
	Description

	Degrees Offered

	Admission

	Master of Science in Computer Engineering

		Computer Networking Track

		Digital Systems Track

		Intelligent Systems Track

		Software Engineering Track

	Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering

	Contact Info

Description

The Computer Engineering program in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Electrical Engineering.

The master’s program offers four tracks: Computer Networking, Digital Systems, Intelligent Systems, and Software Engineering. All tracks offer a thesis option and a nonthesis option. Students in the program receive a broad background in the various tracks while specializing in a research area of their interest. The program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a closely related discipline.

The doctoral program is primarily intended for students with a master’s degree in Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline wishing to pursue a career in research or academia. Specializations include digital systems, computer architecture and VLSI design, software engineering, intelligent systems, computer networks, and simulation systems.

Research interests of the Computer Engineering faculty include digital systems, computer architecture, software engineering, artificial intelligence, expert systems, modeling and simulation, computer networking and ubiquitous computing, computer vision, and very large-scale integration (VLSI) systems.

Degrees Offered

Computer Networking Track
Digital Systems Track
Intelligent Systems Track
Software Engineering Track

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering

Admission

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).

The College of Engineering and Computer Science requires that you fill out a pre-application form (www.graduate.cecs.ucf.edu) before you complete the application for graduate admission. The deadlines for the pre-application form can be found on the Prospective Student Page on the College of Engineering and Computer Science website.

In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants must provide the following application materials.

Master of Science (M.S.) Cp.E. program:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution
Official competitive Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score from a test taken within the last five years
GPA of 3.0 or higher in last 60 attempted semester hours of undergraduate study
Resume
Goals statement
Two letters of recommendation
International students, except those who are from countries where English is the only official language or those who have earned a degree from an accredited American college or university, are required to submit a score of at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

Students with a grade point average of less than 3.0 may be admitted on a provisional basis in some circumstances. Additional courses may also be required to correct any course deficiencies. Students should contact the graduate program director for further information.

Doctor of Philosophy program:

Students must have completed either a master’s degree in Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the last 60 attempted semester hours of the bachelor's degree. A competitive score on the GRE is also required.
Resume
Goals statement
Three letters of recommendation
For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, an official score of at least 220 (computer-based test; or equivalent score on the paper-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required.

Students with a grade point average of less than 3.5 may be admitted on a trial program basis in some circumstances. Additional courses may also be required to correct any course deficiencies. Students should contact the graduate program director for further information.

Application Due Dates

All application materials must be submitted by the appropriate deadline listed below.

All students applying for fellowships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.

U.S. Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Master of Science in Computer Engineering Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Computer Networking Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Digital Systems Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Intelligent Systems Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Software Engineering Track Jan 15 Jul 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

International Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Master of Science in Computer Engineering Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Computer Networking Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Digital Systems Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Intelligent Systems Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

Software Engineering Track Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1 Nov 1

International Transfer Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Master of Science in Computer Engineering Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Computer Networking Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Digital Systems Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Intelligent Systems Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Software Engineering Track Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1 Dec 15

Master of Science in Computer Engineering

Minimum Hours Required for M.S.Cp.E.—30 Credit Hours (Thesis Option); 30 Credit Hours (Nonthesis Option)

Articulation

Undergraduate articulation courses may be required for students with bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees in fields other than Computer Engineering. The articulation courses will be determined by recommendations from the CpE faculty to the graduate program director on a case-by-case basis. In general, all students must have had the following undergraduate courses (or equivalent) before admission to graduate study. Students who have not taken these courses may be admitted with the provision the courses will be taken and a grade of "B" or higher obtained. Courses taken to correct deficiencies do not satisfy minimum requirement for students’ Program of Study.

Mathematics through Differential Equations (equivalent to MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302).
College Physics with Calculus (equivalent to PHY 2048 and PHY 2049).
Computer Organization and Design (equivalent to EEL 4767C).
Probability and Statistics (equivalent to STA 3032).
Numerical Methods and matrix algebra (equivalent to EGN 3420).
Engineering Data Structures (equivalent to EEL 4851C).
Digital Logic Circuits (equivalent to EEL 3342C).

Transfer Credits

Graduate students with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from UCF may transfer up to 9 credit hours of 5000-level work toward a nonthesis M.S.Cp.E. option, and up to 3 credit hours of 5000-level work toward a thesis M.S.Cp.E. option. Up to 9 credit hours may be transferred from graduate work conducted elsewhere from a regionally accredited institution.

Thesis and Nonthesis Options

The master’s program offers a thesis option (30 credit hours, including 6 credit hours of thesis) and a nonthesis option (30 credit hours) for all tracks. Students must have an adviser appointed and an official program of study submitted before completing 9 credit hours of course work.

