Electrical and Computer Engineering (MECE)

Description

The Electrical Engineering graduate program at the University of Detroit Mercy focuses on you, the student. You'll get personal attention in small classes and research seminars from faculty who place teaching first. Our relevant and practical research and close connections with industry help create an exciting learning environment that will guarantee your success. In addition, many of our full-time graduate students obtain paid internships in local industry during their graduate program.

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers two graduate degrees:

The graduate degrees allow for specializations in one of three areas:

  • Computer Engineering
  • Robotics and Mechatronic Systems
  • Signals and Systems
Program Strengths
  • Graduate Co-op Program: Qualified individuals can choose to work in a paid position in industry on either alternating semesters or during the summer semesters. A rich variety of advanced engineering opportunities are available in the Southeastern Michigan region.
  • Design and Project Oriented: Participate in exciting hands-on projects that integrate theory and application. For example, students regularly work on the design and development of an internationally competitive autonomous vehicle to participate in the International Ground Vehicle Competition (www.IGVC.org).
  • Student publications: In many of our graduate courses and in some undergraduate classes students develop poster and paper presentations for their project work which are regularly submitted and accepted for publication in regional and national venues (SPIE, IEEE EIT, etc.).
  • Student Centered: Take advantage of small class sizes and opportunities for one-on-one contact with professors. Most courses include opportunities to work in teams and advance the professional and personal skills so vital to long term career success in industry.

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    Admission Requirements

    Students may enter the Master of Electrical & Computer Engineering program in one of two ways:

    Traditional Students

    Traditional students must apply for the graduate program online through the admissions webpage. Typical minimum requirements include an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited university. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are not required but encouraged.

    5-Year Bachelor/Master Students

    The 5-year Bachelor/Master Degree program is designed to enable completion of both the Bachelor of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Master of Electrical & Computer Engineering degrees in five calendar years and extend elements of a student's undergraduate financial aid package to cover the master's degree (open to Detroit Mercy undergraduates in electrical and computer engineering with a GPA of at least 3.25). The program allows qualified University Bachelor of Electrical & Computer Engineering students to take up to two graduate level courses during their final three academic semesters that will meet undergraduate degree requirements while also accruing course credits toward their graduate degree. More information on the 5-year BEE-MECE program can be found in the ECE Department’s graduate program brochure.

    All graduate courses in the program are offered in the late afternoon and evening in order to accommodate those already in the work force.

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    Degree Requirements (30 credit hours)

    The Master of Electrical & Computer Engineering may be completed by either a thesis or a non-thesis plan. Students must complete required courses and electives as specified below.

    Thesis Option

    The thesis plan includes 24 credit hours of coursework, 6 credit hours of thesis, and an oral presentation of the thesis to the departmental thesis committee and the public. Acceptance in the thesis degree option requires demonstration of strong academic performance and the ability to secure a thesis supervision agreement with one of the ECE Department faculty members.

    Non-Thesis Option

    The non-thesis plan consists of 30 credit hours of coursework. A student's plan of study must consist of no fewer than six courses form the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

    Specialization Areas - for flexibility and focus

    Students can complete the M.ECE Degree in EE with specializations in Signal and Systems, Computer Engineering or Robotics and Mechatronics Systems.  

    Specialization in Signals and Systems

    The signals and systems specialization provides a background in digital signal and image processing, and control systems. The advent of high-speed specialized digital signal processor and FPGA integrated circuits has spurred rapid development in this area (cellular phones, software radios, CD and DVD players, and HDTV systems). The subsequent demand for specialists in this field has created excellent career opportunities. Students completing this program will have both the theoretical background and practical experience to design and develop quality products in this market.

    Required courses for Signals and Systems Specialization

    • ELEE 5880 Digital Signal Processing I (3 credits)
    • ELEE 5580 Advanced Electronics (3 credits) or
    • ELEE 5500 Automotive Electronics (3 credits) or
    • ELEE 5760 Digital Control Theory (3 credits) or
    • ELEE 5700 Controls II (3 credits)

    Other courses may be substituted with permission of the advisor depending on prior preparation and offerings available.

    Computer Engineering Specialization

    The computer engineering specialization is a program focused on the design and development of embedded computer/control and wireless smart sensor systems. This focus uniquely addresses the needs of the Bioelectric, Wireless Communications, Multimedia, Aerospace and Automotive communities. The program seeks to provide students with the ability to design real-time distributed microcontroller-based systems. Career opportunities in this area are excellent.

    Required courses for Computer Engineering Specialization

    • ELEE 5086 Introduction to Microprocessors (3 credits) (if not taken as Undergraduate)
    • ELEE 5087 Introduction to Microcontrollers Lab (1 credits) (if not taken as Undergraduate)
    • ELEE 5770 Embedded Systems (3 credits)
    • ELEE 5790 Embedded Systems Laboratory (1 credits)
    • ELEE 5800 Computer Organization & Architecture (3 credits)

    Other courses may be substituted with permission of the advisor or chairperson depending on the student's prior preparation.

    Robotics and Mechatronics Specialization

    Robotics, the combination of sensing, computation and actuation in the real world, is experiencing rapid growth. This growth is driven by the decreased cost and increased availability of advanced sensors, high-performance computing devices and actuators, and by national needs for self-driving vehicles, defense and security, elder care, automation of household tasks, customized manufacturing, and interactive entertainment. The robotics specialization at Detroit Mercy is structured to integrate three elements of robotics: Computation, Sensing, and Action. These three elements thus define the courses and projects as students explore Perception, Cognition, Control and Dynamics as well as experiential areas related to environment interaction such as Learning, Power Systems and Mechatronics (embedded systems, sensors and actuators).

    Mechatronics Engineering is a modern discipline that transcends the boundaries between Embedded Systems, Electronics, Controls, Mechanisms, and Actuator design. Mechatronics Engineering is commonly defined as "The discipline that focuses on the design and control of electromechanical devices" or "the integration of electronics, control engineering and mechanical engineering." The faculty of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, in cooperation with the Mechanical Engineering department, has designed an innovative world-class Robotics and Mechatronics Systems program that offers a balance of Electrical, Computer, Software, and Mechanical engineering content with a focus on Embedded Systems design and Computational Intelligence. Career opportunities can be found in the Aerospace, Biomedical, and Automotive fields among many others.

    Required courses for Robotics Specialization

    • ELEE 5086 Introduction to Microcontrollers (3 credits) (if not taken as Undergraduate)
    • ELEE 5087 Introduction to Microcontrollers Lab (1 credits) (if not taken as Undergraduate)
    • ENGR 5520 Real-Time Control Systems (3 credits)
    • ELEE 5200 Autonomous Mobility Robotics (3 credits)
    • ENGR 5790 Mechatronics: Modeling and Simulation (3 credits)

    Other courses may be substituted with permission of the advisor or Department Chairperson depending on prior preparation and offerings available.

    Elective Courses

    Elective Courses for Master in ECE (M.ECE) can be selected from any ELEE 5000-level courses for all specializations. Other courses can be selected from ENGR, ENT, MTH, CSSE, MENG with advisor approval.

Program Contact Information

Chairperson: Nizar Al-Holou
Engineering 330/331
Telephone: (313) 993-3365
Fax: (313) 993-1187
E-mail: ece_chair@udmercy.edu

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