Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Brown, David A Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1995), BS 1985 University of Rhode Island, MS 1988, PhD 1991 Naval Postgraduate School. Specializations: Transducer modeling, training of undergraduate and graduate students in engineering acoustics.

Buck, John R Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Professor of Marine Science and Technology (1996), SB 1989, SM 1991, PhD 1996 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Specializations: Animal bioacoustics, information theory, signal processing, signal processing pedagogy, underwater acoustics.

Costa, Antonio H (Chairperson, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1985), BS 1983, MSEE 1985 Southeastern Massachusetts University (UMass Dartmouth), PhD 1994 University of Rhode Island. Specializations: Signal processing, spectral estimation, mixed time-frequency representations.

Fiondella, Lance N Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (2013), BA 1999 Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), MS 2003 University of Connecticut (UConn), PhD 2012 University of Connecticut. Specializations: Reliability engineering, transportation engineering.

Fortier, Paul J Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1994), BS 1978 University of Lowell (UMass Lowell), MS 1981 Southeastern Massachusetts University (UMass Dartmouth), DSc 1993 University of Massachusetts Lowell. Specializations: Computer architecture and evaluation, data mining and knowledge discovery, database systems, embedded systems, real-time systems.

Gendron, Paul Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1999). Specializations: Adaptive filtering for angle-delay-Doppler spread channels, low probability of detection acoustic communications, magnetic anomaly detection and tracking, seismic event detection and classification.

Kasilingam, Dayalan P Professor of Electrical Engineering and Marine Science and Technology (1993), BA 1981 Cambridge University MS 1982, PhD 1987 California Institute of Technology. Specializations: Adaptive signal processing, applied electromagnetics, remote sensing, wireless communications.

Li, Yifei Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (2007) BEng 1996 Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. MS 2001, PhD 2003 Drexel University. Specializations: RF/photonics, photonic integrated circuits, quantum electronics.

Liu, Hong Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1990), BS 1982, MS 1984 Hefei Polytechnic University, China, PhD 1990 Polytechnic University, New York. Specializations: Computer networks, network security, real-time network applications and quality-of-service management, cyber-physical systems, programming languages and compilers.

Payton, Karen L Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1989), BS 1977 Carnegie-Mellon University, MSEE 1981, PhD 1986 Johns Hopkins University. Specializations: Auditory perception, digital signal processing, speech acoustics, speech processing.

Rancour, David Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1988), BSEE 1978 University of Vermont, MSEE 1982 Northeastern University, PhD 1988 Purdue University. Specializations: Quantum mechanics, solid state devices, VLSI.

Viall, Philip Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1983), BSEE 1981, MSEE 1983 Southeastern Massachusetts University (UMass Dartmouth). Specializations: Assembly languages, computer networks, rehabilitation engineering.

Wang, Honggang Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (2009), BE 1996, MS 1998, Southwest Jiaotong University, China, PhD 2009 University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Specializations: Biomedical computing, embedded systems, multimedia communication, networks and multimedia security, pattern recognition, sensor networks, software design, wireless networks and communications.

Xing, Liudong (Graduate Program Director) Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (2002), BE 1996 Zhengzhou University, China, MS 2000, PhD 2002 University of Virginia. Specializations: Decision diagrams, dependable computing and networking, fault tree analysis, fault-tolerant computing, reliability engineering, risk assessment, sensor networks.

Contact

Dr. Liudong Xing
Graduate Program Director
Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Road
North Dartmouth, MA. 02747-2300
508 999-8883
508 999-8489 (fax)
LXing@umassd.edu

Graduate Electrical and Computer Engineering at UMass Dartmouth

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of Engineering

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth offers graduate programs leading to a Master of Science Degree in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Electrical Engineering with options in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.

Key technical/research areas within Electrical Engineering are applied acoustics; applied electromagnetics; electronics and solid-state devices; RF photonics; signals and systems. Key technical/research areas within Computer Engineering are computer networks; computing infrastructure security; database systems; embedded systems; fault tolerant computing; multimedia communications; systems reliability; wireless communications and networks. Additional information on program specializations is contained in subsequent sections.

For students wishing advanced training without a degree, the department offers six formal 15 credit graduate certificate programs in Acoustics, Communications, Computer Systems Engineering, Computing Infrastructure Security, Digital Signal Processing, and Electrical Engineering Systems.

All of our programs offer small classes, close contact with a diverse faculty, and easy access to well-supported research facilities to provide state-of-the-art learning and research experiences. Courses are scheduled to permit either full-time or part-time study and are conveniently scheduled for students employed in industry and government.

BS/MS Undergraduate/Graduate Integrated Program Option

The department offers an integrated program that allows qualified UMass Dartmouth undergraduate majors in either Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering to proceed directly to the master’s degree program and complete both degrees with a reduction in overall credits required. See the current General Catalogue for information on this option.

Resources

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering maintains and operates a wide variety of facilities for applications in engineering education and research. Some special facilities include: Acoustics Laboratory; Autonomous, Networking, Dependable Systems Laboratory; Embedded Systems, Sensors and IT Laboratory; Internet of Things (IoT) Security Laboratory; Wireless Communications and Computing; Signal Processing Laboratory; Software Intensive Systems Reliability Laboratory; Speech Processing Laboratory; RF Photonics Laboratory; and Statistical Signal Processing Laboratory. The department recently acquired a Cognitive RadiO Multimedia NEtwork Testbed (COMET) awarded by the Major Research Instrumentation Program of the National Science Foundation; the testbed will offer a great opportunity for students to gain experience in multimedia communication and wireless networks. In addition to undergraduate laboratories, the department maintains numerous Windows- and UNIX-based servers and workstations.

