College of Engineering
and Computer Science

Link to Course Descriptions for the College of Engineering and Computer Science


Accreditation
:
 Baccalaureate degree programs in Civil, Computer, Electrical, Geomatics, Mechanical and Ocean Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. The baccalaureate program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science offers undergraduate degree programs in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Engineering. Also available are minors in Computer Science and Geomatics Engineering, certificates in Data Science and Surveying and Mapping, and a minor and certificate in Cybersecurity. The College recently launched an Honors in the Major program focusing on leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship within the engineering and computer science curriculum.

Graduate programs are offered to qualified persons who have sufficient and satisfactory undergraduate preparation. Master's degrees (with or without thesis) and Ph.D. degrees are offered in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering and Transportation and Environmental Engineering. Master's degrees are also offered in Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Data Science and Analytics, and Information Technology and Management. Certificates in Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Biomedical Engineering, Corrosion, Cyber Security, Energy Resilience, Professional Energy Resilience, Offshore Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chain Management are also available.

Combined Bachelor of Science to Master of Science degree programs are offered in all of the College's departments. Among the programs' advantages, students may count a maximum of 9 credits in approved graduate-level courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.

For highly motivated undergraduate students, the B.S. to Ph.D. program, an option in all of the College's doctoral programs, may be desirable. See admission and degree requirements later in this section. Course offerings, admission and degree requirements are given in the individual program descriptions that follow. Additional information is available from the respective departments or from the College of Engineering and Computer Science website at www.eng.fau.edu.

Bachelor's Degree Program Information

General Studies Degree Program
The University offers a Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) degree program that allows students to design a plan of study to meet their personal interests and career goals. The 120-credit program includes 15 credits of upper-division coursework in one discipline, which students select in consultation with an advisor. For more B.G.S. details and degree requirements, please refer to the 
Degree Programs section of this catalog.

Undergraduate Research Certificate
To recognize undergraduate students' excellence in undergraduate research, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) has established the Undergraduate Research Certificate. Requirements for the Research Certificate include completion of 12 credits of research exposure, skill-building and intensive courses as well as dissemination of the outcomes of students' research and inquiry through a research presentation or exhibition.

Math Policies and Math Boot Camp Requirement
If, during a student's first attempt at a math course, a failing grade is earned or withdrawal from the math course after the drop/add deadline occurs, enrollment in and satisfactory completion of FAU's Math Boot Camp is required before the student is permitted to enroll in a second and final attempt at the math course.

Engineering and computer science students are permitted a maximum of two attempts for a single math course, whether at FAU or another institution. If a student withdraws from and/or fails the math course on the second attempt, the student may be required to change their major and leave the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Preprofessional Program
Entering freshmen and all transfer students in the bachelor of science programs for engineering majors will be admitted directly to the College's preprofessional program as pre-engineering students. The following are required for students to be admitted to their major of choice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science:

  1. Students must meet University admission requirements.
  2. In each core course listed below, students must obtain a minimum grade of “C.” Advanced placement scores of 4 or above will be given credit for the appropriate course(s). A score of 5 is equivalent to an "A," and a score of "4" is equivalent to a "B."
  3. A maximum of two attempts will be allowed for any of the listed courses. Failure to receive a passing grade in the second attempt (including withdrawals) is grounds for denial of admission to an engineering or computer science program.

B.S. in Geomatics Engineering
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 (1) MAC 2311 4

 

B.S. in Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical and Ocean Engineering 
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 (1) MAC 2311 4
General Physics for Engineers 1 (2) PHY 2048 3


Notes:
(1) MAC 2311 and MAC 2253 are substitutes.
(2) PHY 2043 and PHY 2048 are substitutes.

The entry-level mathematics requirement for the engineering programs is Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1. Students who are placed in lower-level mathematics courses and who need to maintain full-time status, may have problems finding courses that are accepted in an engineering or computer science program in future semesters. This may delay their entry into a particular engineering or computer science program.

After successfully completing the core courses, students may apply to a particular engineering program. Admission will be based on the student's performance in the core courses. The Division of Engineering Student Services and Advising is available to assist students in selection of a major field of study and can be reached at 561-297-2780 or engineering-services@fau.edu.

Students with engineering degrees from ABET-accredited institutions will be directly admitted to engineering or computer science programs of their choice.

Students may appeal denial of admission to a major through the academic petition process. For an appeal to have merit, students must explain new academic or personal information as well as extenuating circumstances. The evidence should show a student's case is stronger than the GPA evidence suggests. The faculty coordinator for the preprofessional program will review the petition according to the established College guidelines and make a recommendation to the academic petition committee.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science fully complies with the State of Florida Common Prerequisites for Computer Science and for Engineering. Students transferring from Florida community or state colleges who meet the preprofessional program course requirements will be directly admitted to the particular engineering and computer science program of their choice.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science participates in the Southeast Florida Engineering Education Consortium, a collaborative effort among public colleges and universities in this region. Detailed advising sheets outlining the courses needed at the community or state college and at FAU are available for students transferring from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Indian River colleges. These sheets also provide a useful guide for students transferring from other institutions. Students should contact their community or state college advisor or the FAU department in which they intend to enroll.

General Curriculum Notes
The College recognizes that students may transfer from other schools or programs or may have course numbering system changes. As a result, the College will accept the following as equivalent:

  1. MAP 3305, Engineering Mathematics 1 and MAP 2302, Differential Equations.
  2.  PHY 2044, Physics for Engineers 2 and PHY 2049/2049L, General Physics 2 with Lab.

Students will follow the University catalog for the year in which they began classes. However, students remaining in the program for longer than eight (8) years will be automatically updated to the most recent catalog.

Advising/Student Responsibility
A dedicated group of advisors is responsible for all advising of preprofessional students. As students are accepted into particular engineering programs, each department has experienced advisors who meet with students every term to help ensure they are taking courses in the proper sequence and at a rate consistent with their personal objectives, academic ability and other commitments. Final responsibility for meeting degree requirements and for fulfillment of course prerequisites rests with the student. All students must meet with their advisor once per year.

Engineering Cooperative Education
The College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Cooperative Education program enables qualified students to gain paid, professional work experience in business and industry prior to graduation. Co-op students either alternate periods of full-time work and study or work half time while pursuing their degrees.

The College also sponsors one-semester internships available to students enrolled for a degree within the College. Internships provide an opportunity for students to gain career-related work experience while pursuing their degrees. Internships may be either full time (35-40 hours/week) or part time (20-25 hours/week) and are repeatable.

To learn more about the Cooperative Education and internship programs, students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science should contact the FAU Career Center at 561-297-3533 or refer to its website. All students must be registered with the Center to participate in co-op or internship programs.

Engineering Student Services
The Division of Engineering Student Services and Advising promotes student success and professional development, encourages excellence and works to make the University experience more meaningful. It provides a single place for students to go for assistance or for referral to others for help. Questions related to admissions, financial aid, advising, student organizations and activities and other student-related matters may be directed to the Division of Engineering Student Services at 561-297-2780 or engineering-services@fau.edu.

Financial Aid/Student Employment
Opportunities for financial aid are available to Engineering and Computer Science students. Work opportunities sometimes are available as student assistants in offices and laboratories and on externally sponsored research projects. For more information, contact the Division of Engineering Student Services and Advising at 561-297-2780 or engineering-services@fau.edu.

Foreign Language Requirement
All students must satisfy the foreign language requirement for admission to the University.

Honors Program in Engineering

(Changes effective fall 2024.) The Honors Program provides FAU's students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science the opportunity to achieve academic excellence beyond the level of standard coursework. Students interested in pursuing the Honors designation should meet the following eligibility and admission requirements.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science launched its honors in the major program specifically to address leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship within the engineering and computer science curriculum, placing FAU at the forefront of engineering education. The Honors Program in Engineering also provides students with invaluable practical internship experience and access to industry leaders.

For more information, contact the program coordinators at innovate@fau.edu or 561-297-2492, or visit the website.

Eligibility Requirements
Engineering and Computer Science students with strong academic records and interest in improving their leadership and innovation skills are encouraged to apply for the Honors Program in Engineering program. Students must meet the following program entry requirements:

  1. Junior standing (must have completed 60 credits toward an engineering or computer science major);
  2.  Full-time student preferable;
  3.  At the time of application, must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 in the last 60 credits taken at FAU and any other previous institution of higher education;
  4. Must not have received a grade lower than a "C" in any college course; and
  5. Apply through the Division of Engineering Student Services and Advising Department.

Notes:
While it is expected that most students applying for this program will either have United States citizenship or evidence of permanent residence, international students will not be precluded from consideration and acceptance.

Program  Requirements

  1. Preferred to maintain full-time status (excluding summer semesters); however, a one-semester grace period may be given if the student decides to study abroad or has other considerations that preclude full-time status.
  2. Must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better. If a student's overall GPA falls below 3.25, a one-semester grace period may be given for improvement. If the  GPA does not recover, the student's honors status will be withdrawan.
  3. Must not receive any grade lower than a "C" in any college course. , and no college course may be repeated.
  4. Must not have any violation of the Code of Academic Integrity.
  5. Must participate in at least one general enrichment activity (membership in a student professional organization, attend professional development seminar, other approved activity).
  6. Must not receive a grade lower than a "B" in any Honors-in-the-Major course requirement (9 credits of honors-level coursework as approved in consultation with the advisor and the associate dean and capstone with honors compact).
  7. Must complete Honors Directed Independent Study (EGN 5908, 3 credits), which will count as the thesis.
  8. Must complete a formal Honors application.
  9. Must be actively involved in and provide leadership to a student club/society of their choice during their junior and senior years.
  10. Must participate in the FAU Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  11. Must complete the following coursework.
  1. Three credits of core electives; select three courses from the following list of 1-credit options:
    • EDF3912, RI: Multidisciplinary Research Methods 2 or IDS 3911, Introduction to Undergraduate Research Design;
    • IDS 3949, Professional Internship or EGN 3941, Engineering Professional Internship;
    • SPC 3597, Honors Speech and Debate or ISC 2932, Honors Scientific Writing 1 or IDH 3720, Honors Law in the Real World.
  2. Six-credit capstone design sequence with honors compact;
  3. Register for EGN 4933, Engineering Honors Seminar (0 credit) every semester while in the program. Grading is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and class meets periodically.

Sample Flight Plan

Junior Year Fall Term
Engineering Honors Seminar EGN 4933 0
Core Elective 1   1
Junior Year Spring Term
Engineering Honors Seminar EGN 4933 0
Core Elective 2   1
Junior Year Summer Term
Engineering Honors Seminar EGN 4933 0
Core Elective 3   1
Senior Year Fall Term
Engineering Honors Seminar EGN 4933 0
Engineering Capstone Design 1   3
Senior Year Spring Term
Engineering Honors Seminar EGN 4933 0
Engineering Capstone Design 2   1

 

Combined Degree Program Information

B.S. to M.S. Programs
To encourage undergraduates to pursue a graduate education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science offers joint B.S. to M.S. degree programs in its three departments: Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Ocean and Mechanical Engineering. These programs allow students to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree within five years. The undergraduate degree programs range from 120 to 127 credits, while the combined degree program includes a minimum of 150 credits. Students admitted after January 1, 2017, may count 9 credits of graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) taken as an undergraduate to satisfy both degrees. See academic program requirements.

Students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 at the end of their junior year are eligible to apply to the graduate programs in the departments of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. For combined programs in the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, students with an overall GPA of above 3.0 and a GPA of above 3.25 in the last 60 credits of coursework completed at the time of admission may apply to the graduate programs. The GPA must be maintained until graduation from the B.S. degree.

The GRE is not required for these programs. All other degree requirements apply. See individual departments for the specific program descriptions appearing just before the master's degree programs. The College also offers a combined program leading to an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering that is available to all B.S. candidates in any major in the College.

B.S. to Ph.D. Programs

The normal path from B.S. degree to Ph.D. degree in the College of Engineering and Computer Science is through the M.S. degree and its associated requirements. The B.S. to Ph.D. Program gives highly qualified students in the College the option of bypassing the M.S. degree and moving to their doctoral research activities more rapidly. B.S. to Ph.D. students will not be required to write an M.S. thesis. Students selecting the B.S. to Ph.D. option who fail to pass the Ph.D. Qualifying/Candidacy examination will be allowed to switch to an M.S. program, complete the degree requirements and receive the M.S. degree. Admission to the B.S. to Ph.D. Program may be granted to students entering or already in a graduate engineering program, including students selected for the joint B.S. to M.S. program. Admission and degree requirements are listed below.

Admission Requirements
Students in the B.S. Program:

  1. Satisfaction of the department's minimum GPA requirement, normally in the 3.2 – 3.3 range, in the last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework;
  2. A combined score (verbal and quantitative) of at least 310 on the GRE;
  3. A minimum of two letters of recommendation. Where possible these letters should address the student's qualifications for research.

Students in the M.S. Program at FAU:

  1. Satisfaction of the department's minimum GPA requirement, normally in the 3.2 – 3.3 range, in the last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework;
  2. A combined score (verbal and quantitative) of at least 310 on the GRE;
  3. A minimum GPA of 3.5 in the graduate program at FAU;
  4. Students must apply for the direct path Ph.D. program within the first year of graduate studies. Students who do not satisfy the GRE or GPA requirements stated above must obtain approval from the department and College graduate committees overseeing the graduate program and from the Graduate College before being admitted to the direct path program.


Degree Requirements

  1. Successful completion of the department's doctoral qualifying/candidacy exam. This exam will normally be taken after the student has completed 24 credits of graduate coursework in the department.
  2.  A minimum of 72 credits beyond the B.S. degree, distributed according to the following conditions:
    1. A minimum of 42 credits of graduate coursework from which a minimum of 27 credits of coursework must be in the doctorate-granting department (excluding directed independent study credits) and a minimum of 18 credits of 6000-level courses must be completed;
    2.  Except under unusual circumstances, no more than 6 credits are allowed for directed independent study and/or advanced research graduate courses (Effective summer 2024.);
    3.  No 4000-level course is allowed toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for the deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree;
    4.  A minimum of 30 dissertation credits.
  3. Successful completion and defense of the dissertation.

Master's Degree Program Information

(For master's degree programs, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

Distance Education
Engineering credit courses in support of degree programs and professional development are available through the
 Division of Engineering Student Services and Advising (DESSA) in the following disciplines: Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Engineering. Students can enroll in one or more courses encompassing the six different disciplines each semester. DESSA provides access to university courses at industry sites and government agencies. The goal of DESSA is to deliver engineering and computer science programs to students any place and any time. For information, contact the DESSA Director, 561-297-3578, or visit DESSA's website.

Graduate Summer Internship Program
The College of Engineering and Computer Science supports a Graduate Summer Internship (GSI) Program through the FAU Career Center. Available to all master's degree students enrolled in the College, this program provides an opportunity to gain career-related, paid work experience during the summer semester. GSI application and placement are handled through the CDC. Interested students should contact the CDC early in the spring semester to establish eligibility and to submit an application packet. For information, call 561-297-3533 or visit its website.

Requirements for Students with Bachelor’s Degrees in Non-Engineering Disciplines
Students with bachelor's degrees in non-engineering disciplines may satisfy the undergraduate engineering requirements and earn an M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering or Civil Engineering. Part-time or full-time study is possible. To receive the M.S. degree in engineering, these students must correct deficiencies in their programs of study by taking, in addition to regular graduate engineering courses, certain undergraduate engineering courses appropriate to the master's degree objective. Four or five such courses are typically required of students with B.S. degrees in science and 10-12 courses for non-science/engineering students. Students may opt for thesis or non-thesis options. The program of study will be individually tailored to each student's academic background, graduate engineering degree objective and relevant experience. It is expected that full-time students with appropriate preparation and background in math, science and engineering will complete the undergraduate courses phase of the program in one year.

Students must satisfy the following eligibility requirements:

  1. A cumulative GPA of 3.00.
  2. Completion of at least two semesters of college calculus with grades of "B" or better.
  3. Satisfaction of departmental minimum GRE score requirements.
  4. A letter of recommendation from their potential thesis advisor.

Specific course requirements for each program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science are listed as follows:

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
The Department of  Electrical Engineering and Computer Science requires that each student and an academic advisor work out a customized plan of study based on the student's background and desired graduate area of study. The following remedial coursework represents a maximum plan. It can be shorter if the students have already taken some of the courses or equivalent courses. Students are expected to score a "C" or better in each of the courses and to maintain an average of 3.0 or better for all the remedial courses.

Requirements for science majors:

  1. EEE 3300, Electronics 1;
  2. EEL 2161, C for Engineers;
  3. EEL 3111, Circuits 1;
  4. EEL 3118L, Electronics Laboratory 1;
  5. EEL 4656, Analysis of Linear Systems;
  6. EEL 3470, Electromagnetic Fields and Waves; or EEL 4510, Introduction to Digital Signal Processing; or EEL 4512C, Principles of Communication Systems; or EEL 4652C, Control Systems 1.

Requirements for non-science majors:

  1. The six requirements listed above;
  2. MAC 2281, Calculus for Engineers 1;
  3. MAC 2282, Calculus for Engineers 2;
  4. PHY 2048, General Physics for Engineers 1;
  5. PHY 2044, Physics for Engineers 2.

Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
The Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering requires the following remedial coursework:

  1. EGN 3311, Statics;
  2. EGN 3331, Strength of Materials;
  3. Two civil and/or environmental engineering courses in the relevant area as determined by the graduate supervisory committee;
  4. Any other course dictated by the graduate supervisory committee.

Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
The Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering requires the following remedial coursework. If students have not taken these classes during their undergraduate studies, their case needs to be reviewed by the department graduate committee, which may require them to take prerequisite classes for the graduate program and pass them with a grade of "B" or better:

  1.  EGN 3311, Statics;
  2.  EGN 3321, Dynamics;
  3.  EGN 3331, Strength of Materials;
  4.  EML 3701, Fluid Mechanics;
  5.  MAC 2281, Calculus for Engineers 1;
  6.  MAC 2282, Calculus for Engineers 2;
  7.  MAC 2313, Calculus with Analytic Geometry 3;
  8.  MAP 3305, Engineering Mathematics1; or MAP 2302, Differential Equations 1.

Interdisciplinary Minor and Certificates

Business
Graduate Minor

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

A minor in Business is available to students pursuing a non-thesis master's degree who wish to combine technical coursework in engineering or computer science with a sequence of courses designed to provide a broad background in modern business concepts. Thesis students may participate with approval of their major department.

The Business minor is available to students admitted to master's studies in any program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. It is not available to students with non-degree-seeking status. Requirements for the minor include completion of five graduate-level business courses (3 credits each) from the list below (course descriptions may be found in the 
College of Business Course Descriptions section of this catalog):

  1. ACG 6027, Financial Accounting Concepts;
  2. FIN 6406, Financial Management;
  3. ISM 6026, Management of Information Systems and Technology, or QMB 6603, Data Analysis for Managers;
  4. Select one of the following courses: MAN 6937, Global Environment of Management; ENT 6196, Biotechnology Business Development; ENT 6016, Venture Creation; or MAN 6296, Leadership and Organizations;
  5. MAR 6055, Marketing Functions and Processes.

Some course substitution may be possible for students with prior academic background in one or more of these areas. Additional requirements for master's degrees with a minor in Business are given in the individual program descriptions that follow.

The minor in Business is awarded upon graduation as an integral part of a master's degree program in Engineering or Computer Science; it is not awarded independent of these degrees. Courses taken as part of the Business minor apply toward the prerequisites for many M.B.A. programs but generally cannot be used to satisfy M.B.A. degree requirements.


Energy Resilience
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

The availability of reliable electric power is foundational to the health and safety of citizens as well as the economy. Technology is rapidly providing solutions that increase the efficiency and resiliency of the electrical grid, while renewable energy technologies are providing cleaner sources of electric power. These technological advances are made possible by engineers and scientists with advanced knowledge of the power grid, data analysis techniques and renewable energy extraction. By specializing in these areas, graduate students will be well prepared to contribute to the efficiency and resiliency of the electrical grid as well as renewable power generation.

This 12-credit certificate provides graduate students with knowledge and skills in the concepts and technologies necessary to improve the efficiency and resiliency of energy generation, transmission and distribution.

Admission
The certificate program is open to students with a bachelor's degree in engineering or science and a GPA of at least 3.0. Students must satisfy the prerequisites for each course in the program. The average GPA of all four courses counted in the program must be 3.0 or better.

Curriculum
Select four courses from the list below. Additional graduate courses in energy and power systems may be counted in the certificate program with prior permission of the advisor.

Smart Grid EEL 6297 3
Energy Engineering EGN 5735 3
Power System Analysis and Control EEL 5256 3
Advanced Photovoltaic Power Systems EEL 6284 3
Solar Energy Engineering EML 6417C 3
Advanced Energy Conversion Processes and Systems EML 6451 3
Wind and Ocean Energy Turbines EML 6455 3
Marine Renewable Energy EOC 6145 3

 

Energy Resilience
Graduate Certificate
Professional Program

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

The Professional Energy Resilience certificate is designed specifically for working professionals, allowing professionals to advance their careers with an accelerated graduate program and obtain an advanced degree while continuing to work. This stand-alone certificate is tailored for professionals and alumni with graduate degrees who are looking for specialized knowledge in Energy Resilience. The course offering format includes evenings, weekends and online material. Admission details and degree requirements for this 12-credit certificate are noted above.

Doctoral Degree Program Information

(For doctoral degree programs, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

Doctoral programs through the College of Engineering and Computer Science are available in the following disciplines: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering and Transportation and Environmental Engineering. Details on each program follow under the department in which each program is housed.

Academic Environment

The College of Engineering and Computer Science provides outstanding educational opportunities for students and personnel. With over 75 faculty, almost all with Ph.D. degrees, it is large enough to have a good selection of course offerings and student activities, yet small enough to provide the personal attention of smaller schools.

Each department has unique features and facilities indicated in the individual program descriptions. Each is affiliated with one or more national professional societies, providing students opportunities to engage in industry tours, hear professional speakers, interact and network with engineering and computer science professionals, develop leadership skills and participate in various social activities arranged by these student groups. Each has active programs of research with opportunities for student participation.

Florida Atlantic University is located in a high-tech region of the United States. Close affiliations with business and industry provide students many benefits, including job opportunities before and after graduation.

College Vision and Mission
The College of Engineering and Computer Science is committed to providing accessible and responsive programs of education and research recognized nationally for their high quality. The College aims to be the institution of choice for regional students, business and industry. As a community of scholars, the College leads by example with vision, inspiration, integrity and a shared sense of purpose. It promotes a stimulating and productive environment of work, study and scholarly inquiry for students, faculty and staff.

Through its programs in engineering and computer science, the College:

  1. Educates those who will pioneer the advancement of knowledge and who will be the leaders of tomorrow;
  2. Conducts basic and applied research in engineering, computer science and related interdisciplinary areas;
  3. Provides service to the engineering and computer science professions, to the State of Florida, to the nation and to the community at large.


College Goals

The College's goals are results-oriented. As a community of scholars, it will:

  1. Encourage young people to consider careers in engineering and computer science by introducing them to these fields while in middle and high school;
  2. Prepare graduates in ways that provide them a basis for lifelong personal and professional development and that enable them to exercise leadership and make lasting contributions in their disciplines;
  3. Continue on new roads of research and discovery in its existing areas of expertise, in emerging disciplines and in related interdisciplinary areas;
  4. Provide the educational resources that working professionals need to keep pace with developments in their field;
  5.  Magnify its positive impact in serving regional, state, national and global needs by building mutually beneficial linkages with business, industry, state colleges, K-12 programs and schools and other constituencies.


Educational Objectives
The baccalaureate experience in the Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering and Computer Science provides students with:

  1. Preparation for Practice. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions in their discipline and for graduate/professional studies.
  2. Tools for Creativity. Graduates will experience the creative and design processes and their application to typical engineering situations.
  3. Societal Awareness. Graduates will receive the breadth of education necessary to integrate practice in their disciplines with the needs and interests of a diverse modern society.
  4. Leadership Skills. Graduates will be prepared for leadership in their disciplines.


Expected Student Learning Outcomes

The baccalaureate educational objectives will be achieved by ensuring that graduates have:

  1. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. Graduates will be familiar with the professional and ethical underpinnings of their discipline and with their professional obligation for continuing education and professional development.
  2. A working knowledge of fundamentals, engineering tools and experimental methodologies. Graduates will have knowledge of math, science and engineering fundamentals. They will be able to combine these basics with their knowledge of experimental methodologies and modern engineering tools to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.
  3. An understanding of the social, economic and political contexts in which engineers must function. Graduates will be able to combine their knowledge of the social sciences and humanities with their own personal and professional experiences to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of engineering solutions in an increasingly diverse and technological society.
  4. An ability to plan and execute an engineering design to meet an identified need. Graduates will be able to use their knowledge of fundamentals, engineering techniques and tools and project planning and management to design a system, component or process that satisfies constraints and meets an identified need.
  5. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams. Graduates will be able to function effectively on teams using their knowledge of team dynamics, team communication, social norms and conflict management.
  6. An ability to communicate effectively. Graduates will be able to communicate their ideas and results to diverse audiences using their knowledge of written, oral and graphic communication.

Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering

Faculty:
Kaisar, E., Chair; Nagarajan, S., Associate Chair; Arockiasamy, M.; Bloetscher, F.; Jang, J.; Meeroff, D. E.; Reddy, D. V.; Rosson, B.; Sarhang Zadeh, O.; Scarlatos, P. D.; Sobhan K.; Stevanovic, A.; Su, H.; Teegavarapu, R; VanZwieten, J.; Yi, P.; Yong, Y.


Affiliated Faculty:
Gammack-Clark, J.; Roberts, C.; Root, T.; Xie, Z.

Adjunct Faculty:
Akly, C.; Brown, G.; George, K. P.; Goly, A.; Lowiec, M.; Mitrovic, N.; Muniz, A.; Munuswamy, S.; Ortega, J.; Pirtle,G.; Polidora, J.; Soltani Sobh, A.; Zheng, X.

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering offers the following programs of study:

Link to Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.V.)

Link to Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (B.S.E.V.)

Link to Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering (B.S.G.E.)

Link to Combined B.A. or B.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences and Second B.S. to M.S. with Major in Civil Engineering

Link to Combined B.S.C.V. to M.S. degree program

Link to Combined B.S.E.V. to M.S. degree program

Link to Combined B.S.G.E. to M.S. degree program

Link to Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Civil Engineering

Link to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Transportation and Environmental Engineering


Link to Transportation Engineering Certificate

Link to Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chain Management Certificate

Civil Engineering
Bachelor's Program

Civil engineers design the constructed environment that supports our society. From highways and buildings to bridges and water systems, the profession of civil engineering is responsible for much of the world in which
we live.

The program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.V.) reflects the breadth of the profession. Students complete coursework in basic science and mathematics, engineering sciences, civil engineering systems and materials, and the major disciplines in civil engineering. Because of the tremendous impact civil engineers have on society, the curriculum also requires students to pursue studies in the social sciences and the humanities.

The B.S.C.V. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Civil Engineering Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes
The Civil Engineering program strongly supports the educational objectives and learning outcomes of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (see the Educational Objectives and Expected Student Learning Outcomes subsections previously listed in this section).

Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the expected accomplishments and professional status of Civil Engineering graduates a few years beyond the baccalaureate degree.

The Civil Engineering program at Florida Atlantic University is dedicated to graduating civil engineers who, within a few years after graduation will:

  1. Practice civil engineering  within the general areas of structural engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering and water resources/environmental engineering in the organizations that employ them;
  2. Advance their knowledge of civil engineering both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences including attainment of professional licensure and/or graduate studies;
  3. Serve as effective professionals  based on strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility and a willingness to take the initiative and seek progressive responsibilities;
  4. Participate as leaders in activities that support service to, and/or economic development of, the community, the region, the state and the nation.


The educational objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program are achieved by ensuring that graduates have the following characteristics or student outcomes:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics;
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors;
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts;
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives;
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions;
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.V.)

(Minimum of 128 credits required)

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above to be accepted in the Civil Engineering program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides  and below.

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree will be awarded to students who:

  1. Meet all general degree requirements of the University;
  2. Complete the curriculum for the B.S. in Civil Engineering degree (see below);
  3. Take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination (the first of two exams necessary for professional licensure; contact the department for details).

Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree requires 128 credits. For credit toward the degree, a grade of "C" or better must be received in each course listed. In addition, all prerequisites for each mathematics, science or engineering course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before enrollment is permitted. The degree components are listed below.

Intellectual Foundations Program
College Writing 1 (1), (2) ENC 1101 3
College Writing 2 (1), (2) ENC 1102 3
Intellectual Foundations Program: Society and
Human Behavior Courses (1), (3)
  6
Intellectual Foundations Program: Global
Citizenship Courses (1), (3)
  6
Intellectual Foundations Program: Humanities Courses (1), (3)   6

 

Foundations of Math and Quantitative Reasoning
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 (1), (4) MAC 2311 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 (1), (4) MAC 2312 4
Foundations of Science and the Natural World
General Chemistry 1 (1) CHM 2045 and
General Chemistry Lab 1 (1) CHM 2045L 1
General Physics for Engineers 1 (1), (9)
PHY 2048 and
General Physics 1 Lab PHY 2048L 1
Total 40
Basic Mathematics and Sciences
Engineering Mathematics 1 MAP 3305 3 or
Differential Equations 1 MAP 2302 3
Statistics Restricted Elective   3
Physical and Natural Science Restricted Elective 1   4
Physical and Natural Science Restricted Elective 2   4
Total 14


Statistics Restricted Elective: Probability and Statistics for Engineers (STA 4032), Stochastic Models for Computer Science (STA 4821), Probability and Statistics 1 (STA 4442) or equivalent.

Physical and Natural Science Restricted Elective 1: includes but is not limited to Physical Geology/Evolution of the Earth with Lab (GLY 2010C), Biological Science with Lab, Earth Science, or equivalent.

Physical and Natural Science Restricted Elective 2: includes but is not limited to Physics for Engineers 2 (PHY 2044) with lab (PHY 2049L), General Chemistry 2 (CHM 2046) with lab (CHM 2046L), or other physical or natural science course approved by the department.

Engineering Fundamentals
Engineering Graphics Elective
Computer-Aided Design CGN 2327 or
Engineering Graphics EGN 1111C 3
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3
Computer Programming Elective
Programming 1 COP 2220 or
Computer Applications in Engineering 1 EGN 2213 or
C for Engineers EEL 2161 3
Statics EGN 3311 3
Dynamics EGN 3321 3
Strength of Materials EGN 3331 3
Geomatics SUR 3103 2
Geomatics Lab SUR 3103L 1
RI: Construction Project Management CCE 4031 3
Total 24

 

Civil Engineering Technical Core
Soil Mechanics (5) CEG 3011C 3
Analysis of Structures (5) CES 3102C 3
Civil Engineering Materials (5) CGN 3501C 3
Applied Hydraulics (5) CWR 3201C 3
Environmental Science and Engineering (5) ENV 3001C 3
Introduction to Transportation
Engineering (5)
TTE 3004C 3
Total 18

 

Civil Engineering Design Core. Students must take four courses, one course in each of the four core areas to meet ABET criteria (6)
Geotechnical Engineering Design Core (select one)
Foundation Engineering CEG 4012 or
Ground Improvement Design CEG 4122 or
Pavement Design CEG 4126 3
Structural Engineering Design Core (select one)
Reinforced Concrete Design CES 4702 or
Structural Steel Design CES 4605 or
Transportation Engineering Design Core (select one)
Transportation Planning and Logistics (5) TTE 4005C or
Transportation Operations and Logistics
Management
TTE 4105 or
Highway Engineering TTE 4810 3
Water Resources Engineering Design Core (select one)
Hydrologic Engineering CWR 4202 or
Stormwater Modeling and Management CWR 4307 3
Total 12

 

Additional Engineering Design Core
RI: Water and Wastewater Treatment
Systems
ENV 4514 3
Subdivision Design SUR 4463 2
Total 5

 

Capstone Design Core
RI: Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering Design 1 (2), (5) CGN 4803C 3
RI: Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering Design 2 (2), (5) CGN 4804C 3
Total 6

 

Technical Electives (Select 9 credits from the list)
Any approved 3000- or 4000-level course offered by the department
Any graduate course approved by the department (7)
Engineering Professional Internship EGN 3941 0-4
Professional Internship IDS 3949 0-4
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science (8) EGN 4911 0-3
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 1-3
Total 9


Notes:

  1. Contributes to University Core Curriculum requirements.
  2. Contributes to Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing requirement.
  3. Intellectual Foundations Program courses, totaling 6 credits, must be selected to satisfy Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing requirements.
  4. Contributes to Gordon Rule mathematics requirement.
  5. Includes a 1-credit laboratory .
  6. All design professional core courses contain a communications component (writing or speaking).
  7. 9 credits may be taken from Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering graduate courses—this is highly recommended for students planning to pursue the B.S./M.S.
  8. Grading: S/U.
  9. PHY 2048, General Physics 1 (4 credits) is an acceptable substitute, but only 3 credits will apply toward the degree.

Sample Four-Year Program of Study
For the sample four-year program of study for the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, refer to the Curriculum Sheets and Flight Plans by major.

Minors and Certificate Programs Appropriate for Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a uniquely wide-ranging profession. Various departments offer minors and certificate programs that augment a student's civil engineering education. The faculty encourages students to pursue a minor or certificate, such as:

Surveying and Mapping cer tificate program, highly recommended (Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering)

Geographic Information Systems certificate program, highly recommended (Department of Geosciences)

Obtaining a minor or certificate will require the completion of credits beyond the 128 required for the B.S. in Civil Engineering. Contact the department offering the minor or certificate for more details.

Internships
Civil Engineering students are strongly encouraged to gain practical experience through participation in internship opportunities. However, internships may only substitute for one technical elective with prior approval from the department chair and only if taken for a grade (IDS 3949, Professional Internship or EGN 3941, Engineering Professional Internship). For more information, contact the FAU Career Center at 561-297-3533 or visit its website.

Combined Programs

Civil Engineering
bachelor of science in civil engineering (B.S.C.V.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

With an approximate duration of five years, the combined Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering to Master of Science program provides an attractive way for students to continue their graduate work. The undergraduate degree program is 128 credits, while the combined degree program includes a minimum of 150 credits. Students admitted after January 1, 2017, may count 9 credits of graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) taken as an undergraduate to satisfy both degrees. See specific program requirements.

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.
  3. A maximum of 9 credits may then be counted for both the bachelor's and master's programs if the total number of credits exceeds 150. Students complete the undergraduate degree first.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the Transition Guides.

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

To be eligible for the joint B.S.C.V./M.S. program, students must:

  1. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher (FAU and transfer courses);
  2. Have a total institution GPA of 3.25 or higher (FAU courses); and
  3. Formally apply to the joint program, completing the admissions process at least one semester prior to beginning the M.S. portion of the program.
  4. Complete a thesis.


Biological and Physical Sciences to Civil, Environmental or Geomatics Engineering to Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Second Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

This program is offered in partnership with the Wilkes Honors College. Details for this combined degree program are listed in the Wilkes Honors College section.

Master's Program

Civil Engineering
Master of Science (M.S)

(Changes effective spring 2024.) (For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The mission of the Master of Science with Major in Civil Engineering program is to meet the advanced civil engineering educational needs of graduates of undergraduate programs, practicing engineers and those non-engineering professionals wishing to redirect their career paths. Graduates of the program possess these attributes or educational outcomes:

  1. Ability to apply knowledge in civil engineering and related subjects significantly beyond the baccalaureate level;
  2. Ability to communicate ideas and results professionally in written, oral and graphical forms;
  3. Ability to independently conduct research or solve a significant practice-oriented design in civil engineering.

These educational outcomes result from successful completion of a well-planned, rigorous set of courses and a major research or design experience.

Students wishing to continue their education but not pursue a formal academic degree are welcome to take graduate courses with the appropriate technical preparation.

