Computer Engineering Mission Statement

Computer Engineering focuses on the design, analysis and application of computers and on their applications as components of systems. The UCSC Department of Computer Engineering sustains and strengthens its teaching and research program to provide students with inspiration and quality education in the theory and practice of computer engineering.

Program Description

The Department of Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), offers M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs. The areas of research include:

• Networks (wireless networks, high-speed networks, sensor networks, algorithms and protocols for computer communication, quality of service);
• Robotics (autonomous vehicles, sensor fusion, exoskeletons, medical robots, biomolecular control);
• Computer System Design (CAD of VLSI, computer architecture, parallel and distributed systems, VLSI and FPGA design, placement and routing, fault diagnosis);
• Sensing and Interaction (computer vision, remote sensing, telemetry, computer-based collaboration, assistive and rehabilitative technology, human-computer interaction)

The computer engineering faculty members enjoy a close relationship with the applied mathematics and statistics, computer science, electrical engineering, and computational biology faculty members. Faculty members carry out joint research projects, supervise students, and teach courses outside their own departments. The department has many ties to nearby industry, employing computer professionals as visiting faculty members and arranging for students to gain practical research experience through work in industrial labs.

Students start the program with core courses in computer architecture and algorithms and then proceed to thoroughly study their area of specialization. The M.S. degree can be completed in one to two years. A Ph.D. degree is usually completed in five to six years. After completing the course requirements, students must pass an oral qualifying exam and write a dissertation. Part-time study is available for students desiring to continue working in industry during their studies.