Computer Engineering (CE) Plan of Study

About this Area

• Computer Engineering research area
• Computer Engineering faculty

Needed prior knowledge: 

It is recommended that incoming MSECE students interested in taking graduate-level coursework in this area have taken coursework similar to the following: 

• ECE 20875, Python for Data Science
• ECE 26400, Advanced C Programming
• ECE 36800, Data Structures

For additional information on needed prior knowledge, see the prerequisites associated with the graduate-level courses listed below. 

Sub-areas:

• Architecture and Programming Languages (APL)
• Systems and Networks (SN)
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML)
• Embedded Systems (ES)
• Software Engineering (SE)

Architecture and Programming Languages (APL)

Recommended courses:

• Core courses: ECE 60800 plus another core course is needed by program/track
• Choose 2 architecture courses and 1 programming language course OR 1 architecture course and 2 programming languages courses (see below)
• Math courses: 2 math courses
• Course list:
  • Core courses:
    • ECE 60800, Computational Models and Methods (core, 3 cr)
    • ECE 60000, Random Variables and Signals (second core, 3 cr)
  • Architecture courses:
    • ECE 56500, Computer Architecture (3 cr)
    • ECE 60827, Programmable Accelerator Architectures (3 cr)
      • Prerequisite: ECE 56500, Computer Architecture
    • ECE 66600, Advanced Computer Systems: Parallel Computer Architecture (3 cr)
  • Programming languages courses:
    • ECE 56300, Programming Parallel Machines (3 cr)
      • Prerequisite: ECE 56500, Computer Architecture
    • ECE 57300, Compilers and Translator Writing Systems (on-campus only; 3 cr); ECE 59500, Introduction to Compilers I: Compiler Basics, Introduction to Compilers II: Code Generation, Introduction to Compilers III: Optimization (same course for online students; 1 cr each)
    • ECE 50874, Advanced Software Engineering (3 cr)
  • Math courses:
    • MA 51100, Linear Algebra or ECE 69500, Math for Engineering Professionals I (3 cr)
    • MA 52700, Advanced Math for Engineers & Physicists (3 cr)

Optional courses:

• ECE 66300, Compiler Code Generation, Optimization, and Parallelization (3 cr)
• ECE 66400, Formal Languages, Computability, and Parallelization (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Types and Programming Languages (3 cr)

Also consider courses from this CE sub-area:

• Software engineering

Sub-area: Systems and Networks (SN)

Recommended courses:

• ECE 60800, Computational Models and Methods (core, 3 cr)
• ECE 60000, Random Variables and Signals (second core, 3 cr)
• ECE 50863, Computer Network Systems (3 cr)
• ECE 54700, Introduction to Computer Communication Networks (3 cr)
• MA 51100, Linear Algebra or ECE 69500, Math for Engineering Professionals I (3 cr)
• MA 52700, Advanced Math for Engineers & Physicists (3 cr)

Optional courses:

• ECE 50877, Introduction to Applied Cryptography (3 cr)
• ECE 56200, Introduction to Data Management (3 cr)
• ECE 56300, Programming Parallel Machines (3 cr)
  • Prerequisite: ECE 56500, Computer Architecture
• ECE 59500, Real-Time Operating Systems and Applications (3 cr)
• ECE 60022, Wireless Communication Networks (3 cr)
  • Prerequisite: ECE 54700, Introduction to Computer Communication Networks
• ECE 60852, Holistic Software Security (3 cr)
• ECE 60872, Fault-Tolerant Computer System Design (3 cr)
• ECE 62400, Multimedia Systems (3 cr)
• ECE 64700, Performance Modeling of Computer Communication Networks (3 cr)
• ECE 67300, Distributed Computing Systems (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Introduction to Operating Systems (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Big Data for Reliability and Security (1 cr)
• ECE 60850, Datacenter and Cloud Networks (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Hardware and Software Security (3 cr)

Sub-area: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML)

Recommended courses:

• ECE 60800, Computational Models and Methods (core, 3 cr)
• ECE 60000, Random Variables and Signals (second core, 3 cr)
• ECE 50024, Machine Learning (3 cr)
• ECE 57000, Artificial Intelligence (3 cr)
• ECE 60146, Deep Learning (3 cr)
• MA 51100, Linear Algebra or ECE 69500, Math for Engineering Professionals I (3 cr)
• MA 52700, Advanced Math for Engineers & Physicists (3 cr)

Optional courses:

• ECE 50836, Intro to Data Mining (3 cr)
• ECE 59500, AI, Ethics, and Society (3 cr)
• ECE 59500, Deep Learning for Computer Vision (3 cr)
• ECE 59500, Natural Language Processing (3 cr)
• ECE 59500, Reinforcement Learning (3 cr)
• ECE 60131, Inference and Learning in Generative Models (3 cr)
• ECE 62900, Intro to Neural Networks (3 cr)
• ECE 66100, Computer Vision (3 cr)
• ECE 66200, Pattern Recognition and Decision-Making Processes (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, AI Foundation Model Basics (1 cr)
• ECE 69500, Machine Learning for Bioinformatics and Healthcare (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Machine Learning-Driven Computer Networking (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Optimization for Deep Learning (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Probabilistic Causal Inference (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Systems for AI and Large Language Models (3 cr)

Sub-area: Embedded Systems (ES)

Recommended courses:

• ECE 60800, Computational Models and Methods (core, 3 cr)
• ECE 60000, Random Variables and Signals (second core, 3 cr)
• ECE 54700, Introduction to Computer Communication Networks (3 cr)
• ECE 56800, Embedded Systems (3 cr)
• ECE 59500, Computer Visions for Embedded Systems (3 cr)
• ECE 59500, IoT/Edge Security (3 cr)
• ECE 60864, Advanced IoT Design and Applications (3 cr)
• ECE 60022, Wireless Communications Networks (3 cr)
  • Prerequisite: ECE 54700, Intro to Computer Communication Network
• MA 51100, Linear Algebra or ECE 69500, Math for Engineering Professionals I (3 cr)
• MA 52700, Advanced Math for Engineers & Physicists (3 cr)

Sub-area: Software Engineering (SE)

Recommended courses:

• ECE 60800, Computational Models and Methods (core, 3 cr)
• ECE 60000, Random Variables and Signals (second core, 3 cr)
• ECE 57300, Compilers and Translator Writing Systems (on-campus only; 3 cr); ECE 59500, Introduction to Compilers I: Compiler Basics, Introduction to Compilers II: Code Generation, Introduction to Compilers III: Optimization (same course for online students; 1 cr each)
• ECE 50874, Advanced Software Engineering (3 cr)
• ECE 66300, Compiler Code Generation, Optimization, and Parallelization (3 cr)
• ECE 66400, Formal Languages, Computability, and Parallelization (3 cr)
• MA 51100, Linear Algebra or ECE 69500, Math for Engineering Professionals I (3 cr)
• MA 52700, Advanced Math for Engineers & Physicists (3 cr)

Optional courses:

• ECE 60852, Holistic Software Security (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Hardware and Software Security (3 cr)
• ECE 69500, Types and Programming Languages (3 cr)