The Center for Rehabilitation Engineering, housed in the College of Engineering; the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST); and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)—described elsewhere in this catalogue—offer opportunities for applied research for engineering graduate students. The region, along with neighboring Rhode Island, is host to U.S. government laboratories and major industries, many of whom hire our graduates and support their professional development through financial support.

Admission Requirements

Students possessing a bachelor’s or master’s degree and a strong academic background in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar disciplines are encouraged to apply for admission to the master’s or doctoral programs. Applicants for a certificate, MS or PhD program must submit the required application materials to the Graduate Office. In addition,

• Transcripts should show class rank if available. For the MS and PhD programs, three letters of recommendation should be submitted from persons in the field of the applicant’s academic major at the institution most recently attended or be from supervisors familiar with the applicant’s recent job performance. For PhD applicants, the recommendations must also address the student’s ability to conduct independent scholarly research. Certificate applicants do not need to provide letters of recommendation. BS/MS applicants are encouraged to include a recommendation from a department faculty member willing to advise their graduate research.

• For all programs, the personal essay should be from 300 to 600 words in length. This essay should indicate your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience, undergraduate and graduate experience, and business or industry experience if applicable. If you are also applying for a teaching or research assistantship, include any special skills or experience that would assist us in our decision on the assistantship award.

• Graduate Record Examination scores for the General Test must be submitted by MS and PhD degree seeking applicants, except by those who are or are about to be graduates of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth College of Engineering or who are or are about to be recipients of an ECE graduate certificate, or who took two ECE graduate courses and received a grade of at least “B”.

• Foreign students’ scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) should be 550 minimum for admission and 600 minimum to be eligible for a teaching assistantship (213/250 for TOEFL computer-based scores or 80/100 for internet-based scores). Scores on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) should be 6.5 minimum for admission and 7.0 minimum to be eligible for a teaching assistantship. Admission to the MS and PhD programs is competitive. In general, students must exceed the minimum requirements stated below to gain admission. However, all students who meet the minimum requirements will be considered. In special cases, students who do not meet these minimum requirements, but who otherwise show evidence of strong academic, professional, or research ability, may be accepted upon approval of the ECE Graduate Committee.

• The applicant must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related field of engineering, science or mathematics, from a college or university of recognized standing. Applicants with backgrounds different than those for the option to which they are applying may be admitted with additional course requirements needed to meet program prerequisites.

• Applicants to the MS program must have demonstrated scholastic competence. Typically, MS applicants with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale for all engineering, math and physics courses will be considered. Applicants to the PhD program must have demonstrated superior scholastic achievement.

• In addition to exceeding the minimum MS program requirements, PhD applicants must also demonstrate a potential for conducting independent scholarly research. Recommendations are very important in the evaluation of research potential and should, therefore, specifically address the subject of research potential. Master’s theses or undergraduate projects are also considered in the evaluation of research potential.

Transfer of Credit

A maximum of six credits may be transferred from another institution. A maximum of nine UMass Dartmouth credits earned prior to admission to an ECE graduate or certificate program, but all credits earned in an ECE certificate program, can be applied to a degree program.

Enrollment Without Degree Intentions

The department offers a choice of certificate programs which provide specific career benefits to working professionals. The courses in these programs are compatible with degree requirements, if students later decide to transition to a degree program. Certificate programs are described in detail in a subsequent section of this catalogue. Students accepted to one of our certificate programs may subsequently apply that coursework to a degree without restriction in the number of credits.

In addition, individuals may enroll in graduate courses as non-degree students without applying for admission to a graduate or certificate program, when space is available and with permission of the instructor. Non-degree students should have at least a 2.75 out of a 4.00 grade point average with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, computer engineering, other engineering disciplines, science, or mathematics. Before registering for a course, non-degree students are required to discuss their preparation with the instructor to determine that they have sufficient background to be successful. Registration may be done at the first class meeting. If the non-degree student is later admitted to a graduate or certificate program, a maximum of nine credits of these courses may be transferred by written application to the Graduate Program Director.

Graduate Assistantships and Financial Aid

Financial assistance is available to full-time graduate students on a competitive basis. Many full-time students have teaching assistantships or research assistantships within the ECE department, while others may be supported by fellowships or employed in other University departments. Requests for financial assistance should be made on the admission application. Other inquiries regarding graduate student financial assistance should be made to the Director of the ECE Graduate Program. For information about loans or other assistance, please consult the chapter on “Expenses and Financial Assistance.”

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Applicants apply for acceptance to a graduate certificate program through the Office of Graduate Studies. Successful applicants are required to hold an appropriate undergraduate degree such as a BS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering. Certificate applicants also follow the general procedures for graduate degree acceptance into the MS in Electrical Engineering and the MS in Computer Science, but in a curtailed form. Thus, they fill out the same application form as do degree applicants and supply an essay and official transcripts of all post-secondary work, as instructed therein. However, they are not required to submit GRE scores or recommendation letters.

Prospective students can take up to two courses for the certificate before completing their official acceptance to the certificate program, with permission of the instructor.

A faculty committee will review applications for acceptance to this certificate program. One element in the review will be to assess whether a student has met the stated prerequisites and in general has the appropriate combination of background and experience to succeed in the program. Acceptance may be offered with a contingency that the student must also take one or more undergraduate prerequisite courses.

Certificate students receive the same benefits as do degree students as regards access to the full range of university services and facilities and may register along with graduate degree students. Other graduate policies, such as those for longevity of credit, acceptable grades, and repeatability of courses, apply to certificate students as to degree students. Certificate students pay graduate tuition and fees.