Control Engineering

Control Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis offers a comprehensive and rigorous program designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to design, analyze, and optimize complex control systems. This program is ideal for students interested in developing automation solutions, robotics, process control, and other dynamic systems used across various industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. Through a blend of coursework, research opportunities, and hands-on projects, students gain a deep understanding of control theory, system modeling, signal processing, and control system implementation.

The curriculum includes foundational courses in electrical engineering, systems engineering, and computer science, providing students with a multidisciplinary perspective essential for tackling real-world control problems. Advanced topics covered in the program include adaptive control, robust control, nonlinear control systems, digital control, and real-time systems. Students also have the option to specialize in areas such as intelligent systems, automation, and embedded control systems, aligning their studies with their career goals and industry demands.

Research plays a vital role in the program, with opportunities to work alongside faculty members who are recognized for their contributions to control theory, robotics, and automation. Students are encouraged to participate in cutting-edge projects that address contemporary challenges in control engineering, such as autonomous vehicles, smart manufacturing, and biomedical devices. The program emphasizes experiential learning through laboratory work, internships, and collaborative projects with industry partners. This practical approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared to enter competitive job markets or pursue advanced studies.

Graduates of the Control Engineering program at Washington University in St. Louis are equipped to contribute to innovations in technology and industry, pursuing careers in academia, research and development, or engineering management. The program's rigorous academic standards and its strong connections with industry leaders ensure that students develop the skills, knowledge, and professional networks necessary to excel in the rapidly evolving field of control engineering. Whether you are interested in developing new control algorithms, designing automation systems, or exploring emerging technologies, the program provides a solid foundation for a successful career in this dynamic discipline.

1. The MCE degree requires 30 units, which may include optionally 6 units for thesis or independent study.

2. Required courses (15 units) for the MCE degree include:

and at least two of the following five courses:

• ESE 441 Control Systems
• ESE 543 Control Systems Design by State Space Methods
• ESE 520 Probability and Stochastic Processes
• ESE 415 Optimization
• ESE 425 Random Processes and Kalman Filtering
• ESE 551 Linear Dynamic Systems I
• ESE 552 Linear Dynamic Systems II
• ESE 553 Nonlinear Dynamic Systems
• ESE 547 Robust and Adaptive Control

3. Elective Courses (15 units) The fifteen units of electives should be courses of technical nature at the senior and graduate levels approved by the Program Director.

4. It is allowed to transfer 6 units of courses from another school as electives provided that the courses were not needed for the student’s Bachelor’s degree.

5. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 out of a possible 4.0 over all courses applied toward the degree. (effective fall 2016)

6.ESE 590 Electrical & Systems Engineering Graduate Seminar must be taken each semester. A passing grade is required for each semester of enrollment and is received by attendance at regularly scheduled ESE seminars. Students must attend at least 3 seminars per semester. Part-time students are exempt except during their year of residency. Seminars missed in a given semester may be made up during the subsequent semester.

7. The degree program must be consistent with the residency and other applicable requirements of Washington University and the School of Engineering & Applied Science.

Either a thesis option or a course option may be selected. The special requirements for these options are as follows:

Course Option

This option is intended for those employed in local industry who wish to pursue a graduate degree on a part-time basis, or for full-time students who do not seek careers in research. Under the course option, students may not take ESE 599, Master's Research, and with faculty permission may take up to 3 units of ESE 500, Independent Study.

Thesis Option

This option is intended for those pursuing full-time study and engaged in research projects. Candidates for this degree must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of course instruction and six (6) credit hours of thesis research (ESE 599). These six (6) credit hours of thesis research can be counted as part of the 15 graduate-level electrical engineering credit hours specified above. The student must write a master's thesis and defend it in an oral examination.

Requirements

• Application Fee ($75), credit card or check by mail
• Unofficial copies of undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendation

• • Input recommendation providers' names and email addresses. Recommendation providers are automatically sent an email requesting a recommendation.
  • Paper and email recommendations will not be accepted.
  • The recommendations must be posted by the published deadline for final application submission.
• Statement of Purpose and Resume/CV
  • The Statement of Purpose should be a brief document explaining your goals and ambitions. (3 page maximum)
  • Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae is to be uploaded in the section immediately following the Statement of Purpose.
• GRE Scores

  • GRE scores are required for all PhD and full-time Master’s applicants with the exception of applicants to the M. Eng. in Biomedical Innovation degree program.

  • GRE scores are not required for applicants to part-time Master’s or the Bachelor’s/Master’s programs.

  • If submitting scores, applicants must report their official scores via ETS at the time of application submission for evaluation purposes. The WashU School Code is 6929.

• TOEFL or IELTS Scores
  • Required for all international applicants.

  • Applicants must report their official scores via ETS at the time of application submission for evaluation purposes. The WashU School Code is 6929. 
    Note: This requirement may be waived if the applicant has a minimum of three years of documented study at an English-speaking institution, in a country where English is the primary language of daily living. Based on the evaluation of your application package, we retain the right to require English testing upon arrival and you may be required to take additional English classes. If you are recommended to take English classes, the cost of the courses will be your responsibility.

Scholarships

• Chancellor's Graduate Fellowship Program
• Need-based financial aid assistance
• Merit-based scholarships

Control Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of automation, control systems, and systems engineering. The program emphasizes the development of expertise in designing, analyzing, and implementing complex control systems that are widely applicable in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, robotics, and energy. Students enrolled in the program gain a strong foundation in applied mathematics, systems modeling, signal processing, and computer programming, which are essential for understanding and improving control mechanisms.

The curriculum includes coursework in classical and modern control theory, feedback control, digital control systems, system identification, and robust control. Specializations within the program may include automation, robotics, process control, and intelligent systems, allowing students to tailor their education to specific career interests. The program is designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation, preparing graduates to address real-world challenges in control engineering.

Research plays a vital role in the program, with students having opportunities to work alongside faculty on cutting-edge projects in areas such as autonomous systems, smart manufacturing, and energy-efficient solutions. The university provides access to advanced laboratories and simulation tools, supporting experiential learning. Additionally, the program encourages collaboration with industry partners through internships and cooperative education, thereby enhancing employment prospects upon graduation.

Graduates of the control engineering program are well-equipped to enter diverse industries, pursue advanced studies, or engage in research and development roles. The program aims to produce professionals capable of designing intelligent control systems, improving operational efficiencies, and contributing to technological advancements in various sectors. Overall, Washington University’s Control Engineering program combines rigorous coursework, practical experience, and research opportunities to prepare students for successful careers in the rapidly evolving field of control systems engineering.