This is a named option in the Electrical and Computer Engineering MS.

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department offers the Electrical and Computer Engineering MS-Research named option program which emphasizes the enhancement of professional knowledge and research techniques. 

The MS-Research program is intended for students who seek training in research and advanced concept development, and who want to pursue an in-depth research project with a faculty member. Students desiring the highest level of research training should apply to a PhD program; often a MS-Research degree is earned along the way to a PhD degree. 

A distinguishing feature of the MS-Research program, in comparison to ECE's other master's degree programs, is the preparation of a thesis or a project report based on a research problem. The MS-Research program typically takes 24 months to complete.

After completing the program, students will earn a diploma stating “Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering” and the transcript will include the indication "Named Option: Research." 

For more information on this specific degree plan, please visit the ECE website.

Admissions

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Fall Deadline December 15
Spring Deadline The program does not admit in the spring.
Summer Deadline This program does not admit in the summer.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Not required but may be considered if available.
English Proficiency Test Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241.
Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) n/a
Letters of Recommendation Required 3

Application Requirements

A submitted application is required, consisting of:

  • Resume/CV;
  • Statement of purpose; see the suggested guidelines provided by the Graduate School
  • The supplemental application section that identifies their research interest area
  • Most up to date unofficial transcript(s) from all previous higher education institutions, regardless of whether or not a degree was earned (official transcripts are requested of only recommended applicants); international academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation.
  • Test scores and three letters of recommendation as detailed above.

Applications must be entirely complete by the deadline, including test scores and letters of recommendation. Please note that it is highly advised to take the GRE and English proficiency tests well in advance of the application deadline in order to ensure time for receiving and processing of the scores. Please do not mail any paper copies of application materials, except IELTS scores. They will not be reviewed.

When an applicant submits an application, they are automatically also put in the pool to be considered for funding from the department. Funding decisions come directly from faculty members. However, funding is limited and never guaranteed. All admitted applicants should anticipate to fund themselves. Those selected for funding will be contacted separately and directly by Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty.

Information for international applicants, including proof of funding and visa information, can be found on the International Student Services website.

By Wisconsin state law, the application fee can only be waived or deferred under the conditions outlined by the Graduate School.

The department welcomes applications from scientific, engineering, and mathematical disciplines other than Electrical and Computer Engineering.

English Competency for Non-Native English Speakers

Effective written and oral communication is vital for a successful academic career. International students whose native language is not English will be required to take the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT), offered by the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program.

The English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) must be taken as soon as the student arrives at the university. The test is offered in the fall and spring during the week before the beginning of instruction. The English as a Second Language (ESL) home page has more information.

Based on English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) performance, specific English as a Second Language (ESL) courses may be recommended. These courses must be taken and passed within 12 months of the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT). Otherwise, the student will not be permitted to register during the third semester after entering the graduate program. Any English as a Second Language (ESL) courses numbered 300 or above can be counted towards graduate degree requirements but not toward Electrical and Computer Engineering course requirements. Completion of English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) and recommended courses is also a requirement for graduation of an international student whose native language is not English.

Students are exempt from taking the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT) if:

  • English is the exclusive language of instruction at the undergraduate institution; or
  • they have earned a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university not more than 5 years prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment; or
  • they have completed at least two full-time semesters of graded course work, exclusive of English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, in a U.S. college or university, or at an institution outside the U.S. where English is the exclusive language of instruction, not more than 5 years prior to the anticipated semester of enrollment.

Reentry Admissions

If you were previously enrolled as a graduate student at UW–Madison, but have had a break in enrollment for at least one fall or spring semester, you will need to apply to resume your studies.

For applicants previously enrolled in a graduate program other than Electrical and Computer Engineering, you must complete a new online application, including all materials, for admission.

For applicants previously enrolled in Electrical and Computer Engineering as a graduate student, you must complete a reentry application. Reentry applicants may apply for the fall term with a deadline of June 1.

