Electrical and Computer Engineering
POWER & CONTROL
Power engineering covers three complementary areas of electrical engineering:
- power transmission and distribution systems
- energy conversion
- power electronics
The job market is booming for graduates in electric power engineering. The workforce in the electric power sector is aging and the industry faces massive retirements, yet many power engineering programs in the U.S. have been phased out. In addition, new opportunities are exploding thanks to developments in power electronics. Exciting new applications include electric cars, (more) electric aircraft and ships, renewable energy, and data centers.
Suggested Coursework
The following are suggested Programs of Study for a graduate student pursuing an MS degree with an emphasis in Power and/or Controls. It is not required that students follow any of these course schedules, but for students to use thisas a guide. So long as degree requirements are met, any ECE or allied graduate coursework (5000- level or above) may be substituted.
Traditional MS
3 Semesters | 1-1.5 Years
These Programs of Study meet Coursework option requirements for a full-time student and can easily be adapted to the Project option. Students completing the Thesis option must meet with the Graduate Student Coordinator to create their academic plan.
Part-Time MS
*Graduate seminar credits may be completed in any order within a student’s first academic year in the program.
5 Semesters | 2-2.5 Years
A schedule like this is for students who are currently working and don’t have the capacity to be full-time students but feel capable of managing a steady pace of courses (2 per semester).
Coursework
| Semester | Courses | Credits |
| 1 | 3 | 7.0* |
| 2 | 3 | 7.0* |
| 3 | 2 | 6.0 |
| 4 | 2 | 6.0 |
| 5 | 2 | 6.0 |
| TOTAL | 12 | 32.0 |
Summer Project
| Semester | Courses | Credits |
| 1 | 3 | 7.0* |
| 2 | 3 | 7.0* |
| 3 | 2 | 6.0 |
| 4 | 2 | 6.0 |
| Summer | Project | 4.0 |
| TOTAL | 10 | 30.0 |
9 Semesters | 4 Years
A reduced and extended part-time schedule of 8 semesters of coursework, with 1 course per term, and a summer project.
Year 1
| Semester | Credits |
| Fall |
4.0* |
| Spring |
4.0* |
Year 2
| Semester | Credits |
| Fall |
3.0 |
| Spring |
3.0 |
Year 3
| Semester | Credits |
| Fall |
3.0 |
| Spring |
3.0 |
| Summer |
4.0 – Project |
Year 4
| Semester | Credits |
| Fall |
3.0 |
| Spring |
3.0 |
| TOTAL |
30.0 |
Default Supervisory Committee
For students completing the coursework or project options
Marc Bodson
Professor
- Phone: 801-581-8590
- Email: bodson@ece.utah.edu
- Office: MEB 3230
- Website: Prof. Bodson's Profile
Modeling, identification, and control, with applications to aerospace and electromechanical systems
Mostafa Ardakani
Associate Professor
- Phone: 801-587-8883
- Email: mostafa.ardakani@utah.edu
- Office: MEB 2218
- Website: Prof. Ardakani's Profile
Power and energy systems: electricity markets, energy economics, energy policy, power and energy systems, power system optimization, smart grid, transmission networks.
John Palmer
Associate Professor (Lecturer)
- Phone: 801-581-7350
- Email: john.a.palmer@utah.edu
- Office: MEB 2130
Power System Protection: cause and origin analysis of electrical accidents, electrical equipment failures, electrical fires, structural fires, vehicle fires, and explosions