Overview
Power engineering plays a significant role in the regional economy, with over eighty companies focused on various aspects of power. These include regional IOUs, munis, co-ops and PUDs; numerous power engineering consultancies; power equipment manufacturers; developers and independent power producers; high-tech firms focused on smart grid products; and federal entities like BPA and the Army Corp of Engineers. Investment in new generation and transmission, innovations in communications and IT, and rapidly-decreasing prices for renewable resources are all contributing to the industry’s growth.
PSU’s MS ECE power engineering track provides an industry-focused educational pathway for individuals who wish to enhance their depth in power engineering. Courses cover topics such as protection, power systems design, stability, planning and operations. Students are exposed to industry-relevant software, including ETAP, PowerWorld, ATP and ASPEN. Classes are offered in the evenings to accommodate work schedules. And, many of the instructors have been recruited from the local power industry.
Prerequisites
Students who begin this track should have a solid understanding of power systems components and fundamental power systems analysis techniques. PSU’s EE 347 (non-rotating power systems components, fundamental analytical methods) and EE 348 (rotating power systems components, power systems controls) together prepare students well for the MS ECE power engineering track.
Core
EE 530 Analytical Methods for Power Systems
EE 531 Power Systems Protection
EE 532 Electrical Machine Analysis & Design
EE 537 Advanced Power Systems Protection
Suggested Schedule for the ECE MS Power Engineering Coursework Path
The schedule below is for full-time students beginning the ECE MS program in Fall term.
First Year Plan
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
|---|
| EE 530 | 4 | EE 531 | 4 | EE 537 | 4 |
| EE 532 | 4 | EE 534 | 4 | EE 538/9# | 4 |
| Total Credits^ | 8 | Total Credits | 8 | Total Credits | 8 |
Second Year Plan
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
|---|
| EE 536 | 4 | EE elective | 4 | EE 533 | 4 |
| elective | 4 | elective | 4 | ECE 50x* | 1 |
| Total Credits | 8 | Total Credits | 8 | Total Credits | 5 |
^ Students may need to enroll in a one-credit course to qualify for full-time status
*ECE 501, 508, etc. are one-credit course options
#EE 538 and 539 alternate years
EE Electives: EE 532, 533, 534, 536, 537, 538, 539
ECE Electives: ECE 533, 545, 546, 551, 552
Non-ECE or EE Electives: PH 531, 532, 573; PA 567, 573; ME 515, 521, 522, 523, 526, 543; EC 537, 538
Suggested Schedule for the ECE MS Power Systems Thesis Path
The schedule below is for full-time students beginning the ECE MS program in Fall term.
First Year Plan
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
|---|
| EE 530 | 4 | EE 531 | 4 | EE 537 | 4 |
| elective | 4 | EE 534 | 4 | EE 533 | 4 |
| ECE 563 | 1 | ECE 564 | 1 | ECE 503 | 1 |
| Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 9 |
Second Year Plan
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
|---|
| EE 536 | 4 | elective | 4 | ECE 503 | 5 |
| ECE 503 | 5 | ECE 503 | 5 | | |
| Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 5 |
EE Electives: EE 532, 533, 543, 536, 537, 538, 539
ECE Electives: ECE 533, 545, 546, 551, 552
Non-ECE or EE Electives: PH 531, 532, 573; PA 567, 573; ME 515, 521, 522, 523, 526, 543; EC 537, 538
Suggested Schedule for the ECE MS Machines Thesis Path
The schedule below is for full-time students beginning the ECE MS program in Fall term.
First Year Plan
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
|---|
| EE 530 | 4 | ECE 545 | 4 | elective | 4 |
| EE 532 | 4 | elective | 4 | EE 538/539# | 4 |
| ECE 563 | 1 | ECE 564 | 1 | ECE 503 | 1 |
| Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 9 |
Second Year Plan
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|
| Course | Credits | Course | Credits | Course | Credits |
|---|
| EE 536 | 4 | ECE 503 | 9 | EE 538/539# | 4 |
| ECE 503 | 5 | | | ECE 503 | 1 |
| Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 9 | Total Credits | 5 |
#EE 538 and 539 alternate years
EE Electives: EE 532, 533, 543, 536, 537, 538, 539
ECE Electives: ECE 533, 545, 546, 551, 552
Non-ECE or EE Electives: PH 531, 532, 573; PA 567, 573; ME 515, 521, 522, 523, 526, 543; EC 537, 538