The doctoral program is designed for superior students with a master's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or other related fields, who wish to pursue advanced research in the area of computer engineering. The master's and doctoral programs emphasize computer architecture and systems, computer networking, intelligent systems, microprocessor-based systems, and VLSI system design.

Admission Requirements:
Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate education in engineering or computer science. Applicants with baccalaureate degrees in areas other than computer engineering may be admitted and required to complete a bridge program. Those with undergraduate degrees in other fields should consult the MSCOE Program Advisor for bridge requirements. Bridge courses do not count toward degree requirements.

Bridge Program: Students with undergraduate degrees in computer science take courses from:

Degree Requirements:
Students must complete 30 credits; 21 or more credits must be from ECE courses. They include two required computer engineering core courses, two more required courses for one of the five areas of specialization, and a master's project or thesis. As a requirement for graduation, students must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA, not including the master's thesis or project. The master's thesis or project grade must be B or higher.

All M.S. students are required to fulfill? two semesters of ECE 791 (Graduate Seminar).

Core:
Required for all specializations

6 credits:

Electives:
15 credits if completing master's thesis or 18 credits if completing master's project:

A list of suggested complementary elective courses is available for each area of concentration/specialization. Consult the Graduate Advisor of Computer Engineering for a current list of these courses. Other courses may be used as electives with the permission of the graduate advisor.

Computer Architecture and Systems:
Required:
6 credits:

Admission Requirements:
Applicants are expected to have a master's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or other related fields. Students who lack an appropriate background may be admitted and required to take bridge courses that cannot be applied as degree credits.

Students must demonstrate superior academic background in engineering, mathematics, and physical science; skills in programming; and proficiency in major areas of computer engineering and science. A minimum master's GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent, is required for admission. GRE scores must be submitted. International students must also achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (213 computer-based).

Superior undergraduate students may apply to be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program. Such an accelerated program requires a minimum entrance GPA of 3.5 and an interview with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Graduate Affairs Committee.

Degree Requirements:
A minimum of 60 degree credits beyond the master's degree is required; 24 credits of course work beyond the master's degree, with at least 12 at the 700 level; and 36 credits of doctoral dissertation. Doctoral students must register for six semesters of ECE 791 Graduate Seminar. Students must attain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Students admitted into the program at the baccalaureate level must complete a total of 87 credits, consisting of 51 course credits and 36 dissertation credits. At least 12 course credits must be at the 700 level. Courses will be selected in consultation with the graduate advisor. Dissertations should demonstrate original research that contributes to the knowledge in the field and should result in the submission of at least one paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Students must provide the department with a written proposal showing that facilities are available and that there is a faculty member willing to supervise dissertation work. Students who complete 36 credits of ECE 790 before research is finished must register for a minimum of 3 credits of ECE 790 each semester thereafter until the dissertation is accepted.

Residence: Degree-seeking students must spend at least one academic year in full-time residence.

Qualifying Examination: Contains material related to the student's intended area of specialization. See department for more details.

Dissertation Defense: An oral defense of the dissertation is required after submission of the final document to the department for approval.

Pre-Doctoral Research: With department approval, well-qualified students may register for up to a maximum of 9 credits of ECE 792 Pre-Doctoral Research before passing the qualifying examination. A maximum of 6 credits of ECE 792 may be applied toward ECE 790. For further information, see Academic Policies and Procedures in this catalog and the department Handbook for Graduate Students.