Master of Science in Computer Engineering
The purpose of this degree is to prepare students for advanced study and/or research or industrial practice in the field of computer engineering. The Master of Science in Computer Engineering (M.S.CP.E.) program builds a strong foundation in all aspects of the design and development of computer systems, with a specialization in a major area. Students have the option to pursue thesis research under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Areas of study include computer hardware design, computer networking and telecommunications, and computer system and application software. The program is normally completed in three semesters of full-time study.
The admission requirements for this degree follow the existing admission requirements for master’s degrees in the ECE department. Students whose accredited B.S. degree is not in computer engineering may pursue the M.S.CP.E., provided that they have an adequate background and can demonstrate proficiency in the material contained in the following undergraduate courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 211 | Circuit Analysis I | 3 |
| ECE 213 | Circuit Analysis II | 4 |
| ECE 218 | Digital Systems | 4 |
| ECE 242 | Digital Computers and Computing | 3 |
| or CS 350 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | |
| ECE 311 | Engineering Electronics | 4 |
| CS 201 | Accelerated Introduction to Computer Science 1 | 4 |
| CS 401 | Introduction to Advanced Studies I | 3 |
| MATH 251 | Multivariate and Vector Calculus | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 4 |
| 1 |
A student may demonstrate proficiency by successfully completing the courses or by demonstrating satisfactory performance in one or more special examinations administered by the department.
The program of study includes a minimum of 32 credit hours of acceptable graduate coursework, with a minimum of 21 credit hours of ECE coursework. A minimum of 20 credit hours must be taken at the 500-level or higher. Up to 6 credit hours of ECE short courses may be applied to the degree. Students, with adviser approval, select courses appropriate to their needs and interests. The program of study must include two core and two elective courses within one of the computer engineering (CPE) areas of concentration (computer hardware design, computer systems software, and networks and telecommunications), and at least one core course from the remaining two areas. An M.S.CP.E. candidate may, with permission of a thesis adviser, include in his or her program a thesis of 6-8 credit hours. The master’s thesis is strongly recommended for pre-doctoral students. The thesis option requires a written thesis and an oral defense of the thesis. Thesis format and deadlines are set by the Graduate College.
Master of Science in Computer Engineering (Coursework Only Option)
| Minimum Credits Required | 32 |
| Minimum ECE Course Credit | 21 |
| Maximum 400-Level Credit | 12 |
| Minimum 500-Level Credit | 20 |
| Maximum 700-Level Credit | 6 |
| Maximum Transfer Credit | 9 |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering Major Courses | (12-15) | |
| Select two core courses from the chosen CPE area of concentration from the lists below | 6-7 | |
| Select two elective courses from the chosen CPE area of concentration from the lists below | 6-8 | |
| Computer Engineering Elective Courses | (6-8) | |
| Select one core course from each of the two remaining CPE areas of concentration from the lists below | 6-8 | |
| General Electives | (9-14) | |
| Select 9-14 credit hours of general ECE electives | 9-14 | |
Master of Science in Computer Engineering (Thesis Option)
| Minimum Credits Required | 32 |
| Minimum ECE Course Credit | 21 |
| Maximum 400-Level Credit | 12 |
| Minimum 500-Level Credit | 20 |
| Maximum 700-Level Credit | 6 |
| Maximum Transfer Credit | 9 |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineer Major Courses | (12-15) | |
| Select two core courses from the chosen CPE area of concentration from the lists below | 6-7 | |
| Select two elective courses from the chosen CPE area of concentration from the lists below | 6-8 | |
