MS Degree — Electrical and Computer Engineering
(Power Electronics)

ECE Courses

The following list shows course offerings by semester. All courses are available through the Web or we can mail a DVD or CD.

Fall Semester

ECE 355
Electro-Mechanical Energy Conversion
ECE 377
Electro-Mechanical Power Conversion
ECE 411
Introduction to Electric Drive Systems UPDATED
ECE 427
Electric Power Systems UPDATED
ECE 511
Theory and Control of Synchronous Machines
ECE 600
Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar
ECE 699
Independent Study
ECE 712
Solid State Power Conversion
ECE 714
Utility Application of Power Electronics UPDATED
ECE 790
Master's Research or Thesis
ECE 999
Advanced Independent Study

Professor Giri Venkataramanan lectures in ECE 412. (large image)

Spring Semester

ECE 355
Electro-Mechanical Energy Conversion
ECE 377
Electro-Mechanical Power Conversion
ECE 412
Power Electronic Circuits
ECE 511
Theory and Control of Synchronous Machines
ECE 600
Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar
ECE 699
Independent Study
ECE 711
Dynamics and Control of AC Drives
ECE/ME 739
Advanced Automation and Robotics. AUDIT ONLY.
ECE 790
Master's Research or Thesis
ECE 999
Advanced Independent Study

Robert Lorenz (left), Professor of Controls Engineering and Co-Director of Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium, instructs in the WEMPEC laboratory. (large image)

Summer Intersession (3-week)

ECE 504
Electric Machines and Drive Systems Lab. ALTERNATING SUMMERS. AVAILABLE SUMMER 2010.
ECE 512
Power Electronics Laboratory. AVAILABLE EVERY SUMMER.

Please contact us for more information.

Summer Session (8-week)

ECE 355
Electro-Mechanical Energy Conversion
ECE 511
Theory and Control of Synchronous Machines

Degree Requirements for Off-Campus Students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering:

• For off-campus students seeking an MS degree (power electronics) in electrical engineering, all general MS degree requirements apply. GRE is not required for off-campus students. For complete information, refer to the ECE website at www.engr.wisc.edu/ece.

• The MS degree “all course” option is not available to off-campus students. Instead, students must complete a thesis or project. Students may work on the thesis or project while off campus, but must keep in contact with their advisor through e-mail or telephone communication.

• Students must earn 24 graduate credits with at least 15 being in ECE courses. At least 15 of the 24 credits must be in courses numbered 700 or higher. For example, a 700-level business course would count with advisor approval. Only graduate courses may count for graduate credit. In particular, 300-level ECE courses are not acceptable for graduate credit.

• Of the 24 credits, a minimum of three and a maximum of six credits must be in ECE 790 (master's research or thesis). ECE 790 credits may be applied toward both the 15 ECE-credit requirement and the 15 700-level-credit requirement. The combined number of credits in ECE 699, ECE 790 and ECE 999 (advanced independent study) applied toward the degree may not exceed nine.

• For added flexibility, six credits in courses numbered 400 or higher may be substituted for three credits in courses numbered 700 or higher. This may be done only once, increasing the degree requirement to 27 credits. In this case, the combined number of credits in ECE 699, ECE 790 and ECE 999 may not exceed six. (If this option is used, 3 credits of independent study are still required.)

• Advisors will be established by the time students have completed six credits. Students will submit a graduate studies plan to the advisor at that time.

• A minimum of one three-week, on-campus intersession course in ECE must be taken.

• Up to six credits of work done as a UW-Madison engineering special student or as a student at another university can be transferred for graduate credit toward the MS degree.

• Students must fulfill the ECE seminar requirement.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar Requirement (ECE 600)

The ECE seminar requirement may be fulfilled by off-campus students through attending any of the following:

• Short courses
• Technical conferences
• Seminars
• Other similar approved activities

Off-campus MS students are required to fulfill the ECE seminar requirement through activity the ECE Graduate Committee deems equivalent to two semesters of attendance at ECE departmental seminars. Students must send a proposal for fulfillment of the requirement and a current resume to their advisor. If the proposal is not approved, recommended additional outside activities will be suggested.

Proposals are judged mainly on the breadth and quantity of material to which the student will be or has been exposed. Students should be exposed to novel ideas to the same extent as on-campus MS degree students.

The following are activities that would constitute sufficient exposure to seminars. Students may concentrate on one type of activity or focus on a combination of activities.

• Short courses or workshops: Courses or workshops offered at students' places of employment, local college campuses or elsewhere are accepted, provided students can demonstrate breadth of subject matter beyond their specialty. Documentation should include a copy of registration materials and course handouts.
• Technical Conferences: Students may attend technical conferences containing sessions not directly related to their specialty. Students should make an effort to sit in on a wide variety of sessions. Documentation should include copies of registration forms and conference programs, as well as a listing of sessions attended.
• Seminars: Lectures offered locally may be used, provided that most topics are outside of their specialty. Students must provide copies of seminar announcements and either their notes summarizing lectures or a signed statement by a supervisor verifying attendance.
• Other similar experience or activities: A variety of experiences beyond those mentioned may also constitute sufficient exposure to seminar-related activity. Such experience should meet the main criteria described above; documentation should be supplied confirming participation and the nature of the activity.

  You should have participated in approximately 25 hours of these activities.

Recognized for Excellence

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UW-Madison is recognized for excellence in research, instruction and service to the profession. It ranks among the top electrical and computer engineering departments in national surveys, consistently producing talented graduates whose skills are highly respected throughout the nation and around the world. We offer practicing engineers an opportunity to take courses while continuing full-time employment. Courses leading to a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Power Electronics) are available to off-campus students in the areas of power electronics, electric machines, and power systems:

Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium

The Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium (WEMPEC) is a UW-Madison technology focus center sponsored by companies holding an interest in electric machines and power electronics. These sponsors help support an active program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. With a mission to provide education, research and service, WEMPEC is a model program demonstrating strong interaction between university and industry.

The WEMPEC faculty have established a comprehensive curriculum in the electrical machines and power electronics field that serves students at the university as well as engineers already established in the industry. The courses are offered on campus and by distance education through the Office of Engineering Outreach.

WEMPEC’s distance education offerings, a priority of the WEMPEC faculty, provide a valuable benefit to employees of WEMPEC member organizations and engineers everywhere. A broad selection of UW–Madison courses are offered via pre-recorded lectures in the areas of power electronics, electric machines, controls, and power systems, enabling working engineers to earn master’s or doctoral degrees at their home locations with a minimum of on-campus residency. WEMPEC outreach courses are updated regularly, ensuring that students learn about the most recent developments in each of the key areas of power technology.

WEMPEC periodically offers short courses and tutorials on campus, at technical meetings, and by special arrangement at company locations. WEMPEC’s teaching efforts are enhanced through a world-class teaching and research laboratory. Industrial interest in WEMPEC’s educational and research programs continues to grow because of WEMPEC’s concerted effort to keep projects relevant to long-term industrial needs and through an efficient technology transfer process.

For additional details: www.wempec.wisc.edu.

Faculty Profiles

• Professor Thomas M. Jahns
• Professor Bernard Lesieutre
• Professor Robert D. Lorenz
• Professor Donald W. Novotny
• Professor Giri Venkataramanan