Admission Requirements
All students must comply with the College's admission requirements noted under the Master's Degree Program Information header. Once students meet all College requirements,applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students with non-engineering bachelor's degrees, click here for additional requirements. Students are normally admitted to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering program if they meet the following:

  1. Possess a baccalaureate degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering field. Students with non-engineering backgrounds are required to take remedical coursework as recommended by the departmental graduate committee. Click here for additional information.
  2. Have achieved a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average in the last 60 credits of undergraduate work;
  3. Have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). There is no minimum required score. Applicants with a Civil or Environmental Engineering bachelor's degree from any ABET-accredited program are not required to take the GRE. Applicants who have passed Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) are not required to take the GRE;
  4. Students with non-engineering backgrounds are required to take the GRE and remedial coursework (link) as recommended by the CEGE graduate committee;
  5. Have demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English. Students from non-English-speaking countries are required to take an Englsh language proficiency test the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and are expected to achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on PBT (paper-based test), 79 on IBT (internet-based test) or 213  on CBT (computer-based test); 6.0 on IELTS; or 100 on Duolingo. score of 550 or 213 (computer-based);
  6. Agree to abide by the graduate admission requirements of the University as published in the University Catalog;
  7. Distance Learning students must comply with the College of Engineering and Computer Science Distance Education guidelines noted under the Master's Degree Program Information header above.

Degree Requirements
The degree of Master of Science with major in Civil Engineering is awarded to the candidate who has:

  1. Complied with University graduate policies and regulations;
  2. Satisfied the University's graduate degree requirements;
  3. Completed the appropriate Plan of Study for the degree option selected.

Plan of Study 
A Plan of Study is a set of courses and a thesis or project activity chosen and completed in a sequence that meets the needs and interests of the individual student and the degree requirements and other stipulations of the University, College of Engineering and Computer Science and the department. There is no requirement for master's students to be full-time, nor is there an on-campus service requirement. The Plan of Study must be approved by the student's supervisory committee and the department no later than the end of the student's second semester in the program, regardless of the number of credits earned.

Degree Options
There are two degree options: Master of Science with Major in Civil Engineering with thesis and Master of Science with Major in Civil Engineering, courses only.

M.S. Civil Engineering with Thesis
(A total of 30 credits required.)

  1. Requires 6 credits of Master's Thesis, and
  2. Requires 24 credits of approved coursework (5000 level or higher) with the following constraints:
    1.  At least half of the total credits shall be designated as 6000-level courses or above;
    2. At least half of the total credits must be from CEGE courses;
  3. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

M.S. Civil Engineering (courses only)
(A total of 30 credits required.)

  1. Requires 30 credits of approved coursework (5000 level or higher) with the following constraints:
    1. At least half of the credits included in any master's degree program shall be designated as 6000-level courses.
    2. At least half of the total credits shall be from CEGE courses.
  2. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Program Concentrations
Areas of concentration include:

  • Structural/Geotechnical Engineering
  • Transportation/Geomatics Engineering
  • Water Resources/Environmental Engineering

Master of Science with Major in Civil Engineering students may complete one concentration, which includes a minimum of two core classes chosen from a list of courses for each concentration. Note: No more than 3 credits of Directed Independent Study may be applied toward the degree. All course selections must be part of an approved plan of study. All Master of Science with Major in Civil Engineering students must complete one semester of a 0-credit graduate seminar course.

Structural/Geotechnical Engineering Core
Soil Stabilization and Geosynthetics CEG 6124
Advanced Structural Analysis CES 6106
Finite Element Methods in Civil Engineering* CES 6119
Bridge Design CES 6325
Structural Dynamics CES 6585
Prestressed Concrete CES 6715


* Introduction to Finite Element Methods, (EGM 5351) is an acceptable substitute.

Transportation/Geomatics Engineering Core 
Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing SUR 6387C
Advanced Unmanned Aerial System Mapping SUR 6502
Intelligent Transportation Systems TTE 6272
Maritime Freight Operations TTE 6508
Sustainable Public Transportation TTE 6651
Highway Engineering TTE 6815
Transportation System Analysis TTE 6501
Terrestrial Laser Scanning CEG 6304C

 

Water Resources/Environmental Engineering Core
Open Channel Hydraulics CWR 6235
Dynamic Hydrology CWR 6525
Water Resource System Engineering CWR 6818
Air Pollution and Control ENV 6115
Water Supply and Treatment ENV 6418
Wastewater Engineering ENV 6507
Sustainability and Pollution Prevention ENV 6932


Note:
 
Credits of Directed Independent Study may be applied toward the degree with the approval of the department. All course selections must be part of an approved plan of study. All Master of Science with Major in Civil Engineering students must complete one semester of a 0-credit graduate seminar course.

Business Minor
Students electing to complete a Business minor must follow the College of Engineering and Computer Science guidelines for the Business minor noted above.

Thesis Supervision 
All M.S.C.V. students in the thesis option must select a supervisory committee. The supervisory committee must contain at least three members. The student's advisor will review and approve the student's plan of study. The chair of the committee and at least one of the other members must be chosen from the department faculty with expertise in the area of concentration chosen by the student. The third member may be chosen from the department faculty or from outside the department in accordance with the University guidelines established in the Graduate Governance document. The third member may be a professional from the practicing engineering community. All members of the committee should have doctoral degrees.

The Thesis
The master's thesis is a comprehensive original work that contributes to the understanding of an engineering problem.

The thesis is presented at an oral defense, the time and date of which must be approved by the supervisory committee. A minimum of two weeks prior to the anticipated defense, the written thesis must be delivered to the supervisory committee in the format described in a document titled, Requirements and Guidelines for Graduate Theses and Dissertations, that is available from the FAU Graduate College.

The supervisory committee determines the format of the defense and, in private consultation at the completion of the oral defense, whether or not the defense was successful and the thesis is acceptable in scope and quality.

Students are expected to provide updates on their progress each semester, both written and oral. A progress report is required to record a satisfactory progress grade for thesis credits. It is expected that, at a minimum, one peer-reviewed paper will be submitted as part of the thesis option. At a minimum, one presentation or poster at a conference is also expected.

Non-Thesis Supervision
M.S.C.V. students in the courses-only option will select a department faculty member with expertise in their chosen area of concentration to be the program supervisor who reviews and approves the student's plan of study.

Transfer Credits
A maximum of 9 credits of graduate-level work earned at FAU as an undergraduate or while in non-degree status at FAU and a maximum of 6 credits transferred from another regionally or nationally accredited institution may be used to satisfy M.S. with Major in Civil Engineering degree requirements subject to the following restrictions:

  1. The student must present a transcript identifying the course in which the student earned a grade of "B" or better, along with a catalog/course description.
  2. The course must not have been counted toward any other graduate degree awarded or to be awarded to the student.
  3. The course is relevant to the student's approved Plan of Study.
  4. No credit earned ten or more years before the degree is awarded may be counted toward the M.S. with Major in Civil Engineering degree program. Credits transferred into or applied to the program are considered as earned in the first semester of enrollment.

Professional Licensing
Engineering is a regulated profession, and many civil engineers become licensed Professional Engineers (P.E.) through a process of examination and certification of engineering experience. Since undergraduate experience and training varies considerably among graduate students, students should contact the Florida Board of Professional Engineers for specific information about eligibility to sit for the licensing examinations. Note that completion of a master's degree in Engineering is not sufficient to qualify students from non-engineering backgrounds for licensure in Florida, and such students may not refer to themselves as "engineers" in Florida in accordance with CH 287.055 F.S. Where there are questions, students are asked to contact the Florida Board of Professional Engineers directly. The Florida Board of Professional Engineers' address is:

Florida Board of Professional Engineers
2507 Callaway Road, Suite 200
Tallahassee, Florida 32303-5268
850-521-0500 (Telephone)
850-521-0521 (Fax)
www.fbpe.org/

Financial Aid
Full-time students may be considered for a graduate assistantship, which provides part-time employment in the department. Full or partial tuition waivers may also be awarded to graduate assistants. The number of assistantships is limited, and they are awarded on the basis of the technical area of interest, the student's experience and academic record. Interested students should contact the department. Other financial aid opportunities also may be available through the University. Contact the FAU Financial Aid Office for more information.

Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
The Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering requires the following remedial coursework for students with non-engineering backgrounds:

  1. EGN, Statics;
  2. EGN 3331, Strength of Materials;
  3. Two civil and/or environmental engineering courses in the relevant area as determined by the graduate supervisory committee;
  4. Any other course dictated by the graduate supervisory committee.

Doctoral Program

Transportation and Environmental Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

(Minimum of 72 credits required)

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree focused on urban mobility and environmental/water resources sustainability. This degree provides students with a fundamental and applied research-based education suitable for seeking employment in industry, government or academia.

Admission Requirements 
Applicants should have a master’s degree in Engineering, Science, Urban Planning, Transportation Logistics or Mathematics from an accredited college or university. A student with outstanding scholastic achievement who holds only a baccalaureate degree in Engineering, Science, Urban Planning, Transportation Logistics or Mathematics from an accredited college or university may be admitted directly to this Ph.D. program and be eligible to earn the 
Master's en Passant. Specific requirements for the B.S. to Ph.D. are found here.

Requirements for students with previous degrees in non-engineering disciplines are found here. Additional eligibility requirements are:

  1. A cumulative GPA of 3.00;
  2. Completion of at least two semesters of college calculus with grades of "B" or better;
  3. Satisfaction of departmental minimum GRE score requirements; and
  4. A letter of recommendation from their potential graduate advisor.

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering requires the following deficiency coursework for students without an engineering bachelor’s degree from an accredited program: two fundamental engineering courses in the relevant area, as determined by the dissertation advisor or department graduate committee.

  1. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or better in the last 60 credits of work attempted coursework and must have an official transcript forwarded directly to the FAU Graduate College from each college-level institution attended;
  2. Applicants must submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score. The GRE requirement is waived with proof of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have a previous degree from FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science;
  3. A student from a non-English-speaking country is required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (iBT). This requirement may be waived for students who have obtained a prior degree from a U.S. institution;
  4. Applicants must submit to the Graduate College at least two letters of recommendation attesting to the student's ability to pursue with distinction a curriculum of advanced study and research in a chosen area;
  5. Applicants must abide by the policies and regulations and the graduate admission requirements of the University as outlined in this University Catalog;
  6. Conditional admission may be permitted if the above conditions are not met.

Graduation Requirements
The degree will be conferred on candidates who have fulfilled the following requirements:

  1. Completed the curriculum for the Ph.D. in Transportation and Environmental Engineering, which entails:
    • Successful completion of 72 credits of course and dissertation work beyond the baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade of “B" in each course. Up to 30 credits of coursework from an approved master’s degree program may be applied;
    • Maintenance of a minimum 3.0 GPA in all coursework attempted for the degree. Failure to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 may result in creating an Academic Progression Plan (APP) for the student.

      Core Courses - two courses for 6 credits
      Sustainability and Pollution Prevention ENV 6932 3
      Transportation System Analysis TTE 6501 3
      Technical Electives - three courses for 9 credits
      Select three courses at the 5000 or 6000 level from the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering. The courses must be approved by the dissertation advisor.
      Other Electives - two courses for 6 credits
      Select two courses at the 5000, 6000 or 7000 level from the College of Engineering and Computer Science or other FAU colleges. No more than 3 credits of Directed Independent Study (DIS) or Advanced Research (CGN 7978). The courses must be approved by the dissertation advisor. (Change effective spring 2024.)
      Dissertation (CGN 7980) - 21 credits (minimum) for students entering with a master's degree
      Up to 3 credits of graduate internship (EGN 5940) may be used to satisfy the 21-credit dissertation minimum requirement, with approval of the dissertation advisor.
      Graduate Seminar (CGN 5937) - two semesters
  2. Successful completion of a qualifying exam is required upon completion of 15 credits of core and technical elective courses; 
  3. Successful completion of a dissertation proposal defense is typically required within two semesters after passing the qualifying exam; 
  4. Prior to the dissertation defense, the student is required to have published or have accepted for publication a refereed research paper in a field of study deemed acceptable by the dissertation committee. A journal article is preferred, but a peer-reviewed conference paper is also acceptable;
  5. Successful completion of an oral defense of the written doctoral dissertation based on original research in the student’s area of specialization. The Dissertation/Supervisory Committee, the Department Chair and the Graduate College must have approved the dissertation and oral defense;
  6. Complied with the University’s Graduate Policies and Regulations and satisfied the University’s Graduate Degree Requirements.

Dissertation/Supervisory Committee
Upon acceptance into the Ph.D. Program, a student will select an advisor from the department faculty members to serve as chair of the Dissertation/Supervisory Committee. The student’s Ph.D. Dissertation/Supervisory Committee will have a minimum of four members with at least two of them having expertise in the research area. At least two committee members must be from the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomataics Engineering. One member and/or co-chair of the committee can be from outside the department. Also the committee may include a member from another institution or industry. The Dissertation/Supervisory Committee shall approve the dissertation proposal, monitor academic progress every semester, evaluate the dissertation defense and approve the final doctoral dissertation document.

Qualifying Exam
Upon successful completion of core and technical elective courses, the student will be required to complete a qualifying examination. The examination is scheduled after the last day of the final examination period and before the end of the fall semester and the spring semester each year. The examination will be in two parts: One covering the core courses and one covering the technical elective subjects. An overall grade of 70 percent on each part of the written examination is passing. Students who score below 70 percent on certain parts of the written examination are given the option of retaking exams on areas in which they scored less than 70 percent. The student must score at least 70 percent in each subject that is retaken. Normally, two failures will result in the student’s dismissal from the Ph.D. program. After passing the Qualifying Exam, the student advances to candidacy.

Proposal Defense: Within two semesters after successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, the candidate must orally defend the dissertation proposal to the Dissertation/Supervisory Committee for approval. The student should submit a written proposal report to the Dissertation/Supervisory Committee for review prior to the oral presentation.

Dissertation Defense: The doctoral dissertation shall be written in the format specified by the Graduate College. The dissertation must be defended orally and represent an original piece of research that advances the body of knowledge in the field. A written dissertation is submitted to the members of the committee who may approve, suggest additional work or reject the dissertation work after the defense.

Transportation Engineering
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

Transportation engineering is an interdisciplinary field that integrates many aspects of engineering and computer science fundamentals, quantitative methods, and technology innovations associated with traffic operations, safety, intelligent transportation, supply chain and management. This is a practice-oriented program designed to assist engineers, planners, researchers and technical professionals in the launch or development of their careers in the transportation field.

Admission
The graduate certificate in Transportation Engineering is open to all prospective students and industry professionals who hold a bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field. Prospective students must have a 3.0 GPA to ensure equivalency to graduate standing. Students enrolled in this certificate program are classified as non-degree-seeking students. Credits earned by non-degree students in this program may be applied later to a master of science degree program, if students choose to pursue such a degree. Only up to one third of the non-degree credits with a grade of "B" or higher can be counted toward a graduate degree.

Curriculum
Students must complete four courses from the following list or the equivalent with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

Intelligent Transportation Systems TTE 6272 3
Transportation System Analysis TTE 6501 3
Transportation and Supply Chain Systems TTE 6507 3
Maritime Freight Operations TTE 6508 3
Highway Engineering TTE 6815 3



Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

To provide students with the knowledge necessary in this age of connected supply chains, the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management (ITOM) in the College of Business and the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering (CEGE) in the College of Engineering and Computer Science offer a jointly designed certificate in Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. This 12-credit certificate permits graduate students to expand their knowledge on the technical skills of transportation engineering and the analytical business decision-making skills of supply chain management. Details for this certificate program can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of the catalog.

Admission
This certificate program is open to students who have a bachelor's degree in business or engineering or in a related field and a GPA of at least 3.0. Students must satisfy the prerequisites for each course in the program.

Curriculum
All four required courses must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or better. All course materials are in English; all international students must demonstrate proficiency in English to enter the program.

Required Courses by Department
ITOM Department
(select two from the list, one of which must be MAN 6596)
Operations Management MAN 6501 3
Project Management MAN 6581 3
Supply Chain Management MAN 6596 3
CEGE Department
(select two from the list)
Transportation System Analysis TTE 6501 3
Transportation and Supply Chain Systems TTE 6507 3
Maritime Freight Operations TTE 6508 3


Environmental Engineering
Bachelor's Program

Environmental engineers integrate principles of engineering, mathematics, earth science, soil science, life science and materials science with emphasis on the design and development of solutions to environmental challenges, such as improvement of water, air pollution control, safe disposal of wastes and the stewardship of our natural resources. 

Environmental Engineering Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes
The Environmental Engineering program strongly supports the educational objectives and learning outcomes of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (see the Educational Objectives and Expected Student Learning Outcomes subsections previously listed in this section).

Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the expected accomplishments and professional status of Environmental Engineering graduates a few years beyond the baccalaureate degree.

The Environmental Engineering program at Florida Atlantic University is dedicated to graduating environmental engineers who, within a few years after graduation will:

  1. Practice environmental engineering  within the general areas of water and wastewater, air quality, solid and hazardous waste, and groundwater and soils in the organizations that employ them;
  2. Advance their knowledge of environmental engineering, both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences including attainment of professional licensure and/or graduate studies;
  3. Serve as effective professionals  based on strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility and a willingness to take the initiative and seek progressive responsibilities;
  4. Participate as leaders  in activities that support service to, and/or economic development of, the community, the region, the state and the nation.

The educational objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering program are achieved by ensuring that graduates have the following characteristics or student outcomes:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics;
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors;
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts;
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives;
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions;
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Link to Combined Programs


Environmental Engineering
Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering (B.S.e.v.)

(Minimum of 120 credits required)

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above to be accepted in the Environmental Engineering program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides  and below.

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering degree will be awarded to students who:

  1. Meet all general degree requirements of the University;
  2. Complete the curriculum for the B.S. in Environmental Engineering degree (see below);
  3. Take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination (the first of two exams necessary for professional licensure; contact the department for details).

Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering degree requires120 credits. For credit toward the degree, a grade of "C" or better must be received in each course listed. In addition, all prerequisites for each mathematics, science or engineering course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before enrollment is permitted. The degree components are listed below.

Intellectual Foundations Program
College Writing 1 (1), (2) ENC 1101 3
College Writing 2 (1), (2) ENC 1102 3
Intellectual Foundations Program: Society and Human Behavior Courses (1), (3)   6
Intellectual Foundations Program: Global Citizenship Courses (1), (3)   6
Intellectual Foundations Program: Humanities Courses (1), (3)   6

 

Foundations of Math and Quantitative Reasoning
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 (1), (4) MAC 2311 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 (1), (4) MAC 2312 4
Foundations of Science and the Natural World
General Chemistry 1  or
Engineering Chemistry (1)
CHM 2045 or
EGN 2095
and
General Chemistry Lab 1  or
Engineering Chemistry Lab (1)
CHM 2045L or
EGN 2095L
1
General Physics for Engineers 1 (1), (9) PHY 2048 3 and
General Physics 1 Lab PHY 2048L 1
Total 40
Basic Mathematics and Sciences
General Chemistry 2 (1) CHM 2046 and
General Chemistry 2 Lab (1) CHM 2046L 1
Engineering Mathematics 1 MAP 3305 or
Differential Equations MAP 3302 3
Earth Science Elective (1)   3
Biological Science Elective (1)   4
Statistics Restricted Elective   3
Total 17


Statistics Restricted Elective: Probability and Statistics for Engineers (STA 4032), Stochastic Models for Computer Science (STA 4821), Probability and Statistics 1 (STA 4442) or equivalent.

Engineering Fundamentals
Engineering Graphics Elective
Computer-Aided Design CGN 2327 or
Engineering Graphics EGN 1111C 3
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3
Computer Programming Elective
Programming 1 COP 2220 3 or
Computer Applications in Engineering 1 EGN 2213 or
C for Engineers EEL 2161 3
Statics EGN 3311 3
Strength of Materials EGN 3331 3
Engineering Thermodynamics EGN 3343 3
Total 18

 

Environmental Engineering Technical Core
Soil Mechanics (5) CEG 3011C 3
Applied Hydraulics (5) CWR 3201C 3
Environmental Science and Engineering (5) ENV 3001C 3
RI: Environmental Fate and Transport ENV 4053 3
Introduction to Pollution Prevention and
Sustainability
ENV 4072 3
Total 15

 

Environmental Engineering Design Core
Hydrologic Engineering CWR 4202 3
Air Pollution and Control Systems ENV 4112 3
Air Pollution Lab ENV 4112L 1
RI: Solid and Hazardous Waste and Site
Remediation
ENV 4341 3
RI: Water and Wastewater Treatment
Systems
ENV 4514 3
Subdivision Design SUR 4463 2
Total 15

 

Capstone Design Core
RI: Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering Design 1 (2), (5), (10) CGN 4803C 3
RI:  Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering Design 2 (2), (5), (11) CGN 4804C 3
Total 6

 

Technical Electives (Select 9 credits from the list) (6)

Any CEGE graduate course offering approved by the department (7)

Other approved 3000- or 4000-level course offered by the department

Environmental Geochemistry GLY 4241 3
Hydrogeology GLY 4822 3
Oceanography OCE 3008 3
Sustainable Cities URP 4403 3
Environmental Planning Methods URP 4420 3
Environment and Disease ANT 4463 3
Environmental Ethics PHI 3640 3
Global Environmental Politics and Policies INR 4350 3
Environmental Economics ECP 4302 3
Entrepreneurship ENT 4024 3
Engineering Professional Internship EGN 3941 0-4
Professional Internship IDS 3949 0-4
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science (8) EGN 4911 0-3
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 1-3
Total 9


Notes:

  1. Contributes to University Core Curriculum requirements.
  2. Contributes to Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing requirement.
  3. Intellectual Foundations Program courses, totaling 6 credits, must be selected to satisfy Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing requirements.
  4. Contributes to Gordon Rule mathematics requirement.
  5. Includes a 1-credit laboratory.
  6. All design core courses contain a communications component (writing or speaking).
  7. 9 credits may be taken from Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering graduate courses—this is highly recommended for students planning to pursue the B.S./M.S.
  8. Grading: S/U.
  9. PHY 2048, General Physics 1 (4 credits) is an acceptable substitute, but only 3 credits will apply toward the degree.
  10. Prerequisites are ENV 4514 and SUR 4463.
  11. Prerequisite is CGN 4803C.


Sample Four-Year Program of Study

For the sample four-year program of study for the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, refer to the Curriculum Sheets and Flight Plans by major.

Internships
Environmental Engineering students are strongly encouraged to gain practical experience through participation in internship opportunities. However, internships may only substitute for one environmental engineering technical elective with prior approval from the department chair and only if taken for a grade (IDS 3949, Professional Internship) for a total of three semesters. For more information, contact the FAU Career Center at 561-297-3533 or visit its website.

Combined Programs

enivronmental engineering to Civil Engineering
Bachelor of science in environmental engineering (B.S.E.V.) to Master of science (m.s.)
combined program

Degree Program
This program allows Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (B.S.E.V.) students the opportunity to complete the Master of Science (M.S.) with Major in Civil Engineering in less time than the traditional M.S. program. This combined degree program is intended for academically talented students and high achievers. After application and admittance to the M.S. graduate program at the beginning of the senior year, up to 9 credits of approved graduate-level courses may be taken and counted toward both the B.S.E.V. and the M.S. with Major in Civil Engineering degrees as long as the following criteria are met:

  1. The student has met the minimum of 120 credits for the B.S.E.V. degree, and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits (5000 level or higher) for the M.S. with Major in Civil Engineering.

The combined degree program is 150 credits, 120 for the undergraduate degree and 30 for the master's degree. Students complete the undergraduate degree first, taking no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework in their senior year, which will then be used to satisfy both degrees.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the 
Transition  Guides.

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

To be eligible for the joint B.S.E.V./M.S. program, students must:

  1. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher (FAU and transfer courses);
  2. Have a total institution GPA of 3.25 or higher (FAU courses); and
  3. Formally apply to the joint program, completing the admissions process at least one semester prior to beginning the M.S. portion of the program.

BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES TO CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL OR GEOMATICS ENGINEERING TO CIVIL ENGINEERING
BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.) OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) TO SECOND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) TO MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.)
COMBINED PROGRAM

Details for this combined degree program are listed in the Wilkes Honors College section.

Geomatics Engineering
Bachelor's Program

The program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering (B.S.G.E.) deals with designing solutions to measure, map, model, analyze and graphically display the real world. Graduates will explore cutting edge technology in image processing, digital photogrammetry, remote sensing, satellite-based global positioning, geographic information systems, laser scanning and digital mapping.

The B.S.G.E. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Students complete coursework in basic science and mathematics, engineering sciences and the main disciplines in geomatics engineering. Because of the major impact geomatics engineers have on society, the curriculum also requires students to complete the Intellectual Foundations Program. This area of study also offers a minor in Geomatics Engineering and a certificate in
 Surveying and Mapping.

Geomatics Engineering Educational Objectives
Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the expected accomplishments and professional status of Geomatics Engineering graduates a few years beyond the baccalaureate degree.

The Geomatics Engineering Program at Florida Atlantic University is dedicated to graduating geomatics engineers who, within a few years after graduation will:

  1. Practice geomatics engineering  within the general areas of boundary and land surveying, geographic information systems (GIS), photogrammetry, remote sensing, mapping, geodesy, and global navigation satellite systems in the organizations that employ them;
  2. Advance their knowledge of geomatics engineering,  both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences, including attainment of professional licensure and/or graduate studies.
  3. Serve as effective professionals,  based on strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility, and a willingness to take the initiative and seek progressive responsibilities.
  4. Participate as leaders in activities that support service to, and/or economic development of, the community, the region, the state and the nation.

Geomatics Engineering Student Outcomes
The educational objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering program are achieved by ensuring that graduates have the following characteristics or student outcomes:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics;
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specific needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors;
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts;
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives;
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions;
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.


Link to Geomatics Engineering Minor

Link to Surveying and Mapping Certificate

Link to Combined Programs


Geomatics Engineering
Bachelor of Science in geomatics engineering (b.s.g.e.) 

(Minimum of 120 credits required)

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above in order to be accepted into the Geomatics Engineering program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition  Guides.

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering degree will be awarded to students who:

  1. Meet all general degree requirements of the University;
  2. Complete the curriculum for the B.S.G.E. in Geomatics Engineering degree (see below);
  3. Take the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Surveying Examination (the first of two exams necessary for the professional surveyors and mappers license). Contact Geomatics Engineering for details.

Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering degree requires 120 credits. For credit toward the degree, a grade of "C" or better must be received in each course listed, except for humanities and social science courses not applied toward Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing requirements. In addition, all prerequisites for each mathematics, science or engineering course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before enrollment is permitted. The degree components are listed below.

Intellectual Foundations Program - 39 credits
Foundations of Written Communication Courses - 6 credits
College Writing 1 (1), (2) ENC 1101 3
College Writing 2 (1), (2) ENC 1102 3
Foundations of Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning Courses - 6 credits
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 (1), (4) MAC 2311 4
Introductory Statistics STA 2023 3
Foundations of Science and the Natural World Courses - 6 credits
General Physics for Engineers 1 (1), (8) PHY 2048  and 3
General Physics 1 Lab PHY 2048L 1
Students must take one additional course from the list below:
General Chemistry 1 CHM 2045 and 3
General Chemistry 1 Lab CHM 2045L 1
Physical Geology/Evolution of the Earth GLY 2010C 4
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior Courses - 6 credits (1), (3)
Foundations of Global Citizenship Courses - 6 credits (1), (3)
Foundations of Humanities Courses - 6 credits (1), (3)
Total 39

 

Additional Basic Mathematics and Sciences Electives - 15 credits
Introduction to Calculus with Applications MAC 2210 or 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 MAC 2312 4
Or  any mathematics course for which one of the math courses is a direct prerequisite
Introduction to Physical Geography GEO 2200C 3
Select 8 credits from the Foundations of Science and the Natural World Group A or B not already taken for credit 8

 

Business Electives 3 credits (select one course) (Changes effective fall 2024.)
Principles of Accounting 1 ACG 2021 3
Entrepreneurship ENT 4024 3
Entrepreneurial Assistance Project ENT 4934 3
Introduction to Business GEB 2011 3
Information Systems Fundamentals ISM 2000 3
Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior MAN 3025 3
Principles of Real Estate REE 3043 3
Engineering Graphics EGN 111C 3

 

Engineering Fundamentals - 15 credits
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3
Introduction to Mapping and GIS (5) GIS 3015C  or 3
GIS for Civil Engineering Applications CGN 4321 3
Geomatics SUR 3103  and 2
Geomatics Lab SUR 3103L 1
Engineering Graphics Elective
Computer-Aided Design CGN 2327  or 3
Engineering Graphics EGN 1111C 3
Computer Programming Elective    
Programming 1 COP 2220  or 3
Computer Applications in Engineering 1 EGN 2213  or 3
C for Engineers EEL 2161 3

 

Construction Engineering Core - credits
Engineering and Construction Surveying SUR 3205 2
Engineering and Construction Surveying Lab SUR 3205L 1
RI: Construction Project Management CCE 4031  or 3
Introduction to Transportation Engineering (5) TTE 3004C 3

 

Surveying Engineering Core - 12 credits
Automated Surveying and Mapping SUR 3141 and 2
Automated Surveying and Mapping Lab SUR 3141L 1
Measurement Theory and Data Analysis SUR 3520 3
Cadastral Principles and Legal Aspects SUR 4403 3
Geodesy and Geodetic Positioning SUR 4530  and 2
Geodesy and Geodetic Positioning Lab SUR 4530L 1

 

Reality Capture Core - 6 credits
Select any combination to total 6 credits. 
Introduction to Laser Mapping Technology CCE 4514C 3
Digital Photogrammetry Principles and Applications SUR 4331C
Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing and Applications SUR 4384 3

 

Capstone Design - 6 credits
Subdivision Design SUR 4463  and 2
Land Subdivision and Platting Lab SUR 3463L 1
Capstone Elective - Select one
RI: Civil, Environmental and Geomatics
Engineering Design 1
CGN 4803C  or 3
RI: Engineering Technology Capstone ETG 4951 3

 

Technical Electives - Select 18 credits from the list
Any approved College of Engineering and Computer Science course 3000-level and above
Remote Sensing of the Environment (5) (6) GIS 4035C 3
Principles of Geographic Information Systems (5) (6) GIS 4043C 3
Digital Image Analysis (5) (6) GIS 4037C 3
Engineering Professional Internship EGN 3971 0-4
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science (7) EGN 4911 0-3
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 1-3
New Venture Launch ENT 4015 3
Advanced Business Planning ENT 4114 3
Entrepreneurship Internship ENT 4940 1-4
Environmental Issues in Atmospheric and Earth Science ESC 3704 3
Principles of Financial Management FIN 3403 3
Sea-Level Rise: Impacts and Responses GEO 3342 3
Quantitative Methods GEO 4022 3
Spatial Data Analysis GEO 4167C 3
Water Resources GEO 4280C 3
Biogeography GEO 4300 3
Urban Geography GEO 4602 3
Transportation and Spatial Organization GEO 4760 3
Introduction to Mapping and GIS GIS 3015C 3
Digital Image Analysis (5) GIS 4037C 3
Applications of GIS (5) GIS 4048C 3
Programming in GIS (5) GIS 4102C 3
Geovisualization and GIS (5) GIS 4138C 3
Coastal and Marine Science GLY 3730 3
Field Methods GLY 4750C 3
Hydrogeology GLY 4822 3
Engineering Geology GLY 4830 3
Introduction to Hydrogeology Modeling and
Aquifer Test (5)
GLY 4832C 3
Professional Internship IDS 3949 0-4
Leadership, Supervisory Skills and Team
Development
MAN 4046 3
Marketing Management MAR 3023 3
Planning Methods URP 4011 3
City Structure and Change URP 4055 3
Planning Implementation Strategies URP 4120 3
Introduction to Visual Planning Technology URP 4254 3
Plan Making and Design URP 4343 3
Sustainable Cities URP 4403 3
Environmental Planning Methods URP 4420 3
Urban Development Planning Methods URP 4546 3
Capital Facilities Planning URP 4730 3
Site Planning URP 4870 3


Notes:

  1. Contributes to University Core Curriculum requirements.
  2. Contributes to Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing requirement.
  3. Intellectual Foundations Program courses, totaling 6 credits, must be selected to satisfy Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing requirements.
  4. Contributes to Gordon Rule mathematics requirement.
  5. Includes a 1-credit laboratory.
  6. Students pursuing the GIS certificate should consider taking these courses.
  7. Grading: S/U.
  8. PHY 2048, General Physics 1 (4 credits) is an acceptable substitute, but only 3 credits will apply toward the degree.

Sample Four-Year Program of Study
For the sample four-year program of study for the Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering, refer to the Curriculum Sheets and Flight Plans by major.

Minors and Certificate Programs Appropriate for Geomatics Engineering
Various departments offer minors and certificate programs that augment a student's geomatics engineering education. Students are encouraged to pursue a minor or certificate, such as:

Computer Science Minor  (Department  Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)


Entrepreneurial Management Minor
 (College of Business)

Surveying and Mapping Certificate Program highly recommended (Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering)

Geographic Information Systems Certificate Program , highly recommended (Department of Geosciences)

Obtaining a minor or certificate will require completing credits beyond the 120 required for the B.S.G.E. in Geomatics Engineering. Contact the department offering the minor or certificate for more details.

Internships
Students are strongly encouraged to gain practical experience through participation in internship opportunities. However, internships may only substitute for one technical elective with prior approval from the department chair and only if taken for a grade.


Geomatics Engineering

Undergraduate Minor

(Minimum of 18 credits required)

Students minoring in Geomatics Engineering will complete a minimum of 18 credits with a grade of "C" or better in each course. Of the18 credits, a minimum of 15 must be earned at FAU. Selected courses must be checked for the proper requirements. The minor is available to all full-time FAU students pursuing a declared major.

Required Courses (3 credits)
Geomatics SUR 3103 2
Geomatics Lab SUR 3103L 1

 

Select additional courses from below for a minimum of 15 credits.
Digital Photogrammetry Principles and Applications (2) SUR 4331C 3
Measurement Theory and Data Adjustments (2) SUR 3520 3
Automated Surveying and Mapping (2) SUR 3141 2
Automated Surveying and Mapping Lab (2) SUR 3141L 1
Subdivision Design SUR 4463 2
Land Subdivision and Platting Lab (2) SUR 3463L 1
Engineering and Construction Surveying (3) SUR 3205 2
Engineering and Construction Surveying Lab (3) SUR 3205L 1
Geodesy and Geodetic Positioning (3)
SUR 4530 2
Geodesy and Geodetic Positioning Lab (3) SUR 4530L 1
Cadastral Principles and Legal Aspects (2) SUR 4403 3
Principles of Geographic Information System GIS 4043C 3
Introduction to Laser Mapping Technology CCE 4514C 3
Any other Surveying or Mapping Technical Elective as determined by the department 3


Notes:

(1) Requires knowledge of geometry and trigonometry.

(2) Requires SUR 3103/SUR 3103L, Geomatics and Lab, as prerequisites.

(3) Requires SUR 3103/SUR 3103L, Geomatics and Lab and introductory statistics, as prerequisites.

(4) Requires SUR 3141/SUR 3141L, Automated Surveying and Mapping with Lab, as prerequisites.


Surveying and Mapping
 
Undergraduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering offers undergraduates a certificate in Surveying and Mapping. Students are entitled to the certificate by completing a minimum of 12 credits of coursework with a grade of "C" or better. Selected courses must be checked for the proper prerequisites. The certificate is open to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students.

Required Courses (3 credits)
Geomatics (1) SUR 3103 2
Geomatics Lab (1) SUR 3103L 1

 

Select additional courses from below for a minimum of 9 credits. 
Digital Photogrammetry Principles and Applications (2) SUR 4331C 3
Automated Surveying and Mapping (2) SUR 3141 2
Automated Surveying and Mapping Lab (2) SUR 3141L 1
Geodesy and Geodetic Positioning (4) SUR 4530 2
Geodesy and Geodetic Positioning Lab (4) SUR 4530L 1
Measurement Theory and Data Adjustments (3) SUR 3520 3
Engineering and Construction Surveying (4) SUR 3205 2
Engineering and Construction Surveying Lab (4) SUR 3205L 1
Cadastral Principles and Legal Aspects SUR 4403 3
Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing and Applications SUR 4384 3
Principles of Geographic Information System GIS 4043C 3
Introduction to Laser Mapping Technology CCE 4514C 3


Notes:

(1) Requires knowledge of geometry and trigonometry.