In order to apply as a reentry applicant, you must:

  • complete the online application, including the personal information section, program and term selection, and supplementary application;
  • Provide the following documents to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Admissions Team (email located in contact information box)
    • CV/Resume
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Any new unofficial transcripts from previous higher education institutions
    • Three letters of recommendation if the break in enrollment equals or is greater than four semesters (fall, spring). Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly from recommender. 

Current Graduate Student Admissions

Applicants currently enrolled as a graduate student at UW-Madison, whether in or other than Electrical and Computer Engineering, wishing to apply to this degree program should contact the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Admissions Team (ecegradadmission@engr.wisc.edu) to inquire about the process and respective deadlines several months in advance of the anticipated enrollment term. Applicants currently enrolled may apply to change or add programs for any term (fall, spring, or summer).

Questions

Please review the frequently asked questions answered by the Graduate School here. 

If you have any admissions questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Admissions Team (email located in contact information box).

Funding

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

Students in the ECE MS-Research program are eligible for assistantships from ECE and other departments.

Research Assistantships (RA)

Students should contact professors in their area of interest. Professors decide whom they will appoint on their research grants.

Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Grader Positions

Current graduate students may apply for teaching assistantships or hourly grader positions via the ECE TA/Grader Portal (must have a NetID to access). If you are interested in applying for TA or grader position in a department other than ECE, please contact the respective department to ask about their own application process. Students currently holding a research assistant or fellowship position that are interested in teaching assistant positions should discuss options with their research advisor(s) before applying. 

International students who are non-native English speakers are required to pass the SPEAK Test through the English as a Second Language Program on campus. Students wishing to take the SPEAK Test should contact the ECE TA Coordinator via e-mail to register for the exam.

Project Assistantships (PA)

There are project assistant opportunities on campus for various purposes and departments and offices. Often announcements of openings are posted on TA/PA bulletin boards in Engineering Hall and on the UW Job Center webpage. You may also contact individual faculty members to inquire about possible opportunities. 

Fellowships

Information concerning fellowships is sent to graduate students via email from the department, faculty, and/or the Graduate School.

On This Page

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Named Option Requirements

Mode of Instruction

Face to Face Evening/Weekend Online Hybrid Accelerated
Yes No No No No

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement 30 credits
Minimum Residence Credit Requirement 23 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244.
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement 3.00 GPA required.
Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203.
Other Grade Requirements 1. A grade of B or better in any course is acceptable.
2. A grade of BC in an E C E course is acceptable, provided the total cumulative GPA for E C E courses is greater than or equal to 3.00.
3. A grade of BC or C in a non-E C E course is acceptable only if approved by the Graduate Committee.
Assessments and Examinations Students must complete either a thesis or project. Details about these two paths can be found below.
Language Requirements Non-native speakers of English who enroll in the MS program must take the ESLAT test on arrival at the university and then take any recommended courses based on the exam results. In addition, if a student's advisor believes that his or her technical writing ability needs improvement, the student may be required to undertake remedial work.

Required Courses

The E C E department requires 30 credits and does not apply E C E courses numbered 300-399 toward degree requirements.

Students must choose one of the paths of study below to fulfill the requirements for the Research option degree:

Thesis Path

Student must earn 30 graduate credits, attained with acceptable grades as defined on the Policies tab. Of these 30 credits, at least 15 must be in E C E courses numbered 400 or higher, and at least 15 must be in courses numbered 700 or higher. Courses numbered 300-399 in E C E and E C E 702 Graduate Cooperative Education Program are not acceptable. E C E 890 Pre-Dissertator's Research and E C E 990 Dissertator's Research are not applicable to the MS degree.

Of the 30 credits, a minimum of three and a maximum of nine credits must be in E C E 790 Master's Research. These E C E 790 credits are applicable toward both the 15 E C E credit requirement and the courses numbered 700 or above requirement. The combined number of credits in E C E 790, E C E 699 Advanced Independent Study, and E C E 999 Advanced Independent Study applied toward the degree may not exceed nine credits.

