Computer Science & Engineering, MEng (CSE)

The Master of Engineering (MEng) in Computer Science and Engineering is specifically designed for students who would like to combine studies in computer science and computer engineering (possibly in conjunction with graduate-level work in another discipline) or who, for other reasons, need a more flexible structure for their master's studies. The MEng offers more flexibility by allowing approved outside courses (i.e., courses not specifically taken in computer science, such as various business courses) to count toward the degree; in this manner, an MEng student can customize their program by incorporating interdisciplinary components, when and if these are approved by the faculty advisor. Work in the program culminates in a capstone project highlighting each student's ambitions, interests, and accomplishments in the program. MEng students typically move directly into the industry. All students in the MEng program must have previously completed (as documented by their undergraduate transcript), successfully tested to place out of, or completed at the start of their program the following courses: CSE 1301 Introduction to Computer Science and CSE 2407 Data Structures and Algorithms (or equivalent courses offered at other institutions).

Capstone Project

The MEng requires 30 total units, including 24 units of graduate-level coursework and 6 units of CSE 7998 work culminating in a successful project defense.

Project Information

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. Once a student has successfully defended their project, a notation will be added to their transcript to denote the 6-credit project designation. A grade of a C- or above is required in the first semester of a 6-unit project to continue the work in the final semester.

  • Students in the MEng degree must complete all 6 units of CSE 7998 as a single project. It is not allowed to complete two separate 3-unit projects for a total of 6 units of project work.
  • 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.

The Progress Report

Near the end of the first semester of a two-semester 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 project. The committee will decide on one of three possible outcomes:

  1. Project should continue without concern, indicating the student is making consistent progress and is on track to successfully complete the project on time.
  2. Project should continue with concern, indicating the student is making some progress, but is falling behind. Without change, the student is not likely to successfully complete the project.
  3. Project should not continue, indicating the student is not making sufficient progress and the 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 the 6-Credit Project

​​Please note, starting for Fall 2024 onward, Master's Project/Thesis students will not be allowed to have an N grade submitted for a terminated project. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator as soon as possible regarding any questions for terminating a project/thesis. With that in mind, please review the following scenarios:

  • A two-semester project during the first semester of the project:
    • Terminated before the add/drop deadline will have no effect on the student's record.
    • Terminated after the add/drop deadline but before the Withdrawal deadline would leave a W on the student's transcript.
    • Terminated after the Withdrawal deadline could result in a failing letter grade on the student's transcript.
  • A two-semester project, where the first semester has already been completed:
    • If the second semester of the project 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 leave 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. 
  • Any CSE 7998 units completed without a successful defense will not count toward the student's degree requirements.

General Degree Requirements

  • Of the 30 units required for the degree, six units will count toward the Master's Capstone. Of the remaining 24 units, 9 units must be CSE courses at the 5000 level, and the other 15 units must be CSE courses at the 4000 level or 5000 level.
  • In that section of 15 units of CSE 4000-level or 5000-level courses, students may request up to 12 units of coursework taken outside the Computer Science & Engineering Department toward their degree. To count more than 6 such units, the student and their faculty advisor must justify how the outside units contribute to a coherent, interdisciplinary plan of study, which must be reviewed and approved by the department. Increasing justification will be required as the number of outside units increases. In addition, each out-of-department course must be individually reviewed and approved by the department to ensure that it offers suitably technical graduate-level content. The student should initiate this process by submitting their request to the Graduate Coordinator.
  • None of the 30 units may be taken as independent study (i.e., CSE 4000 or CSE 5999).
  • 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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