(2) Requires SUR 3103/SUR 3103L, Geomatics and Lab, as prerequisites.

(3) Requires SUR 3103/SUR 3103L, Geomatics and Lab and introductory statistics, as prerequisites.

(4) Requires SUR 3141/SUR 3141L, Automated Surveying and Mapping with Lab, as prerequisites.

Combined Programs

geomatics engineering to civil engineering
bachelor of science in geomatics engineering (b.s.g.e.) to master of science (m.s.)

This program allows Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering (B.S.G.E.) students the opportunity to complete the Master of Science (M.S.) with Major in Civil Engineering in less time than the traditional M.S. program. This combined degree program is intended for academically talented students and high achievers. After application and admittance to the M.S. graduate program at the beginning of the senior year, up to 9 credits of approved graduate-level courses may be taken and counted toward both the B.S.G.E. and the M.S. with Major in Civil Engineering degrees as long as the following criteria are met:

  1. The student has met the minimum of 120 credits for the B.S.G.E. degree, and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits (5000 level or higher) for the M.S. with Major in Civil Engineering.

The combined degree program is 150 credits, 120 for the undergraduate degree and 30 for the master's degree. Students complete the undergraduate degree first, taking no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework in their senior year, which will then be used to satisfy both degrees.

To be eligible for the joint B.S.G.E./M.S. program, students must:

  1. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher (FAU and transfer courses);
  2. Have a total institution GPA of 3.25 or higher (FAU courses); and
  3. Formally apply to the joint program, completing the admissions process at least one semester prior to beginning the M.S. portion of the program.


BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES TO CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL OR GEOMATICS ENGINEERING TO CIVIL ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.) OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) TO SECOND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.S.) TO MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.S.)
COMBINED PROGRAM

Details for this combined degree program are listed in the Wilkes Honors College section.


Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Faculty:
Zhuang, H., Chair; Kalva, H., Associate Chair; Aalo, V.; Agarwal, A.; Alhalabi, B. A.; Asghar, W.; Assis, R.; Azarderakhsh, R.; Bagby, J.; Batalama, S.; Bullard, L. A.; Cardei, I. E.; Cardei, M.; Cooper, R. B,; Emeritus; DeGiorgio, M.; Erdol, N.; Fernandez, E. B.; Furht, B.; Gazourian, M. G., Emeritus.; Ghoraani, B.; Groff, D.; Hallstrom, J.; Hsu, S. C., Emeritus; Huang, S.; Ilyas, M.; Khoshgoftaar, T. M.; Larrondo-Petrie, M.; Liu, F. H.; Mahgoub, I.; Marcovitz, A., Emeritus; Marques, O.; Messenger, R. A., Emeritus; Neelakanta, P.; Ni, Z.; Nojoumian, M.; Pados, D.; Pandya, A. S.; Pavlovic, M.; Peterson, V.; Raviv, D.; Rhodes, W., Emeritus; Roth, Z.; Shankar, R.; Sklivanitis, G.; Solomon, M. K., Emeritus; Sorgente, T.; Taebi, S.; Tang, Y.; Ungvichian, V., Emeritus; Wang, D.; Yang, K.; Zhong, X.; Zhu, X.; Zilouchian, A.

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers programs in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science and Analytics, and Electrical Engineering. Specifically, the department offers undergraduate programs of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.), Bachelor of Science with major in Data Science and Analytics, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.), Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.), and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.). Minors in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science are also available, as well as a certificate in Artificial Intelligence. A Data Science certificate program, designed jointly by the departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Mathematics and Statistics, provides an in-depth study of the methods to manage, analyze and extract knowledge from data. A minor and certificate in Cybersecurity, designed jointly by the departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Information Technology and Operations Management in the College of Business and Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Science, offer three unique tracks, each focused on a particular area of cybersecurity.

In the graduate area, the department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Biomedical Engineering, Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Artificial Intelligence with thesis, Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Artificial Intelligence without thesis, Master of Science with major in Computer Engineering with thesis, Master of Science with major in Computer Engineering without thesis, Master of Science with major in Computer Science with thesis, Master of Science with major in Computer Science without thesis,  Master of Science with Major in Data Science and Analytics,  and Master of Science with major in Electrical Engineering. A certificate in Biomedical Engineering is also available, as well as a minor and certificate in Artificial Intelligence.

Prospective doctoral students may choose from a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with major in Computer Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with major in Computer Science and Doctor of Philosophy with major in Electrical Engineering (Ph.D.).

To encourage undergraduates to pursue a graduate education, the department offers a number of combined programs, including a B.S.C.E. to M.S. degree program in Computer Engineering, a B.S.C.S. to M.S. degree program in Computer Science, a B.S.E.E. to M.S. degree program, and a combined program leading to an M.S. in Biomedical Engineering that is offered to B.S. candidates in any College of Engineering and Computer Science major. These programs permit students to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree within five years.

For students interested in combining the broad systems orientation provided in the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) with focus in Computer Engineering, the department offers the five-year B.S.E.E./M.S.Cp.E. (Master of Science in Computer Engineering). Program details are listed in the Electrical Engineering section under Combined Programs.

Below, the Computer Science and Computer Engineering programs are described first, followed by the Electrical Engineering program and the Biomedical Engineering program.

Link to Biomedical Engineering Programs

Link to Electrical Engineering Programs

Link to Information Technology and Management Program

Cooperative Education Program
Cooperative Education is a unique educational program in which students integrate classroom study with a period of paid, supervised work experience related to their academic major. At FAU, the Co-Op program is a structured learning situation in which students apply concepts learned in the classroom to "real world" work environments. The program is available on an optional basis to all students in accordance with the description shown in the Student Services and Activities section of this catalog. Students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science must meet the following requirements:

  1.  Students who wish to participate in the Co-Op program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science should contact the Division of Engineering Student Services and Advising (DESSA).
  2. The College of Engineering and Computer Science Co-Op program operates on a part-time basis, 20 hours per week, no more, no less. In this program, the work is specifically tied to the student's field/major and must be secured through the FAU Career Center.
  3.  The College of Engineering and Computer Science Co-Op program is geared primarily toward students who enter as freshmen, as opposed to transfer students. As a result, incoming freshmen cohorts receive primacy with respect to assignments. Specific major requirements are found in the College of Engineering and Computer Science Co-Op Program Manual.  
  4.  The grade will be reported on the transcript as pass or fail.

To learn more about the Co-Op program students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science should contact the Career Development Center.


Computer Science and Computer Engineering

Mission Statement
The common mission of the Computer Science and Computer Engineering Programs is:

  1. To produce graduates with a strong grasp of fundamentals of computer science and computer engineering, knowledge in technical specialty areas and an appreciation of the power of collaborative effort applied to problem solving.
  2. To offer courses and programs that stimulate innovation and enhance the ability of graduates to achieve high levels of professional development and to succeed in a competitive marketplace.
  3. To conduct research in selected areas and to integrate research results with teaching activities.
  4. To provide service to the profession and community and forge strategic alliances with other professions.


Link to Artificial Intelligence Minor

Link to Computer Science Minor

Link to Artificial Intelligence Certificate

Link to Cybersecurity Minor and Certificate

Link to Data Science Certificate

Link to Combined Programs

Link to Master's Programs

Link to Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate

Link to Big Data Analytics Graduate Certificate

Link to Cyber Security Graduate Certificate

Link to Doctoral Programs

Bachelor's Programs

Educational Objectives and Outcomes for the Bachelor's Programs
Computer Science
Graduates of the baccalaureate program in Computer Science are prepared for careers with software companies, developing applications or systems software, or with companies developing software in a scientific or engineering environment.

The degree focuses on the software aspects of computing by building on a set of core courses in areas such as algorithms, machine organization, programming language concepts, theory, computer systems and software engineering.

Based on the Educational Objectives of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the department has established the following student learning outcomes for the baccalaureate program in Computer Science. Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member of leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
  6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Computer Engineering
Graduates of the baccalaureate program in Computer Engineering are prepared for careers in the computer industry as well as with companies that integrate computers into more complex products.

The degree focuses on the system and hardware aspects and the interaction of hardware with software by building on courses in microprocessors, computer design and design automation on the one hand, and on data structures and algorithms, operating systems and software engineering on the other.

Based on the Educational Objectives of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the department has established the following student learning outcomes for the baccalaureate program in Computer Engineering. Graduates will have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

While undergraduate students make some use of University computing facilities, the department has its own facilities that are available for undergraduates and are used for assignments in many courses. A PC-based lab provides students with hands-on experience in logic design, peripheral interfacing and software design for microprocessors. Undergraduates use the department's network of UNIX and PC workstations for coursework in areas such as programming, software development using advanced tools, artificial intelligence, simulation and graphics.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Link to Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Link to Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Link to Professional Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

Link to Bachelor of Science with Major in Data Science and Analytics

Computer Science
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.) 

(Minimum of 120 credits required)

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.) with Major in Computer Science is intended for students interested in software development. The program prepares students for a career in the field of Computer Science with focus on software development. The B.A. in Computer Science is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, but unlike FAU's B.S. in Computer Science, it is not accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not listed with the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements
The minimum number of credits required for the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.) degree is 120 credits. This degree will be awarded to students who satisfy all admission and degree requirements for the department.

Students entering FAU with fewer than 30 credits must satisfy the course requirements specified in the catalog section, Degree Requirements. Students entering FAU with more than 30 credits (transfer students) must see the undergraduate advisor for an evaluation of courses taken at another school. The general education requirements are satisfied normally if a student has an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida community or state college.

Students must complete 36 credits of  B.A.C.S.  courses and 21 credits of  Computer Science Electives  with a grade of "C" or better.

Pass/Fail Grades: Courses taken as pass/fail are not accepted for Computer Science students.

Specific Degree Requirements
General Education
Foundations of Written Communication 6
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior 6
Foundations of Global Citizenship 6
Foundations of Humanities 6
Foundations of Science and the Natural World 6
Subtotal 30

 

Mathematics
Methods of Calculus MAC 2233 3
Introductory Statistics STA 2023 3
Subtotal 6

 

B.A.C.S. Courses
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Computer Logic Design CDA 3203 3
Principles of Software Engineering CEN 4010 3
Introduction to Programming in Python COP 3035 3
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis with Python COP 3410 3
Introduction to Database Structures COP 3540 3
Introduction to Internet Computing COP 3813 3
Python Programming COP 4045 3
Object-Oriented Design and Programming COP 4331 3
Computer Operating Systems COP 4610 3
Advanced Database Systems COP 4703 3
Foundations of Computing COT 2000 3
Subtotal 36

 

Computer Science Electives 21
Free Electives 27
Total 120


Computer Science Electives

All students must take 21 credits of approved elective courses. Certain 3000- and 4000-level courses offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department may be used as Computer Science electives. Certain 5000- or 6000-level courses offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department may be taken as Computer Science electives. Students must see an advisor for a current list of elective courses. Students seeking a specialty may consider taking electives in an area of study. A few suggested areas of concentration follow.

Internet Technology
Introduction to Data Communication CNT 4104 3
Foundations of Cybersecurity CNT 4403 3
Mobile App Projects COP 4655 3
Advanced Database Systems COP 4703 3
Cybersecurity
Cyber Physical System Security CIS 4213 3
Operating Systems Security CIS 4367 3
Foundations of Cybersecurity CNT 4403 3
Network and Data Security CNT 4411 3
Machine Learning and Data Science
Introduction to Deep Learning CAP 4613 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
Introduction to Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 4770 3
The following courses may be taken as Computer Science electives
Directed Independent Study COT 4900 1-3
Topics in Computer Science and Engineering COT 4930 1-3
Topics in Computer Science COT 5930 1-3



Second Bachelor's B.A.C.S. Degree

This program is for those individuals with a degree in another discipline who are seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science degree at FAU.

Admission Requirements
Students seeking a bachelor's degree or graduate degree in another discipline must satisfy all admission requirements of the first B.A.C.S. at FAU.

Degree Requirements
The minimum number of FAU credits needed to earn a second bachelor's degree (B.A.C.S.) is 30 credits at the 3000 level or higher.

  1. Students must have completed 36 credits of core courses in the B.A.C.S. program. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."
  2.  Students must have completed 6 credits of Computer Science electives. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."
  3. Students must have completed the math prerequisites necessary to take the core and elective courses in the program.


Computer Science
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.) 
Professional Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.) Professional Program is designed specifically for working professionals who may advance their careers with an accelerated undergraduate program and obtain a bachelor's degree in Computer Science while continuing to work in their professional careers. The Professional program includes evenings, weekends and online materials using Canvas. This degree program requires 36 core computer science credits and 6 credits of computer science electives. The duration of each course may be four, eight or sixteen weeks depending on the course format. Students are normally expected to complete the program in two years.

Admission/Degree Requirements
Applicants are required to meet the same admission and degree requirements as for the Second Bachelor's Degree in B.A.C.S.

Program Fees
The B.A.C.S. Professional Program is a full-service, all-inclusive program. The fees cover all program costs including tuition, course materials and graduation activities. To view our full cost of attendance information page, visit https://www.fau.edu/finaid/other/cost-of-attendance/

Application Process and More Information
To apply or receive more information about this program, visit the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science website or call 561-297-3855.

Sample Four-Year Program of Study
For the sample four-year program of study for the Bachelor of Arts with Major in Computer Science, refer to the Curriculum Sheets and Flight Plans by major.

Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.)

(Minimum of 120 credits required)

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the 
Admissions section of this catalog.

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above in order to be accepted into the Computer Science program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not listed with the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements  
The minimum number of credits required for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) degree is 120 credits. All courses that count toward the degree must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. This degree will be awarded to students who satisfy all admission and degree requirements for the department. Items below are referenced in the table following the list. This degree program is available in person and fully online.

  1. Students entering FAU with fewer than 30 credits must satisfy the course requirements specified in the catalog section, Degree Requirements. Students entering FAU with more than 30 credits (transfer students) must see the undergraduate advisor for an evaluation of courses taken at another school. The general education requirements are satisfied normally if a student has an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida community or state college.
  2. At least one course must have a laboratory component.


Pass/Fail Grades:
 Courses taken as pass/fail are not accepted for Computer Science students.

Program Summary
General Education 24
Mathematics 11
Science 7
Common Core 24
Computer Science - Computer Engineering Core 15
Computer Science Core 12
Semi-Core Group 1 6
Semi-Core Group 2 6
Electives 15
Total 120

 

General Education
Foundations of Written Communication 6
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior 6
Foundations of Global Citizenship 6
Foundations of Humanities 6
Subtotal 24

 

Mathematics
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 MAC 2311 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 MAC 2312 4
Matrix Theory MAS 2103 3
Subtotal 11

 

Science
(Select two 3-credit courses and a lab or a 3-credit course and a 4-credit course)
Biological Principles BSC 1010 3
Biological Principles Lab BSC 1010L 1
General Chemistry 1 CHM 2045 3
General Chemistry 1 Lab CHM 2045L 1
General Physics for Engineers 1 PHY 2048 3
General Physics Lab 1 PHY 2048L 1
Physics for Engineers 2 PHY 2044 3
General Physics Lab 2 PHY 2049L 1
Physical Geology/Evolution of the Earth GLY 2010C 4
Subtotal 7

 

Core Courses  
All students must take the following core courses, which total 51 credits.

Common Core
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Computer Logic Design CDA 3203 3
Computer Architecture CDA 4102 3
Foundations of Computing* COT 2000 3
Programming 1 COP 2220 3
Stochastic Processes and Random
Signals**
EEE 4541 3
RI: Engineering Design 1 EGN 4950C 3
RI: Engineering Design 2 EGN 4952C 3
Subtotal 24


* MAD 2104 may be substituted for COT 2000.
** STA 4821 may be substituted for EEE 4541.

Computer Science - Computer Engineering Core
Principles of Software Engineering CEN 4010 3
Communication Networks CNT 4007 3
Programming 2 COP 3014 3
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530 3
Computer Operating Systems COP 4610 3
Subtotal 15

 

Computer Science Core
Introduction to Database Structures COP 3540 3
Principles of Programming Languages COP 4020 3
Design and Analysis of Algorithms COT 4400 3
Theory of Computation COT 4420 3
Subtotal 12


Semi-Core Courses
All students must take 6 credits from each of the two Semi-Core groups for a total of 12 Semi-Core credits.

Computer Science Semi-Core Group 1 (Select two courses)
Introduction to Deep Learning CAP 4613 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
Introduction to Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 4770 3
Applied Cryptography and Security CIS 4634 3
Foundations of Cybersecurity CNT 4403 3
Subtotal 6

 

Computer Science Semi-Core Group 2 (Select two courses)
Introduction to Internet Computing COP 3813 3
Python Programming COP 4045 3
Object-Oriented Design and Programming COP 4331 3
Mobile App Project COP 4655 3
Advanced Database Systems COP 4703 3
Full-Stack Web Development COP 4808 3
Foundations of Cloud Computing COP 4814 3
Subtotal 6


Electives
 
All students must take 15 credits of approved elective courses. Certain 3000- and 4000-level courses offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department may be taken as Computer Science electives. Certain 5000- or 6000-level courses offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department may be taken as Computer Science electives. Students must see an advisor for a current list of approved elective courses.

Computer Science Electives 15


Students seeking a specialty may consider taking electives in an area of study. A few suggested areas of study follow.

Internet Technology
Introduction to Data Communications CNT 4104 3
Foundations of Cybersecurity CNT 4403 3
Mobile App Projects COP 4655 3
Advanced Database Systems COP 4703 3

 

Software Engineering
Software Engineering Project CEN 4910 3
Python Programming COP 4045 3
Object-Oriented Design and Programming COP 4331 3

 

Cybersecurity
Cyber Physical System Security CIS 4213 3
Operating Systems Security CIS 4367 3
Foundations of Cybersecurity CNT 4403 3
Network and Data Security CNT 4411 3

 

Data Science
Introduction to Deep Leaning CAP 4613 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
Introduction to Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 4770 3

 

Computer Architecture
Computer Architecture CDA 4102 3
Introduction to VLSI CDA 4210 3
CAD-Based Computer Design CDA 4204 3


The following course may be taken as a Computer Science elective.

Directed Independent Study COT 4900 1-3


Directed Independent Study

Students must have completed COP 3530, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis, with a minimum grade of "C" before being eligible to register for directed independent study. Students are permitted to take no more than the equivalent of one course (3 credits) to satisfy degree requirements.

Students must make sure that they have the necessary minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Sample Four-Year Program of Study
For the sample four-year program of study for the Bachelor of Science with Major in Computer Engineering, refer to the Curriculum Sheets and Flight Plans by major.


Second Bachelor's B.S.C.S. Degree

This program is for those individuals with a degree in another discipline who are seeking a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree at FAU.

Admission Requirements
Students seeking a bachelor's degree or graduate degree in another discipline must satisfy all admission requirements of the first bachelor's degree in Computer Science at FAU.

Degree Requirements

  1. Earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at FAU, at the 3000 level or higher, beyond those required for the first degree. Students earning two degrees simultaneously (a dual degree) must earn at least 150 credits.
  2. Earn at least 75 percent of all upper-division credits required for the major from FAU.
  3. Students must have completed at least 15 credits in mathematics including discrete mathematics with mathematical rigor at least equivalent to introductory calculus. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."
  4. Students must have completed at least 6 credits (or equivalent) in natural science coursework intended for science and engineering majors. At least one course must have a laboratory component. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."
  5. Students must complete 51 credits of core courses listed in the Computer Science degree program. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."

Computer Science
Undergraduate Minor

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

The minor in Computer Science is available to all FAU undergraduates who are not majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. This minor requires completion of five courses (15 credits) with a minimum grade of "C." Students must ensure that they have completed the prerequisites for the selected courses.

C/C++ Track
Programming 2* COP 3014 3
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530 3
Select three upper-division courses from the Electives table. 9
Total** 15

 

Python Track
Introduction to Programming in Python COP 3035 3
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis with Python COP 3410 3
Select three upper-division courses from the Electives table. 9
Total** 15

 

Elective Courses***
Applied Machine Learning and Data Mining CAP 4612 3
Introduction to Deep Learning CAP 4613 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
Introduction to Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 4770 3
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Principles of Software Engineering CEN 4010 3
Introduction to Database Structures COP 3540 3
Introduction to Internet Computing COP 3813 3
Python Programming COP 4045 3
Object-Oriented Design and Programming COP 4331 3
Computer Operating Systems COP 4610 3
Advanced Database Systems COP 4703 3
Design and Analysis of Algorithms COT 4400 3


* Requires prerequisite: COP 2220 with minimum grade of "C"

** At least 75 percent of credits earned must be from FAU.


*** See program advisor for a complete list of elective courses.

Acknowledgment of a minor in Computer Science is official upon successful completion of an FAU degree program.

Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.)

(Minimum of 123 credits required)

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above in order to be accepted into the Computer Engineering program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides  and below.

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

General Degree Requirements
The minimum number of credits required for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.) degree is 123 credits. All courses that count toward the degree must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. This degree will be awarded to students who meet all admission and degree requirements of the department and the University. Notes below are referred to in the tables following the list.

Notes: 
Students entering FAU with fewer than 30 credits must satisfy the course requirements specified in the catalog section, Degree Requirements. Students entering FAU with more than 30 credits (transfer students) must see the undergraduate advisor for an evaluation of courses taken at another school. The general education requirements are normally satisfied if a student has an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida community or state college.  Once students earn beyond 30 credits, they must substitute EGN 1002, Fundamentals of Engineering, with a computer engineering elective.

Program Summary
General Education 24
Mathematics 15
Science 9
Common Core 24
Computer Science - Computer Engineering Core 15
Computer Engineering - Electrical Engineering Core 18
Computer Engineering Core 3
Semi-Core Group 6
Electives 9
Total 123

 

General Education
Foundations of Written Communication 6
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior 6
Foundations of Global Citizenship 6
Foundations of Humanities 6
Subtotal 24

 

Mathematics
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 MAC 2311 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 MAC 2312 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 3 MAC 2313 4
Engineering Math 1 MAP 3305 3
Subtotal 15

 

Science
General Physics for Engineers 1 PHY 2048 4
General Physics Lab 1 PHY 2048L 1
Physics for Engineers 2 PHY 2044 3
General Physics Lab 2 PHY 2049L 1
Subtotal 9


Core Courses

All students must take the following core courses, which total 60 credits.

Common Core
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Computer Logic Design CDA 3203 3
Computer Architecture CDA 4102 3
Foundations of Computing* COT 2000 3
Programming 1 COP 2220 3
Stochastic Processes and Random
Signals**
EEE 4541 3
RI: Engineering Design 1 EGN 4950C 3
RI: Engineering Design 2 EGN 4952C 3
Subtotal 24


* MAD 2104 may be substituted for COT 2000.
** STA 4821 may be substituted for EEE 4541.

Computer Science - Computer Engineering Core
Principles of Software Engineering CEN 4010 3
Communication Networks CNT 4007 3
Programming 2 COP 3014 3
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530 3
Computer Operating Systems COP 4610 3
Subtotal 15

 

Computer Engineering - Electrical Engineering Core
Design of Digital Systems and Lab CDA 4240C 3
Electronics 1 EEE 3300 3
Circuits 1 EEL 3111 3
Electronics Laboratory 1 EEL 3118L 3
Signals and Digital Filter Design EEL 3502 3
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3
Subtotal 18

 

Computer Engineering Core
Introduction to Embedded System Design CDA 4630 3
Subtotal 3


Semi-Core Courses

All students must take 6 credits from the Semi-Core Group.

Computer Engineering Semi-Core Group (Select two courses)
Introduction to VLSI Design CDA 4210 3
Hardware Security CDA 4323 3
Hardware Software Codesign CEN 4214 3
Introduction to the Internet of Things and Sensor Networks CNT 4164 3
Electronics 2 and Lab EEE 4361C 3
Subtotal 6


Electives
 
All students must take 9 credits of approved elective courses. Certain 3000- and 4000-level courses offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department may be taken as Computer Engineering electivesCertain 5000- or 6000-level courses offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department may be taken as Computer Engineering electives. Students must see an advisor for a current list of approved elective courses.

Computer Engineering Electives 9


The following course may be taken as a Computer Engineering elective.

Directed Independent Study COT 4900 1-3


Directed Independent Study

Students must have completed COP 3530, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis, with a minimum grade of "C" before being eligible to register for directed independent study. Students are permitted to take no more than the equivalent of one course (3 credits) to satisfy degree requirements.

Sample Four-Year Program of Study
For the sample four-year program of study for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, refer to the Curriculum Sheets and Flight Plans by major.


Second Bachelor's B.S.C.E. Degree

This program is for those individuals with a degree in another discipline who are seeking a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree at FAU.

Admission Requirements
Students seeking a bachelor's degree or graduate degree in another discipline must satisfy all admission requirements of the first bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering at FAU.

Degree Requirements

  1.  Earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at FAU, at the 3000 level or higher, beyond those required for the first degree. Students earning two degrees simultaneously (a dual degree) must earn at least 150 credits.
  2. Earn at least 75 percent of all upper-division credits required for the major from FAU.
  3.  Students must have completed at least 15 credits in mathematics, 9 credits in science and 60 credits in core courses listed in the Computer Engineering degree program. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."

Undergraduate Transfer Students
Prior to the academic advising session, course syllabi need to be submitted to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor for evaluation of possible transfer credits. Course descriptions can be provided by submitting an undergraduate catalog from the post-secondary institution attended, submitting course descriptions from an online catalog (requires that the post-secondary institution web address be at the bottom of each page), or providing course syllabi. The Academic Advisor evaluation needs to be performed even if a student has an evaluation by an approved agency.


Data Science and Analytics
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Data Science in Business Concentration
Data Science and Engineering Concentration
Data Science in the Natural Sciences Concentration

The Bachelor of Science with Major in Data Science and Analytics (BSDSA) program is a multi-college, interdisciplinary program administered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management (ITOM) in the College of Business, the Department of Political Science in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. For details about this this program, see the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.


Artificial Intelligence
Undergraduate Minor

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

The minor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is open to all undergraduate students at Florida Atlantic University. The minor is awarded upon graduation from an undergraduate program at FAU; it is not awarded independently of any degree program. Requirements for the minor include completion of five courses (15 credits) with a minimum grade of “C.” This minor requires five courses that have not been counted in any other minor or certificate program within the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The minor has two tracks: an Applications track and a Development track. The Applications track is open to students with no prior programming experience, but who are interested in learning programming and how to use the tools and algorithms of AI. The Development track is intended for students proficient in programming who will develop new algorithms and mechanisms in AI. Students in both tracks are expected to have completed a statistics course.

Students must ensure that they have the prerequisites for the selected courses. Students cannot apply for both the Minor in AI and the Certificate in AI.

Applications Track - 15 credits
(Not open to undergraduate students in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.)
Core Courses - 9 credits    
Computer Programming and Data Literacy
for Everyone
COP 1031C 3  or
Introduction to Programming in Python COP 3035 3
Applications of Artificial Intelligence CAP 2603 3
Applied Machine Learning and Data Mining CAP 4612 3
Elective Courses - 6 credits - Select two courses from the Electives Table

 

Development Track - 15 credits
Core Courses - 9 credits
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis
with Python
COP 3410 or
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
One of the following three courses
Introduction to Deep Learning CAP 4613 3
Introduction to Data Mining and
Machine Learning
CAP 4770 3
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Elective Courses - 6 credits - Select two courses from the Electives Table

 

Electives Table - Additional courses may be used as electives with prior approval from advisor
Tools for Data Science CAP 2751 3
Introduction to Deep Learning CAP 4613 3
Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence CAP 4623 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
Introduction to Data Mining and
Machine Learning
CAP 4770 3
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Artificial Intelligence for Social Good CCJ 3071 3
Special Topics (i.e., Robotic Applications) EEL 4930 3

 

Artificial Intelligence
Undergraduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

Over the past years, there has been dramatic progress in the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its use in the development of systems that can reason and respond to increasingly complex situations. AI is everywhere, and the changes enabled by this technology have just begun. AI is transforming every segment of American industry. It is making agriculture more precise and efficient, revealing new medical technologies, and bringing the prospect of autonomous transportation and advanced manufacturing closer to reality. To become competitive, companies and corporations will have to embrace AI to some extent. These technological innovations are made possible by engineers and scientists with knowledge and expertise in the latest advancements in the field of AI. This 15-credit certificate provides students with knowledge and skills in the concepts, technologies and applications of artificial intelligence.

Admissions
The program is open to students with any background. Students are expected to satisfy the prerequisite courses required for each course in the certificate curriculum. All five courses must be completed with a minimum grade of "C.” This certificate requires five course that have not been counted in any other minor or certificate within the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Curriculum
The certificate has two tracks: an Applications track and a Development track. The Applications track is open to students with no prior programming experience, but who are interested in learning programming and how to use the tools and algorithms of AI. The Development track is intended for students proficient in programming who will develop new algorithms and mechanisms in AI. Students in both tracks are expected to have completed a statistics course.

Applications Track - 15 credits
(Not open to undergraduate students in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.)
Core Courses - 9 credits    
Computer Programming and Data Literacy
for Everyone
COP 1031C 3  or
Introduction to Programming in Python COP 3035  3
Applications of Artificial Intelligence CAP 2603 3
Tools for Data Science CAP 2751 or
Applied Machine Learning and Data Mining CAP 4612 3
Elective Courses - 6 credits - Select two courses from the Electives Table

 

Development Track - 15 credits
Core Courses - 9 credits
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis with Python COP 3410 or
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
One of the following three courses
Introduction to Deep Learning CAP 4613 3
Introduction to Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 4770 3
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Elective Courses - 6 credits - Select two courses from the Electives Table

 

Electives Table - Additional courses may be used as electives with prior approval from advisor
Tools for Data Science CAP 2751 3
Introduction to Deep Learning CAP 4613 3
Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence CAP 4623 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
Introduction to Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 4770 3
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Artificial Intelligence for Social Good CCJ 3071 3
Special Topics (i.e., Robotic Applications) EEL 4930 3


Cybersecurity
Undergraduate Minor
Undergraduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

Cybersecurity is the study of methods to ensure information and system security. Industry and government need an educated workforce to serve as information and systems security analysts, security and network administrators and more. Due their extensive expertise and facilities, the departments of Information Technology and Operations Management (in the College of Business), Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (In the College of Engineering and Computer Science) and Mathematics and Statistics (in the College of Science) have jointly designed the Cybersecurity Minor and Certificate. Three tracks, each requiring 12 credits, constitute the minor and certificate: Information Technology (IT), Computer Science (CS) and Mathematical Sciences (MS). Details for this certificate program can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.


Data Science

Undergraduate Certificate

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

Data Science is the study of methods to manage, analyze and extract knowledge from data. Industry and government need an educated workforce with the necessary expertise to make use of the enormous volumes of data available to them. Due to their extensive expertise and facilities, the departments of Mathematics and Statistics and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science have jointly designed the Data Science certificate. This 15-credit certificate program has two tracks: Mathematical Sciences (MathSci) and Computer Science and Analytics (CS). The Data Science certificate draws the 15 credits from Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics. Details for this certificate program can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.

Combined Programs

Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

The department offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.) program. In the computer science area, it offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.) degree program. The bachelor's degrees and the master's degrees must be in the same area. Students in either combined program may count up to 9 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees as long as the combined program totals a minimum of 150 credits:

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.

With an approximate duration of five years, these combined programs provide attractive ways for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the 
Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the joint programs, computer science and computer engineering students should:

  1.  Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better at the end of their junior year; and
  2. Formally apply to one of the joint programs, completing the admissions process at least one semester prior to the beginning of the M.S. portion of their program.

Once admitted to the program of their choice, students begin taking graduate courses (5000 level or higher) in their senior year that would apply to both the bachelor's and master's degree programs. Students in the joint programs must maintain continuous enrollment to remain in good standing. Students must also meet all the degree requirements of the graduate program they have chosen, including core courses and prerequisites. Those students who complete the M.S. degree program within one year after completing their B.S.C.E. or B.S.C.S. degree program will be presented with a certificate of recognition.

Computer Engineering to Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Computer Science to Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

The department offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.) or Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) to Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (M.S.A.I.) program. Students in either combined program may count up to 9 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees as long as the combined program totals a minimum of 150 credits:

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2.  The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.

With an approximate duration of five years, these combined programs provide attractive ways for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first.

Prerequisite coursework for transfer students and admission requirements for these combined programs are the same as for the B.S.C.E or B.S.C.S. to M.S. degree programs noted above. 

Electrical Engineering to Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.) 
Combined Program

Electrical Engineering to Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.) 
Combined Program

The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering/Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree program and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering/Master of Science in Computer Engineering degree program. Program details are listed in the Electrical Engineering section under Combined Programs.


Biological and Physical Sciences to any of the master's programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Programs

The B.A. or B.S. degree is completed at the Wilkes Honors College (WHC), and students then receive their bachelor's degree from WHC. Students complete their master's degree work in one of seven majors in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (COECS) and receive their master's degree from COECS.

These combined programs are offered in partnership with the Wilkes Honors College:

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Artificial Intelligence

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Biomedical Engineering

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Computer Engineering

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Computer Science

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Electrical Engineering

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Information Technology and Management with Advanced Information Technology Concentration

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Information Technology and Management with Computer Science Data Analytics Concentration

Details for each combined program are listed in the Wilkes Honors College section.


Computer Engineering to Information Technology and Management 
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Advanced Information Technology Concentration (M.S.)
Computer Science Data Analytics Concentration (M.S.)

Computer Science to Information Technology and Management
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (B.A.C.S.) or Bachelor of Science
in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Advanced Information Technology Concentration (M.S.)
Computer Science Data Analytics Concentration (M.S.)


Electrical Engineering to Information Technology and Management
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Advanced Information Technology Concentration (M.S.)
Computer Science Data Analytics Concentration (M.S.)

The department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers a combined B.A.C.S. or B.S.C.S. in Computer Science or B.S.C.E. in Computer Engineering or B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering to M.S. in Information Technology and Management: Advanced Information Technology or Computer Science Data Analytics concentrations degree program.

Students may count up to 9 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees, see Table below. These graduate courses replace the technical elective courses in the bachelor's program. The proposed combined program does not increase the number of credits in the undergraduate degree.

All combined programs total a minimum of 150 credits as detailed:

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.
Graduate courses to be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degree programs. Alternative courses may be used with prior approval of the graduate advisor.
M.S. in Information Technology and Management: Advanced Information Technology or Computer Science Data Analytics concentrations
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768 3
Software Engineering CEN 5035 3
Theory and Implementation of Database Systems COP 6731 3


These combined programs provides an attractive way for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first. The combined program can be completed in approximately five years.

Admission Requirements
The GRE requirement is waived for this combined program. To be eligible for the combined program, baccalaureate students should:

  1. Have a cumulative FAU GPA of 3.25 or better at the end of their junior year. Note that the cumulative FAU GPA of at least 3.25 must be maintained  until the completion of the bachelor's degree.
  2. Formally apply to the combined program, completing the admissions process at least one semester prior to the beginning of the master's portion of their program.

Students in the combined program must maintain continuous enrollment to remain in good standing.

Degree Requirements
To be eligible for the combined bachelor to master program, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Complete all of the requirements for the B.A.C.S. or B.S.C.S. in Computer Science or the B.S.C.E. in Computer Engineering or the B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering and other requirements stipulated by the University and College
  2. Complete all of the requirements for the M.S. in Information Technology and Management: Advanced Information Technology or Computer Science Data Analytics concentrations, with either the thesis or non-thesis option.


Data Science and Analytics

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Data Science and Engineering Concentration (B.S.)


Data Science and Analytics to Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Data Science and Engineering Concentration (B.S.)