Thesis Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved course work, of which 6 are thesis work. The course requirements are as follows:

Courses from one of the following tracks: Computer Networking, Digital Systems, Intelligent Systems, or Software Engineering. These courses will be chosen in consultation with the thesis adviser.
No more than 6 credits of thesis will count toward the degree requirement
At least one-half of the credit hours must be from 6000-level courses
Thesis students who are full time must continue to enroll in three credit hours of thesis course work until the thesis requirement is satisfied, beyond the minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis.

Nonthesis Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work and is intended primarily for part-time students. Program requirements are the same as the thesis option except that the thesis requirement is replaced by 12 credit hours of course work. Students in the nonthesis option need to take the required classes in one of the Computer Engineering designated tracks of Computer Networking, Digital Systems, Intelligent Systems, and Software Engineering. Nonthesis students are required to pass a final comprehensive examination or another appropriate culminating experience. Please see the graduate program director for details.

Computer Networking Track

Students must choose the courses below.

EEL 6785 Computer Network Design (3 credit hours)
EEL 5780 Wireless Networks (3 credit hours)
EEL 5542 Random Processes I (3 credit hours)
EEL 6788 Advanced Topics in Computer Networks (3 credit hours)

Students must also choose any three courses from the following list.

EEL 6543 Random Processes II (3 credit hours)
EEL 5762 Performance Analysis of Computer and Communication Systems (3 credit hours)
EEL 6786 Advanced Network Hardware Design (3 credit hours)
COT 5405 Design and Analysis of Algorithms 3 (3 credit hours)
COP 5537 Network Optimization (3 credit hours)
EEL 5881 Software Engineering (3 credit hours)
EEL 5708 High Performance Computer Architecture (3 credit hours)
Electives (15 credit hours)

Digital Systems Track

Students must choose the courses below.

EEL 5708 High Performance Computer Architecture (3 credit hours)
EEL 5722C FPGA Design c (3 credit hours)
EEL 5390 Full Custom VLSI Design (3 credit hours)
EEL 6707 Parallel Processing (3 credit hours)

Students must also choose any two courses from the following list.

EEL 5378 CMOS Analog and Digital IC Design (3 credit hours)
EEL 5704 Computer Aided Logic Design (3 credit hours)
EEL 5762 Performance Analysis of Computer and Communication Systems (3 credit hours)
EEL 6327 High-Level VLSI Synthesis (3 credit hours)
EEL 6763 Current Topics in Parallel Processing (3 credit hours)
EEL 6786 Advanced Networking Hardware Design (3 credit hours)
Electives (18 credit hours)

Intelligent Systems Track

Students must choose courses from the course list below.

EEL 4872 Engineering Applications of Intelligent Systems (3 credit hours)*
EEL 5874 Expert Systems and Knowledge Engineering (3 credit hours)
EEL 5881 Software Engineering I (3 credit hours)
EEL 6876 Current Topics in Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Systems (3 credit hours)
EEL 6878 Modeling and Artificial Intelligence (3 credit hours)
EEL 6883 Software Engineering II (3 credit hours)
Electives (15 credit hours)

* If the student has taken this course or an equivalent as an undergraduate, then an elective, chosen in consultation with the adviser, can be used to replace this course.

Software Engineering Track

Students must choose the courses below.

EEL 5708 High Performance Computer Architecture (3 credit hours)
EEL 5874 Expert Systems and Knowledge Engineering (3 credit hours)
EEL 5881 Software Engineering I (3 credit hours)
EEL 6883 Software Engineering II (3 credit hours)

Students must also choose any two courses from the following list.

EEL 6885 Software Engineering Quality Assurance Methods (3 credit hours)
EEL 6887 Software Engineering Life-Cycle Control (3 credit hours)
EEL 6897 Software Development for Real-Time Engineering Systems (3 credit hours)
Electives (18 credit hours)

Accelerated Undergraduate and Graduate Program in Computer Engineering

The accelerated undergraduate/graduate program in Computer Engineering allows highly qualified undergraduate majors in Computer engineering to begin taking graduate-level courses that will count toward their master’s degree while completing their baccalaureate degree program. Participation will enable completion of the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in five instead of six years for students enrolled in full-time course work.

The B.S.Cp.E. is awarded after completion of 71 hours of engineering courses and all other university requirements, and the M.S.Cp.E. is awarded upon completion of the master’s program. Courses designated in General Education Program and Common Program Prerequisites are usually completed in the first 60 hours (see engineering major requirements in the Undergraduate Catalog).

Up to 12 credit hours of approved 5000 and 6000 level courses of grades "B" (3.0) or better may be counted towards the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Additional notes on the Accelerated Undergraduate and Graduate Program in Computer Engineering:

Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
Students must earn at least a "B" (3.0) in each undergraduate and graduate engineering course for them to be counted toward the major.

Undergraduate Requirements

Please see the current edition of the Undergraduate Catalog.

Graduate Requirements

Please see graduate program requirements noted above.

