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:

ECE 211Circuit Analysis I3
ECE 213Circuit Analysis II4
ECE 218Digital Systems4
ECE 242Digital Computers and Computing3
or CS 350 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming
ECE 311Engineering Electronics4
CS 201Accelerated Introduction to Computer Science 14
CS 401Introduction to Advanced Studies I3
MATH 251Multivariate and Vector Calculus4
MATH 252Introduction to Differential Equations4
1

 i.e. CS 115 and CS 116 combined

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 six 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 each of the two remaining areas. An M.S.CP.E. candidate may, with permission of a thesis adviser, include in their program a thesis of six to eight 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
Computer Engineering Major Courses (12-15)
Select two core courses from the chosen CPE area of concentration from the lists below6-7
Select two elective courses from the chosen CPE area of concentration from the lists below6-8
Computer Engineering Elective Courses (6-8)
Select one core course from each of the two remaining CPE areas of concentration from the lists below6-8
General Electives (14)
Select 14 credit hours of general ECE electives14

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
Computer Engineer Major Courses (12-15)
Select two core courses from the chosen CPE area of concentration from the lists below6-7
Select two elective courses from the chosen CPE area of concentration from the lists below6-8
Computer Engineering Elective Courses (6-8)
Select one core course from each of the two remaining CPE areas of concentration from the lists below6-8
General Electives (8)
Select eight credit hours of general ECE electives8
Thesis Research (6-8)
ECE 591Research and Thesis for Masters Degree 16-8
1

Students pursuing the thesis option must complete six to eight 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

Core Courses (6-7)
ECE 529Advanced VLSI Systems Design3-4
or ECE 429 Introduction to VLSI Design
ECE 585Computer Organization and Design3
or ECE 586 Hardware Security and Advanced Computer Architectures
Elective Courses (0)
Analysis and Design of Integrated Circuits3
Introduction to VLSI Design4
Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices3
Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices
Smart and Connected Embedded System Design4
Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems3
Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems
Advanced Logic Design4
Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing3
Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing
Computer Organization and Design3
Computer Organization and Design
Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices3
Advanced VLSI Systems Design3
High Performance VLSI IC Systems3
High Speed Computer Arithmetic3
VLSI Architecture for Signal Processing and Communication Systems3
Hardware Security and Advanced Computer Architectures3
Hardware/Software Codesign3
Hardware Acceleration for Machine Learning3
Computer-Aided Design of Analog IC3

Computer Systems Software

Core Courses (6)
CS 550Advanced Operating Systems3
ECE 528Application Software Design3
or ECE 590 Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning
Elective Courses (0)
Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems3
Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems
Introduction to Computer Cyber Security3
Computer Cyber Security
Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing3
Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing
Application Software Design3
Application Software Design
Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning3
Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning
Hardware/Software Codesign3
Software Engineering I3
Distributed Computing Landscape3
Parallel and Distributed Processing3
Advanced Operating Systems3
Operating System Design and Implementation3
Analytic Models and Simulation of Computer Systems3
Software Systems Architectures3
Software Project Management3
Advanced Software Engineering Development3
Software Testing and Analysis3

Networks and Telecommunications

Core Courses (6)
ECE 408Introduction to Computer Networks3
or ECE 545 Modern Internet Technologies
ECE 541Communications Networks Performance Analysis3
or ECE 543 Computer Network Security
Elective Courses (0)
Wireless Communications Systems3
Wireless Communication System Design
Introduction to Computer Networks3
Modern Internet Technologies
Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems3
Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems
Introduction to Computer Cyber Security3
Computer Cyber Security
Computer Network Security3
Computer Network Security
5G Wireless Network: Architecture, New Radio, and Security3
Wireless Communication System Design3
Video Communications3
Analysis of Random Signals3
Communication Engineering Fundamentals3
Digital Communication Principles3
Modern Digital Communications3
Coding for Distributed Storage Systems3
Modern Wireless Network Protocols and Standards3
Coding for Reliable Communications3
Information Theory and Applications3
Communications Networks Performance Analysis3
Design and Optimization of Computer Networks3
Wireless and Mobile Networks3
Wireless Network Security3
ECE 547
3
Fiber-Optic Communication Systems3
VLSI Architecture for Signal Processing and Communication Systems3