Purpose of the Comprehensive Exam:
Based on the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), the exam evaluates students’ ability to demonstrate information and technology literacy, apply design and experimentation methods, analyze engineering problems critically, collaborate effectively, and recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering practice.
Instructions for the Comprehensive Exam:
- No electronic device should be brought to the exams. You may use a designated lab computer (provided by the ECE department) for necessary coding or computation in answering the questions. The only exception is to bring in a calculator which should not have a connectivity to Internet. This exception applies to Exam 2 only. If you plan to use electronic notes, please upload it to a cloud server ahead of time. During the exam, you may access the cloud server from the desktop computers in the lab as well.
- Students admitted before fall 2021 will need to take the comprehensive exam from the two areas of concentration they select.
- Students admitted on or after fall 2021 will need to take 2 exams: 1 from Categories 1 and 2 and another 1 from Categories 3 and 4.
- Each student will be given a customized package of paper exam questions based on the selected courses when enrolled in EE 5960.
The formats of the exams are described below:
Exam 1: For those admitted on or after fall 2021
- Subjects: EE 4630, EE 5020
- Length: 3 hours (1.5 hours for each subject)
- Coding-based
- Students can use a designated lab computer for the code-testing part of the exam.
- Passing: >=70% of correct answers
- Students can only bring in non-electronic materials (class notes, course materials, cheat sheets)
Exam 2: For those who were admitted on or after fall 2021
- Subjects: 2 courses in Category 3, 2 courses in Category 4
- Length: 2.5 hours
- Number of questions to be answered: 6 questions (from at least 3 courses in Categories 3 or 4)
- Passing: >=70% of correct answers
- Students can only bring in non-electronic materials (class notes, course materials, cheat sheets)
Exam 2: For those who were admitted before fall 2021
- Subjects: 2 areas of concentration
- Length: 4 hours (Students need to stay in the room of the comprehensive exam if choosing to take a break during the exam time.)
- Number of Questions to be answered: 8 Questions (4 from each area)
- Students can only bring in non-electronic materials (class notes, course materials, cheat sheets)
- Passing: >=70% of correct answers