At the conclusion of the research program, a thesis must be prepared.  If the thesis is formally defended, then a thesis committee must consist of at least three members, two of whom must be graduate faculty or former graduate faculty up to one year after resignation or retirement.  If there is no formal defense, the thesis only needs to be approved by the student's graduate faculty advisor. 

If depositing through Memorial Library, the thesis must:

  1. conform to Graduate School and library formats, and
  2. be filed with the Memorial Library where it is cataloged and stacked for future reference (if required by the master’s thesis committee).

If submitting to Minds@UW, an electronic copy must be sent to the program's Graduate Student Services Coordinator, who will deposit it into Minds@UW, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Thesis Collection. The Minds@UW system will provide a permanent URL, safe long-term archiving and is indexed by Google, Google Scholar and other specialty academic search engines.

At the conclusion of the thesis, all grades of P (Progress) and I (Incomplete) in E C E 790 Master's Research are changed to either S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory) by the advisor. In the final semester, the student is required to check in with the program's Graduate Student Services Coordinator to start the degree warrant process by the announced deadline. 

Project Path

The Project Path consists of the same credit and course requirements as the Thesis Path. Students must complete a research project in consultation with a faculty advisor. At the conclusion of the project, a report is prepared. The research project is generally more limited in scope than a thesis and typically is not awarded as many credits. The report does not conform to Graduate School and library formats, but it must be typewritten. The student’s advisor must approve the report. No library or Minds@UW copy is required, but a copy may be requested by the faculty. In the final semester, the student is required to check in with the program's Graduate Student Services Coordinator to start the degree warrant process by the announced deadline

Seminar Requirement (E C E 610)

All on-campus program graduate students must register for E C E 610 Seminar in Electrical and Computer Engineering during their first fall semester of graduate studies. MS-degree seeking students must complete one credit of E C E 610 in the fall semester of which they are entering the program. Students with a course conflict with E C E 610 may defer taking the seminar by one year with faculty advisor approval.

E C E 610 prepares students for success in graduate school and exposes them to areas within electrical and computer engineering as well as related fields, such as biotechnology, physics, computer science, mathematics, or business. Electrical and computer engineering is interdisciplinary in nature, so it is important that students be aware of advanced research and development in areas other than their own.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Named Option-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

With program approval, UW-Madison courses numbered 400 or above may be transferred to fulfill the minimum graduate degree credit requirement, or E C E courses numbered 700 or above can be transferred to fulfill the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. No credits can be applied toward the minimum residence credit requirement. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

With program approval, credits from other institutions numbered 300 or above outside of E C E or numbered 400 or above within E C E can be transferred to
fulfill the minimum credit requirement. Transfer credits from other institutions must be equivalent to the rigor of UW-Madison courses numbered 300 and above. Prior coursework transfers will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the program. These credits cannot satisfy the 50% graduate coursework minimum nor the minimum residence credit requirement. To request evaluation of prior coursework, please contact the Graduate Student Services Coordinator. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison

With program approval, students may transfer coursework numbered 400 or above, taken as a UW–Madison University Special student, toward the minimum credit requirement. Courses numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the "Grad 50%" attribute may be applied toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

(Up to 7 credits total of prior coursework can be used from the categories above.)