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering

Total Hours Required for Ph.D.—Minimum of 72 credit hours beyond bachelor’s degree; minimum of 36 credit hours beyond master’s degree.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is primarily intended for students with a master’s degree in Computer Engineering or a closely related discipline who wish to pursue a career in research or academia. Specializations include Computer Networking, Digital Systems, Intelligent Systems and Software Engineering.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Of these 72 hours, a minimum of 36 credit hours should be regular course work and a minimum of 15 credit hours should be dissertation hours. No more than 12 credit hours of Independent Study and/or Doctoral Research hours are allowed.

The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours beyond the master’s degree (depending on the number of transfer credits from the master’s degree). Of the 72 hours required for the Ph.D., a minimum of 36 hours should be regular course work and a minimum of 15 credit hours should be dissertation hours. No more than 12 credit hours of Independent Study and/or Doctoral Research hours are allowed.

At least 6 credit hours must be taken outside the student’s program while at UCF. There is a residency requirement of two contiguous semesters in full-time graduate student status (minimum of 9 credit hours) after acceptance to the graduate program at UCF. The program of study must be developed in consultation with an adviser within the first 9 credit hours of course work and must meet with departmental approval, at which time transfer credit will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.

Transfer Credits

Up to 6 credit hours of 4000-level course work are acceptable if transferred from a master’s degree program. A limited number of up to 36 credit hours may be transferred from a master’s degree toward these requirements.

Qualifying Examination

Doctoral students must take a written qualifying examination. This exam covers relevant material typically learned at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and serves to verify the student’s capability and readiness for the Ph.D. program. It is expected that a Ph.D. student will pass the qualifying examination within the first year of graduate studies. The exam consists of a four-hour written test, held twice a year on the first Friday of November and April of each year. The written exam may be followed by an oral exam, to be held approximately within two weeks from the evaluation of the written examination. The oral exam is required at the discretion of the Computer Engineering Graduate Committee. The qualifying exam allows the use of open books. It is the policy of the Computer Engineering Program that any calculator used during the qualifying examination may not be used to store user-defined programs.

Written Exam Format

The exam is comprised of problems in at most four areas. The student must respond to a total of nine questions. The student must respond to four questions in his/her primary area and two questions in his/her secondary area. The primary area will be chosen prior to the exam date by notifying the Computer Engineering Graduate Secretary, or on the day of the exam. The primary area and secondary area can be chosen from the following list of areas.

The student must also respond to questions in a tertiary breadth area. Three questions should be answered in not more than two of the areas listed below (either 3 in one area, or 2 in one area and 1 in another area).

The exam is open book. No notes are allowed during exam time. It is the policy of the CpE program that any calculator used during the qualifying examination may not be used to store user-defined programs.

Candidacy Examination

After passing qualifiers, students are required to successfully complete the candidacy examination. The purpose of this examination is for the student to demonstrate readiness for preliminary research in a chosen field of study. This exam is administered by the student’s dissertation advisory committee and is comprised of written and oral portions. Preparedness for taking the candidacy examination requires the acceptance of a professional paper by a peer-reviewed conference or journal that is deemed acceptable to the student’s advisory committee. It is expected that the requirements for candidacy will be satisfied within the first twenty-four months of graduate work. Candidacy is normally taken near the completion of required course work and must be passed before registering for doctoral dissertation hours (XXX 7980). Continuous enrollment in at least 3 hours of doctoral dissertation hours is required once a student starts taking 7980 credits.

After passing the candidacy examination, the student will write a dissertation proposal and present it orally to the dissertation advisory committee for approval. The proposal must include a description of the research performed to date and the research planned to be completed for the dissertation.

Dissertation Committee

Doctoral students must have a Dissertation Advisory Committee prior to the Candidacy Examination. The Committee will consist of a minimum of four members. At least three members must be qualified regular faculty members from the student’s department (or college, if a college-wide program) at UCF, one of whom must serve as the chair of the committee. One member must be from either outside the School of EECS or outside the university.

The committee chair must be a member of the department graduate faculty approved to direct dissertations. Joint faculty members serve as department-faculty committee members. Adjunct faculty and off-campus experts may serve as the outside-the-college person in the committee. Program areas may further specify additional committee membership. Graduate Studies reserves the right to review appointments to advisory committees, place a representative on any advisory committee, or appoint a co-adviser.

In unusual cases, with approval from the program director, two professors may chair the committee jointly. Joint faculty members may serve as committee chairs, but off-campus experts and adjunct faculty may not serve as committee chairs. All members vote on acceptance or rejection of the dissertation proposal and the final dissertation. The dissertation proposal and final dissertation must be approved by a majority of the advisory committee.

Financial Support

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Key points about financial support:

If you are interested in financial assistance, you are strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. University graduate fellowships are awarded based on academic merit and therefore are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program director of your major.