Data Science and Analytics to
Information Technology and Management

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Data Science and Engineering Concentration (B.S.)
Advanced Information Technology Concentration (M.S.)
Computer Science Data Analytics Concentration (M.S.)

The department of Electrical Engineering and Computer  Science offers a combined B.S. in Data Science and Analytics: Data Science and Engineering concentration to M.S. in Artificial Intelligence or M.S. in  Data Science and Analytics: Data Science and Engineering concentration or M.S. in Information Technology and Management: Advanced Information Technology or Computer Science Data Analytics concentrations degree program.

Students may count up to 9 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees, see Table below. These graduate courses replace the general elective courses in the bachelor's program. The proposed combined program does not increase the number of credits in the undergraduate degree.

All combined programs total a minimum of 150 credits as detailed:

  1.  The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2.  The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.
Graduate courses to be counted toward both the bachelor's and master's degree programs. Alternative courses may be used with prior approval of the graduate advisor.
M.S. in Artificial Intelligence
Computational Foundations of Artificial Intelligence CAP 5625 3
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768 3
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673 3
M.S. in Data Science and Analytics: Data Science and Engineering concentration
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768 3
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673 3
Information Retrieval CAP 6776 3
M.S. in Information Technology and Management: Advanced Information Technology or Computer Science Data Analytics concentrations
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768 3
Software Engineering CEN 5035 3
Theory and Implementation of Database Systems COP 6731 3


These combined programs provides an attractive way for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first. The combined program can be completed in approximately five years.

Admission Requirements
The GRE requirement is waived for this combined program. To be eligible for the combined program, baccalaureate students should:

  1. Have a cumulative FAU GPA of 3.25 or better at the end of their junior year. Note that the cumulative FAU GPA of at least 3.25 must be maintained  until the completion of the bachelor's degree.
  2. Formally apply to the combined program, completing the admissions process at least one semester prior to the beginning of the master's portion of their program.

Students in the combined program must maintain continuous enrollment to remain in good standing.

Degree Requirements
To be eligible for the combined bachelor to master program, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Complete all of the requirements for the B.S. in Data Science and Analytics: Data Science and Engineering concentration program and other requirements stipulated by the University and College
  2. Complete all of the requirements for the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence  program, on either the thesis or non-thesis option, or complete requirements for the M.S. in Data Science and Analytics: Data Science and Engineering concentration  or complete requirements for the M.S. in Information Technology and Management: Advanced Information Technology or Computer Science Data Analytics concentrations.

Nursing to Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Nursing to Biomedical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the College of Engineering and Computer Science (COECS) offer a combined Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) and Master of Science (M.S.) with Major in Artificial Intelligence or Biomedical Engineering degree program.

The B.S.N. degree program is completed and received from the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. Students then complete the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence or Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and receive the M.S. degree from the COECS. Details can be found in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing section of this catalog.

Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.) to Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D.)
Combined Program 

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.C.E.) to Ph.D. with major in Computer Engineering degree program.

Students may count up to 12 credits of graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) offered by the EECS Department toward both their B.S.C.E. and Ph.D. degrees. These graduate courses will replace elective and semi-core courses in the bachelor’s program. The program does not increase the number of credits in the undergraduate degree.

The combined program totals a minimum of 195 credits, provided that :

  1. The student has met the minimum 123 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 72 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the Ph.D. program.

This combined program provides an attractive way for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first.

Admission Requirements
The GRE requirement is waived for this combined program.

  1. To be eligible to apply for the combined program, students must have a cumulative FAU GPA of 3.5 or better at the end of their junior year. Note that the cumulative FAU GPA of at least 3.5 must be maintained until the completion of the bachelor's degree. 
  2. Formally apply to the combined program after the junior year (90 credits or more of coursework completed). The application must include one reference letter. 
  3. Must be admitted into the combined program at least one semester prior to the beginning of the Ph.D. portion of the program.

Students in the combined program must maintain continuous enrollment to remain in good standing.

Degree Requirements
To be eligible for the combined bachelor to Ph.D. program, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Completion of the requirements for the B.S.C.E. program and other requirements stipulated by the University and College.
  2. Completion of all requirements for the Ph.D. in with major in Computer Engineering degree program.


Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Combined Program

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) to Ph.D. with major in Computer Science degree program.

Students may count up to 12 credits of graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) offered by the EECS Department toward both their B.S.C.S. and Ph.D. degrees. These graduate courses will replace elective courses in the bachelor’s program. The program does not increase the number of credits in the undergraduate degree.

The combined program totals a minimum of 192 credits, provided that:

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 72 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the Ph.D. program.

This combined program provides an attractive way for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first.

Admission Requirements
The GRE requirement is waived for this combined program.

  1. To be eligible to apply for the combined program, students must have a cumulative FAU GPA of 3.5 or better at the end of their junior year. Note that the cumulative FAU GPA of at least 3.5 must be maintained until the completion of the bachelor's degree. 
  2.  Formally apply to the combined program after the junior year (90 credits or more of coursework completed). The application must include one reference letter. 
  3.  Must be admitted into the combined program at least one semester prior to the beginning of the Ph.D. portion of the program.

Students in the combined program must maintain continuous enrollment to remain in good standing.

Degree Requirements

To be eligible for the combined bachelor to Ph.D. program, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  1.  Completion of the requirements for the B.S.C.S. program and other requirements stipulated by the University and College.
  2. Completion of all requirements for the Ph.D. with major in Computer Science degree program.


Master's Programs

Link to Master of Science with Major in Artificial Intelligence

Link to Professional Master of Science with Major in Artificial Intelligence

Link to Artificial Intelligence Minor

Link to Master of Science with Major in Computer Engineering

Link to Master of Science with Major in Computer Science

Link to Professional Master of Science with Major in Computer Science

Link to Internet Engineering Graduate Specialty

Link to Software Engineering Graduate Specialty

Link to Master of Science with Major in Computer Science with Focus in Internet and Web Technologies

Link to Master of Science with Major in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with a Business Minor

Link to Master of Science with Major in Data Science and Analytics

Link to Master of Science with Major in Information Technology and Management

Link to Professional Master of Science with Major in Information Technology and Management


Link to Graduate Certificates


Artificial Intelligence
Master of Science (M.S.)

(Changes effective spring 2024.) (For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The Master of Science (M.S.) with Major in Artificial Intelligence provides a comprehensive curriculum, consisting of foundation and theory of artificial intelligence and elements of computer vision, data analytics and algorithms, knowledge management and reasoning, machine learning and applications. Both thesis and non-thesis options of the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence require a minimum of 30 credits. The thesis option consists of a minimum of 24 coursework credits and 6 thesis credits.

With approval of the advisor, substitution can sometimes be made among similar courses. See the Department of Electrical and Computer Science website for updates.

Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the master's program are approved by the University upon the recommendation of the department. All applicants must submit with their applications the official transcripts from previous institutions attended and have official GRE scores forwarded to the Graduate College. Applications for admission are evaluated on an individual basis. At a minimum, applicants are expected to meet the following requirements.

  1. Have obtained a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Students are expected to have taken Calculus 1 or Methods of Calculus and a statistics course, to be proficient in programming, and to be knowledgeable in data structures and algorithm analysis. Students can gain this knowledge through undergraduate classes or learn it through work experience. The admissions committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine applicant suitability using several factors, such as academic performance, GPA, GRE scores, background and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, prerequisite courses may be taken after admission to the graduate program.
  2. At least a 3.0 (of a 4.0 maximum) GPA in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation; and
  3. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. GRE scores more than five years old are not acceptable. The GRE requirement is waived for any student who has a baccalaureate degree from FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a GPA of at least 3.25 (out of a possible 4.0) in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation; and
  4. International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Submission of Plan of Study
Students are required to submit a Plan of Study when they have completed between 9 and 15 credits of coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. All courses must be approved by the student's advisor. A student may not
register for thesis credits prior to submitting a Plan of Study.

Degree Requirements
The M.S. in Artificial Intelligence program offers both thesis and non-thesis options. Both options require a minimum of 30 credits, as specified in the table.

Students must satisfy all of the University graduate requirements. In addition, the following requirements must be met. The coursework credits must satisfy the following constraints:

  1. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be taken.
  2. No course can be counted toward the degree that is more than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded.
  3. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
  4. The student must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better.
  5. All courses in the degree program must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

Transfer Credits
Any transfer credits toward the requirements for an M.S. in Artificial Intelligence must be approved by the department, the College and the University. The transfer credits must correspond to equivalent requirements and performance levels expected for the degree. Normally no more than 6 credits of coursework (that have not been applied to a degree) can be transferred from another institution.

Core Courses (6 credits)
Students in both thesis and non-thesis options complete the Core Courses.
 Select two courses from the following three courses.
Computational Foundations of Artificial Intelligence CAP 5625
Artificial Intelligence CAP 6635
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673
Thesis Option (30 credits)
Master's Thesis - Artificial Intelligence (may be taken over multiple terms) CAP 6974 6
In addition to the Core Courses and the Thesis credits, students complete six elective courses (18 credits) with the following constraints: Two AI electives. Minimum of 3 credits of 6000-level courses and maximum of 3 credits of Directed Independent Study, COT 6900 or COT 6905.
Non-Thesis Option (30 credits)
In addition to the Core Courses, students complete eight elective courses (24 credits) with the following constraints: Four AI electives. Minimum of 9 credits of 6000-level courses and maximum of 3 credits of Directed Independent Study, COT 6900 or COT 6905.
AI Electives
Select 12 credits for Non-Thesis option and 6 credits for Thesis option.
Computer Vision
Foundations of Vision CAP 6411
Computer Vision CAP 6415
Machine Learning for Computer Vision CAP 6618
Visual Information Retrieval COP 6728
Data Analytics and Algorithms  
Computational Foundations of Artificial Intelligence CAP 5625
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768
Social Networks and Big Data Analytics CAP 6315
Data Mining for Bioinformatics CAP 6546
Artificial Intelligence CAP 6635
Computer Performance Modeling CEN 6405
Analysis of Algorithms COT 6405
Randomized Algorithms COT 6446  
Knowledge Management and Reasoning
Natural Language Processing CAP 6640
Information Retrieval CAP 6776
Web Mining CAP 6777
Semantic Web Programming COP 5859
Machine Learning
Introduction to Neural Networks CAP 5615
Evolutionary Computing CAP 6512
Sparse Learning CAP 6617
Deep Learning CAP 6619
Reinforcement Learning CAP 6629
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673
Advanced Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6778
Applications
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare CAP 6683
Computational Advertising and Real-Time Data Analytics CAP 6807
Robotic Applications EEL 5661
EECS Electives:  Select four courses from the graduate courses offered by the EECS department. Course substitution is allowed with the prior approval of the advisor.

 

Artificial Intelligence
Master of Science (M.S.)
Professional Program

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The Professional Master of Science with major in Artificial Intelligence is a new self-supporting program designed for working professionals. It allows professionals to advance their careers with an accelerated graduate program and obtain an advanced degree while continuing to work. The course offering format includes evenings, weekends and online material. The program requires 30 credits. Admissions requirements are the same as specified above for the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence, and degree requirements are the same as noted above for the non-thesis option. To apply or for more information, visit the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science website or call 561-297-3855.


Artificial Intelligence
Graduate Minor

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

The minor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is open to all graduate students at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) who are not majoring in AI. The minor is awarded upon graduation from a graduate program at FAU; it is awarded in conjunction with graduate degrees.

Requirements for the minor include completion of four graduate-level courses with a minimum grade of "B." These four courses cannot be counted toward any other minor or certificate.

The minor has two tracks: Development and Applications. The Development track is intended for students proficient in programming and who will develop new algorithms and mechanisms in AI. The Applications track is open to students who have introductory programming skills and are interested in learning how to use the tools and algorithms of AI. Students in both tracks should have completed a statistics course.

Students must ensure that they have the necessary prerequisites for the selected courses. Students cannot apply for both the minor in AI and the certificate in AI.

Development Track (12 credits)
Required courses (6 credits); select two courses from the following
Computational Foundations of Artificial Intelligence CAP 5625 3
Artificial Intelligence CAP 6635 3
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673 3
Elective courses (6 credits); select two courses from the Elective Table
Applications Track (12 credits)
(Not open to graduate students in the  Department of  Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , except for students in the M.S. with Major in Information Technology and Management (MSITM))
Required courses (6 credits); select two courses from the following
Computational Foundations of Artificial Intelligence CAP 5625 3
Applied Machine Learning CAP 6610 3
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673 3
Elective courses (6 credits); select two courses from the Elective Table

 

Elective Table
Select two courses from this list. Additional courses may be used as electives with prior approval from the advisor.

Applications
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare CAP 6683 3
Computational Advertising and Real-Time Data Analytics CAP 6807 3
Robotic Applications EEL 5661 3
Industrial Automation EIN 5603C 3
Intelligent Underwater Vehicles EOC 6663 3
Intelligent Transportation Systems TTE 6272 3
Data Analytics and Algorithms
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768 3
Social Networks and Big Data Analytics CAP 6315 3
Data Mining for Bioinformatics CAP 6546 3
Computer Performance Modeling CEN 6405 3
Design and Analysis for Engineering Data CGN 5716 3
Knowledge Management and Reasoning
Natural Language Processing CAP 6640 3
Information Retrieval CAP 6776 3
Web Mining CAP 6777 3
Semantic Web Programming COP 5859 3
Machine/Deep Learning
Introduction to Neural Networks CAP 5615 3
Evolutionary Computing CAP 6512 3
Sparse Learning CAP 6617 3
Deep Learning CAP 6619 3
Reinforcement Learning CAP 6629 3
Advanced Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6778 3
Vision
Foundation of Vision CAP 6411 3
Computer Vision CAP 6415 3
Machine Learning for Computer Vision CAP 6618 3
Vision Information Retrieval COP 6728 3

 

Computer Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.)

(Changes effective spring 2024.) (For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The non-thesis option for this degree requires a minimum of 30 credits. The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credits, including 6 credits of thesis.

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to the master's program are approved by the University upon the recommendation of the department. All applicants must submit with their applications the official transcripts from previous institutions attended and have official GRE scores forwarded to the University. Applications for admission are evaluated on an individual basis. As a minimum, applicants are expected to meet the following requirements.

  1. Students are expected to have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Applicants with different backgrounds are expected to have taken Calculus 2 and a statistics course, to be proficient in programming, and to be knowledgeable in the topics of microprocessor systems, computer architecture or CAD-based computer design, electronics or VLSI, data structures and algorithm analysis. The admission committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine the applicant's suitability using several factors, such as academic performance, GPA, GRE scores, background and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, prerequisite courses may be taken after admission to the graduate program;
  2. At least a 3.0 (of a 4.0 maximum) GPA in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation; and
  3. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required. GRE scores more than five years old are normally not acceptable. The GRE requirement is waived for any student who has a baccalaureate degree from FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a GPA of at least 3.25 (out of a possible 4.0) in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation;
  4. International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Submission of Plan of Study
Students are required to submit a Plan of Study when they have completed between 9 and 15 credits of coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. All courses must be approved by the student's advisor. A student may not register for thesis credits prior to submitting a Plan of Study.

Degree Requirements
Students must satisfy all of the University graduate requirements. In addition, the following specific degree requirements apply, depending on the choice of degree programs.

Thesis Option (30 credits)

  1. Requires 6 credits of orally defended written thesis. The M.S. committee is chaired by the student's thesis advisor. The chair of the committee must be a graduate faculty member from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
  2. Requires 24 credits of approved coursework with the following constraints:
    1. A minimum of 3 credits from computer architecture and design (graduate course prefix CDA), a minimum of 3 credits from software and programming (graduate course prefix COP or CEN) and a minimum of 3 credits from systems and applications (graduate course prefix CAP, CIS, CNT or EEL).
    2. A minimum of 12 credits in Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering courses.
    3. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be taken
    4. No course can be counted toward the degree that is more than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded.
    5. No 4000-level course is allowed toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for the deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
  3. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
  4. Must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better.
  5. All courses in the degree program must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
  6. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Non-Thesis Option (30 credits)

  1.  Requires 30 credits of approved coursework with the following constraints:
    1. A minimum of 3 credits from computer architecture and design (graduate course prefix CDA), a minimum of 3 credits from software and programming (graduate course prefix COP or CEN) and a minimum of 3 credits from systems and applications (graduate course prefix CAP, CIS, CNT or EEL).
    2. A minimum of 18 credits in Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering courses.
    3. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be taken.
    4. No course can be counted toward the degree that is more than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded.
    5. No 4000-level course is allowed toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for the deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
  2. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
  3. Must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better.
  4. All courses in the degree program must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
  5. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Transfer Credits
Any transfer credits toward the requirements for a master's degree in Computer Engineering must be approved by the department, the College and the University. The transfer credits must correspond to equivalent requirements and performance levels expected for the degree. Normally, no more than 6 credits of coursework (that have not been applied to a degree) can be transferred from another institution.


Computer Science
Master of Science (M.S.)

(Changes effective spring 2024.) (For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The non-thesis option for this degree requires a minimum of 30 credits. The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credits, including 6 credits of thesis.

Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the master's program are approved by the University upon the recommendation of the department. All applicants must submit with their applications the official transcripts from previous institutions attended and have official GRE scores forwarded to the University. Applications for admission are evaluated on an individual basis. As a minimum, applicants are expected to meet the following requirements. Students with non-engineering bachelor's degrees, click here for additional requirements.

  1. Students are expected to have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Applicants with different backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Students are expected to have taken Calculus 2 and a statistics course, to be proficient in programming, and to be knowledgeable in the topics of data structures and algorithm design and analysis, operating systems and computer architecture. The admission committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine the applicant's suitability using several factors, such as academic performance, GPA, GRE scores, background and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, prerequisite courses may be taken after admission to the graduate program; and
  2. At least a 3.0 (of a 4.0 minimum) GPA in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation;
  3. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. GRE scores more than five years old are normally not acceptable. The GRE requirement is waived for any student who has a baccalaureate degree from FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a GPA of at least 3.25 (out of a possible 4.0) in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation; and
  4. International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Submission of Plan of Study
Students are required to submit a Plan of Study when they have completed between 9 and 15 credits of coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. All courses must be approved by the student's advisor. A student may not register for thesis credits prior to submitting a Plan of Study.

Degree Requirements
Students must satisfy all of the University graduate requirements. In addition, the following specific degree requirements apply, depending on the choice of degree programs.

Thesis Option (30 credits)

  1. Requires 6 credits of orally defended written thesis. The M.S. committee is chaired by the student's thesis advisor. The chair of the committee must be a graduate faculty member from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
  2. Requires 24 credits of approved coursework with the following constraints:
    1. A minimum of 3 credits from theory and algorithm (graduate course prefix COT), a minimum of 3 credits from software and programming (graduate course prefix COP or CEN) and a minimum of 3 credits from systems and applications (graduate course prefix CAP, CIS, CNT or CDA). Special Topics courses (COT 5930, COT 6930, CEN 5931, CEN 6930) and directed independent study courses (COT 6900, COT 6905) may be counted only with prior approval of the advisor.
    2. A minimum of 12 credits in Computer Science and Engineering courses.
    3. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be taken.
    4. No course can be counted toward the degree that is more than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded.
    5. No 4000-level course is allowed toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for the deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
  3. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
  4. Must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better.
  5. All courses in the degree program must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
  6. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Non-Thesis Option (30 credits)

  1. Requires 30 credits of approved coursework with the following constraints:
    1. A minimum of 3 credits from theory and algorithm (graduate course prefix COT), a minimum of 3 credits from software and programming (graduate course prefix COP or CEN) and a minimum of 3 credits from systems and applications (graduate course prefix CAP, CIS, CNT or CDA). Special Topics courses (COT 5930, COT 6930, CEN 5931, CEN 6930) and directed independent study courses (COT 6900, COT 6905) may be counted only with prior approval of the advisor.
    2.  A minimum of 18 credits in Computer Science and Engineering courses.
    3. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be taken.
    4. No course can be counted toward the degree that is more than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded.
    5. No 4000-level course is allowed toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for the deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
  2.  At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
  3. Must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better.
  4. All courses in the degree program must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
  5. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Transfer Credits
Any transfer credits toward the requirements for a master's degree in Computer Science must be approved by the department, the College and the University. The transfer credits must correspond to equivalent requirements and performance levels expected for the degree. Normally no more than 6 credits of coursework (that have not been applied to a degree) can be transferred from another institution.


Computer Science
Master of Science (M.S.)
Professional Program

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The M.S. in Computer Science Professional Program is designed specifically for working professionals. Professionals will be able to advance their careers with an accelerated graduate program and obtain an advanced degree while continuing to work in their professional careers. The course offering format includes evenings, weekends and online material using Canvas. This degree requires 30 graduate credits. The duration of each course is four weeks. Students will be able to complete the program in one year. Only the non-thesis option is available.

Admission Requirements
To qualify for unconditional or full acceptance into the M.S. in Computer Science Professional Program, applicants are required to meet all the admission requirements for the M.S. with major in Computer Science program.

Conditional admission may be available under extraordinary circumstances for applicants who show high promise to successfully complete the program and who have received a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution, but who fall short of the GPA and/or the GRE requirement. In these cases, the admissions committee for the Professional M.S. in Computer Science will review the application carefully and consider all aspects including, but not limited to, grade trends, mature work experience, work accomplishment and promotion, type and rigor of undergraduate and master's degree programs, references and letters of recommendation.

Degree Requirements
Degree requirements are the same as specified for the non-thesis option for the M.S. degree in Computer Science noted above. Students in the Professional M.S. degree in Computer Science program are exempt from the requirement to complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits). (Change effective summer 2024.)

Program Fees
The M.S. in Computer Science Professional Program is a full-service, all-inclusive program. The fees cover all program costs including tuition, course materials and graduation activities. To view our full cost of attendance information page, visit https://www.fau.edu/finaid/other/cost-of-attendance/

Application Process and More Information
To apply or receive more information about this program, visit the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science website or call 561-297-3855.

Internet Engineering Graduate Specialty
An Option in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Prerequisites
Same as for master's degree in Computer Science or master's degree in Computer Engineering.

Degree Requirements for Non-Thesis Option
Requires a minimum of 30 credits as follows:

  1. Same requirements as specified in degree requirements for non-thesis option for master's degree with major in Computer Engineering or master's degree with major in Computer Science;
  2. At least four elective courses (12 credits) selected from a group of Internet-based courses that include (a) Internet software, (b) Internet networking and (c) Internet technologies, as specified by academic advisor.

Degree Requirements for Thesis Option
Requires a minimum of 30 credits as follows:

  1. Same requirements as specified in degree requirements for non-thesis option for master's degree with major in Computer Engineering or master's degree with major in Computer Science;
  2. At least three elective courses (9 credits) selected from a group of Internet-based courses that include (a) Internet software, (b) Internet networking and (c) Internet technologies, as specified by academic advisor;
  3. A minimum of 6 credits of thesis work.


Software Engineering Graduate Specialty
An Option in Computer Science

Prerequisites
Same as non-thesis programs plus:

Principles of Software Engineering (CEN 4010)
Introduction to Object-Oriented Design and Programming (COP 4331)

Students who have not had COP 4331 may take COP 5339 to satisfy this requirement.

Group 1 Fundamentals

Courses in this group emphasize general fundamentals of software engineering. Included in this group are courses in object-oriented methods, software testing and requirements engineering.

Group 2 Development
Courses in this group address specific issues and techniques more closely related to actual software development. Included in this group are courses in user-interface design, CASE, formal methods and advanced object-oriented topics.

Group 3 Quantitative and Experimental
Courses in this group deal with quantitative and experimental approaches. Included in this group are courses in the areas of reliability, metrics and modeling.

For specific course numbers that belong to the above three groups, consult an advisor in the department.

Thesis option students must take at least six of the above software engineering courses, two from each group.

Non-thesis-option students must take at least eight of the above software engineering courses, at least two from each group. Appropriate special topics courses may also be used to meet these requirements with approval of the student's advisor.

Other Electives
Thesis option students: Two other 5000-level or 6000-level Computer Science and Computer Engineering courses and 6 credits of COT 6970 (Thesis). No 4000-level course is counted toward the degree.

Non-thesis-option students: Three other 5000-level or 6000-level Computer Science and Computer Engineering courses.

All students must complete at least one-half of their credits at the 6000 level.

Internet and Web Technologies Focus
An Option in Computer Science 

This M.S. program is designed specifically for working professionals. Students attend formal classes for two Saturdays per month for 11 months. The remaining instruction is delivered through the latest distance-learning technologies, including FAU's Canvas system.

The program requires the 11 FAU courses below, totaling 33 credits categorized as software, networking and applications. Special review modules can be arranged for students who lack the required prerequisites. Admission requirements and prerequisites are the same as for the master's degree with major in Computer Science.

Multimedia Systems CAP 6010
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673
Computer Networks CNT 5008
Mobile Computing CNT 6517
Computer Data Security CIS 6370
Theory and Implementation of Database
Systems
COP 6731
Wireless Networks EEL 6591
Social Networks and Big Data Analytics CAP 6315
Queueing Theory MAP 6264
Topics in Computer Science
(Topics include Web Services, Web Project
Development, Network Programming)
COT 5930
Topics in Computer Science
(Topics include Advanced Internet
Engineering, Ad Hoc Networks, Video
Communications)
COT 6930


For fees and other details, contact the department at 561-297-3855 or visit the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 
website.


Computer Science or Computer Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.) with a Business Minor

Those students electing to receive a minor in Business must complete 36 credits, of which 21 are to be from the Computer Science and Engineering courses described in this section of the catalog and 15 are to be from the courses approved by the College of Business for the Business minor. Such students will have to satisfy the prerequisite and core requirements of the appropriate degree program of the department. In addition, students should also satisfy the University requirements for graduate programs. For more information, students should consult their faculty advisor.

Artificial Intelligence
Master of Science (M.S.) with a Business Minor

Those students electing to receive a minor in Business must complete 36 credits, of which 21 are to be from the Artificial Intelligence courses described in this section of the catalog and 15 are to be from the courses approved by the College of Business for the Business minor. Such students will have to satisfy the prerequisite and core requirements of the appropriate degree program of the department. In addition, students should also satisfy the University requirements for graduate programs. For more information, students should consult their faculty advisor.

Biomedical Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.) with a Business Minor

Those students electing to receive a minor in Business must complete 36 credits, of which 21 are to be from the Biomedical Engineering courses described in this section of the catalog and 15 are to be from the courses approved by the College of Business for the Business minor. Such students will have to satisfy the prerequisite and core requirements of the appropriate degree program of the department. In addition, students should also satisfy the University requirements for graduate programs. For more information, students should consult their faculty advisor.

Data Science and Analytics
Master of Science (M.S.)

Data Science via Scientific Inquiry Concentration
Data Science and Engineering Concentration
Data Science in Business Concentration
Data Science in Society Concentration

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The Master of Science with Major in Data Science and Analytics (MSDSA) is a multi-college interdisciplinary program jointly administered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management (ITOM) in the College of Business and the Department of Political Science in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. The program aims to prepare students with essential skill sets needed to analyze small, fast, big, massive and complex data. To allow for maximum flexibility in career aspirations, students may select from four concentrations:

  • Data Science via Scientific Inquiry Concentration, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
  • Data Science and Engineering Concentration, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
  • Data Science in Business Concentration, Department of Information Technology and Operations Management.
  • Data Science in Society Concentration, Department of Political Science.

For more information about the Master of Science with Major in Data Science and Analytics degree program, see the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.

Information Technology and Management
Master of Science (M.S.)

(Change effective spring 2024.) (For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The Master of Science with Major in Information Technology and Management (MSITM) is jointly offered by the Department of  Electrical Engineering and Computer Science  in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management (ITOM) in the College of Business. Designed for highly motivated individuals with computing and/or managerial backgrounds, the program aims to prepare students for a management career in the area of information technology in organizations. To allow for maximum flexibility in career aspirations, students can select from  five concentrations: Advanced Information Technology, emphasizing the technical aspect of organizational IT systems; Information Technology Management, focusing on the management issues of IT in organizations;  Computer Science Data Analytics; Cybersecurity; and Business Analytics. Details of this program can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.

Information Technology and Management
Master of Science (M.S.)
Professional Program

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

Details for the Professional Master of Science with Major in Information Technology and Management are also described in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of the catalog.

The Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department offers several certificate programs. Each certificate requires at least four courses (12 credits), which cannot be counted in any other certificate program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Artificial Intelligence
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

Over the past years, there has been dramatic progress in the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in the development of systems that can reason and respond to increasingly complex situations. AI is everywhere and the changes enabled by this technology have just begun. AI is transforming every segment of American industry. It is making agriculture more precise and efficient, revealing new medical technologies and bringing the prospect of autonomous transportation and advanced manufacturing closer to reality. To become competitive, companies and corporations will have to embrace AI to some extent. These technological innovations are made possible by engineers and scientists with knowledge and expertise in the latest advancements in the field of AI. This 12-credit certificate provides graduate students with knowledge and skills in the concepts, technologies and applications of artificial intelligence.

Admissions
This certificate program is open to students with a bachelor's degree in any academic area and who are not majoring in Artificial Intelligence. Students must satisfy the prerequisites for each course in the program. The average GPA of all four courses counted in the program must be 3.0 or better.This certificate requires four courses that have not been counted in any other minor or certificate program within the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Curriculum
The certificate has two tracks: a Development track and an Applications track. The Development track is intended for students proficient in programming who will develop new algorithms and mechanisms in artificial intelligence. The Applications track is open to students who have introductory programming skills and are interested in learning how to use the tools and algorithms of artificial intelligence. Students in both tracks are expected to have completed a statistics course.

Development Track (12 credits) 
Required courses (6 credits); select two courses from the following
Computational Foundations of Artificial Intelligence CAP 5625 3
Artificial Intelligence CAP 6635 3
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673 3
Elective courses (6 credits); select two courses from the Elective Table

Applications Track (12 credits)

(Not open to graduate students in the  Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, except for students in the M.S. with Major in Information Technology and Management (MSITM))
Required courses (6 credits); select two courses from the following
Computational Foundations of Artificial Intelligence CAP 5625 3
Applied Machine Learning CAP 6610 3
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673 3
Elective courses (6 credits); select two courses from the Elective Table


Elective Table

Select two courses from the list below. Additional courses may be used as electives with prior approval of the advisor.

Introduction to Neural Networks CAP 5615 3
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768 3
Data Mining for Bioinformatics CAP 6546 3
Sparse Learning CAP 6617 3
Machine Learning for Computer Vision CAP 6618 3
Deep Learning CAP 6619 3
Natural Language Processing CAP 6640  
Reinforcement Learning CAP 6629 3
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare CAP 6683 3
Advanced Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6778 3
Computer Performance Modeling CEN 6405 3
Robotic Applications EEL 5661 3
Industrial Automation EIN 5603C 3
Intelligent Underwater Vehicles EOC 6663 3
Design and Analysis for Engineering Data CGN 5716 3
Intelligent Transportation Systems TTE 6272 3


Artificial Intelligence
Graduate Certificate
Professional Program

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

The Professional Artificial Intelligence certificate is designed for working professionals to advance their careers with an accelerated graduate program. This is a stand-alone certificate tailored for working professionals and alumni with graduate degrees who are looking for specialized knowledge in Artificial Intelligence. The course offering format includes evenings, weekends and online material. The 12-credit certificate has two tracks: a Development track and an Applications track. Admission details and details for the two tracks are shown above. To apply or for more information, visit the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science website or call 561-297-3855.

Big Data Analytics 
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

The digital age is here to stay. Organizations now own and have access to unfathomable amounts of data. New technologies and efforts are needed to move on to the next phase of the digital revolution - the data revolution. To provide students with the knowledge necessary in this age of Big Data, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management (ITOM) have jointly designed the Big Data Analytics graduate certificate. This 12-credit certificate allows graduate students to expand their knowledge and skills in the concepts, technologies, and tools of business intelligence, data analytics and business analytics and be recognized for their achievement. The certificate program has two tracks: Computer Science (CS) and Business (BU). Details for both tracks can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.

Big Data Analytics 
Graduate Certificate
Professional Program

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

Details for the Professional Big Data Analytics Graduate Certificate are also described in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of the catalog.

Cyber Security
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

Cybercrime-related issues especially impact the State of Florida because a significant part of the state's economic development comes from tourism, international banking and high-tech industries. The number of scientists, engineers and experts needed with special skills in cyber security exceeds the number available. The Cyber Security certificate provides opportunities for graduate students to expand their knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the cyber security field. Due to their extensive expertise and facilities, the departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Mathematics and Statistics have jointly designed the certificate. This 12-credit certificate program has two tracks: Computer Science (CS) and Mathematics (Math). Details for both tracks can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.

Doctoral Programs

Computer Engineering or Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The department offers a program of advanced graduate study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Computer Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Computer Science. The graduate of this program will be able to meet the highest standards of preparation for leadership in the computer science or engineering profession, including research, teaching and leadership in high-technology industry and governmental agencies. A Ph.D. Applicant's Guide is available from the department. These degree programs as well as the concentration below are available in person and fully online.

The Ph.D. in Computer Science program also offers a concentration in Data Science and Analytics. Students in this concentration gain expertise through both coursework and research activity in theoretical and applied data science and analytics. Admission and Degree Requirements are detailed below. Also offered is a concentration in Cybersecurity (Effective spring 2024.). Both concentrations are available in person and fully online.

For working professionals seeking to advance their careers, the department offers a Professional Doctor of Philosophy with Major in Computer Science.

Admission Requirements
Application for admission to doctoral study will be evaluated on an individual basis by the department's graduate programs committee. Usually, the following four criteria must be met:

  1. The applicant must submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score and must have a GPA of at least 3.3 (out of 4.0 maximum) in previous graduate work. GRE scores more than five years old are normally not acceptable. The GRE requirement is waived for any student who has an M.S. degree from FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
  2. The applicant must have a master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline awarded by a recognized institution. Thesis option is preferred. This requirement may be waived under exceptional circumstances (see B.S. to Ph.D. programs earlier in the College of Engineering and Computer Science section of the catalog).
    1. Applicants to the Ph.D. with Major in Computer Science program are expected to have taken Calculus 2 and a statistics course, to be proficient in programming, and to be knowledgeable in the topics of data structures, algorithm design and analysis, operating systems and computer architecture. The admission committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine applicant suitability using several factors such as academic performance, GPA, GRE scores, background and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, prerequisite requirements may be satisfied after admission to the Ph.D. program. In such a case, proficiency in the prerequisite courses must be shown before the student takes dissertation credits.
    2. Applicants to the Ph.D. with Major in Computer Engineering program are expected to have taken Calculus 2 and a statistics course, to be proficient in programming, and to be knowledgeable in the topics of microprocessor systems, computer architecture or CAD-based computer design, electronics or VLSI, data structures and algorithm analysis. The admission committee will evaluate the application holistically to determine applicant suitability using several factors such as academic performance, GPA, GRE scores, background and experience. The admission committee may assign remedial courses on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, prerequisite requirements may be satisfied after admission to the Ph.D. program. In such a case, proficiency in the prerequisite courses must be shown before the student takes dissertation credits.
  3. The applicant must provide two reference letters that address the student's research potential, motivation, relative academic achievement and personality.
  4. International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Candidacy Qualifying Examination (Changes effective summer 2024.)
Note:  The qualifying exams for the Ph.D. in Computer Science and Computer Engineering are the same except for the course selections (see the application form).

The candidacy qualifying exam is a written an exam intended to assess whether or not a student is ready to conduct research at the doctoral level and is able to publish in international conferences and journals. The exam must be passed for formal admission into the doctoral program. Students seeking the Ph.D. degree are expected to take the exam after completing 9 credits during the second semester of their doctoral studies.  excluding the summer semester. A student failing the candidacy exam may, upon re-application, take it a second time. Two failures will normally result in the student's dismissal from the Ph.D. program. Specific instructions for applying and taking the Candidacy Examination are detailed on the EECS website.

