Computer Engineering Graduate Program Core Requirements
For MS and PhD students in Computer Engineering

General Information

Core requirements are intended to ensure a breadth of knowledge. The student must satisfy the comprehensive requirement before they may apply to defend a thesis. They are encouraged to complete them within the first 3 years. It is expected that a well prepared student will finish them in their first year. Courses from other universities or undergraduate studies may be used to satisfy these requirements, by petition, at the discretion of the division faculty.

Computer Engineering MS and PhD Core Requirements:

These requirements are for students starting in Fall 2005 or later, students who entered the program prior to Fall 2005 should consult the catalog for the program requirements.

To satisfy the Computer Engineering comprehensives/core, a student must complete, with a grade of B or higher, the following 4 courses: 

ECE 319 Digital System Design
ECE 401 Advanced Computer Architecture
CSE 303/403 Theory of Operating Systems
CSE 340 Design and Analysis of Algorithms

and 2 courses in the Computer Hardware/Architecture area, 2 courses in a second area, and 1 course in a third area.  In each of the three areas at least one course must be at the 400 level.  While some of the courses below are listed in multiple categories, they can be used in only one. Each category also allows for appropriate CSE and ECE special topics courses not listed below and equivalent courses taken at other schools, with approval of the computer engineering division. Courses taken as part of an undergraduate degree may be used to satisfy the core requirements.

Computer Hardware/Architecture:

• Microcomputer System Design (ECE316)
• Digital System Design (ECE319) *
• Logic Design (ECE320)
• Hardware and Software Topics in Parallel Computing (CSE375)
• Advanced Computer Architecture (ECE401) *
• Numerical Processors (ECE415)
• VLSI Signal Processing (ECE416)
• Topics in Switching Theory (ECE431)
• Computer Arithmetic (CSE 450)

Core Computer Software Systems:

• Compiler Design (CSE302)
• Operating System Design (CSE303) *
• Computer Graphics (CSE313)
• Advanced Software Engineering Tools (CSE330)
• Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CSE340) *
• Fundamental of Internetworking (CSE 342)
• Hardware and Software Topics in Parallel Computing (CSE375)
• Parallel Algorithms (CSE376)
• Theory of Operating Systems (CSE403)
• Computer Networks (ECE404)
• Object-Oriented Programming (CSE412)
• Advanced Topics in Compiling (CSE422)
• Object-Oriented Software Engineering (CSE432)
• Database Theory (CSE 450)
• Network Security (CSE 343/443)
• Adv. Topics in Communication Networks (CSE 497)
• Network Programming (CSE 398)
• Network System Design (CSE 398)
• Special Topics in Multiprocessors and Parallel Computing (CSE 498)

Signal Processing and Communications:

• Digital Signal Processing (ECE343)
• Adaptive Signal Processing (ECE340)
• Communication Theory (ECE342)
• Statistical Signal Processing (ECE344)
• Speech Synthesis and Recognition (ECE345)
• Lightwave Technology (ECE435)
• Optical Information Processing (ECE371)
• Optical Networks (ECE372)
• Computer Vision (ECE375)
• Digital Communication Systems (ECE410)
• Information Theory (ECE411)
• Advanced Digital Signal Processing (ECE412)
• Signal Detection and Estimation (ECE414)
• VLSI Signal Processing (ECE416)
• Pattern Recognition (ECE417)
• Digital Image Processing (ECE423)
• Fund. of Wireless Communications (ECE 341/441)
• Theory of Computer Networks (ECE 450)
• Wireless Networks I (ECE 450)
• Wireless Networks II (ECE 450)
• Real-time Image Processing (CSE 398)
• Queueing System (IE 439)

Computer Software Applications:

• Computer Graphics (CSE313)
• Artificial Intelligence Theory and Practice (CSE327)
• Multimedia Design and Development (CSE332)
• Topics in Intelligent Decisions Support Systems (CSE 335)
• WWW Search Engines (CSE 345/445)
• Data Mining (CSE 347/447)
• Network Security (CSE 343/443)
• Natural Language Processing (CSE365)
• Computer Vision (ECE375)
• Parallel Algorithms (CSE376)
• Computer Networks (ECE404)
• Expert Systems (CSE414)
• Database Topics (CSE415)
• Topics in Information Retrieval (CSE417)
• Textual Data Mining (CSE 430)
• Advanced Issues in Natural Language Processing (CSE463)
• Artificial Intelligence Programming (CSE368)
• Bioinformatics: Issues and Algorithms (CSE 308/408)
• Semantic Web Topics (CSE 428)
• Pattern Recognition (CSE 326/426)
• Adv. Topics in Communication Networks (CSE 497)
• Network Programming (CSE 398)
• Robocup (CSE 398)
• Intro. to Mobile Robotics (CSE 397)
• Stochastic Models and Applications (IE 429)

Circuits and Systems:

• Digital Systems Design (ECE319) *
• Design of Linear Electronic Circuits (ECE332)
• Microwave Circuits and Techniques (ECE346)
• Applied Integrated Circuits (ECE355)
• Introduction to VLSI Circuits (ECE361)
• Introduction to VLSI System Design (ECE362)
• Advanced Circuits and Systems (ECE420)
• Design of Microwave Solid State Circuits (ECE463)
• Analog CMOS VLSI Design (ECE474)
• Analysis and Design of Digital Integrated Circuits (ECE478)
• Advanced MOS VLSI Design (ECE479)
• Advanced Semiconductor Devices for VLSI Circuits (ECE483)