Program Description
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).
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.
The specific research areas that each one of the EE faculty focuses on can be found at the Department of Electrical Engineering website (www.ece.ucf.edu/).
This program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CECS-Computer-Engineering-MS-June2020.pdf.
Program Tracks
- Computer Engineering MSCpE, Accelerated BS to MSCpE Track
Curriculum
The master’s program offers both thesis and nonthesis options in four technical specialization areas. The thesis option requires 30 credit hours of courses that includes 24 credit hours of formal coursework, exclusive of thesis and research, plus 6 credit hours of thesis. 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.
Total Credit Hours Required: 30 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
The master’s program offers both thesis and nonthesis options in four technical specialization areas. The thesis option requires 30 credit hours of courses that includes 24 credit hours of formal coursework, exclusive of thesis and research, plus 6 credit hours of thesis. 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.
Articulation Courses
Undergraduate articulation courses are required for students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than Computer Engineering. 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. Students who have taken these courses must complete the articulation courses listed below, plus all prerequisites, that they require. Grades of “B” or higher must be obtained in each articulation course. Articulation courses are not eligible for inclusion on a student’s Graduate Program of Study.
- 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 Credit Hours
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.
The Program of Study (POS) form must be approved by an adviser in the selected specialization area no later than the end of the second semester after admission. The program of study must meet all the university requirements specified in the graduate catalog and must also receive departmental-level and college-level approval.
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)
- CDA 5106 - Advanced Computer Architecture 3 Credit Hours
- CDA 5110 - Parallel Architecture and Algorithms 3 Credit Hours
- CDA 6530 - Performance Models of Computers and Networks 3 Credit Hours
- CGS 5131 - Computer Forensics I: Seizure and Examination of Computer Systems 3 Credit Hours
- CNT 5008 - Computer Communication Networks Architecture 3 Credit Hours
- CNT 6418 - Computer Forensics II 3 Credit Hours
- CNT 6519 - Wireless Security and Forensics 3 Credit Hours
- CNT 6707 - Advanced Computer Networks 3 Credit Hours
- COP 5537 - Network Optimization 3 Credit Hours
- COP 5611 - Operating Systems Design Principles 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6133 - Advanced Topics in Computer Security and Computer Forensics 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6135 - Malware and Software Vulnerability Analysis 3 Credit Hours
- COT 5405 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms 3 Credit Hours
- EEE 5542 - Random Processes I 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 5780 - Wireless Networks 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6762 - Performance Analysis of Computer and Communication Systems 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6785 - Computer Network Design 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6788 - Advanced Topics in Computer Networks 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6883 - Software Engineering II 3 Credit Hours
Computer Systems and Very Large Scale Integration (CS/VLSI)
- CDA 5106 - Advanced Computer Architecture 3 Credit Hours
- CDA 5110 - Parallel Architecture and Algorithms 3 Credit Hours
- CDA 6107 - Parallel Computer Architecture 3 Credit Hours
- CDA 6938 Multi-Core Architecture and Programming 3 Credit Hours
- COP 5537 - Network Optimization 3 Credit Hours
- EEE 5390C - Full-Custom VLSI Design 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 5722C - Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Design 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6762 - Performance Analysis of Computer and Communication Systems 3 Credit Hours
- ECM 6308 - Current Topics in Parallel Processing 3 Credit Hours
Intelligent Systems and Machine Learning (ISML)
- CAP 5055 - AI for Game Programming 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 5512 - Evolutionary Computation 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 5610 - Machine Learning 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 5636 - Advanced Artificial Intelligence 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6545 - Machine Learning Methods for Biomedical Data 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6616 - Neuroevolution and Generative and Developmental Systems 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6640 - Computer Understanding of Natural Language 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6671 - Intelligent Systems: Robots, Agents, and Humans 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6675 - Complex Adaptive Systems 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6676 - Knowledge Representation 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 5825 - Pattern Recognition and Learning from Big Data 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 5874 - Expert Systems and Knowledge Engineering 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6812 - Introduction to Neural Networks 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6875 - Autonomous Agents 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6878 - Modeling and Artificial Intelligence 3 Credit Hours
Software Systems and Algorithms (SSA)
- CAP 6515 - Algorithms in Computational Biology 3 Credit Hours
- CGS 5131 - Computer Forensics I: Seizure and Examination of Computer Systems 3 Credit Hours
- CGS 5131 - Computer Forensics I: Seizure and Examination of Computer Systems 3 Credit Hours
- CNT 6418 - Computer Forensics II 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 5510 - Bioinformatics 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6133 - Advanced Topics in Computer Security and Computer Forensics 3 Credit Hours
- CAP 6545 - Machine Learning Methods for Biomedical Data 3 Credit Hours
- CEN 5016 - Software Engineering 3 Credit Hours
- CEN 6075 - Formal Specification of Software Systems 3 Credit Hours
- COP 5021 - Program Analysis 3 Credit Hours
- COP 5711 - Parallel and Distributed Database Systems 3 Credit Hours
- COP 6730 - Transaction Processing 3 Credit Hours
- COP 6731 - Advanced Database Systems 3 Credit Hours
- COT 5405 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms 3 Credit Hours
- COT 6410 - Computational Complexity 3 Credit Hours
- COT 6417 - Algorithms on Strings and Sequences 3 Credit Hours
- COT 5600 - Quantum Computing 3 Credit Hours
- COT 6602 - Introduction to Quantum Information Theory 3 Credit Hours
- EEL 6883 - Software Engineering II 3 Credit Hours
Thesis Option: 6 Credit Hours
- EEL 6971 Thesis 6 Credit Hours
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. Additional requirements are as follows:
- Courses must be chosen from the suggested list of courses for the student’s chosen specialization area
- No more than 6 credits of thesis (XXX 6971) will be counted toward the degree requirement
- Fifteen credit hours (including EEL 6971 Thesis) must be 6000-level courses
- Thesis students who are full time must continue to enroll in three credit hours of thesis coursework each semester until the thesis requirement is satisfied, even if they take more than the required 6 credit hours of thesis. However, only 6 credit hours of thesis will count toward the degree requirement.
The College of Engineering and Computer Science requires that all thesis defense announcements are approved by the student’s adviser and posted on the college’s website and on the university-wide Events Calendar at the College of Graduate Studies website at least two weeks before the defense date.
Nonthesis Option: 6 Credit Hours
The nonthesis option is especially suitable for part-time students. Nonthesis students must complete 6 credit hours of electives in addition to the 24 credit hours of formal coursework described above. If desired by the student and approved by the student’s adviser a total of 6 credit hours can be Independent Study (XXX 6908).
Portfolio Requirement
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. The portfolio requirements are listed on the EECS website at www.eecs.ucf.edu.
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. Alternatively, a maximum of 9 credit hours may be transferred of graduate work conducted elsewhere from an accredited institution.
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
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirement, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a closely related discipline.
- GRE is not required for MSCpE applicants with a BS degree in EE or CpE and with a minor in any of following disciplines of EE, CpE or CS.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Résumé.
- Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Faculty members may choose to conduct face-to-face or telephone interviews before accepting applicants into their research program.
Additional courses may also be required to correct any course deficiencies. Students should contact the graduate program director for further information.
Application Deadlines
| Computer Engineering MSCpE | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Dec 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 |
| *Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date. |
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, 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.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