The exam addresses the student’s knowledge of graduate and undergraduate course material and basic mathematical concepts and engineering methods required for research and professional practice at the doctoral level. The exam consists of six problems (one from each course) related to material covered in recent FAU graduate and undergraduate CS/CE courses. The exam is administered two times a year in the fall and spring semesters. Two 3-hour sessions, morning and afternoon, cover tree courses each. The student can bring three 2-sided pages of notes and a simple calculator to each session, but no books, computers or phones. An overall minimum score of 70 percent or better is required to pass. A student failing the written exam may, upon re-application, take it a second time. Normally two failures will result in the student’s dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

Application for Qualifying Exam
Students need to fill out and submit an application for the qualifying exam. In filling out the form, the student should list six courses, at most four of which may be at the graduate level and at least two of which must be at the undergraduate level and selected from one of the lists below. Students can select at most one graduate course outside the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with the approval of the advisor. All other courses must have been offered by the department during the preceding three years, but the student may have taken them anywhere or prepared for them on their own. The student will also list a primary area of research and at least one secondary area.

The application must be approved by the student’s advisor and then submitted to the graduate committee. Upon approving the application, the graduate committee will arrange for the exam preparation.

Undergraduate courses for Computer Engineering students:

Introduction to Logic Design CDA 3201C
Introduction to Microprocessor Systems CDA 3331C
Computer Architecture CDA 4102
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530
Computer Operating Systems COP 4610
Stochastic Models for Computer Science STA 4821


Undergraduate courses for Computer Science students:

Introduction to Logic Design CDA 3201C or
Computer Architecture CDA 4102
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530
Computer Operating Systems COP 4610
Design and Analysis of Algorithms COT 4400
Theory of Computation
COT 4420
Stochastic Models for Computer Science STA 4821


Admission to Candidacy

Students should apply for candidacy as soon as they become eligible. To be eligible, a student must:

  1. Have passed the Candidacy Qualifying Exam, and
  2. Have maintained a minimum of 3.0 GPA in all courses attempted as a doctoral student.

Students may not register for dissertation credits until their admission to candidacy.

Degree Requirements
A minimum of 72 graduate credits is required beyond a bachelor's degree. A master's degree in a related field is considered equivalent to 30 credits. A minimum of 18 credits of coursework is required beyond a master's degree. All courses must be approved by the student's advisor. Students lacking proper background may have to take additional courses to make up for the deficiencies. In addition to meeting the course requirement, a doctoral student must pass the Candidacy Qualifying Examination, complete the dissertation under the supervision of the student's advisor and dissertation committee and pass the oral dissertation examination. Also a written dissertation proposal must be accepted by the dissertation committee at least six months prior to the oral dissertation examination. A doctoral candidate is expected to have at least one research paper published or accepted for publication in a fully refereed conference or journal prior to graduation. The following rules apply to the courses taken (beyond the master's degree):

  1. Of the 18 credit minimum of coursework, a minimum of 12 credits must be in Computer Science and Engineering courses (excluding directed independent study credits) and a minimum of 9 credits of 6000-level courses must be completed.
  2. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study or advanced research may be used to satisfy the minimum of 18 credits. In that case, the subject matter may not overlap the student's dissertation. (Effective summer 2024.)
  3. A course that is more than 10 years old at the time the degree is awarded cannot be counted toward the degree. This rule does not apply to the courses transferred from the master's degree.
  4. No 4000-level course may be counted toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
  5. Students must register for a minimum of 24 credits of dissertation.
  6. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0 maximum) or better.
  7. All courses in the degree programs must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
  8. Must complete two semesters of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grades of Satisfactory ("S").

Graduate Coursework -  18  credits  (for students entering with a master's degree)
Minimum of 12 credits from Computer Science and Computer Engineering courses at the 5000, 6000 or 7000 levels (excluding DIS). Minimum of 9 credits at the 6000 level. Maximum of 3 credits of Directed Independent Study or Advanced Research.
Directed Independent Study-Computer Science COT 6900 or
Directed Independent Study-Computer Engineering COT 6905 or
Advanced Research EGN 6918
Dissertation - 24 credits
Dissertation - Computer Science (taken over multiple terms) COT 7980  or
Dissertation - Computer Engineering (taken over multiple terms) ECM 7980
For students entering with a bachelor's degree, see B.S. to Ph.D. programs earlier in this College of Engineering and Computer Science section.


Computer Science

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Cybersecurity
Data Science and Analytics Concentration

(New concentration effective spring 2024.) Students in the Ph.D. with Major in Computer Science have the option of pursuing a concentration in Cybersecurity.

This major and concentration are available in person and fully online.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should meet all the admission requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Computer Science program.

Degree Requirements
Applicants should meet all the degree requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Computer Science program. In
addition, the following requirements should be met.

  1. Graduate coursework counted for the Ph.D. program must contain at least three graduate courses from the table below. These courses focus on theoretical and/or applied cybersecurity. Additional courses may be approved by the dissertation advisor. Graduate courses completed during the master's degree program may also be used to meet this requirement.
  2. The student's Ph.D. dissertation research and scholarship must have a strong emphasis on one or more areas of cybersecurity, including but not limited to, applied and/or theoretical areas.
Cryptographic Engineering CDA 5326 3
Practical Aspects of Modern Cryptography CIS 5371 3
Computer Data Security CIS 6370 3
Distributed Systems Security CIS 6375 3
Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Technologies CIS 6730 3
Secret Sharing Protocols COT 6427 3
Cyber Security: Measurement and Data Analysis CTS 6319 3
Introduction to Cryptology and Information Security MAD 5474  


Data Science and Analytics Concentration
Students in the Ph.D. with Major in Computer Science have the option of pursuing a concentration in Data Science and Analytics. See below for details. This major and concentration are available in person and fully online.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should meet all the admission requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Computer Science program.

Degree Requirements
Applicants should meet all the degree requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Computer Science program. In addition, the following requirements should be met.

  1. Graduate coursework counted for the Ph.D. program must contain at least four graduate courses from the table below. These courses focus on theoretical and/or applied data science and analytics. Additional courses may be approved by the dissertation advisor. Graduate courses completed during the master's degree program may also be used to meet this requirement.
  2. The student's Ph.D. dissertation research and scholarship must have a strong emphasis on one or more areas of data science and analytics or, including but not limited to, applied and/or theoretical areas.

Introduction to Neural Networks CAP 5615 3
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768 3
Social Networks and Big Data Analytics CAP 6315 3
Data Mining for Bioinformatics CAP 6546 3
Sparse Learning CAP 6617 3
Machine Learning for Computer Vision CAP 6618 3
Deep Learning CAP 6619 3
Artificial Intelligence CAP 6635 3
Natural Language Processing CAP 6640 3
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673 3
Information Retrieval CAP 6776 3
Web Mining CAP 6777 3
Advanced Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6778 3
Computer Performance Modeling CEN 6405 3


Transfer Credits
Any transfer credits (from other institutions) toward the requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be approved by the department, the College and the University. The transfer credits must correspond to equivalent requirements and performance levels expected for the degree. A maximum of 30 credits can be transferred from a master's degree. In addition to the credits for a master's degree, no more than 6 credits of coursework can be transferred from another institution.

Time Limitation
A Ph.D. student who enters the program with a master's degree has no more than 10 years to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

Dissertation Committee
Students are encouraged to interact with faculty members of the department to select a dissertation advisor and research area/topic for their dissertation. After a student has passed both parts of the Candidacy Qualifying Examination, a dissertation committee shall be formed to supervise the student's research work. The committee will consist of at least four faculty members who are familiar with the research area, at least three of whom are regular faculty members of the department. At least one member of the committee is recommended to must be from outside the department (could also be from another institution or industry), and this member should have an academic or professional level compatible with the rest of the committee. The committee is chaired by the student's dissertation advisor. The chair of the committee must be a faculty member from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Students are expected to work in close cooperation with their dissertation committee and to keep the committee members informed about their progress on a regular basis. The dissertation committee should meet with the student at least once a semester to review the progress of the research work.

Dissertation and Oral Defense
The dissertation must be written in the format specified by the Graduate College. A copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate College for approval of the dissertation format. Dissertations must be defended orally. A dissertation should be submitted to the members of the dissertation committee for their review at least two weeks before the oral defense. After an oral defense, the members of the dissertation committee vote on acceptance or rejection of the dissertation. The committee may also suggest that the student do some additional work so as to make the dissertation acceptable. The decision of the dissertation committee will be reported in the form of a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade for dissertation credits.

Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Professional Program

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The Ph.D. in Computer Science Professional Program is designed specifically for working professionals. Professionals will be able to advance their careers with an accelerated graduate program and obtain an advanced degree while continuing to work. The Professional program is available only for students who have a master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science or a related discipline awarded by a regionally accredited institution. A minimum of 72 graduate credits is required beyond a bachelor’s degree. Since a master’s degree in a related field is considered equivalent to 30 credits, students in this program must complete at least 42 credits distributed as follows: 18 credits of graduate coursework and 24 credits of dissertation work.

Students must select one of the following options:

  1.  Professional Ph.D. in Computer Science, or
  2.  Professional Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science and Analytics Concentration

The course offering format includes evenings, weekends and online material using Canvas. Each course duration is four weeks or one of the FAU mini semesters. Students are expected to complete the program in three years.

Admission Requirements
To qualify for unconditional or full acceptance into the Ph.D. in Computer Science Professional Program, applicants are required to meet all the admission requirements for the Ph.D. with major in Computer Science program.

Conditional admission may be available under extraordinary circumstances for applicants who show high promise to successfully complete the program and who have received a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution, but who fall short of the GPA and/or the GRE requirement. In these cases, the admissions committee for the Professional Ph.D. in Computer Science will review the application carefully and consider all aspects including, but not limited to, grade trends, mature work experience, work accomplishment and promotion, type and rigor of undergraduate and master's degree programs, references and letters of recommendation.

Degree Requirements
Degree requirements are the same as those specified in the degree requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science, the option where students have already completed the master’s degree.

Students pursuing the Data Science and Analytics concentration must complete the same concentration requirements as in the traditional program.

Students in the Professional Ph.D. degree in Computer Science program are exempt from the requirement to complete two semesters of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits). (Change effective summer 2024.)

Program Fees
The Ph.D. in Computer Science Professional Program is a full-service, all-inclusive program. The fees cover all program costs including tuition, text books, course materials and graduation activities. To view our full cost of attendance information page, visit
https://www.fau.edu/finaid/other/cost-of-attendance/

Application Process and More Information
To apply or receive more information about this program, visit the Computer & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science website or call 561-297-3855.

Neuroscience
Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D.)

This doctoral program in Neuroscience is a multi-college, multi-institute interdisciplinary degree program organized in partnership with the FAU Brain Institute. Graduate-level instruction is provided by faculty in multiple departments located in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Charles Schmidt College of Medicine, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Education and the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors CollegeAffiliated faculty from the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and Scripps Research Florida also participate in the program. The program aims to equip students with the advanced conceptual and technical skills needed to forge productive, neuroscience-oriented careers in industry, academia and government. Specific details for this doctoral program appear in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.

Electrical Engineering

Link to Combined Programs

Link to Master's Programs

Link to Doctoral Program


Bachelor's Program

Mission Statement
The mission of the undergraduate program in Electrical Engineering is to offer an E.E. program of study that augments the liberal education expected of all FAU undergraduates and imparts a basic understanding of electrical engineering built on a foundation of physical science, mathematics, computing and technology.

Educational Objectives and Outcomes
The educational objectives of the Electrical Engineering undergraduate program are to enable graduates who, within a few years after graduation, will:

  1. Be successful in understanding, formulating, analyzing and solving a variety of electrical engineering problems;
  2. Be successful in designing a variety of engineering systems, products or experiments;
  3. Be successful in careers and/or graduate study in engineering or other areas such as business, medicine and law;
  4. Have the ability to assume leadership and entrepreneurial positions;
  5. Successfully function and communicate effectively, both individually and in multidisciplinary teams;
  6. Understand the importance of lifelong learning, ethics and professional accountability.


The Bachelor of Science degree program in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

The educational objectives of the Electrical Engineering program are achieved by ensuring that graduates have the following characteristics or student outcomes:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.


Electrical Engineering
Bachelor of Science IN Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.)

(Minimum of 123 credits required)

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above in order to be accepted into the Electrical Engineering program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

General Degree Requirements
The minimum number of credits required for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) degree is 123 credits. All courses that count toward the degree must be completed with grades of "C" or better. The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree will be awarded to students who meet all admission and degree requirements of the department and the University. Notes below are referenced in the tables following the list.

Notes:  
Students entering FAU with less than 30 credits must satisfy the course requirements specified in the catalog section, Degree Requirements. Students entering FAU with more than 30 credits (transfer students) must see the undergraduate advisor for an evaluation of courses taken at another school. The general education requirements are normally satisfied if a student has an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a Florida community or state college. Once students earn beyond 30 credits, they  must substitute EGN 1002, Fundamentals of Engineering, with an electrical engineering elective.

Program Summary
General Education 24
Mathematics 15
Science 9
Common Core 24
Computer Engineering - Electrical Engineering Core 18
Electrical Engineering Core 9
Semi-Core Group 1 3
Semi-Core Group 2 9
Electives 12
Total 123

 

General Education
Foundations of Written Communication 6
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior 6
Foundations of Global Citizenship 6
Foundations of Humanities 6
Subtotal 24

 

Mathematics
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 MAC 2311 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 MAC 2312 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 3 MAC 2313 4
Engineering Mathematics 1 MAP 3305 3
Subtotal 15

 

Science
Physics for Engineers 2 PHY 2044 3
General Physics for Engineers 1 PHY 2048 4
General Physics Lab 1 PHY 2048L 1
General Physics Lab 2 PHY 2049L 1
Subtotal 9


Core Courses
 

All students must take the following core courses, which total 51 credits.

Common Core
Introduction to Data Science and Analytics CAP 4773 3
Computer Logic Design CDA 3203 3
Computer Architecture CDA 4102 3
Foundations of Computing* COT 2000 3
Programming 1 COP 2220 3
Stochastic Processes and Random Signals** EEE 4541 3
RI: Engineering Design 1 EGN 4950C 3
RI: Engineering Design 2 EGN 4952C 3
Subtotal 24


* MAD 2104 may be substituted for COT 2000.
** STA 4821 may be substituted for EEE 4541.

Computer Engineering - Electrical Engineering Core
Design of Digital Systems and Lab CDA 4240C 3
Electronics 1 EEE 3300 3
Circuits 1 EEL 3111 3
Electronics Laboratory 1 EEL 3118L 3
Signals and Digital Filter Design EEL 3502 3
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3
Subtotal 18

 

Electrical Engineering Core
Electronics 2 and Lab EEE 4361C 3
Principles of Communication Systems EEL 4512C 3
Control Systems 1 EEL 4652C 3
Subtotal 9


Semi-Core Courses
All students must take 3 credits from Semi-Core Group 1 and 9 credits from Semi-Core Group 2.

Electrical Engineering Semi-Core Group 1 (Select one course)
Electric Power Systems EEL 4216 3
Electrical Machines EEL 4220 3
Subtotal 3

 

Electrical Engineering Semi-Core Group 2 (Select three courses)
Introduction to Embedded System Design CDA 4630 3
Communication Networks CNT 4007 3
Electronics 3 and Lab EEE 4362C 3
Introduction to Digital Signal Processing EEE 4510 3
Electromagnetic Fields and Waves EEL 3470 3
Photovoltaic Power Systems EEL 4281 3
Digital Communication Systems EEL 4522 3
Introduction to Wireless Communication Systems EEL 4580 3
Subtotal 9


Electives
All students must take 6 credits of technical electives and 6 credits of Electrical Engineering electives. Certain 3000- and 4000-level courses offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department may be used as a technical or Electrical Engineering elective. In addition, any two Computer Science courses listed in the Computer Science minor program may be used as technical electives. Certain 5000- or 6000-level courses offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department may be taken as technical electives or Electrical Engineering electives. Students must see an advisor for a current list of approved elective courses.

Electrical Engineering Electives 6
Technical Electives 6


The following course may be taken as a technical or Electrical Engineering elective.

Directed Independent Study COT 4900 1-3


Directed Independent Study

Students must have completed EEE 4361C, Electronics 2 and Lab, with a minimum grade of "C" before being eligible to register for directed independent study. Students are permitted to take no more than the equivalent of one course (3 credits) to satisfy degree requirements.

Sample Four-Year Program of Study
For the sample four-year program of study for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, refer to the Curriculum Sheets and Flight Plans by major.

Second Bachelor's Degree
This program is for those individuals with a degree in another discipline who are seeking a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree at FAU.

Admission Requirements
Students seeking a bachelor's degree or graduate degree in another discipline must satisfy all admission requirements of the first bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering at FAU.

Degree Requirements

  1. Earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at FAU, at the 3000 level or higher, beyond those required for the first degree. Students earning two degrees simultaneously (a dual degree) must earn at least 150 credits.
  2. Earn at least 75 percent of all upper-division credits required for the major from FAU.
  3. Students must have completed 15 credits in mathematics, 9 credits in science and 51 credits in core courses listed in the Electrical Engineering degree program. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C."

Undergraduate Transfer Students
Prior to the academic advising session, course syllabi need to be submitted to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor for evaluation of possible transfer credits. Course descriptions can be provided by submitting an undergraduate catalog from the post-secondary institution attended, submitting course descriptions from an online catalog (requires that the post-secondary institution web address be at the bottom of each page) or by providing course syllabi. The Academic Advisor evaluation needs to be performed even if a student has an evaluation by an approved agency.    

Combined Programs

Electrical Engineering
Bachelor of Science IN Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

This program enables qualified FAU undergraduate EE students to obtain both their B.S.E.E. and M.S. degrees in approximately five years by allowing up to 9 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) to apply toward both degrees as long as the combined program totals a minimum of 150 credits:

  1.  The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2.  The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.

This essentially takes away approximately one semester of coursework and offers an attractive option for enthusiastic students planning for their graduate education. Students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better after completing 96 credits toward the B.S.E.E. are eligible for admission to the program. Students complete the undergraduate degree first.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Program Process

  1. Eligible students apply to the department for acceptance into the program during the term in which they will complete 96 credits toward their B.S.E.E. degree.
  2. Eligible students take courses in their senior year that will apply to both their B.S.E.E. and M.S. degrees.
  3. Students participating in this program may opt for the thesis or non-thesis option in their M.S. degree.
  4. Students planning for the thesis option need a letter of recommendation from their potential thesis advisor.
  5. Students must be admitted to the joint B.S.E.E./M.S. program at least one semester prior to the start of their M.S. degree program.
  6. Students who are successful in completing their M.S. degree within one year will be presented a certificate of recognition.

Degree Requirements
Students participating in this program must satisfy the degree requirements for a B.S.E.E. and M.S. as outlined in this catalog.

Electrical Engineering TO Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science IN Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

The department offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (M.S.) program. Students in this combined program may count up to 9 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees as long as the combined program totals a minimum of 150 credits:

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.

With an approximate duration of five years, these combined programs provide attractive ways for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first.

Prerequisite coursework for transfer students and admission requirements for this combined programs are the same as for the B.S.C.E or B.S.C.S. to M.S. degree programs noted above. 

Degree Requirements
The following specific technical elective courses must be taken as part of the requirements for the B.S.E.E. degree.

Technical Electives (6 credits required)
Programming 2
COP 3014 3
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530 3

 

Electrical Engineering to Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science IN Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

The B.S.E.E./M.S.Cp.E. program is intended for students who wish to take advantage of the broader systems orientation of the B.S.E.E. degree and then specialize in Computer Engineering. Selection of specific technical elective courses in the B.S.E.E. program qualifies the graduate to enter the M.S.Cp.E. program with no deficiencies, provided that the GPA and other computer engineering admission requirements are met. Up to 9 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) can apply toward both degrees as long as the combined program totals a minimum of 150 credits:

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000-level of higher courses for the master's program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college university, or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements
The following specific technical elective and semi-core courses must be taken as part of the requirements for the B.S.E.E. degree in order to enter the B.S.E.E. to M.S. with Major in Computer Engineering Degree Program.

Technical Electives (6 credits required) 
Programming 2 COP 3014 3
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis COP 3530 3
Electrical Engineering Semi-Core (6 credits required)
Introduction to Embedded System Design CDA 4630 3
Communication Networks CNT 4007 3

 

Electrical Engineering to Information Technology and Management
Bachelor of Science IN Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Advanced Information Technology Concentration (M.S.)
Computer Science Data Analytics Concentration (M.S.)

For details about this combined program, click here.


Electrical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Combined Program 

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) to Ph.D. with major in Electrical Engineering degree program.

Students may count up to 12 credits of graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) offered by the EECS Department toward both their B.S.E.E. and Ph.D. degrees. These graduate courses will replace elective courses in the bachelor’s program. The program does not increase the number of credits in the undergraduate degree.

The combined program totals a minimum of 195 credits, provided that:

  1. The student has met the minimum 123 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 72 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the Ph.D. program.

This combined program provides an attractive way for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first.

Admission Requirements
The GRE requirement is waived for this combined program.

  1. 1. To be eligible to apply for the combined program, students must have a cumulative FAU GPA of 3.5 or better at the end of their junior year. Note that the cumulative FAU GPA of at least 3.5 must be maintained until the completion of the bachelor's degree. 
  2. Formally apply to the combined program after the junior year (90 credits or more of coursework completed). The application must include one reference letter. 
  3. Must be admitted into the combined program at least one semester prior to the beginning of the Ph.D. portion of the program.

Students in the combined program must maintain continuous enrollment to remain in good standing.

Degree Requirements
To be eligible for the combined bachelor to Ph.D. program, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Completion of the requirements for the B.S.E.E. program and other requirements stipulated by the University and College.
  2. Completion of all requirements for the Ph.D. with major in Electrical Engineering degree program.

Master's Programs

Electrical Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.)

(Changes effective spring 2024.) (For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The department offers thesis and non-thesis options at the master's level. Students may specialize in several areas: telecommunications; digital signal processing; systems and robotics, including control systems and machine vision; electromagnetics and RF, antennas, microwave systems, EMC/EMI and HF RF circuit design; alternative energy systems, including photovoltaic and fuel cell systems; bioengineering; neural networks; and optics and photonics. The Master of Science with major in Electrical Engineering is available in person and fully online.

Admission Requirements
All applicants must submit GRE scores and official transcripts from all previous postsecondary institutions attended. Applicants for admission will be evaluated on an individual basis and must satisfy the following requirements. Students with non-engineering bachelor's degrees, click here for additional requirements.

  1. International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
  2.  A baccalaureate degree in Engineering, Natural Science or Mathematics;*
  3. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (of a possible 4.0 maximum) in the last 60 credits of undergraduate work.
  4. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required. GRE scores more than five years old are normally not acceptable. The GRE requirement is waived for any student who has a baccalaureate degree from FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a GPA of at least 3.25 (of a possible 4.0) in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation.

* Students whose backgrounds are not in electrical or computer engineering should expect to take additional coursework to satisfy deficiencies.

Admission to Candidacy
Graduate students are required to submit a Plan of Study when they have completed between 9 and 15 credits of coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. A student may not register for thesis credits prior to approval of a submitted Plan of Study.

Degree Requirements
Students must satisfy all of the University graduate requirements. In addition, the following specific degree requirements apply, depending on the choice of degree program:

Thesis Option (30 credits)

  1. Requires 6 credits of orally defended written thesis. The M.S. committee is chaired by the student's thesis advisor. The chair of the committee must be a graduate faculty member from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
  2. Requires 24 credits of approved coursework with the following constraints:
    1. Minimum of 12 credits in EE courses;
    2. No 4000-level course may be counted toward the degree;
    3. A 3-credit course with math prefix or one of the following courses: EEL 5613, Modern Control; EEE 5502, Digital Processing of Signals; EEL 6482, Electromagnetic Theory 1; EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1.
  3. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
  4. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Note:  No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be applied toward the master's degree.

Non-Thesis Option (30 credits)

  1. Requires 30 credits of approved coursework with the following constraints:
    1. No 4000-level course is allowed toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for the deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree;
    2. A 3-credit course with math prefix or one of the following courses: EEL 5613, Modern Control; EEE 5502, Digital Processing of Signals; EEL 6482, Electromagnetic Theory 1; EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1;
    3. A minimum of 18 credits must be completed in EE.
  2. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above.
  3. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Note: No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be applied toward the master's degree.

Deficiency Requirements
(Changes effective summer 2024.) From the following list of deficiency EE courses, students must take two mandatory courses and at least two courses from the list following the mandatory courses. the Electronics Laboratory 1 course and at least four more courses.

Mandatory courses  
Electronics Laboratory 1 EEL 3118L
Signals and Digital Filter Design EEL 3502
Choose at least two courses from the list  
Introduction to Embedded Systems Design CDA 4630
Electronics 2 and Lab EEE 4361C
Stochastic Processes and Random Signals EEE 4541
Electromagnetic Fields and Waves EEL 3470
Electric Power Systems EEL 4216
Electrical Machines EEL 4220
Principles of Communication Systems EEL 4512C
Control Systems 1 EEL 4652C
Introduction to Microprocessor Systems CDA 3331C
Electromagnetic Fields and Waves EEL 3470
Electronics 2 and Lab EEE 4361C
Introduction to Digital Signal Processing EEE 4510
Principles of Communication Systems EEL 4512C
Control Systems 1 EEL 4652C
Analysis of Linear Systems EEL 4656
Electronics Laboratory 1 EEL 3118L


An insufficient number of the above courses will be considered a deficiency. Students are expected to take the necessary deficient courses during their course program as an extra load beyond the regular graduate coursework.

Students with engineering technology degrees are expected to first satisfy the FAU EE undergraduate graduation requirements before being admitted to the graduate program.

Electrical Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.) with a Business Minor

Those students electing to receive a minor in Business must complete 36 credits, of which 21 are to be from the Electrical Engineering courses described in this section of the catalog and 15 are to be from the courses approved by the College of Business for the Business minor. Such students will have to satisfy the prerequisite and core requirements of the appropriate degree program of the department. In addition, students should also satisfy the University requirements for graduate programs. For more information, students should consult their faculty advisor.


Doctoral ProgramS

Electrical Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The department offers a program of advanced graduate study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Electrical Engineering. This degree program is available in person and fully online. Students in the Ph.D. with Major in Electrial Engineering program have the option of pursuing a concentration in  Neuroengineering.

Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to doctoral study will be evaluated on an individual basis by the departmental graduate admissions committee. As a rule, the applicant must have:

  1. At least a 3.3 (of a possible 4.0 maximum) grade point average in the last 60 credits attempted in the relevant field;
  2.  Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required. GRE scores more than five years old are normally not acceptable. The GRE requirement is waived for any student who has an M.S. degree without thesis from FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science;
  3.  A master's degree in Engineering or a related discipline awarded by a recognized institution (thesis options are preferred);
  4. Two reference forms that document the applicant's research potential, motivation, relative academic achievement and personality;
  5. International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Applicants are expected to have taken the following prerequisite courses (or equivalents) before pursuing the Ph.D. degree. In some cases, prerequisite requirements may be satisfied after admission to the Ph.D. program. In such a case, proficiency in the prerequisite courses must be shown before the student takes dissertation credits.

(Changes effective summer 2024.) From the following list of deficiency EE courses, students must take two mandatory courses and at least two courses from the list following the mandatory courses. Students must take EEL 3118L, Electronics Laboratory 1, and at least four more courses from the table.

Mandatory courses  
Electronics Laboratory 1 EEL 3118L
Signals and Digital Filter Design EEL 3502
Choose at least two courses from the list  
Inroduction to Embedded Systems Design CDA 4630
Electronics 2 and Lab EEE 4361C
Stochastic Processes and Random Signals EEE 4541
Electromagnetic Fields and Waves EEL 3470
Electric Power Systems EEL 4216
Electrical Machines EEL 4220
Principles of Communication Systems EEL 4512C
Controls Systems 1 EEL 4652C
Introduction to Microprocessor Systems CDA 3331C
Electromagnetic Fields and Waves EEL 3470
Electronics 2 and Lab EEE 4361C
Introduction to Digital Signal Processing EEE 4510
Principles of Communication Systems EEL 4512C
Controls Systems 1 EEL 4652C
Analysis of Linear Systems EEL 4656


Candidacy Qualifying Exam
(Changes effective summer 2024.)
The candidacy qualifying exam is a written an exam intended to assess whether or not a student is ready to conduct research at the doctoral level and is able to publish in international conferences and journals. The exam must be passed for formal admission into the doctoral program. Students seeking the Ph.D. degree are expected to take the exam after completing 9 credits during the second semester of their doctoral studies. , excluding the summer semester.  A student failing the candidacy exam may, upon re-application, take it a second time. Two failures will normally result in the student's dismissal from the Ph.D. program. Specific instructions for applying and taking the Candidacy Examination are detailed on the EECS website.

The exam addresses the student’s knowledge of graduate and undergraduate course material and basic mathematical concepts and engineering methods required for research and professional practice at the doctoral level. The exam consists of six problems (one from each course) related to material covered in recent FAU graduate and undergraduate courses. The exam is administered twice a year in the fall and spring semesters. Two, three-hour sessions, morning and afternoon, cover three courses each. The student can bring three, two-sided pages of notes and a simple calculator to each session, but no books, computers or phones. An overall minimum score of 70 percent or better is required to pass. A student failing the written exam may, upon re-application, take it a second time. Normally two failures result in dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

Application for Qualifying Exam
Students fill out and submit an application for the qualifying exam. In filling out the form the student should list six courses, at most four of which may be at the graduate level and at least two of which must be at the undergraduate level, selected from the list below. Students can select at most one graduate course outside the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with the approval of the advisor. All other courses must have been offered by the department during the preceding three years, but the student may have taken them anywhere or prepared for them on their own. The student also lists a primary area of research and at least one secondary area.

The application must be approved by the student’s advisor and then submitted to the graduate committee. Upon approval, the graduate committee arranges for exam preparation.

Undergraduate courses for Electrical Engineering students

Electromagnetic Fields and Waves EEL 3470
Electronics 2 and Lab EEE 4361C
Introduction to Digital Signal Processing EEE 4510
Stochastic Processes and Random Signals EEE 4541 or
Stochastic Models for Computer Science STA 4821
Principles of Communication Systems EEL 4512C
Controls Systems 1 EEL 4652C
Analysis of Linear Systems EEL 4656


Admission to Candidacy

To be considered for the doctoral candidacy:

  1. The student must pass the Candidacy Qualifying Examination (CE QE) administered semiannually by the department. The examination is based on electrical engineering coursework as outlined in the  Ph.D. Qualifying Examination  Brochure.  This QE must be taken by all students after completion of 9 credits of Ph.D. coursework. A student who fails the examination may be allowed a second attempt subject to departmental approval.
  2. Following successful completion of the CE QE, the student must find a qualified faculty member in the department willing to chair the doctoral (dissertation) committee. The dissertation committee chair will then consult with the student to form the complete committee. Working with this dissertation committee chair, the student must complete the official Admission to Candidacy application along with the approved Plan of Study.

Candidacy approval will be based on:

  1. The academic record of the student;
  2. An approved (tentative) dissertation topic.

A student may not register for dissertation credit until the application for candidacy has been approved.

Degree Requirements

  1. A minimum total of 72 credits is required beyond the bachelor's degree level. A master's degree in a related field is considered equivalent to 30 credits. Students must take a minimum of 18 credits of graduate coursework beyond the master's degree and a minimum of 24 dissertation credits.
  2. Of the 18-credit minimum of coursework, a minimum of 12 credits must be Electrical Engineering courses (excluding directed independent study credits) and a minimum of 9 credits of 6000-level must be completed.
  3. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study or advnaced research may be used to satisfy the minimum of 18 credits. In that case, the subject matter may not overlap the student's dissertation. (Effective summer 2024.)
  4. No 4000-level course may be counted toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
  5. Specific Focus Area coursework will be required.
  6. At least 6 credits in courses with math prefix are required as part of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree. These may include EEL 5613, Modern Control; EEE 5502, Digital Processing of Signals; EEL 6482, Electromagnetic Theory 1; EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1.
  7. Must complete two semesters of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grades of Satisfactory ("S").
  8. A written dissertation proposal must be accepted by the dissertation committee, at least six months prior to defending the dissertation.
  9. When the candidate submits the Application for Graduation, he/she must indicate the following as a check list: (a) Date of QE taken and candidacy filed; (b) Date of dissertation proposal presented and approved by the Ph.D. Committee and (c) Status of the Plan of Study.
  10. Draft copy of the dissertation must be submitted for review by the Ph.D. Committee at least 15 days prior to the date of defending the dissertation. And the dissertation must be completed and orally defended.

It is expected that all doctoral candidates have at least one research paper published or accepted for publication in a fully refereed conference or journal prior to graduation. A patent relevant to the Ph.D. research topic/dissertation as approved by the U.S. Patent Office with an assigned number can substitute for the journal or conference publication requirement.

Transfer Credits
Any transfer credit toward requirements for the Ph.D. program must be approved by the department and the University. A maximum of 30 credits (which may include credits taken toward the master's degree with no more than 6 credits for the M.S. thesis) can be transferred into the student's program of study.

Time Limitation
A Ph.D. student who enters the program with a master's degree has no more than 10 years to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

Dissertation Committee
Students are encouraged to interact with faculty members of the department to select a dissertation advisor and research area/topic for their dissertation. After a student has passed both parts of the candidacy qualifying exam, a dissertation committee shall be formed to supervise the student’s research work. The committee should consist of at least four faculty members who are familiar with the research area, three of whom are regular faculty members of the department. At least one member of the committee is recommended to must be from outside the department (could be from another institution or industry), and this member should have an academic or professional level compatible with the rest of the committee. The committee is chaired by the student’s dissertation advisor. The chair of the committee must be a faculty member from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Students are expected to work in close cooperation with their dissertation committee and keep the committee members informed about their progress on a regular basis. The dissertation committee should meet with the student at least once a semester to review the progress of the research work.

Dissertation and Oral Defense
The dissertation must be written in the format specified by the Graduate College. A copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate College for approval of the dissertation format. Dissertations must be defended orally. A dissertation should be submitted to the members of the dissertation committee for their review at least two weeks before the oral defense. After an oral defense, the members of the committee vote on acceptance or rejection of the dissertation. The committee may also suggest that the student do additional work to make the dissertation acceptable. The decision of the dissertation committee is reported in the form of a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade for dissertation credits.

Graduate Coursework -  18 credits  (for students entering with a master's degree)
Select 18 credits at the 5000, 6000 or 7000 levels. Minimum of 12 credits in Electrical Engineering (excluding DIS). Maximum of 3 credits of Directed Independent Study or Advanced Research.
Directed Independent Study EEL 6905 or
Advanced Research EGN 6918
Dissertation - 24 credits
Dissertation (taken over multiple terms) EEL 7980
For students entering with a bachelor's degree, see B.S. to Ph.D. programs earlier in this College of Engineering and Computer Science section.
Math Requirement - 6 credits
Select one course from the following
Digital Processing of Signals EEE 5502 3
Modern Control EEL 5613 3
Control Systems 2 EEL 5654 3
Electromagnetic Theory 1 EEL 6482 3
Detection Theory EEL 6537 3
Special Topics in Electrical Engineering EEL 6935 1-4
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1 EOC 5172 3
Queueing Theory MAP 6264 3

 

Electrical Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Neuroengineering Concentration

Admission Requirements
Applicants should meet al the admission requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Electrical Engineering program.

Degree Requirements
Applicants should meet all the degree requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Electrical Engineering program. In addition, the following requirements should be met.

  1. Graduate coursework counted for the Ph.D. program must contain at least three graduate courses from the table below. These courses focus on theoretical and/or applied neuroengineering. Additional courses may be approved by the dissertation advisor. Graduate courses completed during the master's degree program may also be used to meet this requirement.
  2. The student's Ph.D. dissertation research and scholarship must have a strong emphasis on one or more areas of neuroengineering, including but not limited to applied and/or theoretical areas.

