Power Electronics

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The power electronics professional master's program offered through theDepartment of Electrical, Computerand Energy Engineering at CU «Ƶ is a world-class program that cultivates creative power electronics engineers with a practical foundation, current knowledge and industry context. The power electronics program provides a comprehensive coverage of power electronics technologies and fundamentals, as well as extensive practical laboratory experience.

This program culminates in a 30-credit hour Master of Science degree with flexible core course options and electives.A 9-credit hour certificate is automatically awarded to all students completing our three core coursesand available as a stand-alone certificate as well. Most power electronics courses offer distance-learning options.

With classes taught by renowned Colorado Power Electronics Center faculty, as well as instructors from industry and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, students with a BS in electrical engineering or related fields can now complete a master's in this dynmaic field with outstanding job opportunities.

The power electronics field has evolved rapidly with the advances in technology and introduction of many new application areas. As a result, it is likely that the required knowledge and skills were not in the curricula when many of today's professionals were in college. This creates a strong ongoing demand for continuing education of the workforce in the area of power electronics.

This professional MSprogram seeksto address the ongoing demand for skilled power electronics design engineers. Switching power supplies, dc-dc converters, inverters, power factor correction convertersand LED lighting drivers are examples of power electronics circuits that employ high-frequency switching circuits to convert and condition electrical power.

Power electronics is an integral part of most electronic systems, yet most engineers have little of the background required to understand and design these circuits, including their control systems and their magnetics. The professional MSprogram and the Graduate Certificate providea knowledge of fundamentals inthe power electronics field. The program enables a working electrical engineer to gain the foundation needed for the practice of power electronics.

The programis intended for students and engineers with a BSdegree in electricalengineering or the equivalent. Entering students must have adequate knowledge of circuits and electronics, as taught in undergraduate courses intended for EE majors.

A total of 30 credit hours (nominally 10 courses) are required for the Masters degree.The curriculum is built around a core of three theory courses in power electronics that comprise the graduate certificate:

  • ECEN 5797 Introduction to Power Electronics(fall)
  • ECEN 5807 Modeling and Control of Power Electronics Systems(alternate spring)
  • ECEN 5817 Resonant and Soft Switching Techniquesin Power Electronics(alternate spring)

The degree also requires completion of the following two laboratory courses in power electronics:

  • ECEN 5527 Power Electronics Design Laboratory (fall)
  • ECEN5517 Power Electronics and Photovoltaic Power Systems Laboratory (spring)

Thesecourses providepractical laboratory and design experience of specific relevance to the practice of power electronics. The abovelaboratory courses are not available online; however, distance students who can demonstrate significant laboratory experience in power electronics may petition to substitute technical courses from the list below.

Select at least one of thecourses from the pool of power electronics electives listed below.Choose up to three approved technical electives with advisor approval.

Digital Control for Power Electonics

  • ECEN5857 Digital Control for Power Electronics (fall)

Electric Vehicles

  • ECEN 5607 Power Electronics for Electrified Transportation (fall)
  • ECEN 5737 Adjustable Speed AC Drives(spring)

Power Management Integrated Circuits

  • ECEN 5827 Analog IC Design(fall)

Grid Integration of Renewables (varying semesters)

  • ECEN 5407: Renewable Energy and the Future Power Grid
  • ECEN 5417: Power Systems Analysis
  • ECEN 5427: Power System Planning and Operations
  • ECEN 5437: Distribution Systems Analysis
  • ECEN 5447: Power System Dynamics with Renewable Energy
  • ECEN 5457: Energy Systems Optimization
  • ECEN 5467: Data Analytics and Data-Driven Decision Making for Modern Power and Energy Systems

Open Elective

Choose anadditional elective course.

Students must complete the following sequence of three courses, with a grade of C or higher in each course, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all three courses:

  • ECEN 5797 Introduction to Power Electronics (Offered every fall. Prerequisite: completion of basic undergraduate courses in circuits and electronics)
  • ECEN 5807 Modeling and Control of Power Electronics Systems (Offered in alternate springs. Prerequisite: ECEN 5797)
  • ECEN 5817 Resonant and Soft Switching Techniques in Power Electronics (Offered in alternate springs. Prerequisite: ECEN 5797. ECEN 5807 is not prerequisite for this course)

Each semester-long course requires completion of 10 to 12 homework assignments, a midterm examand a final exam. The graduates of this program will have successfully demonstrated their abilities in the subjects of all three courses listed above, to the satisfaction of the faculty of the Colorado Power Electronics Center. Please note that transfer credit is not accepted in lieu of the above requirements.

Admission & Registration

  • Admission to the Graduate School is not required for students pursuing only the Certificate.
    • Step 1: Complete.
    • Step 2: Submit.
  • Once admitted, non-degree Graduate Certificatestudents should register in hybrid coursesections, where seats are allocated specifically for Graduate Certificate and online degree students (i.e. not on-campus students). While these sections indicate “online," campus attendance is also available for those enrolled.
  • Upon completion of certificate requirements, contact ourECEE Graduate Advisorfor final steps.
  • Power Electronics certificate credit hours may be applied towards a full master’s degree, provided the student is admitted to the Graduate School. However, credit hours may not count towards both a bachelor of scienceand a master’s degree.

Students must first be admitted to the Graduate School with power electronics sub-plan for course credit towards the professional MSdegree. Graduate students pursuing one of the above certificates are not required to matriculate into the power electronics professional MSsub-plan, although degree-seeking students enrolled in the power electronics professional MSprogram will be given course registration priority. Admission to the Graduate School is also not required for studentspursuing the above certificate.

For information on how this certificate fits into a graduate degree in electrical and computer engineering, contact Graduate AdvisorAdam Sadoff at adam.sadoff@colorado.edu.

To register for a graduate-level course through the Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering Department, contactAdam Sadoff.

To register for a distance learning course (if you are brand new and *not* currently in a degree-seeking program) apply through the.

Modern, High-Quality
Power Electronics Curriculum

  • 30-credit hour MS degree, through core course and flexible electives, including​a 9-credit hour graduate certificate
  • Hands-on experience through two dedicated power electronics laborartory courses
  • Estimated tuition cost for Professional Master's in Engineering

Teaching and Research
Opportunities

Outstanding Internship and Career Opportunities

  • Gain competitive internship positions, usually available during summer
  • Job opportunities with leading companies in power electronics, electrified transportation, renewable energy and semiconductor industries
  • Typical salary range for our graduates: $95,000 - $153,000, with a median of $130,000

“The power electronics master's program was a game-changer! It provided a solid foundation and up-to-date knowledge in the power electronics field. The hands-on experience through lab courses and independent study allowed me to apply theory to real-world scenarios.”

~Nanditha Reddy Moole
Systems Engineer, Texas Instruments

Nanditha Reddy Moole

“Our faculty demonstrate exceptional expertise in engaging students with problem-solving discussions, and the program enabled students like myself to gain competitive internships and full-time opportunities in the engineering industry."​

~Udit Tanwar
Power Electronics Design Engineer, Resonant Link

Udit Tanwar