Computer Engineering

Program Overviews

Offered through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Engineering prepare students to learn and apply sophisticated computer architecture and integrated circuit design techniques using industry-standard computer-aided design tools. Faculty and students work together to explore solutions for photonic computing; create state-of-the-art advances in high-performance computing; and improve the reliability of cloud computing.

Each program offers up-to-date knowledge and skills in the advances of computer systems architecture and networking, as well as the rapidly-growing use of superscalar microprocessors, real-time embedded systems, VLSI and ASIC design modules, digital signal processors, and networked computing platforms. The program offers a flexible schedule that includes courses in the late afternoon and evening, as well as the ability to choose a thesis or non-thesis degree option.

Students choose from two areas of focus:

Computer architecture and high-performance computing
MEMS, electronics, and photonics (microelectronics and VLSI systems)

Master of Science in Computer Engineering (M.S.)

Credit hours: 30
Thesis options: Two - students who choose to complete a thesis take 24 credit hours of course work and 6 credit hours for conducting thesis research. These 6 credit hours must be taken over two terms. Students who choose the non-thesis option take 30 credit hours of course work.
Duration: Full-time (enrolled min. 9 credit hours per semester) or part-time (min. 3 credit hours per semester)
Other requirements:
- Colloquium requirement: Students must attend five seminars, workshops, or symposia sponsored by the department in order to fulfill this zero-credit requirement.
More information on the department's website

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering (Ph.D.)

Credit hours (for those with a master's degree): 30
Credit hours (for those without a master's degree): 54
Duration: 4-6 years
Other requirements:
- Scholarship requirement: Doctoral students in the Computer Engineering program must have a minimum GPA of 3.4 at the time of graduation. Students must have a B or higher in all courses to count toward the degree.
- Seminar requirement: All doctoral students must present one departmental seminar, excluding the dissertation defense, prior to graduation.
- Colloquium requirement: All doctoral students must attend five seminars, workshops, or symposia sponsored by the department in order to fulfill this zero-credit requirement.
More information on the department's website

Graduate Certificate in High-Performance Computing

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a graduate certificate in High-Performance Computing. Students who successfully complete the certificate program have the option of applying these credits toward the full M.S. in Computer Engineering.

Find more information on the department's website

Admissions Requirements

To apply for any of these programs, please review the admissions requirements before submitting your application:

For any questions about the admissions process, contact the SEAS Office of Graduate Admissions at [email protected].

More Information

For more information on graduate programs in Computer Engineering at SEAS, sign up to receive emails with additional information or visit the website of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.