Graduate Curriculum

The graduate program in computer engineering accepts students for both the M.S. and the Ph.D. degrees. Graduate students in this program establish a solid foundation in computer algorithms and architectures and then proceed to a thorough study of recent developments in their selected area of specialization. This provides the basis for the M.S. degree and Ph.D. thesis work. The major areas of research concentration in computer engineering at UCSC are networks; embedded and autonomous systems; computer systems design and computer-aided design; and sensing and interaction.

The computer engineering program benefits from a close relationship with, among others, the computer science and electrical engineering programs at UCSC and ties to industry in the Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay areas. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in teaching and research as well as for positions in industrial research and development.

While in the program, most graduate students are supported as research assistants on faculty-sponsored projects or as teaching assistants for undergraduate courses.

Additional information on the computer engineering M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, including degree requirements and applications for admission, can be found on the department's web pages at http://www.ce.ucsc.edu/academics/graduate/requirements.

Requirements for the Master's Degree

Base Requirement

In their first year, graduate students must show proficiency in three fundamental subjects: 1. data structures; 2. computer architecture; and 3. one of the following three subjects-logic design, circuits, or software systems. Proficiency can be demonstrated by either completing one of the associated undergraduate courses, by establishing that an equivalent undergraduate course has been completed elsewhere, or by passing the final exam (or project when deemed appropriate by the faculty responsible) of an associated course. Students should obtain a computer engineering base worksheet for the list of associated courses and instructions on fulfilling this requirement.

The base requirement must be met by all graduate students (both M.S. and Ph.D.) by the end of the spring quarter of their first year in the program.

Course Requirements

Each student is required to complete a total of 48 credits. The course work must include

Computer Engineering 200, Research and Teaching in Computer Science and Engineering
Computer Science 201, Analysis of Algorithms
Computer Engineering 202, Computer Architecture
Up to 10 credits of Computer Engineering 297, Independent Study or Research; or Computer Engineering 299, Thesis Research
Up to 10 credits of either graduate courses (not seminars) in related disciplines outside the School of Engineering (requires adviser and computer engineering graduate committee approval) or upper-division undergraduate courses when necessary to strengthen the student's preparation for graduate studies (requires adviser approval)

All remaining credits must be graduate elective courses from computer engineering's list of approved graduate courses (available online or from the department)

In addition, the selection of graduate elective courses must show breadth by including a minimum of five credits in each of two categories from computer engineering's list of approved graduate electives. Computer Science 201 and Computer Engineering 202 cannot be used to satisfy the breadth requirement.

At least half of the credits from the graduate-level courses must be computer engineering graduate courses.

Thesis

Completion of a master's thesis is required for award of the master's degree. To fulfill this requirement, the student must submit a written proposal to a faculty member, usually by the third academic quarter. By accepting the proposal, the faculty member becomes the thesis adviser for the proposed thesis. In consultation with the adviser, the student must form a master's thesis reading committee with at least two additional faculty members, each of whom is provided a copy of the proposal. The student is required to present an expository talk on the thesis research, and the final thesis must be accepted by the review committee before the award of the master of science degree.

Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

Base Requirement

In their first year, graduate students must show proficiency in three of five fundamental subjects: 1. data structures; 2. computer architecture; and 3. one of the following three subjects—logic design, circuits, and software systems. Proficiency can be demonstrated by either completing one of the associated undergraduate courses, by establishing that an equivalent undergraduate course has been completed elsewhere, or by passing the final exam (or project when deemed appropriate by the faculty responsible) of an associated course. Students should obtain a computer engineering base work sheet for the list of associated courses and instructions on fulfilling this requirement.

The base requirement must be met by all graduate students (both M.S. and Ph.D.) by the end of the spring quarter of the first year in the program.

Course Requirements

A Ph.D. student is required to take a total of 58 credits of graduate courses, which must consist of

Computer Engineering 200, Research and Teaching in Computer Science and Engineering;
Computer Science 201, Analysis of Algorithms;
Computer Engineering 202, Computer Architecture;
A minimum of 20 credits of graduate computer engineering courses from computer engineering's list of approved graduate courses (available online or from the department);
Up to 10 credits of Computer Engineering 297, Independent Study or Research; or Computer Engineering 299, Thesis Research;
Up to 10 credits of graduate courses (not seminars) in related disciplines outside the School of Engineering (requires adviser and computer engineering graduate committee approval);
All remaining credits must be graduate elective courses from computer engineering's list of approved graduate courses.

The selection of elective courses must show breadth by including either 10 credits in each of two categories or five credits in each of three separate categories from computer engineering's list of approved graduate courses. Computer Science 201 and Computer Engineering 202 cannot be used to satisfy the breadth requirement.

Course selection should form a coherent plan of study and requires adviser approval.

Undergraduate courses may not be used to satisfy Ph.D. course requirements.

Ph.D. students who have satisfied the requirements for the master's degree are eligible to receive a master's degree.

