Graduate Degree Programs
in Electrical Engineering

Degrees Offered

Graduate programs of the Department of Electrical Engineering emphasize research-oriented graduate study through the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program and professional development through the Master of Engineering (M.E.) program. Some students may also be admitted to the research-oriented Master of Science (M.S.) program, but applicants should be aware that both financial assistance and the availability of faculty to supervise research are decided on a competitive basis. The highest priority will be given to the highest caliber of students pursuing doctoral studies.

APOGEE (A Program of Graduate Engineering Education) provides a mechanism for qualified engineers to earn an M.E. degree while maintaining full-time employment. The program delivers graduate courses through a media-based system incorporating television, videotapes, internet, digital video, and periodic visits to campus.

Graduates in electrical engineering can look forward to competing successfully for careers in academia, industry, and government laboratories.

Admission

Admission is competitive. At a minimum, prospective students are expected to meet all of the entry requirements of the Graduate School of the University of South Carolina, and also to have an earned baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering (or a related field), with at least a B average. Students applying to the PhD and MS programs are required to take the GRE and should have scores higher than 500 (verbal), 700 (quantitative), and 3.0 (analytical). Admitted students generally score well above these minimums. Students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores of at least 570 (80 computer-based score). (Entry requirements subject to change. Please check the Graduate School page shown below under admissions process for the latest information.)

Prospective students should apply to the program of their choice (M.E., M.S., or Ph.D.) but realize that selection will be competitive, that the number of spaces available is limited, and that the highest priority for research-oriented degrees and assistantships will be given to students applying for Ph.D. studies.

Application Process

All applications must be submitted to the Graduate School of the University of South Carolina. Click below for more information on the admissions application process:

Graduate School - Future Students Information

Application Deadlines

For students seeking assistantships

• Spring semester: September 1
• Summer or Fall semester: March 1

For students not seeking assistantships

• Spring semester: November 15
• Summer or Fall semester: July 1

Fields of Specialization

Research topics in Electrical Engineering include but are not limited to:

• Power systems
• Power electronics
• Simulation environments for power electronics and interdisciplinary systems
• Microwave power amplifier and MOS devices based on wide bandgap semiconductors
• Growth device processing, and characterization of wide bandgap (SiC and GanN) semiconductors
• Nanoelectronics
• Electromagnetic scattering
• Wireless communication applications
• Outdoor and indoor wave propagation
• Millimeter-wave integrated circuits
• Microwave and antenna design
• Electronic packaging

Faculty Research Interests

The members of the faculty have individual areas of interest. Students interested in selecting an advisor and an advisory committee can find information on the research interests of the facuty by looking at their individual pages here: EE Faculty

Degree Requirements

Masters of Science (M.S.) Degree Program

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program comprises, at a minimum, 6 hours of thesis preparation and 24 hours of graduate coursework, at least half of which must be taken in ELCT courses numbered at the 700 level or above. The program of study, which defines each student’s particular degree plan, must be approved by his or her thesis advisor and by the Graduate Director. Each student must select (by mutual agreement) a thesis advisor as early in the program as possible, certainly no later than the end of the first semester for full-time students.

Masters of Engineering (M.E.) Degree Program

The Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree is a non-thesis graduate degree for practicing engineers. The professional M.E. degree requires 30 hours of course work beyond the B.S., at least half of which must be taken in ELCT courses numbered at the 700 level or above.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) Program

The general requirements for the Ph.D. degree are equivalent to those of the Graduate School. The course work requirement is established by the student's committee, but a minimum of 48 hours beyond the B.S. degree is required. The doctoral residency requirement may be satisfied only after admission to a doctoral degree program and must be fulfilled by enrollment in at least 18 graduate credit hours within a span of three consecutive semesters (excluding summers). Enrollment in a summer term is not required to maintain continuity, but credits earned during summer terms will count towards residency. After acceptance into the program, Admission to Candidacy in the Ph.D. program requires satisfactory completion of a qualifying examination, a research proposal, and at least 12 hours of graduate work beyond the B.S.