Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis offers a comprehensive and rigorous education designed to prepare students for innovative roles in the rapidly evolving fields of electronics, power systems, telecommunications, and computer engineering. Our program combines foundational coursework in circuit analysis, electromagnetism, digital systems, and signal processing with advanced topics such as integrated circuit design, photonics, machine learning applications, and renewable energy systems. Students benefit from state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities, enabling hands-on experience in designing, testing, and deploying cutting-edge technologies. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical skills, fostering problem-solving abilities and fostering innovation. Our faculty, comprising leading researchers and industry experts, mentors students through research projects, internships, and collaborations with top tech companies and research institutions. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing students to tailor their studies with elective courses aligned with their career interests, whether in research, industry, or entrepreneurship. Graduates of the Electrical Engineering program are well-equipped to contribute to advancements in smart grids, microelectronics, wireless networks, and automation. The university also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, providing opportunities to work with programs in computer science, physics, and business. Through a robust network of alumni and industry partnerships, students gain access to internships, co-op programs, and employment pathways that facilitate a smooth transition into the workforce or further academic pursuits. Whether aiming to develop next-generation communication systems, sustainable energy solutions, or innovative consumer electronics, students in Washington University’s Electrical Engineering program are prepared to become world leaders in technology and innovation.

1. A minimum of 15 of these credit hours must be at the graduate level in electrical engineering subjects taught by the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering (ESE). The list of courses that may be used to satisfy the 15-credit graduate-level course requirement is:

• ESE 513 Convex Optimization and Duality Theory
• ESE 415 Optimization
• ESE 516 Optimization in Function Space
• ESE 520-529 Applied probability category
• ESE 530-539 Applied physics and electronics category
• ESE 540-549 Control category
• ESE 550-559 Systems category
• ESE 560-569 Computer engineering category
• ESE 570-579 Communications category
• ESE 580-589 Signal and image processing category
• ESE 599 Master’s Research (thesis option only, max 6 units)

2. The remaining courses in the program may be selected from senior- or graduate-level courses in ESE or elsewhere in the University. Courses outside of ESE must be in technical subjects relevant to electrical engineering and require the department's approval. Only one CSE graduate course which does not carry CSE graduate credit may be used to satisfy the MSEE degree.

3. A maximum of one 500-level cross-listed ESE course, whose home department is outside of ESE, may be applied toward the 15-credit graduate-level requirement.

4. At least 15 units of the 30 total units applied toward the MSEE degree must be in ESE courses which, if cross-listed, have ESE as the home department.

5. A maximum of 6 credits may be transferred from another institution and applied toward the MSEE degree. Regardless of subject or level, all transfer courses are treated as electives and do not count toward the requirement of 15 credit hours of graduate-level electrical engineering courses.

6. 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.

7. ESE 590 Electrical & Systems Engineering Graduate Seminar must be taken each semester. This satisfactory/unsatisfactory course is required for the M.Sc., D.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Systems Engineering. A passing grade is required for each semester of enrollment and is received by attendance at regularly scheduled ESE seminars. M.Sc. students must attend at least 3 seminars per semester. D.Sc. and Ph.D. students must attend at least 5 seminars per semester. Part-time students are exempt except during their year of residency. Any student under continuing status is also exempt. Seminars missed in a given semester may be made up during the subsequent semester.

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.

ELP English Placement Exams: These exams are taken by new international graduate students upon arrival. Students may be placed into E60 510A or E60 510B, courses customized to the needs of Engineering students and offered only in the spring, or they may be placed into one or more of the ELP’s University College courses. Supported students do not pay tuition for enrollment in Engineering courses, but may be responsible for the cost of enrollment in a University College course. The English classes, E60 510A and E60 510B are free and are offered in the Spring. The English classes offered by U-College during the Fall are not free and the student has to pay for them.

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

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for a wide range of engineering careers and advanced study. The program emphasizes the fundamental principles of electrical engineering, including circuit analysis, digital logic design, electromagnetics, signals and systems, and microelectronics. Students gain hands-on experience through laboratory work and design projects, fostering both technical and problem-solving skills. The department encourages interdisciplinary learning, with opportunities to collaborate across different fields such as computer science, mechanical engineering, and physics.

The program prepares students for careers in areas such as telecommunications, power systems, electronics, control systems, biomedical engineering, and computer hardware. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects, internships, and cooperative education programs to gain practical experience and industry insights. Washington University in St. Louis provides state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities to support student projects and research initiatives, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped with contemporary technical skills and knowledge.

The electrical engineering curriculum is structured to include core engineering courses, electives, and capstone design projects, allowing students to tailor their educational experience to their interests and career goals. The program also emphasizes communication, teamwork, and ethical considerations relevant to engineering practice. Graduates of the program are well-positioned to pursue graduate studies or to enter the workforce directly, contributing to innovative solutions in technology and engineering sectors.

Furthermore, the university supports student organizations, competitions, and professional development activities related to electrical engineering, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Students benefit from faculty mentorship and industry partnerships that enhance their academic experience and career readiness. Overall, Washington University in St. Louis's electrical engineering program combines a strong theoretical foundation with practical application, preparing students for diverse opportunities in the rapidly evolving electrical engineering landscape.