Program Overview

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Computer Engineering (MSPE) - Accelerated BSCpE to MSPE

The Computer Engineering MSCpE degree offers programs in a number of technical (research) areas, such as Computer Networks and Computer Security (CNCS), Computer Systems and VLSI Design (CS/VLSI), Intelligent Systems and Machine Learning (ISML), and Software Systems and Algorithms (SSA).

Program Overview

All programs offer a thesis option and a nonthesis option, as well as an Accelerated BS to MS program. Students in the program receive a broad background in the various technical areas, while specializing in a research area of their interest.

Degree Requirements

Total Credit Hours Required

The master's program requires 30 credit hours of courses, which includes 24 credit hours of formal coursework, exclusive of thesis and research, plus 6 credit hours of thesis for the thesis option. The nonthesis option requires 30 credit hours of coursework with at least 24 credit hours of formal coursework and a possibility of 6 credit hours of Independent Study (XXX 6908) based on the availability of interested faculty.

Track Prerequisites

• A bachelor's degree in computer engineering or a closely related discipline.
• This track is available to University of Central Florida undergraduates.
• In general, all students must have completed the following undergraduate courses (or their equivalents in an accredited BSCpE program) before admission to our graduate program:
  • EEE 3342C: Digital Systems
  • EEL 3801: Computer Organization
  • COP 3502: Computer Science I
  • COP 3503: Computer Science II
  • Plus choose ONE of the following:
    • COP 4331: Processes for Object-Oriented Development
    • EEL 4768C: Computer Architecture
    • EEL 4781: Computer Communications Networks

Elective Courses

24 Total Credits

• There are no required courses within a specialization area. However, all students (thesis and nonthesis) must choose at least 24 credit hours of formal courses, excluding research-related courses and independent study (XXX 6908), which emphasize their specialization area.
• Courses from outside specialization areas could also be chosen if the student's adviser approves such a Program of Study.

Specialization Areas

• The Computer Engineering Program supports a number of specialization areas. These specialization areas are (in alphabetical order): Computer Networks and Computer Security (CNCS), Computer Systems and VLSI Design (CS/VLSI), Intelligent Systems and Machine Learning (ISML), and Software Systems and Algorithms (SSA).
• In each one of these areas, there is a suggested list of courses. Students are also allowed to take courses from the suggested list of courses in areas other than their specialization area, but the majority of their courses should be chosen from courses in their specialization area.

Computer Networks and Computer Security (CNCS)

• Earn at least 24 credits from the following:
  • CDA5106 - Advanced Computer Architecture (3)
  • CDA5110 - Parallel Architecture and Algorithms (3)
  • CDA6530 - Performance Models of Computers and Networks (3)
  • CGS5131 - Computer Forensics I: Seizure and Examination of Computer Systems (3)
  • CNT5008 - Computer Communication Networks Architecture (3)
  • CNT6418 - Computer Forensics II (3)
  • CNT6519 - Wireless Security and Forensics (3)
  • CNT6707 - Advanced Computer Networks (3)
  • COP5537 - Network Optimization (3)
  • COP5611 - Operating Systems Design Principles (3)
  • CAP6133 - Advanced Topics in Computer Security and Computer Forensics (3)
  • COT5405 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
  • EEE5542 - Random Processes I (3)
  • EEL5780 - Wireless Networks (3)
  • EEL6762 - Performance Analysis of Computer and Communication Systems (3)
  • EEL6785 - Computer Network Design (3)
  • EEL6788 - Advanced Topics in Computer Networks (3)
  • EEL6883 - Software Engineering II (3)

Computer Systems and Very Large Scale Integration (CS/VLSI)

• Earn at least 24 credits from the following:
  • CDA5106 - Advanced Computer Architecture (3)
  • CDA5110 - Parallel Architecture and Algorithms (3)
  • CDA6107 - Parallel Computer Architecture (3)
  • CDA6938 - Special Topics (3)
  • COP5537 - Network Optimization (3)
  • EEE5390C - Full-Custom VLSI Design (3)
  • EEL5722C - Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Design (3)
  • EEL6762 - Performance Analysis of Computer and Communication Systems (3)
  • EEE6327 - Design of Video Coding Systems (3)
  • ECM6308 - Current Topics in Parallel Processing (3)

Intelligent Systems and Machine Learning (ISML)

• Earn at least 24 credits from the following:
  • CAP5055 - AI for Game Programming (3)
  • CAP5512 - Evolutionary Computation (3)
  • CAP5610 - Machine Learning (3)
  • CAP5636 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence (3)
  • CAP6545 - Machine Learning Methods for Biomedical Data (3)
  • CAP6616 - Neuroevolution and Generative and Developmental Systems (3)
  • CAP6640 - Computer Understanding of Natural Language (3)
  • CAP6671 - Intelligent Systems: Robots, Agents, and Humans (3)
  • CAP6675 - Complex Adaptive Systems (3)
  • CAP6676 - Knowledge Representation (3)
  • EEL5825 - Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition (3)
  • EEL5874 - Expert Systems and Knowledge Engineering (3)
  • EEL6812 - Introduction to Neural Networks and Deep Learning (3)
  • EEL6875 - Artificial Intelligence for Autonomous Systems (3)
  • EEL6878 - Modeling and Artificial Intelligence (3)

Software Systems and Algorithms (SSA)

• Earn at least 24 credits from the following:
  • CAP6515 - Algorithms in Computational Biology (3)
  • CGS5131 - Computer Forensics I: Seizure and Examination of Computer Systems (3)
  • CNT6418 - Computer Forensics II (3)
  • CAP5510 - Bioinformatics (3)
  • CAP6133 - Advanced Topics in Computer Security and Computer Forensics (3)
  • CAP6545 - Machine Learning Methods for Biomedical Data (3)
  • CEN5016 - Software Engineering (3)
  • CEN6075 - Formal Specification of Software Systems (3)
  • COP5021 - Program Analysis (3)
  • COP5711 - Parallel and Distributed Database Systems (3)
  • COP6730 - Transaction Processing (3)
  • COP6731 - Advanced Database Systems (3)
  • COT5405 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
  • COT6410 - Computational Complexity (3)
  • COT6417 - Algorithms on Strings and Sequences (3)
  • COT5600 - Quantum Computing (3)
  • COT6602 - Introduction to Quantum Information Theory (3)
  • EEL6883 - Software Engineering II (3)

Thesis/Nonthesis Option

6 Total Credits

• Complete 1 of the following:
  • Thesis Option: Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: EEL 6971 Thesis. The thesis option requires 24 credit hours of formal coursework in one of the specialization areas and the completion of 6 credit hours of thesis.
  • Nonthesis Option: Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: Additional Electives from the list above.

Portfolio Requirement

0 Total Credits

• Students are required to complete a culminating experience. The culminating experience for nonthesis MS students is submission of their portfolio of activities by the course Withdrawal Date of the semester prior to their intended graduation.

Grand Total Credits

30

Application Requirements

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans.

Financial Information

For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students.

Transfer Credits

Graduate students with a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from UCF may transfer up to 9 credit hours of 5000-level or higher coursework, with grades of "B" or higher, toward the MSCpE degree.

Equipment Fee

Students in the Computer Engineering MSCpE program pay a $28 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $14 per semester.

Independent Learning

The independent learning requirement is met by successful completion of a master's thesis or an approved portfolio of activities for nonthesis students.