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

A student’s Electrical and Computer Engineering academic advisor assists the student in acquiring the highest level possible of knowledge and competence in their field. Academic advisors play a role in tracking the student’s progress toward degree completion, assisting with course selection and academic planning, and helping students identify possible research mentors, committee members, and opportunities

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

ECE Grievance Procedures

Exceptions, Extensions, and Appeals

Petitions for exceptions to academic requirements are considered on an individual case-by-case basis and granted exceptions do not constitute a precedent. Deviations from established policies are strongly discouraged, but certain extenuating academic and personal circumstances may warrant exceptions. Petitions for course exceptions/substitutions, exceptions to the Satisfactory Progress Expectations (academic or conduct), or other policy exceptions shall be directed to the ECE Graduate Committee, and in some circumstances to the appropriate program coordinator. The following procedures apply to all petitions:

  1. Student must first consult with their advisor(s).

  2. Student is advised to also consult with the ECE Graduate Student Services Coordinator for additional advice.

  3. Student and advisor(s) must both submit written documentation requesting and explaining the petition to the ECE Graduate Student Services Coordinator:

  4. Identify the specific requirement/rule/expectation pertinent to the petition;

  5. Explain the rationale for petition and why it should be granted;

  6. Advisor(s) must support the petition.

The ECE Graduate Student Services Coordinator will forward the petition to the ECE Graduate Committee and appropriate program coordinator for adjudication. Student and advisor(s) will be notified of the ECE Graduate Committee’s decision and the note will be placed in the student’s file.

Please note that petitions for exceptions to clearly-defined program rules are rarely approved by the ECE Graduate Committee.

Progress Requirements

The ECE Graduate Committee may grant extensions to normal progress requirements in circumstances such as childbirth, adoption, significant responsibilities with respect to elder or dependent care obligations, disability or chronic illness, or circumstances beyond one’s personal control. Petitions for extensions should provide evidence of plans and ability to return to conformance with program expectations and to acceptably complete the program. Extensions beyond one semester will be granted only in the event of highly extraordinary circumstances. Extensions will be recorded with a note of explanation placed in the student’s file.

Students desiring confidentiality of their circumstances should consult with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

Appeal of Previous Decisions

Appeals of ECE Graduate Committee decisions may be pursued regarding any academic issue, including exceptions to program requirements, progress requirements, AGS and Qualifying Exam decisions.  Appeals will only be considered if the student provides new information that was not available to the ECE Graduate Committee at the time the original decision was made. Appeals must be submitted within one month of the date the student was notified of the ECE Graduate Committee action being appealed.

If the student believes their appeal was not appropriately handled or resolved by the ECE Department, the student may further appeal to the College of Engineering by contacting the Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs. Such appeals must be submitted within one month of the date the student was notified of the ECE Graduate Committee denial.

Grievances

The ECE Department, College of Engineering, and University of Wisconsin offer multiple avenues to resolve unfair or inappropriate treatment by faculty, staff, or another student. This includes hostile and intimidating research group climate, authorship disputes, unreasonable expectations, and disrespectful behavior.  The manner in which the grievance is handled depends on the nature of the issue and specific concerns of the aggrieved student. Graduate Assistants in TA, PA and/or RA appointments may utilize the Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP) grievance process to resolve employment-related issues. Examples of matters appropriate for the GAPP grievance process include allegations of excessive work hours, violations of sick days or vacation policies, or disputes regarding the assignment of duties.

In some cases the best approach is for the aggrieved student to discuss their concern directly with the person responsible for the objectionable action.

If the student is uncomfortable making direct contact with the other individual or desires a confidential consultation about their concern, they may contact the ECE Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, the ECE Grievance Advisor, or the College of Engineering Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs.  These individuals work to resolve the concern while being sensitive to student confidentiality. 

Change of advisor

Students who believe they are in a research environment that fails to meet ECE and College of Engineering standards for climate and culture should contact the ECE Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, the ECE Grievance Advisor, or the College of Engineering Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs for additional consultation.  They will work with the student to explore alternate advising arrangements and ensure continuity of financial support should the student need to leave the research group. Note that immigration status is NOT tied to a specific research advisor.

Formal Written Complaint Process

Issues that are not resolved to the student’s satisfaction may be pursued at the student’s discretion by submitting a written complaint to the ECE Grievance Advisor. The steps described below are based on the Definition and Procedure section of the Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP) Grievance Procedure.

