Program: Electrical and Computer Engineering, M.S. - Fresno State

Apr 04, 2025

General Catalog 2024-2025

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Master of Science in ECE program has the following goals: (1) to develop the students’ advanced analytical skills by developing an in-depth understanding of major theoretical and practical engineering concepts; (2) to develop students’ written and oral communication skills applied to technical areas; (3) to achieve an appropriate level of competence by the students in solving practical electrical or computer engineering problems; (4) to develop students’ critical and creative thinking skills in mastering new topics required to understand and solve complex engineering problems; and (5) to allow the students to demonstrate a sufficient depth of knowledge in a substantive area of electrical or computer engineering to pursue advanced academic or industrial work.

Program Objectives

The program has the following objectives: (1) to complete a minimum of 30 units of graduate coursework, (2) to successfully demonstrate knowledge base in culminating experience, and (3) to enhance the students’ career goals by increasing their theoretical, research, and problem-solving skills in applied engineering.

Program Requirements

Fundamental Courses (12 units):

ENGR 200 - Seminar in Engineering Units: 1
ECE 201 - Systems Modeling and Realization Units: 2

Select 9 Units From:

ECE 224 - Advanced Signals and Systems Units: 3
ECE 231 - Digital Control Systems Units: 3
ECE 241 - Applied Electromagnetics Units: 3
ECE 245 - Communications Engineering Units: 3
ECE 240 - VLSI Circuits and Systems Units: 3
ECE 242 - Digital Systems Testing and Testable Design Units: 3
ECE 253 - Power Systems Dynamics Units: 3
ECE 274 - High Performance Computer Architecture Units: 3
ECE 278 - Embedded System Design Units: 3

Choose From the Following (12 - 18 units)

Up to six units may be taken from ECE 100-level courses which are not required for a BS degree in the ECE department
Up to six units of 200-level courses in program related subjects (Business, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science) may be taken with the graduate coordinator’s approval.
200-level ECE courses (Course prerequisites must have been completed before enrolling in the course).

Culminating Experience (0 - 6 units)

Select one:

ECE 299 - Thesis Units: 3-6
ECE 298 - Project Units: 3
Comprehensive Exam Units: 0

University and Program Admission

Requirements for admission to California State University, Fresno are in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations. Admission to Fresno State follows the requirements for admission in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations.

Students who apply to the program are placed in one of the following categories:

Graduate Standing, Classified. Students with (a) an undergraduate degree in electrical or computer engineering discipline from a recognized program, (b) a good academic record and undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, (c) a minimum GRE quantitative score of 150 (d) a letter of recommendation from an academic or an industrial source.
Graduate Standing, Conditionally Classified. Electrical and computer engineering students with 2.5 GPA from ABET accredited or students with a degree in physical science or mathematics or a different engineering discipline, and who have not met the requirements of category 1, will be given conditionally classified graduate standing. These students may be required to take prerequisite courses and/or achieve a certain GPA as determined by the graduate program at the time of admission. Upon satisfactorily meeting all specified requirements, students will then be advanced to classified standing.

Degree Candidacy

The following requirements must be met prior to advancement to candidacy: (1) Classified graduate standing, (2) Completion of at least 10 units of the degree program with a 3.0 average GPA on completed courses listed on the application for advancement candidacy, (3) Departmental recommendation for advancement to candidacy, and (4) Satisfactory completion of Graduate Writing Skills Requirement (ENGR 200 ).

Non-degree students with a bachelor’s degree may take graduate courses (concurrent with regular students) for credit or audit. Prior approval is required.