Master of Science in Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
The technological advances that have made our society what it is today are due largely to the efforts of electrical engineers, computer engineers, and computer scientists. Among these advances are radio, television, telephones, wireless and mobile communications, personal computers, workstations, mainframe computers, aircraft avionics, satellite electronics, automobile electronics, office machinery, medical electronic equipment, video games, electric power generation and distribution systems, telecommunications, computer networks (including the Internet), personal entertainment products, radar, defense electronics, artificial intelligence, and a variety of computer software.
Vision and Mission
The vision of the EECS department is to provide a stimulating and challenging intellectual environment.
- To have classes populated by outstanding students.
- To be world class in an increasing number of selected areas of research.
- To have faculty members with high visibility among their peers.
The mission of the EECS department is:
- To educate the next generation of electrical engineers, computer engineers, and computer scientists.
- To discover, apply, and disseminate knowledge.
- To be an asset to the community and to society.
Standard Admission Requirements for all Graduate Programs
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Graduate Program Admission to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Applicants for the Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering (MS CoE) typically possess a degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering or a related discipline. Applicants must demonstrate evidence of aptitude for graduate work, as shown by suitable performance in undergraduate and any graduate course work, by aptitude test scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and by academic letters of reference.
Unless the applicant’s native language is English or the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education, he or she must meet the department’s standard for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is higher than the general KU requirement. Applicants for graduate teaching assistantships must earn satisfactory scores on the Test of Spoken English.
Application Information & Deadlines
Fall Priority Deadline: December 15
Spring Priority Deadline: October 1
Applications submitted by the priority deadlines listed above will be given preference for fellowships and assistantship considerations. All application materials must be submitted by April 1 (Fall semester admission) and November 1 (Spring semester admission). Visit the Graduate Studies website for the application procedure and fees.
International students and students who indicated English as a second language, are required to show proof of English proficiency for admission purposes and may need to check-in at the Applied English Center (AEC) upon arrival on campus for orientation. This process serves to confirm each student's level of English proficiency and determine whether English courses will be included as a requirement of the student’s academic program. Note: Students who demonstrate English proficiency at the waiver level or who have earned a degree from one of the specified English-speaking countries listed in the policy are not required to check in at the AEC (see eligibility requirements on the Graduate Studies website).
Application Materials
- Online Application
- Statement of objectives and resume
- Official transcript
- Letters of recommendation
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (international students)
- Financial statement (international students only)
- (Optional) GRE scores (school code 6871)
Submit all supporting documents and your graduate application online.
GTA and GRA Eligibility
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) eligibility requirements are different from admission requirements. Additional information on eligibility for graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants may be found in the GTA, GRA, and GA Appointments: General Guidelines and Eligibility.
Visiting Us
The graduate program staff is happy to work with all prospective students in determining the fit between the student and the program. There are two options to facilitate your visit to our campus in Lawrence.
The first, and most preferred, option entails simply applying for admission to the program. Admitted students may be invited to participate in Campus Visit Days in February (prior to the fall semester of your intended matriculation) and other online visitation sessions communicated through emails to all admitted students. These organized campus visit opportunities will allow you to gather a great deal of first-hand information which we hope will help you in making a final decision about whether to attend KU.
The second option is making arrangements to visit us on your own, outside of organized events. With early notification, we will do our best to work with you to provide information and schedule appointments with faculty when possible. Please contact us if you feel that this is the best option for you.
Contact Information
Please contact the EECS Graduate Program Coordinator at eecs_graduate@ku.edu, to schedule a visit or with questions about the application process.
The University of Kansas
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Graduate Office
Eaton Hall
1520 W. 15th Street, Suite 2001E
Lawrence, KS 66045
These are the admission requirements in place at the time this catalog content was published.
Master of Science in Computer Engineering Degree Requirements
All M.S. degree plans require 31 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Coursework | ||
| EECS 802 | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Colloquium and Seminar on Professional Issues | 1 |
| Computer Engineering Graduate Coursework | ||
| All M.S. degrees require at least 8 courses from the graduate course list below. No more than 2 courses at the 500/600 level may count toward the degree. Students may petition a maximum of one course outside of the EECS department to count toward the degree. | 24 | |
| Completion Option | 6 | |
| Students select one of the following degree completion options for a total of 6 additional hours. | ||
Master's Thesis: EECS 899 (6 hours). | ||
OR | ||
Project: EECS 891 (3 hours) + one additional course (3 hours). | ||
OR | ||
Coursework Only: Select two additional courses (6 hours). | ||
| Total Hours | 31 | |
Thesis Option
A master’s thesis should address an open problem in CoE. After evaluating current literature related to the problem of interest, students must design, build, and evaluate hardware or software systems or system models to prove or disprove their research hypothesis. Completing a thesis typically takes two semesters and produces results that could be published as a paper in conference proceedings or a professional journal. This option requires an oral defense of the thesis in the final semester.
