Computer Engineering MS

Degree Requirements

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.

MS Degree Options

There are three MS degree plans available: Thesis, Project, and Course-only. Students declare their intention to follow one of the degree plans no later than May 1st of the 3rd academic quarter (typically the spring quarter of the first year of study).

Common Requirements

Three plans are available, as shown below.  For all three plans, the following are required:

  • Course Requirements:
    • 12 total units required, including 6 core units and 6 elective units.
    • All courses must be at the 300-level or higher.
    • At least 3 courses must be at the 400-level or above, including COMP_ENG 499-0 Projects but excluding COMP_ENG 590-0 Research.
    • The only course that may be taken Pass/No Pass (P/N) is COMP_ENG 590-0 Research.
  • Core Unit Requirements:
    • 6 units from Electrical Engineering (ELEC_ENG) or Computer Engineering (COMP_ENG) courses.
    • At least 3 units must be Computer Engineering (COMP_ENG) courses.
    • Exceptions: COMP_ENG 499-0 Projects and COMP_ENG 590-0 Research do not count toward the 6 core courses.
  • Elective Unit Requirements:
    • 6 units from Electrical Engineering (ELEC_ENG), Computer Engineering (COMP_ENG), or Computer Science (COMP_SCI) courses.
    • Up to 3 units may be taken outside ECE and CS courses with advisor approval.
    • At most 3 units of COMP_ENG 590-0 Research for MS Thesis, or 2 units for MS Project.
    • At most 3 units of COMP_ENG 499-0 Projects.
  • Additional Information: Additional requirements are listed in the ECE Graduate Study Manual.

Plan 1: Thesis

Additional requirements:

  • Up to three credits may be COMP_ENG 590-0 Research towards your 6 elective units.
  • A written thesis is required, and must follow the approved format.
  • An oral defense is optional, but strongly encouraged.
  • A research advisor and thesis committee must be established by the student. 

Plan 2: Project

Additional requirements:

  • Up to two credits may be  towards your 6 elective units.
  • A project technical report is required, and must follow the approved format.
  • A research or project advisor must be established by the student.

Plan 3: Course-only

Additional requirements:

  •  may not be included in the 12 required units.