This is an archive of the 2015-2016 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

This is an archive of the 2015-2016 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, please visit catalog.csun.edu.

UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2015-2016

Program: M.S., Computer Engineering

Overview

The Master of Science in Computer Engineering consists of 30 units and either a thesis or project, or 33 units and a comprehensive examination.

Program Requirements

A. Requirements for Admission to the Program

  1. A bachelors’ degree in a technical field (i.e., engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics) from an accredited university or college with an overall GPA of at least 2.75. Some or all of the prerequisite courses described below may be required, depending on an applicant’s prior background. The graduate coordinator will determine the specific prerequisite courses on a case-by-case basis.
  2. Have at least a 2.7 undergraduate grade point average in the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units attempted.
  3. International students are required to submit a brief statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation.
  4. Take and complete all three sections of the GRE exam. The quantitative score must be above the 50th percentile.

Prerequisite Courses

Some or all of these prerequisite courses may be required depending on an applicant’s prior background. The graduate coordinator will determine the specific prerequisite courses on a case-by-case basis.

COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming and Lab (3/1)
COMP 182/L Data Structures and Program Design and Lab (3/1)
COMP 282 Advanced Data Structures (3)
ECE 240/L Electrical Engineering Fundamentals and Lab (3/1)
ECE 309 Numerical Methods in Electrical Engineering (2)
ECE 320/L Theory of Digital Systems and Lab (3/1)
ECE 340/L Electronics I and Lab (3/1)
ECE 350 Linear Systems I (3)
ECE 351 Linear Systems II (3)
ECE 420 Digital Systems Design with Programmable Logic (3)
ECE 422 Design of Digital Computers (3)
ECE 425/L Microprocessor Systems and Lab (3/1)
ECE 442/L Digital Electronics and Lab (3/1)
ECE 450 Probabilistic Systems in Electrical Engineering–Design and Analysis (3)
MATH 150A Mathematical Analysis I (5)
MATH 150B Mathematical Analysis II (5)
MATH 250 Mathematical Analysis III (3)
MATH 280 Applied Differential Equations (3)
PHYS 220A/AL Mechanics and Lab (3/1)
PHYS 220B/BL Electricity and Magnetism and Lab (3/1)

B. Admission Procedure

Application forms can be accessed through CSUMentor and are submitted online. Applications may be requested from the University and should be returned to the University Office of Admissions and Records. The code number for the MSCompE is 562445M. Application deadlines for admission are set by the University Office of Admissions and Records.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English must receive a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based, 213 on the computer-based or 79/80 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Continuing students in either post-baccalaureate or graduate status may change their objective and seek admission to M.S. in Computer Engineering by filling out a change-of-objective form that can be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records. Such students must still satisfy all admission requirements for the M.S. in Computer Engineering program. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of all university regulations and restrictions such as:

  1. No more than 9 units of transfer or extension work.
  2. No more than a total of 9 units of ECE 400-level digital courses and/or COMP 400-level courses taken in residence can be counted toward a master’s degree in Computer Engineering.
  3. Probation and disqualification.
  4. Repeat of course rules.
  5. Advancement to candidacy.
  6. Academic leave.
  7. A 7-year time limit for the completion of the degree.
  8. Graduation with distinction.

For details on the above, students are advised to meet with the ECE graduate coordinator. Prior to the formation of their graduate committee, graduate students are advised by the graduate coordinator. After the formation of their graduate committee, graduate students are advised by their committee chair. All courses taken toward an M.S. degree must be approved by the committee chair and the graduate coordinator.

C. Classified Graduate Status

The candidate must:

  1. Fulfill University and department requirements for classified status.
  2. Complete prerequisite courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  3. Submit a tentative program of study to the ECE graduate coordinator.
  4. Maintain a grade of “C” or better, while maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher in any course taken.

D. For the Degree

  1. Completion of 30 units under either the Thesis Plan or the Project Plan or 33 units under the Comprehensive Exam Plan.
  2. Formal approval of granting of the degree by the Engineering faculty.

E. Graduate Program

The 30-33 units of coursework in the graduate program must form a cohesive plan of graduate study and must be approved by the faculty advisor and the graduate coordinator. The Thesis Plan must not include ECE 699C (Independent Study), and the Project Plan may include at most 3 units of ECE 699C (Independent Study). Inclusion of a course not in the Computer Engineering suggested or elective course list must have the written approval of the graduate advisor prior to enrollment in the course.

F. Special Requirements

Students with a B.S. in a field other than Computer Engineering must complete all course requirements (prerequisite courses) of the Computer Engineering undergraduate program as specified by the graduate coordinator prior to their advancement to classified status. Such prerequisite courses are listed below.

G. Course Requirements

1. Required Courses (24-30 units)

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers the Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering. For this degree, the student must define a program that conforms to the general M.S. in Computer Engineering degree requirements as established by the department. Students are advised to meet with an advisor as soon as possible to plan their program. No more than a total of 9 units of ECE 400-level digital courses and/or COMP 400-level courses taken in residence can be counted toward the master’s degree in Computer Engineering. Students may not take a course (counting toward M.S. CompE degree) that is the same or equivalent to a course taken toward one’s undergraduate program. All graduate programs in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering must be approved by the faculty advisor and the graduate coordinator.

Students must select a minimum of 12 units of Electrical and Computer Engineering courses and a minimum of 6 units of Computer Science courses.

