MSc in Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering in Troy, NY United States | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

This M.S. program with thesis is designed to prepare students for a professional career and/or eventual pursuit of a doctoral degree. Students entering the program typically hold an accredited bachelor’s degree in an appropriate branch of engineering.   Students completing the M.S. degree will write a thesis based on a research topic chosen by the student and a professor who serves as the academic adviser. The corresponding thesis, independently written by the student as a single author, must be approved by the adviser as well as two additional committee members from the department’s faculty (Master’s Committee). A thesis defense will be presented to this committee.

Thesis Option

This M.S. program with thesis is designed to prepare students for a professional career and/or eventual pursuit of a doctoral degree. Students entering the program typically hold an accredited bachelor’s degree in an appropriate branch of engineering.   Students completing the M.S. degree will write a thesis based on a research topic chosen by the student and a professor who serves as the academic adviser. The corresponding thesis, independently written by the student as a single author, must be approved by the adviser as well as two additional committee members from the department’s faculty (Master’s Committee). A thesis defense will be presented to this committee.

In addition to the Institute requirements and those listed above, students pursuing the M.S. with thesis in Electrical Engineering (ELEC) or Computer and Systems Engineering (CSYS) must complete the following requirements:

• 30 total credits (including the M.S. thesis credits as noted below)
• At least 15 non-thesis credits taken at the 6000 level
• At least 12 credits taken within the ECSE Department*
• At least one Math elective (3-4 credits) with MATH or MATP prefix
• No more than 6 transfer credits
• No more than 3 credits of Individual Project (e.g. ECSE 6980) or Independent Study (e.g. ECSE 6940)
• Six (6) OR nine (9) M.S. thesis credits. Six is typical. Nine is for cases requiring an exceptional amount of work and must be justified by the student’s research advisor.
• No 1000- or 2000-level courses may be applied towards the degree.

*Any exceptions will require prior written approval from the Graduate Program Director.

Students who do not have adequate preparation for their chosen area of specialization may need to take background courses in addition to the 30-credit-hour requirement.

Non-Thesis Option

The M.S. without thesis is intended to be a degree for those who wish to enter professional practice upon completion. Students entering the program typically hold an accredited bachelor’s degree in an appropriate branch of engineering.  A master’s project (ECSE 6980), with faculty supervision and evaluation, is an option. If the project option is taken, up to 6 master’s project credits can be applied towards the non-thesis M.S. degree.

In addition to the Institute requirements and those listed above, students pursuing the M.S. without thesis in Electrical Engineering (ELEC) or Computer and Systems Engineering (CSYS) must complete the following requirements:

• 30 total credits
• At least 18 credits taken at the 6000 level 
• At least 18 credits taken within the ECSE Department*
• At least one Math elective (3-4 credits) with MATH or MATP prefix
• No more than 6 transfer credits
• No more than 3 credits of Independent Study (ECSE 6940)
• No 1000- or 2000-level courses may be applied towards the degree.

*Any exceptions will require prior written approval from the Graduate Program Director.

Students who do not have adequate preparation for their chosen area of specialization may need to take background courses in addition to the 30-credit-hour requirement.