Engineering and Computer Science Courses
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering BME 5000 3
Biosystems Modeling and Control BME 5742 3
Biomaterials BME 6105 3
Stem Cell Engineering BME 6324 3
Tissue Engineering BME 6334 3
Neural Engineering BME 6390 3
Advanced Topics in Microfluidics and BioMEMS BME 6585 3
Computational Modeling of Biological Neural Networks BME 6718 3
Bioinformatics: Biomedical Perspectives BME 6762 3
Introduction to Neural Networks CAP 5615 3
Artificial Intelligence CAP 6635 3
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673 3
Biosignal Processing EEE 5286 3
Nanobiotechnology EEE 5425 3
Robotic Applications EEL 5661 3
Information Theory EEL 6532 3
Neural Complex and Artificial Neural Networks EEL 6819 3
Science Courses
Cognitive Neuroscience ISC 5665 3
Computational Neuroscience ISC 6460 3
Neurophysiology PCB 6835C 3
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience PSB 6345 3
Systems and Integrative Neuroscience PSB 6346 3

 

Biomedical Engineering

Faculty:
Agaarwal, A.; Asghar, W.; Assis, R.; DeGiorgio, M.; Du, S.; Engeberg, E.; Ghoraani, B.; Hashemi, J.; Kang, Y.; Pavlovic, M.Ranji, M; Pashaie, R.; Shankar, R.; Yi., P.; Zhi, H.

Biomedical Engineering stands at the intersection of the revolution taking place in advanced medical treatments as a result of applying the principles and practice of the engineering and computer science disciplines to the biological, biomedical and medical sciences. Biomedical Engineering is a broad and emerging field that impacts drug delivery, surgery, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Students successfully completing the Master of Science with major in Biomedical engineering program will be prepared for professional careers in businesses related to medical diagnostics, prosthetic devices and neural and other implants; the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; and consulting in health-related fields, as well as other positions in industry, commerce, education and government. Students will also be prepared to continue their formal education at the Ph.D. level in a variety of science and engineering disciplines and at the M.D. level in certain cases. The Master of Science with major in Biomedical Engineering is available in person and fully online.

Link to Combined Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (B.S.B.M.E.)

Link to Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

biomedical engineering
Bachelor of Science

(Minimum of 120 credits required)

(New program effective spring 2024.) The program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (B.S.B.M.E.) reflects the breadth of the profession. Students complete coursework in basic science and mathematics, engineering sciences and engineering systems and materials. The major includes five areas of focus: 1. Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering; 2. Smart Health Systems; 3. Biorobotics; 4. Bioinformatics; and 5. Nursing Technologist. The Biomedical Engineering program is the first to offer the Nursing Technologist track and an interface with the artificial intelligence center that will add benefits to the Biorobotics and Smart Health Systems focus areas.

Biomedical Engineering Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes
The Biomedical Engineering program strongly supports the educational objectives and learning outcomes of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (see the Educational Objectives and Expected Student Learning Outcomes subsections previously listed in this section).

Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the expected accomplishments and professional status of Biomedical Engineering graduates a few years beyond the baccalaureate degree.

The Biomedical Engineering program at Florida Atlantic University is dedicated to graduating engineers who, within a few years after graduation will:

  1. Practice biomedical engineering within the general areas of biomaterials and tissue engineering, bio-robotics, bioinformatics, nursing technology and smart health systems in the organizations that employ them;
  2. Advance their knowledge of biomedical engineering, both formally and informally, by engaging in lifelong learning experiences including attainment of professional licensure and/or graduate studies;
  3. Serve as effective professionals based on strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility and a willingness to take the initiative and seek progressive responsibilities; and
  4. Participate as leaders in activities that support service to, and/or economic development of, the community, the region, the state and the nation.

The educational objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering program are achieved by ensuring that graduates have the following characteristics or student outcomes:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics;
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors;
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts;
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives;
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions; and
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions
section of this catalog. All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above to be accepted in the B.S.B.M.E. program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the Transition Guides and below.

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy
requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree will be awarded to students who:

  1. Meet all general degree requirements of the University.
  2. Complete the curriculum for the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering degree (see below).

Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree requires 120 credits. For credit toward the degree, a grade of "C" or better must be received in each course listed. In addition, all prerequisites for each mathematics, science or engineering course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before enrollment is permitted. The degree components are listed below.

Intellectual Foundations Program    
College Writing 1 (2,3) ENC 1101 3
College Writing 2 (2,3) ENC 1102 3
Intellectual Foundations Program: Society and Human Behavior Courses   6

Intellectual Foundations Program: Global Citizenship Courses

  6
Intellectual Foundations Program: Humanities Courses   6
Foundations of Math and Quantitative Reasoning    
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 (1,4) MAC 2311 4
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 (1,4) MAC 2312 4
Foundations of Science and the Natural World    
General Chemistry 1 (1,5) CHM 2045 3 and
General Chemistry 1 Lab CHM 2045L 1
General Physics for Engineers 1 (1,5,7) PHY 2048 3 and
General Physics 1 Laboratory PHY 2048L 1
Total   40
 Basic Mathematics and Science    
Statistics Restricted Elective   3
Engineering Mathematics 1 MAP 3305 3 or
Differential Equations 1 MAP 2302 3
Bioprinciples 1 (5) BSC 1010 3 and
Bioprinciples Lab BSC 1010L 1
General Chemistry 2 (5) CHM 2046 3 and
General Chemistry 2 Lab CHM 2046L 1
Organic Chemistry 1 CHM 2210 3
Organic Chemistry 2 CHM  2211 3
Biochemistry 1 BCH 3033 3 and
Anatomy and Physiology 1 BSC 2085 3 and
Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lab BSC 2085L 1
Genetics PCB 3063 4
Total   33

Statistics Restricted Elective: Probability and Statistics for Engineers (STA 4032), Stochastic Models for Computer Science (STA 4821), Probability and Statistics 1 (STA 4442), Introduction to Biostatistics (STA 3173) or equivalent.

Total above is 74, leaving 46 credits of Engineering courses to comply with ABET criteria.

Engineering Fundamentals    
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3
Engineering Graphics Elective    
Computer Aided Design CGN 2327 3 or
Engineering Graphics EGN 1111C 3
Total   6
Basic Engineering    
Introduction to Programming in Python COP 3035 3
Statics EGN 3311 3
Dynamics EGN 3321 3
Circuits 1 EEL 3111 3
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering BME 5000 3
Total   15
For the Bioimaging, Bioinformatics or Smart Health Track, as a prerequisite:    
Data Structures and Algorithms Analysis COP 3410 3 or
For the Biorobotics or Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Tracks, as a prerequisite:    
Engineering Thermodynamics EGN 3343
Total   3
Capstone Design Core    
RI: Engineering Design 1 (5) EGN 4950C 3
RI: Engineering Design 2 (5) EGN 4952C 3
Total   6
Choose two Focus Areas for a total of 12 credits, 6 from each area
 Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Focus Area - Choose two courses from the list
Neural Engineering BME 4361 3
Nantechnology BME 4571 3 or
Introduction to Nanotechnology BME 4574 3
Total   6
Biorobotics Focus Area - Choose two courses from the list    
Introduction to Microfluidics d BioMEMS BME 4561 3
Electro-Mechanical Devices EGM 4045 3
Introduction to Robotics EML 4800 3
Total   6
Bioimaging / Nursing Technologies Focus Area - Choose two courses from the list
Introduction to Biosignal Processing BME 4509 3
Introduction to Bioimaging BME 4536 3
Signal and Digital Filter Design EEL 3502 3
Total   6
Bioinformatics Focus Area - Take the following two courses    
Computational Genomics CAP 4511 3
Algorithms for Bioinformatics CAP 4543 3
Total   6
Smart Health Systems Focus Area - Choose two courses from the list
Introduction to Deep Learning CAP 4613 3
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence CAP 4630 3
Introduction to Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 4770 3
Total   6
Technical Electives - Choose 3credits from the list    
Professional Internship IDS 3949 0-4 or
Engineering Professional Internship EGN 3941 0-4
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science (6) EGN 4915 1-3
For pre-med students, choose biology lab  and organic chemistry lab for 3 credits
Total   3
Total Program   120

Notes:

  1. Contributes to University Core Curriculum.
  2. Contributes to Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing.
  3. Intellectual Foundations Program courses, totaling 6 credits, must be selected to satisfy Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) writing requirements.
  4. Contributes to Gordon Rule mathematics.
  5. Includes a 1-credit laboratory.
  6. Grading: S/U.
  7. PHY 2048, General Physics for Engineers 1 (4 credits) is an acceptable substitute, but only 3 credits will apply toward the degree.

Internships
Biomedical Engineering students are strongly encouraged to gain practical experience through participation in internship opportunities. However, internships require prior approval from the department and coordinated with the Career Center (EGN 3941, Engineering Professional Internship). For more information, contact the FAU Career Center at 561-297-3533 or visit www.fau.edu/cdc.

Any major in the College (B.S.) to Biomedical Engineering
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.) Combined Program

Bachelor of Science candidates in any College of Engineering and Computer Science program with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 at the end of their junior year are eligible to apply to the combined program, which allows students to complete their bachelor’s, as well as a master’s in Biomedical Engineering, within approximately five years. After application and admittance to the graduate program at the beginning of their senior year, up to 9 credits of approved graduate-level courses (5000 level or higher) may be taken and  counted toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees as long as the combined program totals a minimum of 150 credits:

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.

Students must retain a cumulative  GPA of 3.25 by the time of graduation. Thesis and Non-Thesis options are available. See below for master's program admission and degree requirements.

Biomedical Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.)

(Changes effective spring 2024.) (For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

Admission Requirements
All applicants must submit GRE scores and official transcripts from all previous postsecondary institutions attended. Applicants for admission will be evaluated on an individual basis and must satisfy the following requirements. Students with non-engineering bachelor's degrees, click here for additional requirements.

  1. International students from non-English-speaking countries must be proficient in written and spoken English as evidenced by a score of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (Internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS);
  2. A baccalaureate degree in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science or Engineering with a mathematics background through Calculus 2 or calculus with basic differential equations.*
  3. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (of a possible 4.0 maximum) in Science, Mathematics and Engineering courses;
  4. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score or the MCAT score is required. GRE scores more than five years old normally are not acceptable. The GRE requirement is waived for any student who has a baccalaureate degree from FAU's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science with a GPA of at least 3.25 (out of a possible 4.0) in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation.

* Students whose backgrounds are not in the disciplines noted should expect to take additional coursework.

Submission of Plan of Study
Graduate students are required to submit a Plan of Study when they have completed between 9 and 15 credits of coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. A student may not register for thesis credits prior to submitting a Plan of Study.

Degree Requirements
Students must satisfy all of the University graduate requirements. In addition, the following specific degree requirements apply, depending on the choice of degree program:

Thesis Option (30 credits)

  1. Requires 6 credits of orally defended thesis. The M.S. committee is chaired by the student's thesis advisor. The chair of the committee must be a graduate faculty member from any department within the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
  2. Requires 24 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) of which 12 credits are program core courses and the remaining 12 credits are approved elective courses offered by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.
  3. No 4000-level course is allowed toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
  4. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Note: No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be applied toward the master's degree with thesis option.

Non-Thesis Option (30 credits )

  1. Requires 30 credits of approved coursework of which 12 credits are program core courses and the remaining 18 credits are approved elective courses offered by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.
  2. No 4000-level course is allowed toward the degree. Courses taken to make up for deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
  3. Must complete one semester of CGS 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S").

Note: No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be applied toward the master's degree non-thesis option.

Deficiency Requirements in the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering Program
It is expected that students successfully complete a course in Genetics or Molecular Genetics (PCB 4522 or PCB 3063 at FAU or equivalent) at any time during their MSBE studies. The lack of this course will be considered a deficiency. Students are expected to take the necessary course during their course program as an extra load beyond the regular graduate coursework. A genetics course must be completed prior to enrollment into the Special Topics (Advanced Biotechnology Lab) core course.

Students who have had no computer programming coursework during their B.S. studies are required to take any undergraduate programming course (such as COP 2220, Programming 1, to satisfy this deficiency. The requirement must be satisfied prior to taking any of the following core courses: BME 5742, Biosystems Modeling and Control or BME 6762, Bioinformatics: Biomedical Engineering Perspectives.

Furthermore, an advisor's approval is required for students not having the required mathematics background.

Program Core Courses (12 credits)

Introduction to Biomedical Engineering BME 5000
Biosystems Modeling and Control BME 5742
Bioinformatics: Biomedical Perspectives BME 6762 or
Data Mining and Machine Learning CAP 6673
Laboratory Methods in Biotechnology  BSC 6408L


Deficiency Requirements
 (not counted in the total program credits)

Genetics PCB 3063
Introduction to Programming in Python
COP 3035


Bioinformatics Concentration

As part of the Biomedical Engineering master's program, students may pursue the Bioinformatics concentration option. To accomplish this, the following two courses must be taken to count as Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering electives.

Bioinformatics Concentration Core Courses - 6 credits
Data Structures and Algorithms for Bioinformatics CAP 5548
Introduction to Data Science CAP 5768


Students in the Bioinformatics concentration must also take at least three courses from the following table to count as Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering electives. Additional courses may be used as replacements to the listed courses with prior approval of the department.

Bioinformatics Concentration Semi-Core Courses - 9 credits
Algorithms in Bioinformatics BME 6765
Computational Genomics CAP 6517
Databases for Bioinformatics CAP 6547
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare CAP 6683
Data-Driven Engineering CAP 6805


Bioinformatics concentration students take either an additional Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science or Engineering course or a free elective to fulfill the requirements of the Biomedical Engineering master's program.

Electives

Thesis Option (12 credits of elective courses as follows):

At least 9 credits from the Advising Sheet list of Engineering and Computer Science or Science Biomedical Engineering courses (such as Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Engineering, Biomaterials, Introduction to Microfluidics and BioMEMS, Introduction to Robotics, NanoBiotechnology, Robotic Applications and Orthopedic Biomechanics, Medical Imaging, Bio-Signal Processing and Bioinformatics).

Up to 3 elective credits of approved Engineering and Computer Science or Science coursework may be added (courses such as Digital Signal Processing, Digital Image Processing, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Modern Control, Advanced Database Systems, Nanotechnology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Systems and Integrative Neuroscience or a directed independent study course).

Non-Thesis Option (18 credits of elective courses as follows):

At least 9 credits from the Advising Sheet of Engineering and Computer Science or Science Biomedical Engineering courses (such as Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Engineering, Biomaterials, Introduction to Microfluidics and BioMEMS, Introduction to Robotics, NanoBiotechnology, Robotic Applications and Orthopedic Biomechanics, Medical Imaging, Bio-Signal Processing and Bioinformatics).

Up to 9 elective credits of approved Engineering and Computer Science or Science coursework may be added (courses such as Digital Signal Processing, Digital Image Processing, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, Modern Control, Advanced Database Systems, Nanotechnology, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Systems and Integrative Neuroscience, Immunology, Biology of Cancer, or an additional directed independent study course).

Up to 6 elective credits may be free elective courses (not included on the Biomedical Engineering Advising Sheet) subject to approval of the Biomedical Engineering Program Advisor.

Biomedical Engineering
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

The College offers a graduate non-degree-seeking certificate in Biomedical Engineering. This certificate program is a practice-oriented, part-time graduate program designed to assist engineers, scientists, technical professionals and qualified senior undergraduates in the launch and/or development of their careers and to provide the technical expertise needed in the rapidly changing business, government and industrial environments.

Program Highlights
This is a 15-credit graduate non-degree-seeking certificate program focused on the application of engineering and computer science principles to biotechnology, bioinformatics and biosystems. It is designed for engineers and scientists working in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, health care, drug discovery, biomedical, medical instrumentation and allied sectors.

Admission Requirements
The applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

  1. A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, physics or engineering with a mathematics background through Calculus 2 or calculus with basic differential equations. Qualified senior undergraduates may be accepted into the graduate certificate program with appropriate committee recommendation;
  2. GPA of 3.0 in science, mathematics and engineering courses;
  3. No GRE scores are necessary. Student transcripts should demonstrate competency in science, mathematics and engineering coursework.

Certificate Requirements

  1. PCB 3063, Genetics, (or an equivalent course) as a deficiency requirement with a minimum grade of “C”;
  2. Biomedical Engineering courses (9 credits) such as Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, Biosystems Modeling and Control, Bioinformatics: Biomedical Engineering Perspectives, Tissue Engineering, Stem Cell Engineering, Biomaterials, Introduction to Microfluidics and BioMEMS, Introduction to Robotics, NanoBiotechnology, Robotic Applications and Orthopedic Biomechanics, Medical Imaging and Bio-Signal Processing;
  3. Science courses (6 credits) relevant to Biomedical Engineering such as Special Topics (Advanced Biotechnology Lab), Bioinformatics, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, and Systems and Integrative Neuroscience;
  4. The grade point average of the above 15 credits must be 3.0 or better;
  5. All courses must be at the 5000 and 6000 levels.


Ocean and Mechanical Engineering

Faculty:
Beaujean, P. P. J.; Chair; Abtahi, H.; An, P.;  Cai, G. Q.; Carlsson, L. A.; Curet, O.; Davidson, J. B., Emeritus; Dhanak, M.; Du, S. E.; Elishakoff, I.; Engeberg, E. D.; Hartley, C. S., Emeritus; Hartt, W. H., Emeritus; Hashemi, J.; Jurewicz, J. T., Emeritus; Kang, Y.; Kim, M.; LeBlanc, L. L., Emeritus; Lin, Y. K., Emeritus; Mahfuz, H.; Masory, O.; Merk. V.; Moslemian, D.; Nayak, A.; Presuel-Moreno, F.;  Salivar, G. C.; Schock, S.; Stevens, K. K., Emeritus; Su, T. C.; Tennant, J. S., Emeritus; Tsai, C. T.; VanZwieten, J.; Verma, S.

The Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering offers programs of study leading to the following degrees:

Ocean Engineering: Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering (B.S.O.E.), Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Ocean Engineering (thesis and non-thesis options), Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Ocean Engineering and minor in Business, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with major in Ocean Engineering.

Mechanical Engineering: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.), Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Mechanical Engineering (thesis and non-thesis options), Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Business, Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Engineering Management, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with major in Mechanical Engineering.

To encourage undergraduates to pursue a graduate education, the department also offers joint B.S.O.E. to M.S. and joint B.S.M.E. to M.S. degree programs that permit students to complete both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree within five years. A B.S.M.E. to M.S. in Artificial Intelligence combined program is also available. Two additional combined degree programs, B.A. or B.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. in Ocean or Mechanical Engineering, are offered in partnership with the Wilkes Honors College.

Link to Mechanical Engineering Programs


Ocean Engineering

Link to Certificate Programs, Undergraduate

Link to Combined Programs

Link to Master's Program

Link to Aerospace Engineering Graduate Certificate

Link to Corrosion Graduate Certificate

Link to Offshore Engineering Graduate Certificate

Link to Doctoral Program


Bachelor's Program

Ocean Engineering
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

(Minimum of 127  credits required)

The Ocean Engineering program provides a comprehensive, practical curriculum in science and engineering that prepares the student to perform engineering tasks in the ocean environment. Graduates of this program are prepared for professional positions in industry and government or for graduate studies in engineering. At the lower-division level, the program requires a firm foundation in English composition and grammar, mathematics and chemistry, plus courses in the social sciences and arts and humanities to give the student a balanced educational background for the engineering profession. This coursework is provided in the pre-engineering or pre-ocean engineering (university parallel) programs of community or state colleges and the lower-division pre-engineering programs of most universities.

The Ocean Engineering program includes integrated courses encompassing the basic engineering sciences and mathematics, study of the ocean environment and its relationship to other sciences and engineering, processing of ocean engineering data, the engineering design of components and systems for use in the ocean and the application of these elements to the solution of engineering problems connected with work in or on the ocean and in developing the resources of the oceans.

Emphasis is placed on the solution of engineering problems related to the ocean in such areas as underwater acoustics, marine vehicles, environmental engineering, fluid mechanics, structures and materials. An optional Cooperative Work Study program that provides practical experience in industry or government laboratories is available to students who qualify.

Engineering design is an important part of the program, including a significant design experience. Seniors complete the final year of their program in an oceanside environment at SeaTech, the department's Institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering on the Dania Beach campus.

The Ocean Engineering program at FAU was designated a "State University System Program of Distinction" by the Board of Regents in October 1974. The designation was one of the five originally made throughout the entire state system. Founded in 1965 as the first such undergraduate program in the nation, the Ocean Engineering program at FAU is still one of the largest in the country.

Mission Statement and Program Goal
The Ocean Engineering program's mission is to provide an outstanding ocean engineering program for learning and research and to prepare individuals to meet national and international engineering challenges in the ocean environment.

The goal of the program is to develop and offer a comprehensive and broad curriculum in science and engineering that prepares a student to, upon graduation, effectively perform engineering tasks in the ocean environment or to successfully pursue higher studies and research in engineering.

Ocean Engineering Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the Ocean Engineering baccalaureate program at the Florida Atlantic University, within a few years after graduation, will:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to carry out engineering tasks in the multidisciplinary field of ocean engineering;
  2. Make meaningful contributions in terms of design, development and integration of engineering systems, particularly for applications in the ocean environment;
  3. Pursue further study for the graduate degree and/or participate in professional societies;
  4. Develop and exhibit leadership qualities in their engineering work;
  5. Understand various complexities and issues of the contemporary society and make professional contributions in the larger and long‐term interest of the society.

Educational Outcomes for Student Performance
The program will meet the above objectives by establishing the following educational outcomes for
student performance. At the time of graduation, the students will attain the following:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics;
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors;
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts;
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives;
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions;
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Academic Advising
It is an Ocean Engineering program requirement that all students, including incoming freshmen, meet with their Ocean Engineering academic advisor every semester prior to registering for classes.

Admission and Degree Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above in order to be accepted into the Ocean Engineering program.

Transfer students who have an A.A. degree are expected to have completed the following course requirements (deficiencies may be taken at FAU); see the Degree Requirements section of this catalog for the required minimum grades.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Students who enter Florida Atlantic University as freshmen must meet all baccalaureate degree requirements of the University, including the Intellectual Foundations Program requirements. Students who transfer to FAU with 30 or more accepted credits must meet all baccalaureate degree requirements of the University, including the General Education and Gordon Rule requirements.
  2.  Students must maintain an overall 2.0 grade point average in all courses. A grade of "C" or better must be received in all engineering, mathematics, chemistry and physics courses required for the degree. A grade of "C" or better means a grade of "C" or "C+" and excludes a grade of "C-." Courses taken as pass/fail will not be accepted for any required Ocean Engineering courses.

    A subsequent course may not be taken if a required grade of "C" or better is not earned in the prerequisite course. With appropriate justification, a prerequisite waiver may be granted by the Ocean Engineering petitions committee. Prerequisite and corequisite courses must be taken in the proper sequence.

  3. Students must satisfy the following curriculum requirements; however, since the curriculum is subject to revision, students should check with the Ocean Engineering program for the latest requirements.

Ocean Engineering Core (Changes effective fall 2024.)
C for Engineers EEL 2161 3
Computer Applicatons in Engineering 1 EGN 2213 3
Electro-Mechanical Devices EGM 4045 3
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3
Statics EGN 3311 3
Dynamics EGN 3321 3
Strength of Materials EGN 3331 3
Engineering Thermodynamics EGN 3343 3
Engineering Materials 1 EGN 3365 3
Vibration Synthesis and Analysis EGN 4323 3
Dynamic Systems EGN 4432 3
Fabrication of OE Systems EOC 2801 1
Ocean Engineering Fluid Mechanics EOC 3123 4
Ocean Engineering Lab EOC 3130L 3
Materials 1 – Marine Topics EOC 3213 1
Acoustics for Ocean Engineers EOC 3306 3
Structural Analysis EOC 3410C 3
Ocean Thermal Systems EOC 4193 3
Ocean Wave Mechanics EOC 4422 3
Ocean and Environmental Data Analysis EOC 4631C 3
RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design EOC 4804 3
RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design Laboratory EOC 4804L 4
Choose one of the following four three junior elective courses:  (effective spring 2024) 
Innovative Sensing and Actuation Technology EGN 4670C 3
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 3
Finite Element Analysis for Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
Professional Internship IDS 3949 3
Choose two of the following four courses:
Ocean Structures EOC 4412 3
Ship Hydrodynamics EOC 4124 3
Underwater Acoustics EOC 4307C 3
Marine Materials and Corrosion EOC 4201C 3

 

Non-Engineering Core
(grade of "C" or higher required)
Engineering Graphics EGN 1111C 3
Oceanography OCE 3008 3


The courses during the last year of study are taught at the SeaTech campus in Dania Beach. Students
may not deviate from either the courses defined or the sequence of courses defined for the Ocean Engineering curriculum. In exceptional cases, deviations may be approved in advance by petition to the Ocean Engineering petitions committee. Courses taken in violation of this policy cannot be counted toward the Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering degree.

Internship Programs
Internships are available at marine industries and naval research laboratories. Although an internship is not a requirement of the Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering degree program, students are strongly encouraged to make use of this opportunity and complete an internship prior to their senior year. For information, students should contact their Ocean Engineering academic advisor.

Sample Four-Year Program of Study for Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering

First Year, Fall (14 credits)
College Writing 1* ENC 1101 3
General Chemistry 1 CHM 2045 3
General Chemistry 1 Lab CHM 2045L 1
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 MAC 2311 4
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3

 

First Year, Spring (14 credits)
College Writing 2* ENC 1102 3
Oceanography OCE 3008 3
General Physics for Engineers 1 PHY 2048 3
General Physics 1 Lab PHY 2048L 1
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 MAC 2312 4

 

First Year, Summer (credits)
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 3 MAC 2313 4
Foundations of Humanities course 3

 

Second Year, Fall (13 credits)
Engineering Math 1 MAP 3305 3
Physics for Engineers 2 PHY 2044 3
General Physics 2 Lab PHY 2049L 1
Statics EGN 3311 3
C for Engineers EEL 2161 3
Computer Applications in Engineering 1 EGN 2213 3

 

Second Year, Spring ( 15 credits)
Engineering Graphics*** EGN 1111C 3
Dynamics EGN 3321 3
Strength of Materials EGN 3331 3
Engineering Thermodynamics EGN 3343 3
Ocean Engineering Lab EOC 3130L 3

 

Second Year, Summer (6 credits)
Electro-Mechanical Devices EGM 4045 3
Foundations of Humanities course* 3

 

Third Year, Fall (13 credits)
Engineering Materials 1 EGN 3365 3
Vibrations Synthesis and Analysis EGN 4323 3
Ocean Engineering Fluid Mechanics EOC 3123 4
Foundations of Global Citizenship course* 3

 

Third Year, Spring (13 credits)
Dynamic Systems EGN 4322 3
Fabrication of Ocean Engineering Systems EOC 2801 1
Acoustics for Ocean Engineers EOC 3306 3
Structural Analysis EOC 3410C 3
Ship Hydrodynamics EOC 4124 3  or
Marine Materials and Corrosion EOC 4201C 3

 

Third Year, Summer (6 credits)
Foundations of Global Citizenship course 3
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior course 3

 

Fourth Year, Fall (13 credits)
Materials 1 - Marine Topics EOC 3213 1
Ocean Thermal Systems EOC 4193 3
Ocean Wave Mechanics EOC 4422 3
Ocean and Environmental Data Analysis EOC 4631C 3
RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design EOC 4804 3

 

Fourth Year, Spring (13 credits) (Changes effective spring 2024.)
Finite Element Analysis for Engineering Design EGM 4350 or
Innovative Sensing and Actuation Technologies EGN 4670C 3 or
Professional Internship IDS 3949 3 or
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 3
Underwater Acoustics**** EOC 4307C or
Ocean Structures**** EOC 4412 3
RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design Laboratory EOC 4804L 4
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior course 3
Total 127


* WAC (Gordon Rule) course.

** Engineering Graphics should typically be taken at FAU.

*** Choose one courses from these two courses.

**** Choose two courses from these four senior elective courses.

Certificate Programs

Aerospace Engineering
undergraduate certificate

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

The undergraduate certificate in Aerospace Engineering, offered by the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, is designed to combine broad engineering disciplines with knowledge of engineering principles specific to aerospace engineering. This 15-credit program supports students wishing to work in aerospace companies and government agencies, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Curriculum
To earn this certificate, a student must successfully complete the following 15 credits:

  1. Three courses (9 credits) in the field of aerospace engineering:
    Aerodynamics EAS 4101 3
    Flight Dynamics EAS 4105 3
    Principles of Turbomachinery EML 4401 or
    Turbomachinery EML 6402 3
  2. A faculty-mentored design/research project with elements of aerospace engineering (3 credits), carried out either as part of:
    RI: Design Project
    (change effective spring 2024)
    EML 4551 or
    Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 3
  3. One course (3 credits) from the following:
    Finite Element Analysis for Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
    Engineering Materials 1 EGN 3365 3
    Dynamic Systems EGN 4432 3
    Fluid Mechanics EML 3701 3
    Applied Thermal-Fluid Systems EML 4127 3
    Machine Design EML 4500 3


Biomedical Engineering
undergraduate certificate

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

The undergraduate certificate in Biomedical Engineering, offered by the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, is designed to integrate broad engineering disciplines with interdisciplinary knowledge of science and healthcare specific to biomedical engineering. The main mission of this 15-credit program is to educate and prepare students in the fields of biomedical engineering, science and healthcare such that they can be placed in the best medical, graduate and industry positions across the globe.

Curriculum
To earn this certificate, a student must successfully complete the following 15 credits:

  1.  Three courses (9 credits) in the field of biomedical engineering:
    Biomaterials BME 4100 3 or
    Biomaterials BME 6105 3
    Introduction to Microfluidics and BioMEMS BME 4581 or
    Advanced Topics in Microfluidics and BioMEMS BME 6585 3
    Neural Engineering BME 4361 3
  2. A faculty-mentored design/research project with elements of biomedical engineering (3 credits), carried out either as part of:
    RI: Design Project
    (change effective spring 2024)
    EML 4551 or
    Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 3
  3. One course (3 credits) from the following:
    Intermediate Strength of Materials EGM 4523C 3
    Engineering Materials 1 EGN 3365 3
    Fluid Mechanics EML 3701 3


Marine Materials and Offshore Engineering
undergraduate certificate

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

The undergraduate certificate in Marine Materials and Offshore Engineering, offered by the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, is designed to combine broad engineering disciplines with knowledge of engineering principles specific to materials and structures. This 15-credit program supports the preparation of students to work at ocean engineering/maritime companies and governmental agencies that specialize in marine materials and offshore structures.

Curriculum (Changes effective fall 2024.)
To earn this certificate, a student must successfully complete the following 15 credits:

Strength of Materials EGN 3331 3
1. Two Three courses (6 9 credits) in the field of engineering materials and structures
Finite Element Analysis for Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
Marine Materials and Corrosion EOC 4201C or
Special Topics in Ocean Engineering EOC 5934 3
Ocean Structures EOC 4412 3 or
Special Topics in Ocean Engineering EOC 5934 3
One course (3 credits) from the following list    
Professional Internship (in a related area) IDS 3949 3
Finite Element Analysis for Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 3
Introduction to Ocean Instrumentation EOC 4620 3 or
Ocean Instrumentation EOC 6625 3
A faculty-mentored design/research project with elements of marine materials and offshore engineering (3 credits), carried out either as part of:
RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design EOC 4804 3

 

RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design EOC 4804 or
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 or
Directed Independent Study EOC 4905 3

One additional course (3 credits): EGN 3331, Strength of Materials.


Naval Architecture
Undergraduate certificate

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

This undergraduate certificate in Naval Architecture, offered by the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, is designed to combine broad engineering disciplines with knowledge of engineering principles specific to naval architecture. This 15-credit program supports the preparation of students to work at ocean engineering/maritime companies and governmental agencies that specialize in ship design and naval architecture.

Curriculum (Changes effective fall 2024.)
To earn this certificate, a student must successfully complete the following 15 credits:

Ocean Wave Mechanics EOC 4422 3
Two Three courses (6 9 credits) in the field of naval architecture from the following list
Ship Hydrodynamics EOC 4124 3 or
Hydrodynamic Aspects of Ship Design EOC 6515 3
Special Topics in Ocean Engineering EOC 5934 3
Ocean Structures EOC 4412 3 or
Offshore Structures EOC 6431 3
Special Topics in Ocean Engineering EOC 5934 3
Introduction to Ship Structural Design EOC 4510 or
Ship Structural Design EOC 6516 3
One course (3 credits) from the following list    
Professional Internship (in a related area) IDS 3949 3
Finites Element Analysis in Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 3
Introduction to Ocean Instrumentation EOC 4620 or
Ocean Instrumentation EOC 6625 3
A faculty-mentored design/research project with elements of naval architecture (3 credits), carried out either as part of:
RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design EOC 4804 3

 

Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 or
Directed Independent Study EOC 4905 3


3.  One additional course (3 credits): EOC 4422, Ocean Wave Mechanics.

Robotics Engineering
Undergraduate certificate

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

The undergraduate certificate in Robotics Engineering, offered by the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, is designed to combine broad engineering disciplines with knowledge of engineering principles specific to robotics engineering. This 15-credit program supports the preparation of students to work at a broad range of engineering companies.

Curriculum
To earn this certificate, a student must successfully complete the following 15 credits:

  1.  Three courses (9 credits) in the field of robotics engineering:
    Innovative Sensing and Actuation Technologies EGN 4670C 3
    Industrial Automation EIN 5603C 3
    Introduction to Robotics EML 4800 3
    Mechatronics EML 4804C 3
  2. A faculty-mentored design/research project with elements of robotics engineering (3 credits), carried out either as part of:
    RI: Design Project
    (change effective spring 2024)
    EML 4551 3 or
    Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 3
  3. One course (3 credits) from the following:
    Engineering Materials 1 EGN 3365 3
    Mechanical Control System EML 4312 3
    Machine Design EML 4500 3


Underwater Acoustics
Undergraduate certificate

(Minimum of 15 credits required)

The undergraduate certificate in Underwater Acoustics, offered by the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, is designed to combine broad engineering disciplines with knowledge of engineering principles specific to underwater acoustics. The program supports the preparation of students to work at companies and governmental agencies that specialize in underwater acoustics.

Curriculum (Changes effective fall 2024.)
To earn this certificate, a student must successfully complete the following 15 credits:

Two courses (6 credits) in the field of underwater acoustics from the following list
Acoustics for Ocean Engineers EOC 3306 3
Underwater Acoustics EOC 4307C 3 or
Ocean and Seadbed Acoustics EOC 6312
Special Topics in Ocean Engineering EOC 5934 3
One course (3 credits) from the following list    
Ship Hydrodynamics EOC 4124 3 or
Hydrodynamic Aspects of Ship Design EOC 6515 3
Ocean Structures EOC 4412 3 or
Offshore Structures EOC 6431 3
One course (3 credits) from the following list    
Professional Internshp IDS 3949 3
Finite Element Analysis in Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 3
Introduction to Ocean Instrumentation EOC 4620 3 or
Ocean Instrumentation EOC 6625 3
A faculty-mentored design/research project with elements of underwater acoustics (3 credits), carried out either as part of:
RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design EOC 4804 3

 

and two courses (6 credits) from the following list:

Finite Element Analysis for Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
Innovative Sensing and Actuation Technologies EGN 4670C 3
Ship Hydrodynamics EOC 4124 or
Special Topics in Ocean Engineering EOC 5934 3
Ocean Structures EOC 4412 or
Special Topics in Ocean Engineering EOC 5934 3
Introduction to Ocean Instrumentation EOC 4620 3 or
Ocean Instrumentation EOC 6625 3

 A faculty-mentored design/research project with elements of underwater acoustics (3 credits), carried out either as part of:

RI: Ocean Engineering Systems Control and Design EOC 4804 or
Directed Independent Research in Engineering and Computer Science EGN 4915 or
Directed Independent Study EOC 4905 3

 

Combined Programs

Biological and Physical Sciences to Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Biological and Physical Sciences to ocean Engineering
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) to Master of Science (M.S.) 
Combined Program

The B.A. or B.S. degree is completed at the Wilkes Honors College (WHC), and students then receive their bachelor's degree from WHC. Students complete their master's degree work in one of two majors in the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (COECS) and receive their master's degree from COECS.

