Program of Study
The MSEE degree requires 30 Credit Hours and can be completed in 3 semesters. It is not uncommon for students to take an additional class in economics to complete a minor in regulatory economics within the three semester time frame. Depending on the student’s background additional credits may be required. Table 3 provides an overview of the curriculum, listing classes most commonly taken by students. However, each student has considerable liberty in selecting classes of interest to her or him. We continue to graduate students who ‘can hit the ground running’ as engineers, but have a broad exposure to grow into leadership positions.
Course descriptions for key courses are provided below:
EE 333. Introduction to Electric Power Engineering 4 cr. (3+3P)
Introduction to the principles, concepts, and analysis of the major components of an electric power system. Basic electromechanics, energy conversion and source conversion, transformers, transmission lines, rectifiers, regulators, and system analysis. Prerequisite(s): C or better in E E 280.
EE 531: Power System Modeling and Computational Methods, 3 cr.
Development and analysis of fast computational methods for efficient solution of large scale power-system problems. Algorithms for constructing the bus impedance matrix; sparse matrix techniques; partial- inverse methods; compensation of mutual coupling. Pre/Corequisite(s): EE 543.
EE 532: Dynamics of Power Systems, 3 cr.
Transient and dynamic stability of power systems; synchronous machine modeling and dynamics; prediction and stabilization of system oscillations. Recommended preparation is EE 543 or equivalent.
EE 533: Power System Operation, 3 cr.
AGC, economic dispatch, unit commitment, operations planning, power flow analysis and network control, system control centers. Recommended preparation is EE 543 or equivalent.
EE 534: Power System Relaying, 3 cr.
Fundamental relay operating principles and characteristics. Current, voltage, directional, differential relays; distance relays; pilot relaying schemes. Standard protective schemes for system protection. Operating principles and overview of digital relays. Recommended preparation is EE 543 or equivalent.
E 537: Power Electronics, 3 cr.
Introduction of the general purpose of electronic power control. Analysis of circuits containing switches. Most common forms of power electronic circuits are introduced.
E 540: Photovoltaic Devices and Systems, 3 cr.
Technical concepts of photovoltaics, with primary focus on solar cell technology. Solar cell device level operation, packaging, and manufacturing. Design of photovoltaic systems for stand-alone or grid-tied operation. Business-case analysis using real-life scenarios of photovoltaic system solutions.
EE 542: Power Systems II, 3 cr.
Analysis of a power system in the steady state. Includes the development of models and analysis procedures for major power system components and for power networks.
EE 543: Power Systems III, 3 cr.
Analysis of a power system under abnormal operating conditions. Topics include symmetrical three-phase faults, theory of symmetrical components, unsymmetrical faults, system protection, and power system stability. Recommended preparation is EE 542 or equivalent.
EE 544: Distribution Systems, 3 cr.
Concepts and techniques associated with the design and operation of electrical distribution systems. Recommended preparation is EE 543 or equivalent.
ECON 571. Regulatory Policy and Industry Analysis: Electricity I 3 cr.
Regulatory policy and economic analysis related to the Electric Industry. Topics include: characteristics of a utility and legal justification for regulation; characteristics and functions of a regulatory commission; history and structure of the industry; technology and network design; revenue requirements; cost allocation; and basic retail rate design. Prerequisite(s): ECON 252, FIN 306, or consent of instructor.
ECON 572. Regulatory Policy and Industrial Analysis: Water and Natural Gas 3 cr.
Regulatory policy and economic analysis related to the Natural Gas and Water industries. Topics include: history and structure of the industry; technology and network design; revenue requirements; cost allocation; and retail rate design.
ECON 573. Regulatory Policy and Industry Analysis: Electricity II 3 cr.
Regulatory policy and economic analysis related to the Electric industry. Topics include: optimal generation mix; ancillary services; environmental policies; rate case procedures and strategies for effective testimony; advanced retail rate design; wholesale exchanges; unbundled transmission tariffs; market institutions and how different markets function; state and federal deregulation policies; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission orders and policies; demand-side management; and regulatory treatment of non-traditional retail services. Consent of instructor required. Prerequisite(s): ECON 571 or consent of instructor.
ECON 574. Advanced Seminar Regulatory Policy and Industry Analysis 3 cr.
Advanced seminar and writing course specializing in regulatory policy and regulatory casework. Topics Include: special policy & regulatory issues in telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, and water; preparation of written testimony; expert witness effectiveness including cross-examination; and contested case management. This course involves extensive reading and writing assignments. Consent of instructor required. Prerequisite(s): ECON 571 or consent of instructor.
