Engineering - Electrical, Computer and Systems (MSE)

General Requirements

1. ETCS Graduate Programs 
2. PFW Office of Graduate Studies 
3. Purdue University Office of Graduate Studies
4. Graduate Catalog Regulations & Policies  

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 Learning Outcomes

The graduates from the Master of Science in Engineering program with concentration areas in Electrical, Computer, or Systems Engineering will:

1.      Be able to identify, analyze, and solve complex engineering problems, and apply advanced engineering design to create solutions that address specified needs while considering public health, safety, welfare, and global, cultural, environmental, and economic factors.

2.      Demonstrate ethical research and professional conduct consistent with Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) principles (e.g., integrity, data stewardship, authorship, collaboration, conflict-of-interest management) and show civic responsibility by evaluating the societal impacts of engineering decisions and contributing their expertise to support community welfare and democratic values.

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.

Graduates of the MSE program must complete the CITI RCR Basic training. The RCR certificate confirmation email must be sent to the Graduate Program Director when applying for graduation.

The CITI Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Basic Training provides foundational instruction in the ethical and professional standards expected of researchers across engineering, science, and related fields. The course is designed to promote research integrity and prepare graduate students to conduct scholarly and applied research responsibly.

The training covers core RCR topic areas, including:

·         Research Integrity and Misconduct (honesty, accuracy, objectivity; fabrication, falsification, plagiarism)

·         Data Management and Stewardship (acquisition, storage, sharing, ownership, security)

·         Authorship and Publication Practices (authorship criteria, plagiarism avoidance, responsible reporting)

·         Mentor-Mentee Responsibilities (expectations, communication, professional development)

·         Collaborative Research Ethics (roles, communication, accountability in team research)

·         Peer Review Ethics (confidentiality, objectivity, conflict-of-interest considerations)

·         Conflicts of Interest and Commitment (disclosure, management strategies)

·         Human Subjects and Animal Research Overviews (key protections and regulatory frameworks)

Completion of the CITI RCR Basic course equips students with the ethical framework necessary to conduct research that upholds academic, professional, and societal standards. For more information about CITI RCR training, please visit the Purdue OGSPS website:
https://www.purdue.edu/academics/ogsps/professional-development/responsible-conduct-of-research-rcr/

Major and Supporting Courses Required for the MSE

Thesis Option or General Graduate Electives (6 credits)

A student can opt to complete 6 credits of Thesis or 6 general graduate elective credits.

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

Notes:

• 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
• 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.