These combined programs are offered in partnership with the Wilkes Honors College:

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Mechanical Engineering

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Ocean Engineering

Details for each combined program are listed in the Wilkes Honors College section.

Ocean Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering (B.S.O.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

The Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering to Master of Science degree program. For students taking the thesis or non-thesis option, up to 9 credits of graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) in the B.S.O.E. program may be counted for both the B.S.O.E. and M.S. degrees. With an approximate duration of five years, this combined program provides an attractive way for students to continue their graduate work.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the joint B.S.O.E./M.S. program, students should:

  1. Have an overall GPA of above 3.0 and a GPA of above 3.25 in the last 60 credits of coursework completed at the time of admission. The GPA must be maintained until graduation from the B.S. degree;
  2.  Formally apply to the joint program, completing the admissions process at least one semester prior to the beginning of the M.S. portion of their program;
  3. Choose either the thesis or non-thesis option for the M.S. part of the program.

Once admitted to the program, students begin taking graduate courses in their senior year that would apply to both the bachelor's and master's degree programs. A maximum of 9 credits of elective courses can be applied to both programs. Students in the joint program must maintain enrollment to remain in good standing. Students must also meet all the degree requirements of the graduate program, including core courses and prerequisites. Those students who complete the M.S. degree program within one year after the completion of their B.S.O.E. degree program will be presented with a certificate of recognition.

Master's Program

(Changes effective spring 2024.) (For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

Link to graduate certificates

The graduate program is structured around a core of courses central to ocean engineering and encompassing the subjects of acoustics, corrosion, physical oceanography, hydrodynamics, advanced mechanics of materials, marine systems and advanced mathematics. This core provides, at an advanced level, the fundamentals required for engineering work in the ocean environment. Additional courses in the fields of acoustics, hydrodynamics, marine materials, offshore structures, coastal engineering and marine vehicles are offered to enable students to pursue areas of interest. A summer program is offered by the department for graduate students attending on a year-round basis.

Financial Aid
Most full-time graduate students in the department receive financial support, usually in the form of graduate assistantships. Graduate assistants normally work on research projects conducted in the department, and their project work usually serves as a basis for their thesis/dissertation. Teaching Assistantships also may be available.

From time to time, graduate assistants are assigned to help a faculty member conduct a course, but direct teaching assignments are not permitted and regular lecture assignments should not be anticipated. Departures from this rule may be considered only for exceptional students with demonstrated teaching abilities.

Several graduate assistantships are available each year and are awarded on the basis of the technical area of interest, the applicant's experience, overall academic record and letters of recommendation. The current stipends for assistantships are $17,000 for master's students and $22,000 for Ph.D. students, after admittance to candidacy, for 12 months of service on a half-time basis, plus tuition costs.

Application for Admission
Students are encouraged to begin their graduate studies in the fall semester. Applications for admission should be initiated about one year in advance of the desired starting date and should be filed as early as possible, preferably in the early fall. Normally notification of admission is given several weeks after receipt of the completed application. Depending upon the student's background, certain preparatory courses may be required to make up for deficiencies before full admission to the program is granted. These courses may be taken at FAU.

Application material for admission to the degree programs in Ocean Engineering can be obtained by:

  1. Accessing www.fau.edu/graduate/
  2. Sending a request to:
    Florida Atlantic University
    Graduate College, SU 80, Room 101
    777 Glades Road, P.O. Box 3091
    Boca Raton, Florida 33431-0991
  3. Sending a request to:
    Graduate Program Administrative Assistant
    Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Bldg. 36, Rm. 182
    777 Glades Road, P.O. Box 3091
    Boca Raton, Florida 33431-0991

Ocean Engineering
Master of Science (m.s.)

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

Three paths to the Master of Science with major in Ocean Engineering are available to graduate students. Students with non-engineering bachelor's degrees, click here for additional requirements. The Master of Science with major in Ocean Engineering is available in person and fully online.

Thesis Option
The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credits, including a minimum of 6 thesis credits. At least 15 of the credits must be taken from the Ocean Engineering core course list (see core course requirements section). In addition, 9 credits will be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. At least 15 of the 30 credits must be at the 6000 level. Students electing the thesis option will be required to complete the thesis program, which includes successful defense and completion of the thesis.

Non-Thesis Option
This option requires a minimum of 30 credits. At least 15 of the credits must be taken from the Ocean Engineering core course list (see core course requirements section). In addition, 15 credits will be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. No thesis credits may be counted toward this degree. All 30 credits must be at or above the 5000 level.

Master of Science with a Business Minor Option
A non-thesis option, this program leads to a master's degree along with a minor in Business Administration. It requires a total of 36 credits. At least 15 of the credits must be taken from the Ocean Engineering core course list (see core course requirements section). In addition, 6 credits relating to the student's area of focus in ocean engineering must be selected and 15 credits must be selected from the College of Business approved course list outlined under the Business Minor heading at the beginning of this College section.

The Admissions and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog contain statements of regulations that apply to all graduate students. Of particular interest is the information under the headings Graduate Admission Regulations and Graduate Degree Requirements. Statements referring to foreign language requirements do not apply to Ocean Engineering students; neither the Master of Science nor the Ph.D. degree requires foreign language proficiency.

Admission Requirements
Specific admission requirements for Ocean Engineering are more stringent than the general FAU graduate admissions requirements.

A candidate for the master's program in Ocean Engineering must satisfy the following entry requirements:

  1. A baccalaureate or equivalent degree in Engineering, Science or Mathematics;
  2. A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA or better in the last 60 credits of undergraduate work;
  3. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required. GRE scores more than five years old will not be accepted. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have a bachelor's degree from FAU's Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department with a GPA of at least 3.25 over the last 60 credits;
  4. Must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. Students from non-English-speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (iBT);
  5. All students will have a thesis or advisory committee during their studies. For thesis students, their advisor is the chair of the advisory committee. A thesis or advisory committee must be formed before a plan of study can be filed;
  6. Students who enter the program without an assistantship will be assigned a mentor by the chair of the graduate committee. Students without an advisor are required to visit at least three faculty members during their first semester requesting to form an advisory committee.  A report on the outcome of the faculty visits must be filed with the campus graduate coordinator;
  7. Adherence to the policies and regulations and the graduate admission requirements of the University as outlined in this University catalog;
  8. Conditional admission may be permitted if the above requirements are not met.

Degree Requirements
The degree of Master of Science with major in Ocean Engineering will be awarded to candidates who have:

  1. Complied with University graduate policies and regulations;
  2. Satisfied the University's graduate degree requirements;
  3. Satisfactorily completed the appropriate courses of study;
  4. Must complete one semester of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
    And for the thesis option:
  5. Submitted and defended a thesis based on the student's original work in an area of focus.
    And for the non-thesis or minor in business options:
  6. At the time of application for degree, students must submit a portfolio to their advisor consisting of four graduate projects from courses in their program of study. The portfolio will be reviewed by the student's supervisory committee.


Program Options and Core Course Requirements
Four program options are available to graduate students in Ocean Engineering with either the thesis or non-thesis option. These are shown in a subsequent section.

All graduate students, regardless of option or specialty, must complete the following core courses or must take a satisfactory substitute course of similar content from another university or offer an appropriate substitute consistent with the student's specialty for approval by the supervisory committee by departmental petition.

Core - 15 credits
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1* EOC 5172
Engineering Data Analysis EOC 6635
Physical Aspects of Oceanography OCP 6050
In addition, two of the following five courses must be taken:
Advanced Strength of Materials** EGM 6533
Special Topics EOC 6934
Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 EOC 6185
Corrosion 1 EOC 6216C
Engineering Principles of Acoustics EOC 6317C
Thesis Option - 15 credits
Thesis - 6 credits
Master's Thesis (may be taken over multiple terms) EOC 6971
Electives - 9 credits
Select 9 credits at the 5000 or 6000 level from the College of Engineering and Computer Science or the College of Science
Non-Thesis Option - 15 credits
Electives - 15 credits
Select 15 credits at the 5000 or 6000 level from the College of Engineering and Computer Science or the College of Science

 

* Students with an advanced mathematics competency may obtain exemption upon entrance to the program for Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1 (EOC 5172) and/or Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 2 (EOC 6174). These students must demonstrate to their advisor, using course descriptions, that the equivalent of five to six courses beyond calculus, including areas such as differential equations, advanced calculus, matrix theory, complex analysis and probability and statistics have been taken. Approval by the graduate programs committee is also required.

** May be substituted with EOC 6934, Special Topics (Theory of Elasticity)

Transfer Credits
A maximum of 9 credits of graduate-level work earned at FAU as an undergraduate or while in non-degree status at FAU and a maximum of 6 credits earned at another recognized institution prior to admission to the Ocean Engineering graduate program may be transferred to a student's degree program subject to the following restrictions:

  1. The student must present a transcript identifying the course, in which the student has earned a grade of "B" or better, along with a catalog/course description.
  2. The course must not have been counted toward any other graduate or undergraduate degree awarded or to be awarded to the student. An exception exists in the B.S.O.E. to M.S. program where up to 9 credits (5000 level or higher) may be counted for both degrees.
  3. The student's advisor and the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering graduate program coordinator, who may seek the advice of other faculty if needed, will decide whether to accept or reject the course credit.

Recency of Credits
No credit earned ten or more years before the degree is awarded may be counted toward a graduate degree.

Course Load
All students choosing the thesis option and receiving financial assistance must be full-time students. This requires that they are registered for a minimum of 9 credits in the fall semester, 9 credits in the spring semester and 6 credits in the summer semester. All international students must be registered as full-time students. A maximum of 12 credits may be taken in a semester. In the graduation semester, the student may be allowed to take 1 credit.

Supervisory Committee
All graduate students will be assigned an academic advisor who will assist the student in planning a course schedule for the program and will also approve all course selections, schedules and schedule changes.

By the end of the first semester or at the completion of 9 credits, the student, in consultation with the academic advisor, should make the following selections:

  1. A particular program option. If selecting a thesis program, then:
    1. Chair of the supervisory committee.
    2. At least two other members for the supervisory committee.

The chair of the supervisory committee, who is normally the student's advisor, and at least two of the other members must be chosen from the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering faculty. Members from outside the department may be chosen for the supervisory committee with the permission of the department chair. The student should obtain the consent of other members to serve on the supervisory committee. Having obtained this permission, the names of the committee members should be submitted to the department chair. The committee acts as a unit to guide the student's degree program.

Plan of Study
Students choosing the thesis option as part of the M.S. program should, as soon as practical after the selection of a supervisory committee, must complete a formal Plan of Study, which will include all course and thesis work that the student expects to complete for the M.S. degree. Students submit their Plans of Study electronically for approval using the MyPOS system.

The Plan of Study must be submitted no later than the end of the second semester. Upon approval of the plan, the student will be admitted to candidacy for the M.S. Degree. The student is required to defend his/her thesis proposal before the end of the third semester.

For students electing the non-thesis option, the Plan of Study must still be completed and submitted to the Graduate College. For both the thesis and non-thesis options, it is required that the admission to candidacy form be completed and submitted at least one semester prior to the semester in which the student expects to graduate.

Fast Track Program
The Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering offers an accelerated program option for the Master of Science with major in Ocean Engineering (with thesis) for qualified students who will be supported under research assistantships. The accelerated program allows a student to complete an M.S. degree in 12 months.

The objective of this option is to provide an opportunity for the student to earn a master's degree in one year, which translates into significant reductions in both time and expense, thus allowing the student to enter the workforce sooner, minimizing the financial impact of pursuing an M.S. degree. In order to achieve this goal, the program of study and thesis work must be well defined prior to the student starting the program of study. In addition to the normal requirements, students with an engineering core GPA of 3.5 or better, in conjunction with their prospective graduate studies academic advisor, are invited to submit a letter of intent to the graduate committee for consideration to be admitted into this program. The letter of intent should include an outline of the project and milestones to be reached by the end of each semester. Students admitted into the accelerated option are allowed to take a maximum of 12 credits per semester.

Thesis Work and Progress Reviews
For those students who elect the thesis option, the first step, to be completed by the end of the third semester of full-time enrollment, is the submission of a written thesis proposal to the supervisory committee. This proposal must be approved by the supervisory committee before the student begins extensive work in the selected research area. In the proposal defense, the student presents and defends, as required, the planned research. Each semester after the proposal defense the committee will review the student's progress.

If at any time the progress in the student's research is found to be unsatisfactory, the supervisory committee will report to the department chair, inform the student in writing as to the nature of the difficulties and record the committee's opinion in the student's file. The student will then be given ample opportunity to improve performance and defend the student's position at a further review meeting held at the end of the semester. If no improvement has been demonstrated, the student's future program, including the continuation of stipend and tuition waiver, will be re-evaluated.

A minimum of two weeks prior to the anticipated thesis defense, the written thesis must be delivered to the department in the format described in the Graduate Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines. The guidelines may be obtained from the Graduate College or from the Ocean Engineering program. An announcement stating the thesis topic and time and location of the defense will be provided to all department faculty and to the supervisory committee members one week prior to the scheduled defense. The announcement will also be posted in the department and/or mailed to all Ocean and Mechanical Engineering faculty, staff and students.

Unsatisfactory Performance
A graduate student whose academic performance is deemed unsatisfactory will be denied further registration in the department programs. Unsatisfactory academic performance is defined as failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in all FAU graduate program courses at the end of the second semester in the program (this would normally be 15 to 18 credits) or after any subsequent semester. Please note that this is more strict than the University requirement. A student who exhibits unsatisfactory performance in the Ocean Engineering graduate program is not precluded from applying to another program in the University. No graduate credit may be earned for courses completed with a "C-," "D+," "D," "D-," "F" or "U" (refer to the Academic Policies and Regulations section of this catalog), even if grades in other courses bring the average up to a satisfactory level. A student who withdraws from a course after the Drop/Add period may be required to repay any tuition benefits received.

Master of Science Course Options
The following are suggested course sequences for the four Master of Science (M.S.) thesis options. When suggested course(s) are not offered, equivalent course(s) as determined by the student's advisor may be taken. Although some of these program options recommend more than eight courses, students are required to take only eight courses (24 credits) to meet the minimum requirements.

Marine Materials and Offshore Structures
An Option in Ocean Engineering

First Year, Fall
Advanced Strength of Materials EGM 6533
Corrosion 1 EOC 6216C
Engineering Data Analysis EOC 6635

 

First Year, Spring
Introduction to Finite Element Methods EGM 5351 or
Advanced Fracture and Failure Processes 1 EOC 6157
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1 EOC 5172
Elective

 

First Year, Summer
Fracture Mechanics EML 6239 or
Master's Thesis OCE 6971
Physical Aspects of Oceanography OCP 6050

 

Second Year, Fall
Mechanics of Composite Materials EGM 6562 or
Special Topics (Theory of Elasticity) EOC 6934
Master’s Thesis OCE 6971
Elective

 

Additional Courses
Special Topics, Flow Control (fall semester) EOC 5934
Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 (fall semester) EOC 6185
Corrosion 2 EOC 6218C
Offshore Structures (spring semester) EOC 6431
Special Topics, Nanostructured Materials EOC 6934

 

Ship Design and Underwater Vehicles
An Option in Ocean Engineering

First Year, Fall
Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 EOC 6185
Engineering Data Analysis EOC 6635
Special Topics (Ship Structural Design) EOC 6934

 

First Year, Spring
Mathematical Methods of Ocean Engineering 1 EOC 5172
Hydrodynamic Aspects of Ship Design EOC 6515
Intelligent Underwater Vehicles 1 EOC 6663

 

First Year, Summer
Physical Aspects of Oceanography OCP 6050
Special Topics EOC 6934

 

Second Year, Fall
Corrosion 1 EOC 6216C
Special Topics EOC 6934
Thesis (6 credits) OCE 6971

 

Additional Courses
Introduction to Finite Element Method
(spring semester)
EGM 5351
Special Topics
(May include Elements of High Speed Marine
Vehicles Design)
EOC 6934

 

Hydrodynamics and Physical Oceanography
An Option in Ocean Engineering

First Year, Fall
Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 EOC 6185
Engineering Principles of Acoustics EOC 6317C
Engineering Data Analysis EOC 6635

 

First Year, Spring
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1 EOC 5172
Hydrodynamic Aspects of Ship Design EOC 6515

 

First Year, Summer
Special Topics EOC 6934
Physical Aspects of Oceanography OCP 6050

 

Second Year, Fall
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 2 EOC 6174
Master’s Thesis OCE 6971

 

Additional Courses
Turbulent Flow EOC 6190
Special Topics (Ship Structural Design) EOC 6934

 

Acoustics
An Option in Ocean Engineering

First Year, Fall
Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 EOC 6185
Engineering Principles of Acoustics EOC 6317C
Engineering Data Analysis EOC 6635

 

First Year, Spring
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1 EOC 5172
Ocean and Seabed Acoustics EOC 6312
Advanced Signal Processing EOC 6630

 

First Year, Summer
Special Topics EOC 6934 or
Master’s Thesis OCE 6971
Physical Aspects of Oceanography OCP 6050

 

Second Year, Fall
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 2 EOC 6174
Master’s Thesis OCE 6971

 

Additional Courses
Introduction to Finite Element Methods
(spring semester)
EGM 5351
Mechanical Vibrations EML 6223


Business Minor 
An Option in Ocean Engineering

The following is a suggested course sequence for the Master of Science with major in Ocean Engineering, minor in Business. This is a non-thesis option only requiring a total of 36 credits.

First Year, Fall
Financial Accounting Concepts ACG 6027
Engineering Data Analysis EOC 6635
Ocean Engineering Core  

 

First Year, Spring
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1 EOC 5172
Financial Management FIN 6406
Global Environment of Management MAN 6937 or
Marketing Functions and Processes MAR 6055

 

First Year, Summer  
Management of Information Systems and
Technology
ISM 6026
Physical Aspects of Oceanography OCP 6050

 

Second Year, Fall
Ocean Engineering Core
Ocean Engineering Core

 

Second Year, Spring
Ocean Engineering Elective
Ocean Engineering Elective


Certificate Programs

Aerospace Engineering
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

The State of Florida, because of its geographic location, NASA and a large number of aerospace engineering companies in the area will benefit from graduates of this certificate program. The 12-credit program can be completed on campus or online. The certificate requires satisfactory completion of four, 3-credit courses.

Admission
The Aerospace Engineering certificate program is open to students who have a B.S. degree in a related field of engineering, a GPA of at least 3.0 or equivalent and have satisfied all the prerequisites for each course in the program. All courses must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Certificate courses are listed in the table below; additional courses may be approved by the advisor.

Required Courses (12 credits)
Core Courses
Advanced Fluid Dynamics EML 6716 3
Special Topics (Principles of Aerodynamics) EML 6930 3
Elective Courses (Select two of the courses below)
Introduction to Finite Element Methods EGM 5351 3
Advanced Strength of Materials EGM 6533 3
Mechanics of Composite Materials EGM 6562 3
Fracture Mechanics EML 6239 3
Advanced Engineering Dynamics EML 6271 3
Turbomachinery EML 6402 3
Computational Fluid Dynamics EOC 6189 3


Corrosion
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

The State of Florida, because of its geographic location on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, is especially impacted by corrosion-related issues. However, the number of engineers with special expertise in corrosion or with an advanced degree in corrosion is not on track to satisfy the need for such experts. This online certificate program requires satisfactory completion of four of five 3-credit courses, all of which are already offered online and through the Division of Engineering Distance Education and Career Services (DEDECS).

Admission
The Corrosion certificate is open to students who have a B.S. degree in a related field of Engineering, have a GPA of at least 3.0 or equivalent (to ensure equivalency to graduate standing) and have satisfied all the prerequisites required for each course in the program. Four of the five courses listed, including Corrosion 1 and 2, are required for the certificate and must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or better. All course materials are in English; all international students must demonstrate proficiency in English to enter the program.

Certificate Courses
(Choose four of the five courses below, including 6216C and 6218C)
Advanced Fracture and Failure Processes 1 EOC 6157 3
Corrosion 1 EOC 6216C 3
Corrosion 2 EOC 6218C 3
Physical Metallurgy EOC 6230 3
Offshore Structures EOC 6431 3


Offshore Engineering
Graduate Certificate

(Minimum of 12 credits required)

In the United States, there are fewer than ten programs that offer graduate degrees in Ocean Engineering. Recent trends and future needs point to increased demand for Ocean Engineers, particularly in the oil and gas industries, offshore industry and clean energy sectors. This online certificate program fulfills the need for Ocean Engineers with an easily accessible curriculum through the Division of Engineering Distance Education and Career Services (DEDECS).

Admission
The Offshore Engineering certificate is open to students who have a B.S. degree in a related field of Engineering, have a GPA of at least 3.0 or equivalent (to ensure equivalency to graduate standing) and have satisfied all the prerequisites required for each course in the program. Four of the six courses listed below must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or better. All course materials are in English; all international students must demonstrate proficiency in English to enter the program.

Certificate Courses
(Choose four of the six courses below)
Advanced Strength of Materials EGM 6533 3
Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 EOC 6185 3
Corrosion 1 EOC 6216C 3
Engineering Principles of Acoustics EOC 6317C 3
Offshore Structures EOC 6431 3
Hydrodynamic Aspects of Ship Design EOC 6515 3

 

Doctoral Program

Ocean Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy with major in Ocean Engineering is conferred on a candidate by the University upon completion of comprehensive training and in recognition of the candidate's ability to independently and efficiently pursue research in ocean engineering.

The requirements for the degree include performing original research, preparing a dissertation describing this research and systematic advanced studies in engineering and the underlying sciences. This section discusses the details of the degree regulations.

Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a master's degree in Engineering, Science or Mathematics from an accredited college or university. A student with outstanding scholastic achievement who holds only a baccalaureate degree may be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program. See later section for requirements.

  1. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or better in the last 60 credits of work attempted and must have an official transcript forwarded directly to the FAU Graduate College from each college-level institution attended;
  2. Applicants must submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score. GRE scores more than five years old will not be accepted. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have a master of science degree from FAU's Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department;
  3. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. A student from a non-English-speaking country is required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (iBT);
  4. Applicants must submit to the Graduate College at least two letters of recommendation attesting to the student's ability to pursue with distinction a curriculum of advanced study and research in a chosen area;
  5. Applicants should abide by the policies and regulations and the graduate admission requirements of the University as outlined in this University Catalog;
  6. Conditional admission may be permitted if the above conditions are not met.

Degree Requirements
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ocean Engineering will be conferred on candidates who have fulfilled the following requirements:

  1. Completed a minimum of 42 credits of course and dissertation work after the M.S. degree for students transferring 30 credits (72 credits for those admitted to the Ph.D. directly after the B.S. degree). Of the 42 credits, 18 credits must be coursework;
  2. Of the 18-credit minimum of coursework, at least 12 credits must be from the Ocean, Mechanical*, Civil* or Geomatics* Engineering programs. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be used to satisfy the 18-credit minimum;
  3. A minimum of 24 dissertation credits. No more than 30 dissertation credits may be counted toward the total credit requirement for the Ph.D. degree. Students admitted to the Ph.D. degree program directly after the B.S. degree program must take a minimum of 30 dissertation credits;
  4. Must complete two semesters of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  5. A major program of research and advanced studies in ocean engineering;
  6. Unless otherwise stated, a minimum of 9 credits in advanced mathematics or equivalent beyond the B.S. degree;
  7. Successful completion of General Examination 1, a written comprehensive examination of coursework;
  8. Successful completion of General Examination 2, a dissertation proposal defense;
  9. Prior to the defense, the student is required to have published or have accepted for publication a refereed research paper in a field of study deemed acceptable by the dissertation committee. A journal article is preferred, but a peer-reviewed conference paper is also acceptable;
  10. Submitted and defended a dissertation based on original research in the student's area of specialization. The supervisory committee, the department chair and the Graduate College must have approved the dissertation;
  11. Complied with the University's Graduate Policies and Regulations and satisfied the University's Graduate Degree Requirements.

* Only available for the Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering option.

Core Course Requirements
All graduate students, regardless of option or specialty, must complete the following core courses or must offer a satisfactory substitute course of similar content from another university or an appropriate substitute consistent with the student's specialty preference for approval by the supervisory committee.

Core Courses - 15 credits 
Select 9 credits from the following:
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1 EOC 5172
Engineering Data Analysis EOC 6635
Physical Aspects of Oceanography* OCP 6050 or
Offshore Structures EOC 6431
In addition, two of the following courses must be taken:
Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 EOC 6185
Corrosion 1 EOC 6216C
Engineering Principles of Acoustics EOC 6317C
Special Topics EOC 6934
Advanced Strength of Materials* EGM 6533 or
Introduction to Finite Element Methods* EGM 5351 or
Finite Element Methods in Civil Engineering* CES 6119
Infrastructure Maintenance and Management* CGN 6616
Special Topics CGN 6930
Electives - 3 credits   (for students entering with a master's degree)
Select 3 credits at the 5000 or 6000 level from the College of Engineering and Computer Science or the College of Science
Dissertation - 24 credits (minimum) For students entering with a master's degree.
Dissertation (may be taken over multiple terms) EOC 7980


* Only available for the Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering option.

Transfer Credits
The doctoral program may accept for transfer 6 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree from other institutions to the student's degree program upon approval by the department and subject to the following restrictions:

  1. The student must present a transcript identifying the course in which the student has earned a grade of "B" or better, along with a catalog/course description;
  2. The course must not have been counted toward any other graduate or undergraduate degree awarded or to be awarded to the student;
  3. The student's advisor and the Ocean Engineering graduate program committee, who may seek the advice of other faculty if needed, will decide whether to accept or reject the course credit;
  4. Obtaining credit for a non-FAU course does not alter the total number of credits required for graduation;


Additional credits consistent with University policy may be considered for transfer subject to the restrictions above, if approved by the student's advisor.

Recency of Credits
No credit earned ten or more years before the degree is awarded may be counted toward a graduate degree.

Course Load
Full-time graduate students are those who register for 9 or more credits during the fall and spring semesters and 6 credits during the summer. Students who wish to register for more than 15 credits for any semester must obtain approval in advance from the Graduate College. All students receiving financial assistance must satisfy these requirements, and all international students must be full-time students. In the graduating semester, the student may be allowed to take 1 credit.

Residency Requirements
Candidates must satisfy the minimum residency requirement for the Ph.D. by completing beyond the master's degree either (1) 18 credits in one calendar year, or (2) 24 credits in no more than two calendar years on the SeaTech or Boca Raton campus of FAU. To satisfy University requirements, two semesters must be full-time, consisting of 9 credits in the spring or fall term and 6 credits in the summer term.

Candidates may be permitted to conduct all or part of their research in the field, in government or industrial laboratories or elsewhere off campus only if adequate staff, dissertation research supervision and facilities, as determined by the department, are available.

Program  Options
Students who wish to specialize in specific Ocean Engineering programs may pursue in-depth studies in the areas of marine materials, offshore structures and corrosion; hydrodynamics and physical oceanography; marine vehicles; acoustics and vibrations, and sustainable infrastructure engineering. Unless otherwise stated, the Ocean Engineering program graduate courses are 3 credits each, and all programs require a minimum of 9 credits in graduate-level mathematics or equivalent.

When suggested elective courses as listed in the following sections are not offered, equivalent courses as determined by the student's supervisory committee may be taken.


Marine Materials, Offshore Structures and Corrosion
An Option in Ocean Engineering

It is suggested that students in the Marine Materials and Corrosion Option take the following courses in addition to the core courses required for all Ocean Engineering Ph.D. students.

Advanced Fracture and Failure Processes 1 EOC 6157
Corrosion 1 EOC 6216C
Corrosion 2 EOC 6218C
Physical Metallurgy EOC 6230
Special Topics (Theory of Elasticity) EOC 6934
Depending on a student's area of thesis research, elective courses may be chosen from, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
Advanced Topics in Physical and Theoretical
Chemistry
CHM 6581
Introduction to Finite Element Methods EGM 5351
Advanced Strength of Materials EGM 6533
Mechanics of Composite Materials EGM 6562
Fracture Mechanics EML 6239
Signal Processing EOC 6630
Special Topics (Nanostructured Materials) EOC 6934

 

Hydrodynamics and Physical Oceanography
An Option in Ocean Engineering

It is suggested that students in the Hydrodynamics and Physical Oceanography Option take the following courses in addition to the core courses required for all Ocean Engineering Ph.D. students.

Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 EOC 6185
Turbulent Flow EOC 6190
Depending on a student's area of focus, the elective courses may be chosen from the following list together with other courses offered by the Ocean Engineering Department:
Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 2 EOC 6174
Hydrodynamic Aspects of Ship Design EOC 6515
Special Topics (Ship Structural Design; Flow
Control)
EOC 6934


Marine Vehicles 
An Option in Ocean Engineering

In addition to the core requirements, recommended courses include those below.

Intelligent Underwater Vehicles 1 EOC 6663
Special Topics (Elements of High Speed Marine Vehicles) EOC 6934
Other courses that may be taken will be determined by the student's area of study.


Acoustics and Vibrations 
An Option in Ocean Engineering

It is recommended that students in the Acoustics and Vibrations Option take the following courses in addition to the core courses required for all Ocean Engineering Ph.D. students.

Mechanical Vibrations EML 6223
Advanced Hydrodynamics 1 EOC 6185
Ocean and Seabed Acoustics EOC 6312
Signal Processing EOC 6630
Special Topics EOC 6934

Depending on the student's area of focus, elective courses may be chosen from the courses offered by the department as well as from supporting departments such as Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering and Physics.

Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering
An Option in Ocean Engineering

It is recommended that students in the Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering Option take two more elective courses, as approved by the dissertation advisor, in addition to the core courses required for all Ocean Engineering Ph.D. students. This program requires a minimum of 3 credits in graduate-level mathematics or equivalent.

Depending on the student's area of focus, elective courses may be chosen from the courses offered by the Ocean Engineering as well as from supporting departments such as Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Mechanical Engineering and Physics.

Supervisory Committee
In consultation with the student and the advisor, a supervisory committee will be nominated by the department chair, approved by the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science and appointed by the Graduate College.

The supervisory committee shall consist of no fewer than four members selected from the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering faculty. Additional members can be from the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, other departments, other universities or from industry.

The committee will include at least one person selected from the faculty from outside the discipline of the student's major. If the student elects or is required to select a minor, this member of the supervisory committee shall represent the discipline selected as the minor.

The supervisory committee should be appointed as soon as possible after the student has passed General Examination 1 and, in general, no later than the end of the second year of equivalent full-time study. Duties of the supervisory committee include:

  1. To ensure that the student is aware of all regulations governing the degree. It should be noted, however, that this does not absolve the student of the responsibility of making inquiries regarding the regulations and procedures;
  2. To discuss and approve the proposed course of study, dissertation research project and the student's plans for its execution;
  3. To conduct and take part in the General Examination 2. No fewer than four faculty members shall be present for the General Examination 2, which must be given on campus;
  4. To meet following General Examination 2 to review the research progress, the expected results and make suggestions for completion of the program;
  5. To meet on campus when the dissertation is completed and conduct the final oral examination to assure that the dissertation is original research and a contribution to knowledge. No fewer than four faculty members shall be present with the candidate for this examination, but only members of the official supervisory committee are required to sign the dissertation. The supervisory committee must approve the dissertation;
  6. To review the student's dissertation carefully. Before signing, each committee member must be sure that it is free of grammatical, editorial or technical errors.

Plan of Study and Admission to Candidacy
Admission to the doctoral program at FAU does not automatically constitute admission to candidacy for the degree. A Plan of Study for the Ph.D. degree must be submitted to the Graduate College before the end of the second semester of enrollment. Students submit their Plans of Study electronically for approval using the MyPOS system.

The Graduate College will admit a student to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree after the following conditions have been met:

  1. Admission to graduate school to work toward the doctoral degree;
  2. Successful completion of the General Examination 1 (Ph.D. Qualifying Exam);
  3. Selection of a dissertation faculty advisor and the formation of a supervisory committee;
  4. Formulation and submission of a program of study that is approved by the department;
  5. Recommendation of the supervisory committee and department chair.

Note: Students may not enroll for Ph.D. dissertation credits (EOC 7980) until they have been admitted to candidacy.

Following the successful completion of General Examination 1, the student must complete and submit the form "Admission to Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree (Form 8)." General Examination 1 and submission of admission to candidacy form should be completed at least two semesters before the beginning of the semester in which the degree is to be conferred. A student not admitted to candidacy before the beginning of the fourth academic year of graduate work at the University must petition through the College to the Graduate College for permission to register for additional work.

Coursework and Research
The work for the Ph.D. degree must consist of research and advanced studies in ocean engineering. The student who previously obtained a master's degree will be required to complete a total of 42 credits of course and dissertation work for the Ph.D. At least 12 of the credits must be taken from the Ocean Engineering list of courses and all core course requirements must be satisfied. A minimum of 24 credits of doctoral dissertation research will be required. No more than 30 dissertation credits may be counted toward the 42-credit requirement. The remaining credits may be selected from the listing of OE courses, advanced mathematics courses, elective courses, directed independent study (DIS) or dissertation. A minimum of 9 credits of graduate-level mathematics must be satisfied.

B.S. to Ph.D. Program
A student with outstanding scholastic achievement who holds only a baccalaureate degree (B.S.) may be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program in Ocean Engineering. The student with a B.S. will be required to complete a total of
72 credits of course and dissertation work for the Ph.D. Out of the minimum of 42 credits of graduate coursework, at least 27 of the credits must be taken from the Ocean Engineering list of courses, and all core course requirements must be satisfied. A minimum of 30 credits of doctoral dissertation research will be required. No more than 39 dissertation credits may be counted toward the 72-credit requirement. The remaining credits may be selected from the listing of OE courses, advanced mathematics courses, elective courses, directed independent study (DIS) or dissertation. A minimum of 9 credits of graduate-level mathematics must be satisfied.

General Examination 1 

Students entering the Ph.D. program with a master's degree are expected to take the General Examination 1 (Ph.D. Qualifying Examination) after completing their second semester. The primary purpose of General Examination 1 is to evaluate the student's ability, not only to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Ocean Engineering course material but also to evaluate original thinking. General Examination 1 will be in three parts: Part 1 covers the core courses, Part 2 covers the elective subjects and Part 3 is a pre-proposal that consists of a written paper and an oral examination.

Students with a GPA more than or equal to 3.5 on all courses selected for the General Exam 1 (with a GPA more than or equal to 3.3 [B+] in each class) are exempt from Part 1 and Part 2. (These students will be required to take a written examination only for those topics with a GPA of 3.0 [B grade] or below.) For non-exempt students (i.e., GPA less than 3.5), Part 1 will consist of an exam on the three core courses, which will be four hours in duration and will require four problems to be answered. Part 2 (electives exam) will be a three-hour exam and will require one problem from each elective to be answered. A new set of examinations will be prepared and questions and problems from previous examinations are not available to students. It is expected that the examination on the elective courses will focus on the student's area of specialization.

All Ph.D. graduate students need to prepare a pre-proposal (Part 3). The pre-proposal (or different name) will consist of an oral presentation and a written paper based on several articles selected by a committee (including the advisor). The student will identify knowledge gap(s) and complete a literature review (with guidance from the advisor). During the presentation, questions will be limited to those that help demonstrate knowledge important to the research topic/area.

An overall grade of 70 percent on Part 1 and Part 2 of General Examination 1 and a passing grade in the pre-proposal constitutes successfully completing General Examination 1. If the student fails any of the parts, the student will have one more opportunity to successfully pass the exam. The student must score 70 percent in each subject that is retaken. Alternatively the student may retake the entire exam when it is next offered. General Examination 1 is scheduled immediately after the last day of the final examination period in the fall semester and in the spring semester each year. The pre-proposal can be defended during the last two months of the semester, including the week after the final exam period, if the advisor indicates the student is ready.

