Requirements
Degree Requirements (45 units)
The faculty of the department is pleased to provide you with this information manual. You are expected to read this entire manual. Failure to become aware of the information presented may well delay your graduation! If you have any questions, make sure to ask an adviser.
If you have not already done so, you should purchase a University catalog and a schedule of classes for the current quarter. Keep the catalog throughout your stay at Cal State LA, but purchase a new schedule each quarter. The schedule contains much more than the listing of classes being offered during the quarter. It also contains important rules and regulations. Both of these documents can be purchased at the University Bookstore. The schedule goes to press long before the quarter begins, and changes occur while it is being printed. The most up to date version of the Electrical Engineering class schedule is posted on a bulletin board next to the department office (A342). You should check this schedule regularly to note any changes in classes offered or assigned instructors.
Advisers are available to answer questions as they arise. You are strongly encouraged to see an adviser prior to each registration. Additionally, you must see an adviser your first quarter of attendance. This is an orientation session where the adviser makes sure that you understand all the rules. At the same time, a graduate program is filed. When the Adviser, Department Chair and Graduate Dean approve this program, it becomes like a contract. You may not take any courses to count toward the degree until a program is filed.
Degree Requirements (45 units)
A total of 45-quarter units are required, including at least 24 units of 500-level (graduate) courses. A minimum 3.0 grade point average is required. Completion of the program requires passing the Writing Proficiency Examination, if not passed as a requirement for the B.S. degree, and writing an acceptable thesis or completion of a comprehensive examination. Students should consult the CSULA General Catalog for further information.
The advice and approval of the electrical engineering graduate adviser must be obtained before enrolling in any course. MATH 402A is required of all students who have not already completed this or a comparable course.
Area of Specialization (24 units)
You must take at least 24 units of 500-level courses in your area (s) of specialization. If you choose to do a thesis, the research and thesis units count as part of this requirement. The distribution of courses in the area of specialization depends on whether you choose a thesis or comprehensive exam (See Section IX of this handbook). If you choose a comprehensive exam, you will need at least two areas of specialization, while those choosing a thesis may have only one. The currently available areas are:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Communications
- Computer Engineering
- Control Systems
- Power Systems
- Systems Engineering
The listing of courses in each area is available from your adviser. The list is being expanded as this handbook goes to press.
Electives in Electrical Engineering
The electives consist of 400-level courses in electrical Engineering. They will normally be those courses related to the 500-level courses selected in the specialization.
Electives in Related Fields
One course is required outside of Electrical engineering, and this normally math courses. MATH 402A must be this course if it was not taken as an undergraduate. Other typical courses are MATH 402B and MATH 474. In certain special cases, the list might include Physics or Computer Science courses.
