The Master of Science (MS) in Computer Engineering is best suited for students who are looking to focus on computer engineering (hardware) aspects. The MS in Computer Engineering program can be a pure course option program, or it can incorporate either a project or a thesis. If appropriate research experiences are included in the degree option, this can also lead toward future doctoral studies. All students in the MS in Computer Engineering program must have previously completed (as documented by their undergraduate transcript), successfully test to place out of, or complete at the start of their program the following courses: CSE 1301 Introduction to Computer Science and CSE 2600 Introduction to Digital Logic and Computer Design (or equivalent courses offered at other institutions).

The Master of Science in Computer Engineering degree is jointly administered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering.

Course Option

This option requires 30 units of graduate credit. Students must also follow the general degree requirements listed below.

Thesis/Project Option

Beginning in fall 2025, students seeking to take the project or thesis option in our degree programs will register for CSE 7998 Master’s Capstone. CSE 7998 does not count toward the student's 30 required units of coursework to complete the degree until the student has successfully defended the project or thesis. Students must also follow the general degree requirements listed below.

• Upon successful defense of a 3-unit master's project, 3 units of CSE 7998 will count toward the student's degree as a 5000-level CSE departmental course. 
• Upon successful defense of a 6-unit master's project, 6 units of CSE 7998 will count toward the student's coursework at the 5000 level.
• Upon successful defense of a master's thesis, 6 units of CSE 7998 will count toward the student's coursework at the 5000 level. 

A student who successfully defends one of the three options listed above will have a notation added to their transcript to clearly indicate exactly which option (3-unit master's project, 6-unit master's project, master's thesis) was completed. Each semester, CSE 7998 will be graded with a letter grade. A grade of a C- or above is required in the first semester of a 6-unit project or thesis to continue the work in the final semester. As a master's project or thesis is considered to have unique content each semester, CSE 7998 is not a retakeable course, and a grade from a previous semester cannot be replaced. Students must also follow the general degree requirements listed below. Students should refer to the department's Master's Program Handbook for additional details and guidance regarding projects and theses.

The Progress Report (two-semester theses and projects only)

Near the end of the first semester of a two-semester thesis or project, the student will submit a written progress report to the committee. The progress report will be used by the committee to evaluate student progress and to provide an opportunity to give feedback to the student. 

Preparing and Submitting the Progress Report

• The progress report should include the following:
  • A copy of the original scope and duration of the work to be performed (this can be obtained from the original proposal form). Students can contact the Graduate Coordinator to receive a copy of their original proposal form.
  • A discussion of any major modifications/changes to the scope of the work to be performed
  • An overview of the work that has been completed during the first semester of the thesis or project
  • A discussion of the work yet to be completed and a timeline for completion
• The progress report should be submitted via email to all members of the committee at least one week prior to the last official day of classes for the given semester.

Outcomes

• ​Once submitted, the committee will confer privately to discuss the student's progress made during the first semester of the thesis or project. The committee will decide on one of three possible outcomes:

1. Thesis or project should continue without concern, indicating that the student is making consistent progress and is on track to successfully complete the thesis or project on time.
2. Thesis or project should continue with concern, indicating that the student is making some progress but is falling behind. Without change, the student is not likely to successfully complete the thesis or project.
3. Thesis or project should not continue, indicating that the student is not making sufficient progress and the thesis or project should be terminated.  

• The outcome determined by the committee will be communicated to the student by the department's Graduate Coordinator prior to the official end of the semester. If the outcome is that the thesis or project should not continue, the student will not be enrolled in the second semester's units. 

Process for Termination of a Project or Thesis

From Fall 2024 onward, master's project/thesis students will not be allowed to have an N grade submitted for a terminated project. Students should contact the Graduate Coordinator as soon as possible regarding any questions about terminating a project/thesis. With that in mind, please review the following scenarios:

• A one-semester project:
  • If the project is terminated before the add/drop deadline, it will have no effect on the student's record.
  • If the project is terminated after the add/drop deadline but before the withdrawal deadline, there will be a W on the student's transcript.
  • If the project is terminated after the withdrawal deadline, this could result in a failing letter grade on the student's transcript.
• A two-semester project or thesis, during the first semester of the project or thesis:
  • The project or thesis would follow the same timeline and have the same results as the one-semester project scenarios above.
• A two-semester project or thesis, where the first semester has already been completed:
  • If the second semester of the project or thesis is terminated before the add/drop deadline, the second-semester credits of CSE 7998 would be dropped. 
  • If the second semester is terminated after the add/drop deadline but before the withdrawal deadline, the second-semester credits of CSE 7998 would be noted as a W on the student's transcript. 
  • If the second semester is terminated after the withdrawal deadline, the termination could result in a failing letter grade on the student's transcript. 

For each of the three scenarios listed above, the student, pending advisor approval, would have the option to defend their first semester's work as a 3-credit project. (Any CSE 7998 units completed without a successful defense will not count toward the student's degree requirements.)

General Degree Requirements

• 18 of the 30 units must be from the designated graduate-level Computer Engineering courses. Please visit our MS in Computer Engineering website for a comprehensive list.
• Up to 12 units may be taken from outside the two departments. In order for out-of-department courses to count toward a student's degree, they must request the course(s) be reviewed and approved by the department by contacting the Graduate Coordinator. The department will review the courses to ensure that they offer suitably technical graduate-level content. Once approved by the department, the out-of-department courses can only count toward the Electives section of the degree. To count more than 6 units from outside the CSE or ESE department, an appropriate justification for the additional increment must be provided by the advisor and student. Program approval will be evaluated with increasing stringency for each additional increment.
• Up to 12 units of 4000-level courses can count for graduate credit.
• None of the 30 units may be taken as independent study (i.e., CSE 4000, CSE 5999, ESE 4999, or ESE 5999).
• CSE courses with an N designation do not count toward the master's degree.
• All 30 units required for the degree must be taken for a grade (i.e., not Pass/No Pass), and the grade received in each course must be C- or better.
• Per McKelvey School of Engineering guidelines, students must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.70.

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