Students who have obtained the M.S. in Ocean Engineering at FAU will be allowed to take General Examination 1 at the end of the first semester, if the student has completed the pre-proposal. Otherwise, General Examination 1 must be taken no later than at the end of the second semester of Ph.D. study. Those admitted to the Ph.D. program directly after the B.S. degree in Ocean Engineering at FAU may take the examination after completing 24 credits of graduate coursework. 

General Examination 2
At an appropriate point in the student's graduate studies, normally within 12 months of passing General Examination 1, the student must complete General Examination 2. This is the dissertation proposal defense, in which students defend the choice of a dissertation topic and answer questions on fundamental issues related to their research. The student must have passed General Examination 1, selected the dissertation topic, formed a supervisory committee and completed a literature survey prior to the dissertation proposal defense.

In General Examination 2, the student should be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform research on a topic approved by the supervisory committee by presenting a comprehensive literature survey combined with a critical analysis of the state of the art in the particular field. While this examination will be centered around the particular research area, it will not necessarily be limited to that subject. If unsuccessful in the examination, the student may, at the discretion of the department, either remain in the doctoral program and retake the examination at a later date or withdraw from the program. No more than two attempts will be permitted.

Dissertation and Progress Reviews
Following successful completion of the dissertation proposal defense (General Examination 2), the student is expected to engage in an intensive program of coursework and doctoral dissertation based on a major, original research project. During each subsequent semester, the student's supervisory committee will review the progress. If at any time the student's progress in the research is found to be unsatisfactory, the supervisory committee will report to the department chair, inform the student in writing as to the nature of the difficulties and record the committee's opinion in the student's file. The student will then be given ample opportunity to improve performance and defend the student's position at a further review meeting held at the end of the semester. If no improvement has been demonstrated, the student's future program, including the continuation of stipend and tuition waiver, may be reconsidered.

By the beginning of the semester in which the degree is to be conferred, a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy degree must deliver a draft of the dissertation to the supervisory committee. Not less than two weeks after the submission of the first draft of the dissertation, the candidate is expected to give a seminar covering the results of the research; this seminar will be followed by a dissertation examination by the supervisory committee. The seminar should be given as early as possible, but not later than two months before the degree is to be conferred.

The Ph.D. dissertation final version must be approved by the supervisory committee and department chair and submitted to the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at least one week prior to the due date for submission to the Graduate College. The candidate is responsible for allowing sufficient time for members of the supervisory committee to examine the dissertation. The dissertation must be delivered to the department in the format described in the Graduate Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines. The guidelines may be obtained at the Graduate College or from the Ocean Engineering program.

Upon receiving approval of the Graduate College and following completion of all other University requirements, the degree will be recommended. Application for the degree must be made one semester before the semester of graduation.

Unsatisfactory Performance
A graduate student whose performance is deemed unsatisfactory will be denied further registration in the department programs.

Unsatisfactory performance is defined as failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in all FAU graduate program courses at the end of the second semester in the program (this should normally constitute 15 to 18 credits) or after any subsequent semester.

Please note that this is more strict than the University requirement. A student who exhibits unsatisfactory scholarship in the Ocean Engineering graduate program is not precluded from applying to another program in the University. No graduate credit may be earned for courses completed with a "C-" or lower even if grades in other courses bring the average to a satisfactory level. A student who withdraws from a course after the Drop/Add period may be required to repay any tuition benefits received.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering is the branch of engineering that is most directly and broadly concerned with mechanical systems and their use to control and transform energy for the benefit of humankind. Mechanical engineering embraces the science and art of the generation, transmission and utilization of thermal and mechanical energy and the design, production and application of devices and systems.

The Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering offers programs of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.), Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Mechanical Engineering (thesis and non-thesis options), Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Business, Master of Science (M.S.) with major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Engineering Management, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with major in Mechanical Engineering.

To encourage undergraduates to pursue a graduate education, the department also offers a combined B.S.M.E. in Mechanical Engineering to M.S. in Artificial Intelligence degree program and combined B.S.M.E. to M.S. degree programs that permit a student to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree within five years. Two combined degree programs, B.A. or B.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. in Ocean or Mechanical Engineering, are offered in partnership with the Wilkes Honors College.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Mechanical Engineering program is to provide undergraduate students with the fundamental background necessary for a career in mechanical engineering and for the continuation of their education through postgraduate studies. For graduate students, the department strives to provide the in-depth background necessary for advanced work in mechanical engineering and to continue their education at the doctoral level. All students are prepared to conduct basic and applied research and to provide service to the engineering profession and the community.

Educational Objectives
The faculty has established three educational objectives for graduates as they progress through their careers:

  1. Career Contribution and Advancement: Through their ability to solve engineering problems, meaningful design and hands-on experiences, critical thinking skills, and training in teamwork and communication, graduates will make significant contributions to their chosen field and advance professionally in mechanical engineering or allied disciplines.
  2. Professionalism: Graduates will act with both professional and social responsibility in their career field, including a commitment to protect both occupational and public health and safety, and apply ethical standards related to the practice of engineering.
  3. Life-Long Learning: Graduates will understand that their undergraduate education was just the beginning of their training and will continue to develop their knowledge and skills through progress toward or completion of graduate education, and/or professional development through short courses or seminars, and/or professional certification and/or participation in professional societies.

Educational Outcomes for Student Performance
The program will meet the above objectives by establishing the following educational outcomes for student performance.

At the time of graduation, the students will attain the following:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics;
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors;
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts;
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives;
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions;
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Upon graduation, graduate students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an ability to perform research and/or perform advanced engineering analysis in their area of specialty;
  2. Formulate and analyze engineering problems and synthesize and develop appropriate solutions based on fundamental and advanced principles;
  3. Design mechanical systems to meet desired specifications using advanced engineering tools and techniques.

Upon graduation, doctoral students will be able to:

  1. Perform original research in their area of specialty;
  2. Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge in mathematics and engineering fundamentals relevant to their discipline;
  3. Effectively communicate an advanced technical concept to their peers.


Link to Combined Programs

Link to Master's Programs

Link to Doctoral Program

Bachelor's Program

Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

(Minimum of 128 credits required)

Mechanical engineering is an extensive field, and it is necessary for every student to attain considerable knowledge in the mechanical, thermal and material sciences. The program allows for special areas of interest through a sufficient number of technical electives in areas such as mechanical design, energy conservation, controls, environmental control, materials science, computer-aided design and others.

To make a significant contribution to society, both as mechanical engineers and as individuals, students must pursue studies in the humanities and social sciences to better understand their relationship and responsibility to society. The student must develop the ability to apply knowledge to the analysis and solution of significant engineering problems through courses in engineering design.

Because mechanical engineering is such a broad field, the program of study forms an excellent background for professional careers in many fields.

Admission Requirements
All students must meet the minimum admission requirements of the University. Please refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.

All students must meet the preprofessional requirements listed above in order to be accepted into the Mechanical Engineering program.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides  and below.

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Transfer students who have an A.A. degree are expected to have completed the following course requirements (deficiencies may be taken at FAU); see the Degree Requirements section of this catalog for the required minimum grades.

  Minimum No. of
Subject Credits
English Composition 6
Social Science 6
Humanities 6
Calculus (complete sequence) 12
General Physics with Calculus
(complete sequence with Lab)
8
Differential Equations 3
Computer Programming 3
General Chemistry (with Lab) 4
Fundamentals of Engineering 3
Graphics 3
Electives 6
Total 60

Electives may include a course in health, speech, additional humanities or additional social science. Consult an advisor for assistance in selecting the appropriate course(s).

General Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree will be awarded to students who meet the following requirements:

  1.  Meet all general degree requirements of the University;
  2. Attain a grade of "C" or better in each mathematics, science and computers course listed below, in each mechanical engineering core course listed below, in the electrical engineering course listed below, in each Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) and Gordon Rule computational course and in each of the departmentally approved technical electives below;
  3. Satisfy the following specific degree requirements, which total 128 credits.
Specific Degree Requirements
Intellectual Foundations Program*
Foundations of Written Communication 6
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior 6
Foundations of Global Citizenship 6
Foundations of Humanities 6


* Four-year students must meet specific course requirements as outlined in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements subsection in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.

Mathematics, Science and Computers
Mathematics (through Calculus)   12
General Physics with Calculus (including Lab)   8
Chemistry (including Lab)   4
Differential Equations   3
Probability & Statistics for Engineers STA 4032 3
Computer Programming**   3

Computer Applications in Mechanical Engineering 2

EML 4534 3
Engineering Graphics EGN 1111C 3


** Four-year students are to take Computer Applications in Engineering 1, EGN 2213, offered by the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering.

Mechanical Engineering Core
Electro-Mechanical Devices EGM 4045 3
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3
Statics EGN 3311 3
Dynamics EGN 3321 3
Strength of Materials EGN 3331 3
Engineering Thermodynamics EGN 3343 3
Engineering Materials 1 EGN 3365 3
Experimental Methodology EML 3523C 3
Fluid Mechanics EML 3701 3
Applied Thermal Fluid Engineering EML 4127 3
Heat Transfer EML 4142 3
Intermediate Strength of Materials EGM 4523C 3
Finite Element Analysis for Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
Machine Design EML 4500 3
RI: Engineering Design EML 4521C 3
RI: Design Project
(change effective spring 2024)
EML 4551 3
Dynamic Systems EGN 4432 3
Mechanical Engineering Lab EML 4730L 3
Fabrication of Mechanical Engineering Systems EML 4263C 2


Electives

credits (minimum) of departmentally approved technical electives. Students are required to have one design credit in the technical electives as identified in the approved list in the advising manual.

Directed independent study (DIS) may be used as credit toward one technical elective in the student's program with approval of the faculty advisor and the department chair.

Sample Four-Year Program of Study for Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

First Year, Fall (14 credits)
College Writing 1* ENC 1101 3
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 MAC 2311 4
General Chemistry 1 CHM 2045 3
General Chemistry 1 Lab CHM 2045L 1
Fundamentals of Engineering EGN 1002 3

 

First Year, Spring (14 credits)
College Writing 2* or equivalent ENC 1102 3
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 MAC 2312 4
General Physics for Engineers 1 PHY 2048 3
General Physics 1 Lab PHY 2048L 1
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior** 3

 

Second Year, Fall (14 credits)
Statics EGN 3311 3
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 3 MAC 2313 4
Engineering Graphics EGN 1111C 3
Physics for Engineers 2 PHY 2044 3
General Physics 2 Lab PHY 2049L 1

 

Second Year, Spring (15 credits)
Strength of Materials EGN 3331 3
Engineering Thermodynamics EGN 3343 3
Computer Applications in Engineering 1 EGN 2213 3
Engineering Mathematics 1 MAP 3305 3
Foundations of Global Citizenship** 3

 

Third Year, Fall (15 credits)
Electro-Mechanical Devices EGM 4045 3
Intermediate Strength of Materials EGM 4523C 3
Fluid Mechanics EML 3701 3
Computer Applications in Mechanical Engineering 2 EML 4534 3
Foundations of Society and Human Behavior** 3

 

Third Year, Spring (15 credits)
Dynamics EGN 3321 3
Heat Transfer EML 4142 3
Experimental Methodology EML 3523C 3
Probability and Statistics for Engineers STA 4032 3
Foundations of Global Citizenship** 3

 

Third Year, Summer (12 credits)
Applied Thermal Fluid Engineering EML 4127 3
Machine Design EML 4500 3
Engineering Materials 1 EGN 3365 3
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory EML 4730L 3

 

Fourth Year, Fall (14 credits)
Technical Elective   3
Finite Element Analysis for Engineering Design EGM 4350 3
Fabrication of Mechanical Engineering Systems EML 4263C 2
RI: Engineering Design EML 4521C 3
Foundations of Humanities 3

 

Fourth Year, Spring (15 credits)
Dynamic Systems EGN 4432 3
RI: Design Project
(change effective spring 2024)
EML 4551 3
Technical Electives   6
Foundations of Humanities 3
Total 128


* Course meets Writing Across Curriculum (Gordon Rule) requirements.

** Courses may be selected from the appropriate portion of the Intellectual Foundations Program.

Cooperative Education
Students in the Mechanical Engineering program are encouraged to consider gaining practical experience through participation in Cooperative Education. Three, one-semester periods of Cooperative Education (EML 4949) may be substituted for one program technical elective. For information, contact the FAU Career Center, 561-297-3533 or visit its website at www.fau.edu/cdc.

Combined Programs

Biological and Physical Sciences to Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) To Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

The B.A. or B.S. degree is completed at the Wilkes Honors College (WHC), and students then receive their bachelor's degree from WHC. Students complete their master's degree work in one of two majors in the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (COECS) and receive their master's degree from COECS.

These combined programs are offered in partnership with the Wilkes Honors College:

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Mechanical Engineering

B.A. or B.S. with Major in Biological and Physical Sciences to M.S. with Major in Ocean Engineering

Details for each combined program are listed in the Wilkes Honors College section.


Mechanical Engineering to Artificial Intelligence
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.) 
Combined Program

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (COECS) offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering to Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree program. The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree is completed and received from the Ocean and Mechanical Engineering (OME) department. Students complete the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

The bachelor’s degree with major in Mechanical Engineering requires a minimum of 128 credits. This combined program requires two extra leveling courses for the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence: COP 3035, Introduction to Programming in Python, and COP 3410, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis with Python. Students must take the leveling courses at the beginning of the graduate program. The two leveling courses do not qualify for financial aid. The graduate degree requires a minimum of 30 credits at the graduate level. This program does not increase the number of credits in the undergraduate degree.

Students may count up to 9 credits of approved graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees. These graduate courses will replace the technical elective courses in the bachelor’s program.

This combined program provides an attractive way for students to continue their graduate work. Students complete the undergraduate program first. The combined program can be completed in approximately five years.

Admission Requirements
The GRE requirement is waived for this combined program. To be eligible for the combined program, baccalaureate students should:

  1. Have a cumulative FAU GPA of 3.25 or better at the end of their junior year. Note that the cumulative FAU GPA of at least 3.25 must be maintained until the completion of the bachelor's degree.
  2. Formally apply to the combined program, completing the admissions process at least one semester prior to the beginning of the M.S. portion of their program.

Students in the combined program must maintain continuous enrollment to remain in good standing. Students must also meet all the degree requirements of the graduate program they have chosen, including prerequisite courses.

Degree Requirements
To be eligible for the combined B.S.M.E. in Mechanical Engineering to M.S. in Artificial Intelligence, students must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Completion of the requirements for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering program and other requirements stipulated by the University and College
  2. Completion of all requirements for the M.S. in Artificial Intelligence program, using either the thesis or non- thesis option.


Mechanical Engineering 
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program 

Thesis Option

Candidates seeking a combined program leading to both Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science degrees with the thesis option must complete an approved program of at least 30 credits. Out of those 30, 9 credits of graduate coursework (5000 level or higher) will count toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees, as long as the following criteria are met:

  1. The student has met the minimum 120 credits for the bachelor's degree; and
  2. The student has taken a minimum of 30 credits in 5000 level or higher courses for the master's program.

A maximum of 9 credits may then be counted for both the bachelor's and master's programs if the total number of credits exceeds 150.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements
Candidates must complete the following:

  1. Three core courses (9 credits): EGM 6533, Advanced Strength of Materials; EML 6223, Mechanical Vibrations or EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems; and EML 6716 , Advanced Fluid Dynamics;
  2. A math course (3 credits): EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1;
  3. Four technical electives (12 credits at the 5000  level or higher;
  4. Must complete one semester of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  5. Up to three courses may be taken while the student is an undergraduate;
  6. Before the end of the student's third semester of full-time enrollment, a written thesis proposal must be submitted to the supervisory committee and defended in an oral examination;
  7. A master's thesis (6 credits), which must be defended at an oral examination;
  8. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above;
  9. At least one-half of the credits must be from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section.

Mechanical Engineering 
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program

Non-Thesis Option

Candidates seeking a combined program leading to both Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science degrees with the non-thesis option must complete an approved program of at least 30 credits. Out of those 30, 9 credits of coursework (5000 level or higher) will count toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements
Candidates must complete the following:

  1. Three core courses (9 credits): EGM 6533, Advanced Strength of Materials; EML 6223, Mechanical Vibrations or EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems; and EML 6716, Advanced Fluid Dynamics;
  2. A math course (3 credits): EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1;
  3. Six technical electives (18 credits);
  4. Up to three courses, at the 5000 level or higher, may be taken while the student is an undergraduate;
  5. Must complete one semester of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  6. At the time of application for degree, students must submit a portfolio to their advisor consisting of four graduate projects from 10 courses in their program of study. The portfolio will be reviewed by the student's supervisory committee;
  7. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above;
  8. At least one-half of the credits must be from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section.


Mechanical Engineering 
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) to Master of Science (M.S.)
Combined Program 

Non-Thesis Option/Business Minor

Candidates seeking a combined program leading to both Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science degrees with the non-thesis option and with a minor in Business must complete an approved program of at least 36 credits. Out of those 36, 9 credits of coursework (5000 level or higher) will count toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees.

Prerequisite Coursework for Transfer Students
Students transferring to Florida Atlantic University must complete both lower-division requirements (including the requirements of the Intellectual Foundations Program) and requirements for the college and major. Lower-division requirements may be completed through the A.A. degree from any Florida public college, university or community college or through equivalent coursework at another regionally accredited institution. Before transferring and to ensure timely progress toward the baccalaureate degree, students must also complete the prerequisite courses for their major as outlined in the  Transition Guides .

All courses not approved by the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System that will be used to satisfy requirements will be evaluated individually on the basis of content and will require a catalog course description and a copy of the syllabus for assessment.

Degree Requirements
Candidates must complete the following:

  1. Three core courses (9 credits): EGM 6533, Advanced Strength of Materials; EML 6223, Mechanical Vibrations or EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems and EML 6716, Advanced Fluid Dynamics;
  2. A math course (3 credits), Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1;
  3. Three technical electives (9 credits) at the 5000 or 6000 level from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section;
  4. Up to three courses at the 5000 level or higher, may be taken while the student is an undergraduate;
  5. Must complete one semester of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  6. Five business courses (15 credits) as described at the beginning of this College of Engineering and Computer Science section;
  7. At the time of application for degree, students must submit a portfolio to their advisor consisting of four graduate projects from 12 courses in their program of study. The portfolio will be reviewed by the student's supervisory committee;
  8. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above;
  9. At least one-half of the credits must be from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section.


Master's Programs

(Changes effective spring 2024.) (For these degree programs, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The Master of Science with major in Mechanical Engineering has both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires a minimum of 24 credits of coursework and a thesis (6 additional credits). The non-thesis option requires a minimum of 33 credits of coursework. The Master of Science program is available in person and fully online. Requirements for the Ph.D. program are described later in this section.

Each student must complete a comprehensive and coordinated Plan of Study requiring depth in one or more of the following areas: mechanical systems, solid body mechanics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermal/fluid systems, helicopter dynamics, materials, manufacturing, controls, robotics and CAD/CAM. The Plan of Study includes all course and thesis work (if the thesis option is chosen) that the student expects to complete for the M.S. degree. Students submit their Plans of Study electronically for approval using the MyPOS system.

Admission Requirements
Usual admission requirements are as follows. Students with non-engineering bachelor's degrees, click here for additional requirements.

  1. A baccalaureate degree in Engineering, Natural Science or Mathematics, but preferably in Mechanical Engineering and from a regionally accredited institution. A student who does not have a background in mechanical engineering should expect to take additional undergraduate mechanical engineering coursework.
  2. Demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English. A student from a non-English-speaking country is required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam and achieve a score of at least 550 (CBT-213, iBT-79).
  3. At least a 3.0 (of a 4.0 maximum) GPA in the last 60 credits attempted prior to graduation.
  4. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required. GRE scores more than five years old will not be accepted. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have a bachelor's degree from FAU's Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department with a GPA of at least 3.25 over the last 60 credits.
  5. Petitions for admittance to the program will not be accepted when a student wishes to include more than five courses taken as a non-degree-seeking student.

Admission to Candidacy
A student is eligible to apply for candidacy when:

  1. The student has completed a minimum of 9 credits as a graduate student.
  2. The student has maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses attempted as a graduate student.
  3. The student has filed an approved Plan of Study for the degree program.

Students should file for candidacy as soon as they are eligible. Usually, no more than 20 credits of completed work before admission to candidacy will be accepted toward a degree program. A student should be admitted to candidacy prior to beginning work on thesis.

Degree Requirements
Students must satisfy all of the University graduate requirements.

Link to Master of Science with Major in Mechanical Engineering Non-thesis Option and Non-thesis Option with a Business Minor

Link to Master of Science with Major in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management Minor

Link to Master of Science with Major in Mechanical Engineering: Aerospace Engineering Concentration


Mechanical Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.) 

Thesis Option

Candidates for the Master of Science degree with the thesis option must complete an approved program of at least 30 credits including:

  1. Three core courses (9 credits): EGM 6533, Advanced Strength of Materials; EML 6223, Mechanical Vibrations or EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems;  and EML 6716, Advanced Fluid Dynamics;
  2. A math course (3 credits): EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1;
  3. Four technical electives (12 credits) at the 5000 level or higher;
  4. Must complete one semester of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  5. Before the end of the student's third semester of full-time enrollment, a written thesis proposal must be submitted to the supervisory committee and defended in an oral examination;
  6. A Master's thesis (6 credits), which must be defended at an oral examination;
  7. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above;
  8. At least one-half of the credits must be from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section.


Mechanical Engineering

Master of Science (M.S.) 

Thesis Option with Aerospace Engineering Concentration

Students in the Master of Science with Major in Mechanical Engineering, thesis option, have the additional option of pursuing a concentration in Aerospace Engineering.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should meet all the admission requirements for the M.S. with Major in Mechanical Engineering program, thesis option.

Degree Requirements
Applicants should meet all the degree requirements for the M.S. with Major in Mechanical Engineering program, thesis option. In addition, the following requirements should be met:

  1. Graduate coursework counted for the master's degree should include at least three graduate courses with content on theoretical and/or Aerospace Engineering (see table below). Additional courses may be approved by the thesis advisor. Students in this program should choose Advance Controls as a core course.
  2. The student's thesis research and scholarship must have a strong emphasis on one or more areas of Aerospace Engineering.

    Graduate Coursework (9 credits)
    Core Course
    Special Topics (Principles of Aerodynamics) EML 6930 3
    Elective Courses (Select two of the courses below)
    Introduction to Finite Element Methods EGM 5351 3
    Fracture Mechanics EML 6239 3
    Advanced Engineering Dynamics EML 6271 3
    Turbomachinery EML 6402 3
    Computational Fluid Dynamics EOC 6189 3

     

Mechanical Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.) 

Non-Thesis Option and Non-Thesis Option with a Business Minor

Candidates for the Master of Science degree with the non-thesis option must complete an approved program of at least 30 credits including:

  1. Three core courses (9 credits): EGM 6533, Advanced Strength of Materials; EML 6223, Mechanical Vibrations or EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems; and EML 6716, Advanced Fluid Dynamics;
  2. A math course (3 credits): EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1;
  3. Six technical electives (18 credits) at the 5000 or 6000 level;
  4. Must complete one semester of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  5. At the time of application for degree, students must submit a portfolio to their advisor consisting of four graduate projects from 10 courses in their program of study. The portfolio will be reviewed by the student's supervisory committee;
  6. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above;
  7. At least one-half of the credits must be from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section.

Candidates for the Master of Science degree with the non-thesis option and a Business minor must complete an approved program of at least 36 credits including:

  1. Three core courses (9 credits): EGM 6533, Advanced Strength of Materials; EML 6223, Mechanical Vibrations or EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems; and EML 6716, Advanced Fluid Dynamics;
  2. A math course (3 credits): EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1;
  3. Three technical elective courses (9 credits) at the 5000 or 6000 level from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section;
  4. Five business courses (15 credits) as described at the beginning of this College of Engineering and Computer Science section under the Business Minor heading;
  5. Must complete one semester of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  6. At the time of application for degree, students must submit a portfolio to their advisor consisting of four graduate projects from 12 courses in their program of study. The portfolio will be reviewed by the student's supervisory committee;
  7. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above;
  8. At least one-half of the credits must be from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section.

Mechanical Engineering
Master of Science (M.S.) with an Engineering Management Minor

This Master of Science degree program with a minor in Engineering Management is a 36-credit program consisting of advanced courses in mechanical engineering as well as courses in the College of Business. Candidates for this program should have an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. GRE scores more than five years old will not be accepted. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have a bachelor's degree from FAU's Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department with a GPA of at least 3.25 over the last 60 credits. Non-English-speaking candidates must have a minimum score of 550 on the TOFEL. Two reference letters and at least two years of professional experience are also required.

Candidates for the Master of Science degree with Major in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management minor must complete an approved program of at least 36 credits including:

  1. Three core courses (9 credits): EGM 6533, Advanced Strength of Materials; EML 6223, Mechanical Vibrations or EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems; and EML 6716, Advanced Fluid Dynamics;
  2. A math course (3 credits): EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1;
  3. Three elective courses (9 credits) from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section;
  4. Must complete one semester of EML 5937, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  5. Three required management courses (9 credits) listed in the table below;
  6. Two management elective courses (6 credits) from the table below;
  7. At the time of application for degree, students must submit a portfolio to their advisor consisting of four graduate projects from 12 courses in their program of study. The portfolio will be reviewed by the student's supervisory committee;
  8. At least one-half of the credits must be at the 6000 level or above;
  9. At least one-half of the credits must be from the list of Mechanical Engineering courses shown in the Engineering and Computer Science Course Descriptions section.
Required Management Courses (9 credits)
Organizational Behavior MAN 6245 3
Operations Management MAN 6501 3
Project Management MAN 6526 3

 

Management Elective Courses (6 credits)
Select two courses from the list:
Entrepreneurship, Creativity
and Innovation
MAN 6299 3
Project Management MAN 6526 3
Cross-Cultural Management and Human Resources MAN 6609 3
International Business Operations MAN 6614 3
Entrepreneurial Consulting Project MAN 6806 1-4
Seminar in Entrepreneurship/Venture Management MAN 6875 3
Global Environment of Management MAN 6937 3


Doctoral Program

Mechanical Engineering
doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.)

(For this degree program, the GRE admission requirement is waived through and including fall 2023.)

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy with major in Mechanical Engineering is conferred by the University primarily in recognition of a demonstrated ability for independent and original research in the discipline. This ability must be supported by a comprehensive and coordinated plan of advanced study designed to provide a strong background in the fundamentals of mechanical engineering and related areas. Students in the Ph.D. with Major in Mechanical Engineering have the option of pursuing a concentration in Aerospace Engineering or Neuroengineering.

Admission Requirements
Minimum requirements for admission to doctoral studies in mechanical engineering are as follows:

  1. A master's degree in engineering or a related field from a recognized institution;
  2. A GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 credits of work attempted;
  3. Submission of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is required. GRE scores more than five years old will not be accepted. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have a master of science degree from FAU's Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department;
  4. Demonstrated proficiency in both written and spoken English. A student from a non-English-speaking country is required to take the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a score of at least 550 (CBT-213, iBT-79);
  5. Three letters of reference attesting to the student's potential for graduate studies in mechanical engineering;
  6. Approval for admission by the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering. Usually, an applicant admitted will have a strong record of achievement that exceeds the minimum requirements. Approval for admission by the department will be based on an evaluation of the student's record in terms of likelihood of success in the Ph.D. program.

Admission to doctoral studies does not constitute admission to candidacy for the degree.

Admission to Doctoral Status
Admission to doctoral status is granted after students have:

  1. Successfully completed General Examination 1;
  2. Been accepted by a department faculty member willing to serve as their dissertation advisor;
  3. Had their Plan of Study approved by their advisor, by the department graduate coordinator and by the Graduate College.

A Plan of Study for the Ph.D. degree must be submitted to the Graduate College before the end of the second semester of enrollment. Students submit their Plans of Study electronically for approval using the MyPOSystem.

Admission to Candidacy
Admission to candidacy requires formulation of a supervisory committee approved by the department graduate coordinator as well as successful completion of General Examination 1.

Degree Requirements
A central requirement for the Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering is submission and defense of a dissertation based upon original research in an area of focus acceptable to the student's supervisory committee. The completed dissertation must be approved by the committee, the department chair and the Graduate College.  A minimum of 72 graduate credits is required beyond a bachelor's degree. A master's degree in a related field is considered equivalent to 30 credits. Additional requirements are:

  1. A minimum of 42  credits of coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree, or  a minimum of 18  credits beyond the master of science degree;
  2. No more than 3 credits of directed independent study may be used to satisfy the minimum 18  credits of coursework;
  3. A minimum of 12 credits must be in Mechanical Engineering courses, including at least two of the following three core courses. In addition a graduate-level Engineering Mathematics course is required, which may include, but not limited to, EOC 5172, Mathematical Methods in Ocean Engineering 1 or PHZ 5115, Mathematical Physics.

    Core Courses (select two of the following three courses)
    Advanced Strength of Materials EGM 6533 3
    Advanced Fluid Dynamics EML 6716 3
    Mechanical Vibrations EML 6223 or 3
    Advanced Control Systems EML 6317 3
    Mathematics
    One Engineering Mathematics course, graduate level

  4. Must complete two semesters of EML 37, Graduate Seminar (0 credits) with grade of Satisfactory ("S");
  5. Doctoral thesis research of at least 24 credits for students entering with a master's degree and at least 30 credits for students entering with a bachelor's degree;
  6. Successful completion of General Examination 1;
  7. Successful completion of General Examination 2;
  8. Prior to the defense, the student is required to have published or have accepted for publication a refereed research paper in a field of study deemed acceptable by the dissertation committee. A journal article is preferred, but a peer-reviewed conference paper is also acceptable;
  9. Submitted and defended a dissertation based on original research in the student's area of specialization. The supervisory committee, the department chair and the Graduate College must have approved the dissertation;
  10. Satisfaction of all University regulations and requirements for the Ph.D. degree;
  11. General Examination 1: Students entering the Ph.D. program with an M.S. degree are expected to take the General Examination 1 (Ph.D. Qualifying Examination) after completing their second semester. The primary purpose of General Examination 1 is to evaluate the student’s ability, not only to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Mechanical Engineering course material but also to evaluate original thinking. The General Examination 1 will be in four parts: Part 1 covers the three core courses (note that an elective course can be treated as a core course), Part 2 covers two other elective course subjects, Part 3 covers Mathematics, and Part 4 is a pre-proposal that consists of a written paper and an oral examination. Students with a GPA more than or equal to 3.5 on all courses selected for General Exam 1 (with all classes more than or equal to 3.3 [B+]) are exempt from Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. (These students will need to take a written examination only for topics with a 3.0 GPA [B grade] or below.) For non-exempt students (i.e., GPA less than 3.5): Part 1, the exam on the core courses, will be three hours in duration and will require three problems to be answered. Part 2, the electives exam, will be a one-hour exam and will require one problem from two elective courses to be answered. Part 3, the exam on Engineering Mathematics, will be a two-hour exam and the student must answer two problems. A new set of examinations will be prepared and questions and problems from previous examinations are not available to students. It is expected that the examination on the elective courses will focus on the student’s area of specialization;

    All Ph.D. graduate students need to prepare a pre-proposal (Part 4). The pre-proposal will consist of an oral presentation and written paper based on several articles selected by a committee (including the advisor). The student will identify knowledge gap(s) and complete a literature review (with guidance of the advisor). During the presentation, questions will be limited to those that help demonstrate knowledge important to the research topic/area;

    An overall grade of 70 percent on Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the General Examination 1 and a passing grade in the pre-proposal constitutes successfully completing General Examination 1. If the student fails any of the parts, the student will have one more opportunity to successfully pass the exam. The student must score 70 percent in each subject that is retaken. Alternatively, the student may retake the entire exam when it is next offered. General Examination 1 is scheduled immediately after the last day of the final examination period in the fall semester and in the spring semester each year. The pre-proposal can be defended during the last two months of the semester, including the week after the final exams period, if the advisor indicates that the student is ready;
  12. Students who have obtained the M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at FAU will be allowed to take General Examination 1 at the end of the first semester, if the student has completed the pre-proposal. Otherwise, General Examination 1 must be taken no later than the end of the second semester of Ph.D. study. Those admitted to the Ph.D. program directly after the B.S. degree may take the examination after completing 24 credits of graduate coursework;
  13. General Examination 2:   At an appropriate point in the student’s graduate studies, normally within 12 months of passing General Exam 1, the student must complete General Examination 2. This is the dissertation proposal defense, in which students defend the choice of a dissertation topic and answer a series of questions on fundamental issues related to their research topic. Students must have passed General Examination 1, selected the dissertation topic, formed a supervisory committee and completed a literature survey prior to the dissertation proposal defense;

    In General Examination 2, students should be prepared to demonstrate the ability to perform research on a topic approved by the supervisory committee by presenting a comprehensive literature survey combined with a critical analysis of the state of the art in the particular field. While this examination will be centered around the particular research area, it will not necessarily be limited to that subject. If unsuccessful in the examination, the student may, at the discretion of the department, either remain in the doctoral program and retake the examination at a later date or withdraw from the program. No more than two attempts will be permitted.

Transfer Credits
A maximum of 6 credits beyond the master's degree can be transferred into the student's program of study.

Time Limits
No credit that is more than 10 years old at the time a graduate degree is awarded may be counted toward that degree at Florida Atlantic University. In addition, the final examination must be completed within five calendar years of the admission to candidacy, otherwise the Qualifying Examination must be repeated.

Residency Requirement
Students are required to spend two semesters of full-time study beyond the master's degree in residence at Florida Atlantic University.

Mechanical Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Aerospace Engineering Concentration

Students in the Doctor of Philosophy with Major in Mechanical Engineering program have the option of pursuing a concentration in Aerospace Engineering.

Admission Requirements
Applicants should meet all the admission requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Mechanical Engineering program.

Degree Requirements
Applicants should meet all the degree requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Mechanical Engineering program. In addition, the following requirements should be met:

  1. Graduate coursework counted for the doctor of philosophy degree should include three core courses (EGM 6533, Advanced Strength of Materials, EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems, EML 6716, Advanced Fluid Dynamics) and at least three graduate courses with content on theoretical and/or Aerospace Engineering. Graduate courses completed during the master's degree program may also be counted toward this requirement. The three Aerospace Engineering courses are listed in the table. Additional courses may be approved by the thesis advisor.
  2. The student's dissertation research and scholarship must have a strong emphasis on one or more areas of Aerospace Engineering.
Graduate Coursework (9 credits)
Core Course
Special Topics (Principles of Aerodynamics) EML 6930 3
Elective Courses (select two of the courses below)
Introduction to Finite Element Methods EGM 5351 3
Fracture Mechanics EML 6239 3
Advanced Engineering Dynamics EML 6271 3
Turbomachinery EML 6402 3
Computational Fluid Dynamics EOC 6189 3

 

Mechanical Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Neuroengineering Concentration

Admission Requirements
Applicants should meet al the admission requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Mechanical Engineering program.

Degree Requirements
Applicants should meet all the degree requirements for the Ph.D. with Major in Mechanical Engineering program. In addition, the following requirements should be met.

  1.  Graduate coursework counted for the Ph.D. program must contain at least three graduate courses that include content on theoretical and/or applied neuneuroengineeringraduate courses completed during the master's degree program may also be used to meet this requirement. The three courses required consist of the required course, EML 6317, Advanced Control Systems, and two additional graduate courses from the table below. Additional courses may be approved by the dissertation advisor.
  2. The student's Ph.D. dissertation research and scholarship must have a strong emphasis in one or more areas of neuneuroengineeringncluding but not limited to applied and/or theoretical areas.

Required Course
Advanced Control Systems EML 6317 3
Elective Courses (select two courses)
Topics in Biomechanical Engineering BME 5930 3
Biomaterials BME 6105 3
Tissue Engineering BME 6334 3
Neural Engineering BME 6390 3
Advanced Topics in MicMicrofluidicsd BioMEMS BME 6585 3
Computational Modeling of Biological Neural Networks BME 6718 3

 

Link to Course Descriptions for the College of Engineering and Computer Science