  • If students choose to do the Gradaute Project (3 units of ECE 698C), the remaining 9 units must be either from Electrical Engineering or Computer Science courses.
  • If students choose to do the Thesis (6 units of ECE 698C), the remaining 6 units must be either from Electrical Engineering or Computer Science courses.
  • If students choose to do the Comprehensive Examination (3 units of ECE 697), the remaining required 12 units must be either from Electrical Engineering or Computer Science courses.

The total number of required units for students who select the Graduate Project or the Thesis is 30. The total number of units for the students who select the Comprehensive Examination is 33 units.

Students must select their coursework from the following list of courses:

a. Electrical and Computer Engineering Courses (12-24 units)

ECE 420 Digital Systems Design with Programmable Logic (3)
ECE 422 Design of Digital Computers (3)
ECE 425/L Microprocessor Systems and Lab (3/1)
ECE 442/L Digital Electronics and Lab (3/1)
ECE 443/L Pulse and Waveshaping Circuit Design and Lab (3/1)
ECE 520/L System on Chip Design and Lab (3/1)
ECE 524/L FPGA/ASIC Design and Optimization Using VHDL and Lab (3/1)
ECE 526/L Digital Design with Verilog and System Verilog and Lab (3/1)
ECE 527/L Application Specific Integrated Circuit Development and Lab (3/1)
ECE 546 Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit Design (3)
ECE 620 Advanced Switching Theory (3)
ECE 621 Computer Arithmetic Design (3)
ECE 622 Digital Systems Structure (3)
ECE 623 Diagnosis and Reliable Design of Digital Systems (3)
ECE 624 Digital Systems Design Automation and VHDL Modeling (3)
ECE 625 Microprocessor Interfacing and Applications (3)
ECE 629C Seminar in Digital Systems and Components (3)
ECE 635 Error Detection and Correction Systems Design (3)
ECE 639 Robotic Sensing and Computer Vision (3)
ECE 697 Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)
ECE 698C Thesis or Graduate Project (3)
ECE 699C Independent Study (3)

b. Computer Science Courses (6-18 units)

COMP 420 Advanced Operating System Concepts (3)
COMP 424 Computer System Security (3)
COMP 426 Fault-Tolerant Software and Computing (3)
COMP 429 Computer Network Software (3)
COMP 432 Object-Oriented Programming (3)
COMP 440 Database Design (3)
COMP 469 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (3)
COMP 484/L Web Engineering I and Lab (2/1)
COMP 485 Human-Computer Interaction (3)
COMP 529 Advanced Network Topics (3)
COMP 541 Data Mining (3)
COMP 560 Expert Systems (3)
COMP 565 Advanced Computer Graphics (3)
COMP 583 Software Engineering Management (3)
COMP 587 Software Verification and Validation (3)

2. Culminating Experience (3-6 units)

a. Thesis Plan
  1. 24 units of coursework applicable to the M.S. degree, of which at least 15 units must be Engineering and Computer Science courses at the 500-/600-level or above. All coursework in the student’s graduate program must be completed with a “C” or better, while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  2. 6 units of ECE 698C (Thesis) and successful defense of the thesis before the thesis committee.
b. Project Plan
  1. 27 units of coursework applicable to the M.S. degree, of which at least 18 units must be Engineering and Computer Science courses at the 500-/600-level or above. All coursework in the student’s graduate program must be completed with a “C” or better, while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  2. 3 units of ECE 698C (Graduate Project) culminating in a comprehensive report.
c. Comprehensive Exam Plan
  1. 30 units of coursework applicable to the M.S. degree, of which at least 21 units must be 500-/600-level Engineering and Computer Science courses. All coursework in the student’s graduate program must be completed with a “C” or better, while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  2. 3 units of ECE 697 comprehensive study preparatory to the exam and completion of the comprehensive exam with a grade of “B” or better.

Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 30-33

Contact

Chair: George Law
Jacaranda Hall (JD) 4509
(818) 677-2190
www.csun.edu/ece

Graduate Coordinator: Nagi El Naga
nagi.elnaga@csun.edu
(818) 677-3204

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduate Program Objectives

The Master of Science in Computer Engineering program at CSUN prepares students for lifelong careers in a field that will allow them to make productive contributions to society and find personal satisfaction in their work. To accomplish this, graduates with a master’s degree in Computer Engineering will meet the following educational objectives:

  1. Understand advanced computer engineering principles, including in-depth training in the fundamental area of Computer Engineering.
  2. Apply advanced analysis, design, and research methods to solve problems in computer engineering.
  3. Apply industry practices, emerging technologies, state-of-the-art design techniques and software tools to computer engineering problems.
  4. Communicate clearly with the appropriate communication medium.
  5. Appreciate the importance of life-long learning and be motivated by a sense of exploration to continue learning.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Science in Computer Engineering program at CSUN will have an ability to:

  1. Apply knowledge of advanced principles to the analysis of computer engineering problems.
  2. Apply knowledge of advanced techniques to the design of computer engineering systems.
  3. Apply the appropriate industry practices, emerging technologies, state-of-the-art design techniques, software tools and research methods for solving computer engineering problems.
  4. Use the appropriate state-of-the-art engineering references and resources, including IEEE research journals and industry publications, needed to find the best solutions to computer engineering problems.
  5. Communicate clearly and use the appropriate medium, including written, oral and electronic methods.
  6. Maintain life-long learning and continue to be motivated to learn new subjects.
  7. Learn new subjects that are required to solve problems in the industry without being dependent on a classroom environment.
  8. Be competitive in the engineering job market and/or be admitted to an excellent Ph.D. program.