Master of Science in Computer Engineering

The purpose of this degree is to prepare students for advanced study, research, or professional practice in the field of computer engineering. The Master of Science in Computer Engineering (M.S.CPE) program builds a strong foundation in the design and development of computer systems covering areas such as computer network systems, embedded systems, internet of things, artificial intelligence, software engineering, cybersecurity, machine vision, high performance computing, VLSI, cloud and edge computing. Students have the option to pursue thesis research under the guidance of a faculty adviser. The program is typically completed in three semesters of full-time study.

The M.S.CPE program offers an optional specialization in Communication Systems for students interested in areas such as digital and analog communications, signal processing, wireless and mobile systems, networking technologies, and the design and development of communication-related hardware and software platforms. This specialization allows students to tailor their coursework toward advanced communication topics while maintaining a strong foundation in core computer engineering principles.

The admission requirements for this degree follow the existing admission requirements for master’s programs in the ECE department. Students whose accredited B.S. degree is not in computer engineering may pursue the M.S.CPE, provided that they have an adequate background and can demonstrate proficiency in the material contained in the following undergraduate courses:

Course List
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
ECE 311	Engineering Electronics	4
MATH 251	Multivariate and Vector Calculus	4
MATH 252	Introduction to Differential Equations	4

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 30 credit hours of acceptable graduate coursework, with a minimum of 21 credit hours of ECE coursework. A minimum of 18 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 advisers’ approval, select courses appropriate to their needs and interests. An M.S.CPE candidate may, with permission of a thesis adviser, include in their program a thesis of six credit hours. The thesis option is strongly recommended for students intending to pursue doctoral studies, and it 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)

Requirements
Requirement	Credits
Minimum Credits Required	30
Minimum ECE Course Credit	21
Maximum 400-Level Credit	12
Minimum 500-Level Credit	18
Maximum 700-Level Credit	6
Maximum Transfer Credit	9

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Computer Engineering Major Courses		12-15
Computer Engineering Elective Courses		15-18

Master of Science in Computer Engineering (Thesis Option)

Requirements
Requirement	Credits
Minimum Credits Required	30
Minimum ECE Course Credit	21
Maximum 400-Level Credit	12
Minimum 500-Level Credit	18
Maximum 700-Level Credit	6
Maximum Transfer Credit	9

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Computer Engineer Major Courses		12-15
Computer Engineering Elective Courses		9-12
Thesis Research		6
ECE 591	Research and Thesis for Masters Degree ¹	6

¹: Students pursuing the thesis option must complete six credit hours of research work (ECE 591) leading to an M.S. dissertation with the approval of a thesis adviser.

CPE Major and Elective Courses

Computer Hardware Design

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Courses
ECE 529	Advanced VLSI Systems Design	3
ECE 586	Hardware Security and Advanced Computer Architectures	3
Elective Courses
ECE 425	Analysis and Design of Integrated Circuits	3
ECE 429	Introduction to VLSI Design	4
ECE 430	Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices	3
or ECE 523	Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices
ECE 441	Smart and Connected Embedded System Design	4
ECE 510	Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems	3
ECE 501	Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing	3
ECE 485	Computer Organization and Design	3
or ECE 585	Computer Organization and Design
ECE 523	Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices	3
ECE 529	Advanced VLSI Systems Design	3
ECE 530	High Performance VLSI IC Systems	3
ECE 584	VLSI Architecture for Signal Processing and Communication Systems	3
ECE 587	Hardware/Software Codesign	3
ECE 588	Hardware Acceleration for Machine Learning	3

Computer Systems Software

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Courses
ECE 528	Application Software Design	3
ECE 590	Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning	3
Elective Courses
ECE 510	Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems	3
ECE 443	Introduction to Computer Cyber Security	3
or ECE 518	Computer Cyber Security
ECE 501	Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing	3
ECE 448	Application Software Design	3
or ECE 528	Application Software Design
ECE 449	Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning	3
or ECE 590	Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning
ECE 572	Secure Machine Learning Design and Applications	3
ECE 574	Data Science for Engineers	3
ECE 587	Hardware/Software Codesign	3
CS 487	Software Engineering I	3
CS 545	Efficient Machine Learning Systems	3
CS 546	Parallel and Distributed Processing	3
CS 550	Distributed 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

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Courses
ECE 543	Computer Network Security	3
ECE 545	Modern Internet Technologies	3
Elective Courses
ECE 406	Wireless Communications Systems	3
or ECE 504	Wireless Communication System Design
ECE 408	Introduction to Computer Networks	3
or ECE 545	Modern Internet Technologies
ECE 510	Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems	3
ECE 443	Introduction to Computer Cyber Security	3
or ECE 518	Computer Cyber Security
ECE 444	Computer Network Security	3
or ECE 543	Computer Network Security
ECE 503	5G Wireless Network: Architecture, New Radio, and Security	3
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 517	Modern Wireless Network Protocols and Standards	3
ECE 541	Communications Networks Performance Analysis	3
ECE 573	Cloud Computing and Cloud Native Systems	3
ECE 584	VLSI Architecture for Signal Processing and Communication Systems	3