Project Option
The project option requires the execution and completion of a substantial project. A project is a creative endeavor such as designing and implementing hardware/software systems or the integration of existing knowledge. This option requires an oral defense of the project in the final semester, and submission of the final written project document to the EECS Graduate Office.
Coursework Only Option
Select 10 courses/30credit hours minimum of graduate coursework, as approved on the plan of study (excluding EECS 801, EECS 891, EECS 899, and EECS 998).
Plan of Study
Students will be required to complete a Plan of Study during their first semester that outlines a comprehensive plan to complete their degree. The Plan of Study lists all coursework, and designates the thesis, project, or coursework only option, and must be consistent with the identified degree and goals.
All plans must include:
- EECS 802
- Select appropriate number of graduate classes for your degree (excluding EECS 801, EECS 891, EECS 899, and EECS 998). Courses numbered 700 and above are graduate classes.
- Maximum of 2 courses numbered between 500-699 may be counted towards the hours required for the degree.
- Maximum of one course may be taken outside the EECS department if approved on the plan of study.
Note: Courses numbered below 500 will not count toward the degree.
CoE students doing a project or thesis are encouraged to choose an appropriate topic early in their Graduate career and identify a faculty advisor who is interested in supervising their work. A current list of the courses and their requirements is available on the EECS website.
Oral Examination
For the M.S. thesis and M.S. project options, the oral examination must be taken in the last semester. It is conducted by an examining committee consisting of the student's advisor and at least two other Graduate Faculty members of the department selected by the student and advisor. The committee determines if the written thesis or project report, oral presentation of research, and general knowledge of the discipline meet the department’s standards.
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Graduate Coursework
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EECS 510 | Introduction to the Theory of Computing | 3 |
| EECS 512 | Electronic Circuits III | 3 |
| EECS 545 | Electric Energy Production and Storage | 3 |
| EECS 547 | Power System Analysis | 3 |
| EECS 562 | Introduction to Communication Systems | 4 |
| EECS 563 | Introduction to Communication Networks | 3 |
| EECS 565 | Introduction to Information and Computer Security | 3 |
| EECS 568 | Introduction to Data Mining | 3 |
| EECS 569 | Computer Forensics | 3 |
| EECS 611 | Electromagnetic Compatibility | 3 |
| EECS 622 | Microwave and Radio Transmission Systems | 3 |
| EECS 623 | Interdisciplinary Collaborations | 3 |
| EECS 628 | Fiber Optic Communication Systems | 3 |
| EECS 630 | Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| EECS 639 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 3 |
| EECS 643 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| EECS 644 | Introduction to Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
| EECS 645 | Computer Systems Architecture | 3 |
| EECS 649 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| EECS 658 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 3 |
| EECS 662 | Programming Languages | 3 |
| EECS 665 | Compiler Construction | 4 |
| EECS 666 | Introduction to Network Security | 3 |
| EECS 670 | Introduction to Semiconductor Processing | 3 |
| EECS 677 | Advanced Software Security Evaluation | 3 |
| EECS 678 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 4 |
| EECS 683 | Introduction to Hardware Security and Trust | 3 |
| EECS 685 | Introduction to IoT Security | 3 |
| EECS 687 | Mobile Security | 3 |
| EECS 690 | Special Topics: _____ | 1-3 |
| EECS 695 | Software Reverse Engineering | 3 |
| EECS 700 | Special Topics: _____ | 1-5 |
| EECS 713 | High-Speed Digital Circuit Design | 3 |
| EECS 721 | Antennas | 3 |
| EECS 723 | Microwave Engineering | 3 |
| EECS 725 | Introduction to Radar Systems | 3 |
| EECS 727 | Photonics | 3 |
| EECS 728 | Fiber-optic Measurement and Sensors | 3 |
| EECS 730 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 |
| EECS 739 | Parallel Scientific Computing | 3 |
| EECS 740 | Digital Image Processing | 3 |
| EECS 743 | Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 |
| EECS 744 | Digital Signal Processing Implementation in Programmable Logic Devices | 3 |
| EECS 750 | Advanced Operating Systems | 3 |
| EECS 752 | Modern Computer Organization and Design | 3 |
| EECS 753 | Embedded and Real Time Computer Systems | 3 |
