Course near the end of the program, the student will take a minimum of 12 units of graduate level engineering courses and 12 units of electives. Choices of field of study include the following: Internet of Things (IoT), embedded systems, multi-core computing, and modern IC technologies.

The following are examples of cluster courses for each area of interest area:

Internet of Things (IoT) and Embedded Systems:

EE517 Introduction to the Internet of Things (IoT)
CE521 Real-time Systems and Programming
CE522 Embedded Design in Networking Environment
CE523 Embedded Design in Device Driver Environment
CE530 Embedded Software Design in Linux

Multi-core Computing:

EE504 Advanced Computer Architecture
EE553 System on Chip (SoC) Design

Modern IC Technologies:

EE505 Advanced Digital IC Design
EE511 Advanced Analog IC Design
EE520 Advanced FPGA Design and Implementations
EE577 Design Verification with System Verilog

Each semester when the course offering list is published, instructions on graduate level courses belonging to various areas of interest are also published along with the course offering list. Every graduate student is advised to refer to these instructions to select courses and build his/her expertise area. In addition, a cross disciplinary study of engineering areas of interest can be desirable as the fast-changing electronics and computer industries have become more demanding on engineers to have multidisciplinary skillsets.

III. Electives (10 units)

The student may take any graduate-level courses, even outside of engineering, to meet the electives requirement of 10 units. When applicable, the student may take Curricular Practicum courses and engage in practical training to work on company projects that are directly related to the student’s field of study. No more than 6 units of practicum coursework may be counted towards degree requirements.

IV. Capstone Course (3 units)
(A required subject)

Upon completing all or most of the coursework for this program, the student is required to take the capstone course and, under the guidance of the course instructor, integrate the knowledge and skills learned from all of the courses taken during the program.

EE595 Electrical Engineering Capstone Course