Electrical Engineering
Mohammod Ali, Chair
Graduate programs of the Department of Electrical Engineering emphasize research-oriented graduate study through the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Master of Science (M.S.) programs, and professional development through the Master of Engineering (M.E.) program. Financial assistance is available for the EE graduate students pursuing Ph.D. and M.S. degrees, but applicants should be aware that both financial assistance and the availability of faculty to supervise research are decided on a highly competitive basis.
The electrical engineering department is currently highly ranked in both program quality and faculty research productivity in the South (as per National Research Council), and strives to prepare the graduate students for highly successful careers in academia, industry, and government laboratories.
Research Focus Areas
The EE Department’s core research expertise is in the following areas:
- Power and Energy Systems
- Communication and Electromagnets
- Electronic Materials and Devices
- Decision and Control
Admission Requirements
Requirements for admission to graduate degree programs in electrical engineering (M.E., M.S., Ph.D.) include the general admission requirements of The Graduate School as well as more stringent departmental requirements, as described below. In general, the admissions process is highly competitive. Admissions decisions are based on the quality of the applicant’s previous university-level academic work (as reflected by grade point average, or GPA), letters of recommendation (at least two letters are required for evaluation), GRE scores, and other evidence of past accomplishments.
For admission to the M.E., M.S., and Ph.D. degree programs in electrical engineering, applicants normally hold the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program. Students holding B.S. degrees may apply for direct admission to the doctoral program; it is not necessary to complete a master’s degree first. Applicants with degrees (B.S. or higher) in other engineering disciplines or physics may be admitted with additional remedial course requirements in electrical engineering at the undergraduate level. Remedial courses will typically include the prerequisites for required graduate courses, and may include additional courses in mathematics. The detailed specification of course requirements and substitutions of courses from other universities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
M.S. and Ph.D. applicants are strongly encouraged to distinguish their area of specialization when applying to the Graduate Program in order to identify a Research Advisor. The M.S. and Ph.D. applicants must secure an advisor who is willing to supervise him or her before being admitted into the program
GRE scores must be submitted by all applicants to Electrical Engineering graduate programs. Students who have obtained a BS degree from the University of South Carolina and are applying for the ME program are exempt from the GRE requirement. International applicants must also submit TOEFL or IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam scores. All applicants should submit a statement of purpose (or similar essay) that describes the applicant’s background, research interests, and whether or not financial aid is required. For students seeking a research-oriented degree (M.S. or Ph.D.), a preliminary contact with a research advisor is strongly suggested.
Typical successful students have GRE scores of at least 153 (verbal), 155 (quantitative), and 3.0 (analytical). A TOEFL score greater than 80 (internet-based) or 570 (paper-based) is also required by the Graduate School. The typical overall band score on the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.