Master of Science (MS) Degree Requirements
Master of Science (MS) Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree is offered in Electrical and Computer Engineering with two options: research track (thesis) and project track (non-thesis). A minimum of 30 Graduate credit hours is required to earn a master’s degree. A student must be registered for at least three (3) graduate credit hours in the semester graduation is expected. Students must submit an advisor-approved MS Plan of Study within the first semester. The deadlines are spread throughout the semester based on the first letter of your last/family name. See the deadlines in the chart below. Send your Faculty Advisor-approved MS Plan of Study to the Master's Program Coordinator during the assigned time frame or your due date.
MS Project Path (Non-Thesis): 30-credit min. |
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Letter-graded Graduate Courses = 5000+ graduate level | 24- credit min.
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ECE Graduate Courses: 15-credit min which includes 3 credits of ECE 6070, and 6 credits of 6000-level or above | |
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ECE 6070 (Project Management): 3 credits, mandatory within the first 2 semesters, and does not count as an advanced course |
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6000+ advanced level | Advanced-level courses: 6-credit min | ||
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Related Courses: 9-credit max (engineering, biological sciences, physics, math, chemistry, business, economics, ACCAD, and stats). | ||
Submit an advisor-approved MS Plan of Study within the first semester. |
Deadlines based on last family name letter: A-H: Aug. 26-Sept. 27, J-R: Sept. 30-Oct.25, S-Z: Oct. 25-Nov. 22 |
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PHILOS 7080: Engineering Ethics |
1 credit |
(Waived for those who passed ECE 3080 or PHILOS 1332) | |
Individual Studies: ECE 6193 |
5-credit max. optional |
The Individual Studies max increases by 1 credit when PHILOS 7080 is waived for a total of 6 credits max. | |
MS Non-Thesis Exam or Project Report: consult faculty advisor for format (verbal, written, etc.) |
Project Requirements |
Before starting, your advisor may want a 1-page project proposal submitted for approval |
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Enrollment in at least 3 graduate credits in the graduation semester is required. Two faculty, a faculty advisor, and one other faculty member evaluate the non-thesis or project results |
The Non-Thesis Project Path requires at least 30 graduate credits with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and a satisfactory evaluation by a faculty committee of a non-thesis project submitted in the semester of graduation.
Requirements include at least 30 graduate credits and non-thesis project submission:
- At least 24 credits must be letter-graded (graded A-D), of which
- At least 15 credits must be ECE courses one of which is ECE 6070 (Project Management) 3 credits, plus at least 6 credits of ECE 6000 level or above, completed at OSU. ECE 6070 (Project Management) does not count as an advanced requirement
- A maximum of 9 credits are allowed in a related field such as engineering, biological sciences, physics, math, chemistry, business, economics, ACCAD and statistics with advisor approval
- ECE 6070 is mandatory within the first two semesters of beginning the graduate program
- One (1) credit of ECE or PHILOS 7080, Ethics and Professionalism which is S/U or non-letter graded
- A maximum of five (5) credits of Individual Studies credit (ECE 6193) is permitted S/U or non-letter graded. OSU BS grads that have passed ECE 3080 or PHILOS 1332 are automatically exempt and the individual study maximum increases by one (1) credit
- Satisfactory performance of a non-thesis project submitted in the semester of graduation
*ENGR 5901 and 5902 will count toward ECE 6193 individual studies only
The non-thesis project evaluation is conducted by the student’s M.S. committee, consisting of the faculty advisor and at least one other faculty member. Consult your faculty advisor regarding the submission format.
Important: Note that before starting the non-thesis project, check with the faculty advisor to clarify expectations. In addition, some students may be required to submit a one-page project proposal to their advisor for approval. Consult with your faculty advisor regarding the format of project results (written report, etc.).
Submit the MS Graduation Checkout form in the final semester.
MS Thesis Path: 30-credit min. |
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Letter-graded Graduate Courses 5000+ graduate level 6000+ advanced level |
18- credit min. |
ECE Graduate Courses: 9-credit min. |
Adv. ECE Grad Courses: 6-credit min |
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Related Courses: 9-credit max (engineering, biological sciences, physics, math, chemistry, business, economics, ACCAD, and stats) |
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Submit an advisor-approved MS Plan of Study within the first semester.
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Deadlines based on last family name letter: A-H: Aug. 26-Sept. 27, J-R: Sept. 30-Oct.25, S-Z: Oct. 25-Nov. 22 |
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PHILOS 7080 Engineering Ethics (Waived for those who passed ECE 3080 or PHILOS 1332) |
1 credit |
The Individual Studies max increases by 1 credit. Submit the MS Graduation Checkout Form during the final semester |
ECE 6999: Thesis Research |
10 credits minimum |
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ECE 6193: Individual Studies | 1 credit max.-optional | |
MS Thesis Exam and Final Document |
Thesis Requirements |
Two faculty evaluate the defense of the thesis (oral exam) and final document |
Enrollment in at least 3 graduate credits in the graduation semester is required |
TheThesis Path requires at least 30 graduate credits with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and a satisfactory evaluation by a faculty committee of a thesis oral defense and thesis document submitted in the semester of graduation.
Requirements include at least 30 graduate credits and thesis oral defense and thesis document submission:
- A satisfactory thesis represented by at least 10 credits of ECE 6999: Thesis Research
- At least 18 credits must be letter-graded (graded A-D), of which
- At least 9 credits must be ECE courses including at least 6 credits of ECE 6000, or above, advanced-level classes, completed at Ohio State
- A maximum of 9 credits are allowed in a related field such as engineering, biological sciences, physics, math, chemistry, business, economics, ACCAD, and statistics with advisor approval
- One (1) credit of ECE or PHILOS 7080, Ethics and Professionalism which is S/U or non-letter graded. This is waived for OSU undergrads who passed PHILOS 3080 or PHILOS 1332
- Maximum of one (1) credit of non-letter graded (S/U) graduate credits of ECE 6193: Individual Studies which is optional.
- Satisfactory performance of a non-thesis project submitted in the semester of graduation
*ENGR 5901 and 5902 will count toward ECE 6193 individual studies only
The thesis exam and document evaluation are conducted by the student’s M.S. committee, consisting of the faculty advisor and at least one other faculty member.
Submit the MS Graduation Checkout form in the final semester.
Time Limit: Both the thesis and non-thesis M.S. programs have a six (6) year time limit for completion. A petition can be submitted if an extension is needed.
Satisfactory Performance: Graduate students are required to maintain good standing which means a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and completing courses toward the degree.
Requirement of Advanced ECE Course of the M.S. Degree: Six credits of letter-graded advanced ECE courses are required for the M.S. degree. Advanced level is defined as ECE courses numbered at 6000 or higher, excluding ECE 6070, and taken at Ohio State.
Transfer Credit: Not more than six graduate semester credits may be transferred from another institution.