Program Overview

Master of Science in Embedded Systems

The Master of Science in Embedded Systems (ES) degree program is designed to prepare students for significant embedded computer-related careers in the automotive industry, consumer electronics, and other areas. It is designed for students with a baccalaureate degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical, electronic or communication engineering who want to strive for a balance of theory, hardware and software in computer system design.

Program Description

The program is intended to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of embedded systems, including computer hardware design, embedded systems design, and embedded system verification and validation. Students will also have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as embedded artificial intelligence, high-performance embedded programming, and safety-critical systems.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all graduate application requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines. The requirements include:

• A baccalaureate degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical, electronic or communication engineering
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or better for regular admission
• Two recommendation forms from faculty members or professionals in the field
• Official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if the applicant graduated from an institution not accredited by a regional accrediting agency of the USA
• A personal statement outlining the applicant's goals and objectives

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines

The application deadlines are:

• February 15 (early) and April 15 (regular) for fall semester
• October 1 (early) and November 15 (regular) for winter semester
• March 1 (regular) for summer semester

Degree Requirements

To fulfill the requirements for a Master of Science degree in Embedded Systems, a student must:

• Complete at least 32 credits of graduate-level work, of which at least 24 credits must be in approved courses offered by the School of Engineering and Computer Science
• Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in courses applied toward the degree
• Complete the requirements specified for the program in embedded systems
• Satisfy all requirements concerning academic progress

Course Requirements

The course requirements include:

• Core course requirements (16 credits):
  • Choose four courses from the following:
    • ECE 5710 - Computer Hardware Design (4 credits)
    • ECE 5721 - Embedded Systems Design (4 credits)
    • ECE 5734 - Embedded System Verification and Validation (4 credits)
    • ECE 5740 - Embedded Artificial Intelligence (4 credits)
    • ECE 5415 - Microcomputer-Based Control Systems (4 credits)
    • ECE 5772 - High Performance Embedded Programming (4 credits)
    • CSI 5640 - Computer Architecture (4 credits)
• Depth area courses (12 credits):
  • Choose three courses from the following:
    • ECE 5132 - VLSIC Design of Digital Chips (4 credits)
    • ECE 5760 - Embedded System Design with FPGAs (4 credits)
    • ECE 5736 - Reconfigurable Computing (4 credits)
    • ECE 5770 - GPU Accelerated Computing (4 credits)
    • ECE 5780 - Embedded Security (4 credits)
    • ECE 6712 - Parallel Embedded Computer Architecture (4 credits)
    • ECE 6740 - Advanced Embedded System Design (4 credits)
    • ECE 6742 - DSP in Embedded Systems (4 credits)
    • ECE 6745 - Real-Time Computing Systems (4 credits)
    • ECE 6760 - Safety Critical Systems (4 credits)
    • ECE 6996 - Graduate Engineering Project (1 to 4 credits)
    • ECE 6998 - Masters Thesis Research (2 to 8 credits)
    • CSI 5130 - Artificial Intelligence (4 credits)
• Electives (4 credits):
  • Four credits of electives can be chosen from any 5000- or 6000-level ECE or CSI courses, except for ECE 5731

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a students successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Good Academic Standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Masters Adviser

The progress of each regular student toward the Master of Science degree is directed by the students adviser, a faculty member of the School of Engineering and Computer Science who is assigned at the time of admission. Incoming students seeking the degree are urged to discuss their proposed concentration area with their adviser or other faculty members in that area.

Masters Project or Thesis

Although the masters degree requirements may be satisfied by taking only coursework, either a graduate engineering project (ECE 6996) or a directed masters thesis research (ECE 6998) may be included as part of the program. Students electing a thesis option must accumulate a minimum of 8 credits of ECE 6998. Successful completion and defense of a thesis is a prerequisite for earning thesis credits.