| Computer Engineering Elective Courses | (6-8) | |
| Select one core course from each of the two remaining CPE areas of concentration from the lists below | 6-8 | |
| General Electives | (1-8) | |
| Select 1-8 credit hours of general ECE electives | 1-8 | |
| Thesis Research | (6-8) | |
| ECE 591 | Research and Thesis for Masters Degree 1 | 6-8 |
| 1 | Students pursuing the thesis option must complete 6-8 credit hours of research work (ECE 591) leading to an M.S. dissertation with the approval of a thesis adviser. |
CPE Areas of Concentration
Computer Hardware Design
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | (6-7) | |
| ECE 529 | Advanced VLSI Systems Design | 3-4 |
| or ECE 429 | Introduction to VLSI Design | |
| ECE 585 | Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 |
| Elective Courses | (48) | |
| ECE 425 | Analysis and Design of Integrated Circuits | 3 |
| ECE 429 | Introduction to VLSI Design | 4 |
| ECE 430 | Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices | 3 |
| ECE 441 | Microcomputers | 4 |
| ECE 446 | Advanced Logic Design | 4 |
| ECE 485 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| ECE 529 | Advanced VLSI Systems Design | 3 |
| ECE 530 | High Performance VLSI IC Systems | 3 |
| ECE 583 | High Speed Computer Arithmetic | 3 |
| ECE 584 | VLSI Architecture for Signal Processing and Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 585 | Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 |
| ECE 586 | Fault Detection in Digital Circuits | 3 |
| ECE 587 | Hardware/Software Codesign | 3 |
| ECE 588 | CAD Techniques for VLSI Design | 3 |
| ECE 589 | Computer-Aided Design of Analog IC | 3 |
Computer Systems Software
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | (6) | |
| CS 550 | Advanced Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS 551 | Operating System Design and Implementation | 3 |
| Elective Courses | (36) | |
| ECE 449 | Object-Oriented Programming and Computer Simulation | 3 |
| ECE 587 | Hardware/Software Codesign | 3 |
| CS 487 | Software Engineering I | 3 |
| CS 545 | Distributed Computing Landscape | 3 |
| CS 546 | Parallel and Distributed Processing | 3 |
| CS 550 | Advanced Operating Systems | 3 |
| CS 551 | Operating System Design and Implementation | 3 |
| CS 555 | Analytic Models and Simulation of Computer Systems | 3 |
| CS 586 | Software Systems Architectures | 3 |
| CS 587 | Software Project Management | 3 |
| CS 588 | Advanced Software Engineering Development | 3 |
| CS 589 | Software Testing and Analysis | 3 |
Networks and Telecommunications
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | (7) | |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Computer Networks with Laboratory | 4 |
| or ECE 408 | Introduction to Computer Networks | |
| ECE 541 | Performance Evaluation of Computer Networks | 3 |
| or ECE 545 | Advanced Computer Networks | |
| Elective Courses | (71) | |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Computer Networks with Laboratory | 4 |
| ECE 408 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| ECE 443 | Introduction to Computer Security | 4 |
| ECE 504 | Wireless Communication System Design | 3 |
| ECE 508 | Video Communications | 3 |
| ECE 511 | Analysis of Random Signals | 3 |
| ECE 513 | Communication Engineering Fundamentals | 3 |
| ECE 514 | Digital Communication Principles | 3 |
| ECE 515 | Modern Digital Communications | 3 |
| ECE 516 | Coding for Distributed Storage Systems | 3 |
| ECE 519 | Coding for Reliable Communications | 3 |
| ECE 520 | Information Theory and Applications | 3 |
| ECE 541 | Performance Evaluation of Computer Networks | 3 |
| ECE 542 | Design and Optimization of Computer Networks | 3 |
| ECE 543 | Computer Network Security | 3 |
| ECE 544 | Wireless and Mobile Networks | 3 |
| ECE 545 | Advanced Computer Networks | 3 |
| ECE 546 | Wireless Network Security | 3 |
| ECE 547 | Wireless Networks Performance Analysis | 3 |
| ECE 570 | Fiber-Optic Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 584 | VLSI Architecture for Signal Processing and Communication Systems | 3 |
| CS 455 | Data Communications | 3 |
| CS 544 | Computer Networks II: Network Services | 3 |