| EECS 755 | Software Modeling and Analysis | 3 |
| EECS 759 | Estimation and Control of Unmanned Autonomous Systems | 3 |
| EECS 762 | Programming Language Foundation I | 3 |
| EECS 764 | Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| EECS 765 | Introduction to Cryptography and Computer Security | 3 |
| EECS 766 | Network Security | 3 |
| EECS 767 | Information Retrieval | 3 |
| EECS 768 | Virtual Machines | 3 |
| EECS 769 | Information Theory | 3 |
| EECS 777 | Advanced Software Security Auditing | 3 |
| EECS 780 | Communication Networks | 3 |
| EECS 781 | Numerical Analysis I | 3 |
| EECS 782 | Numerical Analysis II | 3 |
| EECS 783 | Hardware Security and Trust | 3 |
| EECS 785 | Internet of Things Security | 3 |
| EECS 786 | Digital Very-Large-Scale-Integration | 3 |
| EECS 787 | Mobile Security | 3 |
| EECS 795 | Software Reverse Engineering | 3 |
| EECS 800 | Special Topics: _____ | 1-5 |
| EECS 801 | Directed Graduate Readings | 1-3 |
| EECS 802 | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Colloquium and Seminar on Professional Issues | 1 |
| EECS 812 | Software Requirements Engineering | 3 |
| EECS 820 | Advanced Electromagnetics | 3 |
| EECS 823 | Microwave Remote Sensing | 3 |
| EECS 828 | Advanced Fiber-Optic Communications | 3 |
| EECS 835 | Advanced Data Science | 3 |
| EECS 836 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| EECS 841 | Computer Vision | 3 |
| EECS 843 | Programming Language Foundation II | 3 |
| EECS 844 | Adaptive Signal Processing | 3 |
| EECS 861 | Random Signals and Noise | 3 |
| EECS 862 | Principles of Digital Communication Systems | 3 |
| EECS 863 | Network Analysis, Simulation, and Measurements | 3 |
| EECS 865 | Wireless Communication Systems | 3 |
| EECS 866 | Network Security | 3 |
| EECS 868 | Mathematical Optimization with Applications | 3 |
| EECS 869 | Error Control Coding | 3 |
| EECS 891 | Graduate Problems | 1-5 |
| EECS 899 | Master's Thesis or Report | 1-6 |
| EECS 965 | Detection and Estimation Theory | 3 |
| EECS 998 | Post-Master's Research | 1-6 |
| EECS 999 | Doctoral Dissertation | 1-12 |
Sample Degree Plan
Below are sample completion plans for students in the M.S. program based on the thesis, project, or coursework only option. The sample semester enrollments below are not reflective of all possible paths to the M.S. degree.
M.S. in Computer Engineering - Thesis Option
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EECS 802 | 1 | CoE Graduate Course #3 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #1 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #4 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #2 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #5 | 3 |
| 7 | 9 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CoE Graduate Course #6 | 3 | EECS 899 (Master's Thesis) | 6 |
| CoE Graduate Course #7 | 3 | ||
| CoE Graduate Course #8 | 3 | ||
| 9 | 6 | ||
| Total Hours 31 | |||
M.S. in Computer Engineering - Project Option
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EECS 802 | 1 | CoE Graduate Course #3 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #1 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #4 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #2 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #5 | 3 |
| 7 | 9 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CoE Graduate Course #6 | 3 | EECS 891 (Master's Project) | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #7 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #9 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #8 | 3 | ||
| 9 | 6 | ||
| Total Hours 31 | |||
M.S. in Computer Engineering - Coursework Only Option
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EECS 802 | 1 | CoE Graduate Course #3 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #1 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #4 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #2 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #5 | 3 |
| 7 | 9 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CoE Graduate Course #6 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #9 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #7 | 3 | CoE Graduate Course #10 | 3 |
| CoE Graduate Course #8 | 3 | ||
| 9 | 6 | ||
| Total Hours 31 | |||
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate broad knowledge in their discipline.
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in (at least) one area of expertise in their discipline.
- Conduct independent, publishable and impactful research.
- Document and communicate a compelling, focused, and logical technical argument in writing and orally at a professional level.