Dec 26, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Engineering - Electrical, Computer and Systems (MSE)


Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering  
College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science

Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science Building 327 ~ 260-481-6362


The Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) is designed to meet the needs of motivated engineers seeking to advance their careers. The following concentrations are currently offered:

  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Systems Engineering

Program Delivery:

  • The MSE program is delivered primarily through on-campus courses; however, the opportunity to take some courses on-line through the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University does exist.  Students are strongly encouraged to discuss this option with their advisor beforehand.  In order to meet the needs of both our full-time students and working adults, most of the graduate level courses are offered in late afternoon or evenings.

Declaring this Major:

Applicants to the MSE program should have ideally graduated from an approved, accredited engineering program with a Bachelor of Science degree in their selected area of specialization with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree in the physical sciences, computer science, mathematics or technology will also be considered for admission.

Formal admission to the MSE program requires a Bachelor of Science degree as well as:

  • Completion of the engineering mathematics sequence which includes calculus, multivariate calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations
  • Completion of at least two semesters of calculus-based physics
  • Completion of all undergraduate engineering courses that are the prerequisites to the graduate courses on the student’s Plan of Study 

These requirements are in addition to the standard admission requirements of the Purdue Graduate School.

Application Process:

 

College Scorecard


The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs.  The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings.  Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program.  That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more:

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=1401&fos_credential=5

Program Requirements


To earn an MSE degree, students are required to complete 30 credits of course work with overall GPA of 3.0 or above.  Course requirements are flexible allowing students to tailor their program to specific career goals.

The students must complete a Plan of Study before the start of the graduating semester to document their intended curriculum.

Major and Supporting Courses Required for the MSE


Engineering Electives


Students must take six (6) credits of engineering graduate-level courses that are consistent with their educational objectives.

Engineering, Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Technology Electives


Students are required to take six (6) credits of graduate-level course work in engineering, mathematics, statistics, computer science, or technology that are consistent with their educational objectives.

Note: Some statistics and computer science courses are not appropriate for certain concentration areas. Please make sure to discuss this with your advisor before enrolling in a statistics course.

General Graduate Electives


Students are required to choose six (6) credits of other graduate-level courses in consultation with their advisor.

Appropriate areas for coursework include:

  • Engineering
  • Physics
  • Math
  • Computer Science
  • Business
  • Organizational Leadership

Thesis Option (6 credits)


A student can opt to replace 6 general graduate elective credits with thesis research. To take advantage of this option, the student must prepare a thesis proposal and gain departmental approval prior to signing up for thesis credits in ECE 69800 for Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering concentrations, or in SE 69800 for Systems Engineering Concentration.

Core and Concentration Courses Required for the MSE


Students are required to earn 12 credit hours of coursework in their concentration area.

Please note that other ECE 50000-level and above courses may also be considered as core courses with the approval of the major advisor (non-thesis option) or the advisory committee (thesis option).

Program Transfer Credit Limits


No more than 12 credit hours can be transferred to Purdue University Fort Wayne from the following:

  • Credits earned from another university
  • Credits earned as undergraduate excess
  • Credits earned as a post-baccalaureate student
  • Credits earned for a graduate certificate

Note:

  • The total number of credits, earned as either an undergraduate or in post-baccalaureate status, that can be transferred to the M.S.E. program is limited to 12 credit hours
  • Undergraduate or graduate courses that have been used to satisfy the requirements for another degree cannot be used to satisfy the M.S.E. degree
  • The choice of Engineering/MA/STAT/ACS/CS/Technology and general elective courses must be approved by the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering in advance via the student’s Plan of Study
  • Below is a non-exhaustive list of graduate courses that MSE students cannot include in their Plan of Study:
    • STAT 51100 (Statistical Methods)
    • STAT 51600 (Basic Probability and Applications)
    • STAT 51900 (Introduction to Probability)
    • CS 59000 (Python Programming for Data Analytics)

Please note that Independent Study type of courses (e.g., certain CS 59000 and MA 59800 courses) cannot be included in the Plan of Study unless approved by the faculty advisor (non-thesis option) or the advisory committee (thesis option).

Each semester the ECE Department will put a registration hold on all MSE students. MSE students need to send their advisors a list of courses they plan to take next semester and get the approval before this department hold can be removed.

Teaching Assistantships


A limited number of graduate teaching assistantships are available to qualified students.  Teaching assistantships usually include a stipend and substantial fee remission.  Teaching assistants typically teach one or two undergraduate courses per semester.

Interested students will need to speak with the program director for availability.

Student Responsibility


Student Responsibility

You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study.    All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the Graduate Director.

Registration & Advising

Each semester the ECE Department will put a registration hold on all MSE students. MSE students need to send their advisors a list of courses they plan to take the next semester and get the approval before this department hold can be removed.


Students should prepare a Registration Advising Form, discuss with their faculty advisor about the courses to be taken in the coming semester and their progress towards their plan of study. Once the faculty advisor approves the courses, the completed Registration Advising Form should be returned to the administrative assistant, who then will lift the hold and the students will be able to register online.