The Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (CSEE) offers M.S. (Thesis or Non-Thesis option) and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science (CS), in Electrical Engineering (EE), and in Computer Engineering (CE).
Fields of specialization in Computer Engineering include:
- VLSI design and testing including mixed signal analog and digital design
- Computer Systems and Architecture
- Computer networks
- Digital Signal Processing
Advising
New students will be assigned an academic advisor upon arrival. Students should see their advisors promptly. These faculty can provide advice on choice of courses, degree requirements, and other important matters during the first year. By the end of the first year, students should have a selected faculty member to serve as permanent advisor and mentor for the M.S. or Ph.D. research.
Degree Requirements – MS Degree
There are two options for the M.S. degree in Computer Engineering. One involving writing a thesis, and for this option, the student must earn a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours with 8 courses (24 credits) plus 6 credits of thesis. The other option does not require a theis, but requires additional coursework and a scholarly paper. For this non-thesis option, thirty three (33) credit hours are required, with 3 being devoted to independent study leading to a scholarly paper plus 10 courses.
For details, see the MS degree requirements.
Degree Requirements – PhD Degree
The PhD degree involves extensive research and publication of original results, and is intended to prepare a student for a career in teaching or research. Each student must satisfy the minimum course requirements of eleven courses totaling thirty-three credits, present a comprehensive portfolio of academic success and research progress, pass a preliminary examination, and complete and defend a thesis with original research results.
For details, see the PhD degree requirements.
Many national agencies and foundations offer competitive fellowships for qualified graduate students. Information, advice, and support are available for applications. Students are encouraged to apply directly to nationally awarded fellowship programs. See your advisor for further information.
Research Assistantships
Many faculty have grants supporting their research and use some of this funding to support research assistants. Graduate RAs are often available to students actively engaged in M.S. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation research, and are awarded and renewed subject to availability of funds and satisfactory research progress. These assistantships are awarded by the individual research faculty.
Teaching Assistantships
Financial aid is available on a competitive basis to a limited number of qualified graduate students, both incoming and continuing, in the form of graduate teaching assistantships (TAs).
Continued departmental support as a TA depends upon several factors. The minimum pre-requisites to be eligible for TA support are strong academic performance, strong past performance if the student has been a TA or grader, and meeting the required milestones for progression toward a degree. There is also an upper limit on the number of semesters a student may be supported by the Department as follows:
- For Ph.D. students, departmental financial support will be limited to a total of eight semesters of support. Requests for an additional two semesters may be considered, but support will be provided only to exceptionally qualified students in such cases. Ph.D. students will not be eligible for TA support past their fifth year in the CMPE graduate program. If a Ph.D. student was supported by the department while the student was in the M.S. program, those semesters will count towards the maximum limit. The semester in which a student independently teaches a course does not count towards the maximum, and up to two semesters will be allowed in this category.
- For M.S. students, departmental financial support will be limited to four semesters, whether full TA, half TA, or grader.
- In any given category, if there are more students seeking assistantships than there are available lines, a combination of factors including publication history, research record, academic excellence, support from advisor, excellence in past TA performance, and qualifications and knowledge for specific course needs will be used.
Tuition remission will not exceed the minimum number of credits required for the degree (either Ph.D. or M.S.) and will be granted only to courses that will count towards the degree.
Note: International students must pass the Learning Resources Center Oral Test by the beginning of their second semester.
Grader Positions
These are hourly positions in support of a course instructor only for the purpose of grading homework papers and laboratory reports. Availability varies, depending on enrollments.
TA and Grader responsibilities
It is the TA’s responsibility to be fully familiar with the course material and all the assignments. You may have to spend time and effort in learning the material. As graduate students in computer engineering, you are expected to know (or otherwise learn) the material for the core and mainstream undergraduate courses. The department does its best in matching background knowledge and prior experience of students to their respective TA/grader assignments. Students are expected to be available to assist with course/lab development. Inadequate prior knowledge of the course material is not an excuse for substandard performance as a TA/ grader.
Students supported as full-time TAs in their first year should complete at least 15 valid graduate-level credits that can count towards their degree. At least 2 core courses must be completed in the first year. See the graduation requirements for a listing of these courses. This applies to both Ph.D. and M.S. students.
Note that TA renewal is not automatic every semester. It is based on satisfactory academic and TA performance and other factors (this is also stated in the letter of offer). Students who receive an “academic warning” status for poor academic performance might lose their Teaching Assistantship in the semester that they are so classified. Students who receive an “academic probation” status will lose their Teaching Assistantship immediately.
TAs are required to be on campus by January 15 for Spring semester and by August 20 for the Fall semester. Exceptions must be requested in writing at least 3 weeks before these due dates.
If you feel that you are being overworked as a TA or grader, please inform the Graduate Program Director immediately. Please maintain a history of hours worked per week.
The following table describes the various tasks that a TA and a grader are expected to perform:
| Duties | TA | Grader |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Grade projects/homework, etc. | Yes | Yes |
| 2. Hold office hours | Yes, for questions related to course lectures or grading | Yes, but only for questions related to grading |
| 3. Prepare project/homework solutions | Yes | If an intrinsic part of understanding the grading for a particular subject |
| 4. Proctor exams | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Generate homework questions | Yes | No |
| 6. Run labs, help sessions | Yes | No |
| 7. Give prepared lectures | Only under unusual circumstances | No |