Examinations and Dissertation

To continue in the Ph.D. program, students must pass a preliminary examination in their chosen research area by the end of their third year. Preliminary examinations are held during the first three weeks of each spring quarter; students must petition the computer engineering graduate committee for an examination in their chosen area two weeks before the end of winter quarter. Examination committees consist of four faculty members, two chosen by the student and two by the computer engineering graduate committee. The format of this oral examination is up to the examination committee; the examination will typically evaluate both general knowledge of the chosen area and specific understanding of selected technical papers. The preliminary examination requirement is waived for students who advance to candidacy by the end of their third year.

Each student must write a Ph.D. dissertation. The dissertation must show the results of in-depth research, by an original contribution of significant knowledge, and include material worthy of publication. As the first step, a student must submit a written dissertation proposal to a School of Engineering faculty member. By accepting the proposal, the faculty member becomes the student's dissertation supervisor. The student may choose a faculty member outside the Computer Engineering Department within the School of Engineering as adviser only with approval from the computer engineering graduate committee. The dissertation proposal is publicly and formally presented in an oral qualifying examination given by a qualifying exam committee, approved by the computer engineering graduate committee and the graduate council. The student must submit his or her written dissertation proposal to all members of the qualifying exam committee and the graduate assistant one month in advance of the examination.

Students are advanced to candidacy after they have completed the course requirements, passed both the preliminary and qualifying examinations (or just the qualifying examination if passed prior to the end of the student's third year in the program), cleared all Incomplete grades from their records, have an appointed dissertation reading committee, and paid the filing fee. Students who have not advanced to candidacy by the end of their fourth year will be placed on academic probation.

Each Ph.D. candidate must submit the completed dissertation to a reading committee at least one month prior to the dissertation defense. The appointment of the dissertation reading committee is made immediately after the qualifying exam and is necessary for advancing to candidacy. The candidate must present his or her research results in a public seminar sponsored by the dissertation supervisor. The seminar is followed by a defense of the dissertation to the reading committee and attending faculty who will then decide whether the dissertation is acceptable or requires revision. Successful completion of the dissertation fulfills the final academic requirement for the Ph.D. degree.

Transfer Credit

Up to three School of Engineering courses fulfilling the degree requirements of either the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees may be taken before beginning the graduate program through the concurrent enrollment program.

M.S. students who have previously successfully completed graduate-level classes in a related field at another institution may substitute courses from their previous institution with the approval of the graduate committee. The number of courses that can be substituted is limited so that, in all cases, the students must complete a minimum of four graduate-level classes during their matriculation at UCSC. These classes must be graduate-level classes from the list of approved graduate courses. http://www.ce.ucsc.edu/academics/graduate/approved-courses
Petitions for course substitutions should be submitted along with the transcript from the other institution or UCSC extension. For courses taken at other institutions copies of the syllabi, exams, and other course work should accompany the petition. Such petitions are not considered until the completion of at least one quarter at UCSC.

Ph.D. students who have previously earned a master's degree or have successfully completed graduate-level classes as regular students in a graduate program in a related field at another institution may apply for a modified program of course requirements taking into account their previous coursework. Such a modified program should specify the coursework that will be completed at UCSC, which must include no fewer than four courses from the list of approved graduate courses. These four courses must be taken while in the graduate program at UCSC.
Application for a modified program of course requirements must be made within the first year of graduate study at UCSC, and will be reviewed by the graduate director and a committee of three faculty members approved by the graduate director. The application should be accompanied by copies of the syllabi, exams, and other course work, as well as the relevant transcript from the other institution. Interviews with the committee members may be required to properly assess the coursework.

Acceptance of prior work for course transfer and modified programs of study is at the discretion of the department.

Review of Progress

Each year, the computer engineering faculty reviews the progress of every student in the graduate program. Students not making adequate progress towards completion of degree requirements (see UCSC Graduate Student Handbook for policy on satisfactory academic progress) are subject to dismissal from the program. Students with academic deficiencies may be required to take additional courses. Full-time students with no academic deficiencies are normally expected to complete the degree requirements at the rate of at least two courses per quarter. Full-time students must complete Computer Science 201 and Computer Engineering 202 within two years and normally must complete all course requirements within two years for the M.S. and three years for the Ph.D. program.

Students receiving two or more grades of U (Unsatisfactory) or below B in School of Engineering courses are not making adequate progress and will be placed on academic probation for the following three quarters of registered enrollment. Withdrawing or taking a leave of absence does not count as enrollment. Part-time enrollment is counted as a half of a quarter of enrollment.
Should any computer engineering graduate student fail a School of Engineering course while on probation, the Computer Engineering Department may request the graduate dean to dismiss that student from the graduate program. If, after being removed from probation, the student again fails a School of Engineering course, he or she will return immediately to academic probation.

Graduate students experiencing circumstances or difficulties that impact their academic performance should contact their adviser and the graduate director immediately. Students may appeal their dismissal.

Source: http://reg.ucsc.edu/catalog/html/programs_courses/cmpePS.html