Step One: The grievant must file a written statement with the ECE Grievance Advisor specifying the grievant’s name, a clear and concise statement of the grievance and the issue(s) involved, the date(s) the incident or violation took place and the specific departmental, college, or university policies involved, and the relief sought. The grievance shall be signed and dated by the grievant(s) and representative (if any).

Within twenty (20) days of receipt of the written grievance, the ECE Grievance Advisor will meet with the grievant and their representative (if chosen) to hear the grievance and will return a written answer to the grievant and their representative (if chosen) no later than ten (10) days after this meeting. This answer will include a copy of the grievance procedure appeal process timeline, a list of resources and relevant contact information for future steps.

Step Two:  If the decision in Step One is not accepted by the grievant, the grievant shall have 10 days from receipt of the answer in Step One to file an appeal with the College of Engineering Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs.  The Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs will meet with the grievant and their representative (if chosen) within twenty (20) days from receipt of the appeal of Step One and attempt to resolve the grievance.  The Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs will provide the grievant and their representative (if chosen) with a written response to the grievance no later than ten (10) days after this meeting.

Step Three:  If the decision in Step Two is not accepted by the grievant, the grievant shall have 10 days from the receipt of the answer in Step Two to file an appeal with the Graduate School as described in Grievances and Appeals.

Other

Funding is not guaranteed and applicants should be prepared to fund their degree. The department awards a small number of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, project assistantships, and fellowships each year. All applications are automatically considered for department funding. 

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Resources

UW–Madison, the College of Engineering, and ECE have an abundance of professional development opportunities for students to take advantage of in order to better prepare themselves for internships and job positions during and following their education. First of all, the ECE Department strongly encourages students to utilize the Graduate School's  professional development resources. Engineering Career Services (ECS) hosts multiple career fairs each semester where students can directly interact with prospective employers, schedule interviews, and find internships and full-time jobs. ECS also maintains job listings and hosts a variety of professional development workshops each semester. The ECE Department provides unique opportunities throughout the year for students to attend and participate in various lectures, workshops, and trainings. The ECE Graduate Student Association (GSA) organizes professional development opportunities for fellow students. Students are made aware of events and opportunities via email and other communications.

People

Professors

Susan Hagness (Chair)
Nader Behdad
Daniel Botez
Azadeh Davoodi (Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies)
John A. Gubner (Associate Chair for Operations)
Hongrui Jiang (Associate Chair for Graduate Studies)
Mikhail Kats
Irena Knezevic (Associate Chair for Academic Affairs)
Bernard Lesieutre
Daniel Ludois (Interim Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, Aug-Dec 2024)
Zhenqiang Ma
Luke J. Mawst
Robert Nowak
Umit Ogras
Parameswaran Ramanathan
Bulent Sarlioglu
William A. Sethares
Daniel van der Weide
Giri Venkataramanan
Amy E. Wendt
Zongfu Yu

Associate Professors

Kassem Fawaz (Associate Chair for Research)
Paul H. Milenkovic
Dimitris Papailiopoulos
Line Roald
Joshua San Miguel
Andreas Velten

Assistant Professors

Joseph Andrews
Jennifer Choy
Grigoris Chrysos
Jeremy Coulson
Dominic Gross
Chirag Gupta
Mahima Gupta
Tsung-Wei Huang
Robert Jacobberger
Akhilesh Jaiswal
Bhuvana Krishnaswamy
Kangwook Lee
Chu Ma
Pedro Morgado
Shubhra Pasayat
Jinia Roy
Manish Singh
Haihan Sun
Eric Tervo
Ramya Korlakai Vinayak
Ying Wang
Feng Ye
Lei Zhou

Teaching Faculty

Mark C. Allie
Eric Hoffman
Joe Krachey
Srdjan Milicic

Associate Teaching Professor

Steven Fredette

Assistant Teaching Professors

Eduardo Arvelo
Setareh Behroozi
Nathan Strachen

See also Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Directory.