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 |
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 |
| 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 | (14) | |
| Select 14 credit hours of general ECE electives | 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 | (8) | |
| Select eight credit hours of general ECE electives | 8 | |
| Thesis Research | (6-8) | |
| ECE 591 | Research and Thesis for Masters Degree 1 | 6-8 |
- 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
| 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 | Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| or ECE 586 | Hardware Security and Advanced Computer Architectures | |
| Elective Courses | (0) | |
| Analysis and Design of Integrated Circuits | 3 | |
| Introduction to VLSI Design | 4 | |
| Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices | 3 | |
or ECE 523 | Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices | |
| Smart and Connected Embedded System Design | 4 | |
| Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems | 3 | |
or ECE 510 | Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems | |
| Advanced Logic Design | 4 | |
| Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing | 3 | |
or ECE 501 | Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing | |
| Computer Organization and Design | 3 | |
or ECE 585 | Computer Organization and Design | |
| Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices | 3 | |
| Advanced VLSI Systems Design | 3 | |
| High Performance VLSI IC Systems | 3 | |
| High Speed Computer Arithmetic | 3 | |
| VLSI Architecture for Signal Processing and Communication Systems | 3 | |
| Hardware Security and Advanced Computer Architectures | 3 | |
| Hardware/Software Codesign | 3 | |
| Hardware Acceleration for Machine Learning | 3 | |
| Computer-Aided Design of Analog IC | 3 | |
Computer Systems Software
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | (6) | |
| Select minimum 2 courses | 6 | |
| Advanced Operating Systems | 3 | |
| Application Software Design | 3 | |
| Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning | 3 | |
| Elective Courses | (0) | |
| Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems | 3 | |
or ECE 510 | Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems | |
| Introduction to Computer Cyber Security | 3 | |
or ECE 518 | Computer Cyber Security | |
| Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing | 3 | |
or ECE 501 | Artificial Intelligence and Edge Computing | |
| Application Software Design | 3 | |
or ECE 528 | Application Software Design | |
| Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning | 3 | |
or ECE 590 | Object-Oriented Programming and Machine Learning | |
| Hardware/Software Codesign | 3 | |
| Software Engineering I | 3 | |
| Distributed Computing Landscape | 3 | |
| Parallel and Distributed Processing | 3 | |
| Advanced Operating Systems | 3 | |
| Operating System Design and Implementation | 3 | |
| Analytic Models and Simulation of Computer Systems | 3 | |
| Software Systems Architectures | 3 | |
| Software Project Management | 3 | |
| Advanced Software Engineering Development | 3 | |
| Software Testing and Analysis | 3 | |
Networks and Telecommunications
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | (6) | |
| ECE 408 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| or ECE 545 | Modern Internet Technologies | |
| ECE 541 | Communications Networks Performance Analysis | 3 |
| or ECE 543 | Computer Network Security | |
| Elective Courses | (0) | |
| Wireless Communications Systems | 3 | |
or ECE 504 | Wireless Communication System Design | |
| Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 | |
or ECE 545 | Modern Internet Technologies | |
| Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems | 3 | |
or ECE 510 | Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems | |
| Introduction to Computer Cyber Security | 3 | |
or ECE 518 | Computer Cyber Security | |
| Computer Network Security | 3 | |
or ECE 543 | Computer Network Security | |
| 5G Wireless Network: Architecture, New Radio, and Security | 3 | |
| Wireless Communication System Design | 3 | |
| Video Communications | 3 | |
| Analysis of Random Signals | 3 | |
| Communication Engineering Fundamentals | 3 | |
| Digital Communication Principles | 3 | |
| Modern Digital Communications | 3 | |
| Coding for Distributed Storage Systems | 3 | |
| Modern Wireless Network Protocols and Standards | 3 | |
| Coding for Reliable Communications | 3 | |
| Information Theory and Applications | 3 | |
| Communications Networks Performance Analysis | 3 | |
| Design and Optimization of Computer Networks | 3 | |
| Wireless and Mobile Networks | 3 | |
| Wireless Network Security | 3 | |
| Fiber-Optic Communication Systems | 3 | |
| VLSI Architecture for Signal Processing and Communication Systems | 3 | |
