MS in Computer Engineering Overview

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a program of graduate study leading to the Master of Science in Computer Engineering degree with thesis and non−thesis options.

Our requirements for the MS in Computer Engineering degree are given as follows. Some of these requirements are university−wide and can also be found in the Texas Tech University Catalog under Graduate School.

Admissions

Admission to master's study is restricted to applicants whose backgrounds show a distinguished record in previous work as evidenced by their university transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and competitive score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

A substantial body of undergraduate work in computer engineering and considerable breadth of background are essential for graduate study. Students whose undergraduate record is considered lacking in depth or breath may be required to complete preparatory courses without degree credit.

Leveling Requirements

Students who do not hold a bachelor's or master's degree in computer engineering or a related field may be required to complete undergraduate leveling work.

Thesis & Non−Thesis Options

Students working toward the Computer Engineering MS degree have the option of writing a thesis or taking additional courses. By their second semester, students must declare their option: thesis or non-thesis. Later, if desired, they may switch from the thesis to the non-thesis option with the permission of their thesis advisor, however thesis credit hours they may have earned will not count toward the non-thesis degree. Alternately, students may switch from the non-thesis to the thesis option with permission of the Graduate Advisor. Specific requirements for each option are as follows:

Thesis Option

• Complete 30 credit hours total.
  • 24 hours of this must be coursework.
    • 18 of the 24 coursework hours consist of ECE 5371, ECE 5380, ECE 5375, ECE 5332 (Advanced Design Lab), CS 5352, CS 5377.
    • 6 of the 24 coursework hours consist of graduate level electives offered through the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.
    • At most, 3 of the 24 coursework hours may be ECE 5331 Individual Studies.
  • 6 hours must be ECE 6000, Master's Thesis.
• Enroll in ECE 5120, Graduate Seminar every semester.
• ECE 5371 Engineering Analysis is required to be taken by all graduate students
• Complete a thesis and deliver a public oral presentation of the results to a thesis committee.
• Pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination in Electrical & Computer Engineering.

Non−Thesis Option

• Complete 30 hours of coursework.
  • 30 hours of this must be coursework.
    
    • 18 of the 24 coursework hours consist of ECE 5371, ECE 5380, ECE 5375, ECE 5332 (Advanced Design Lab), CS 5352, CS 5377.
    • 12 of the 30 coursework hours consist of graduate-level electives offered through the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.
    • At most, 6 of the 30 coursework hours may be ECE 5331 Individual Studies.
• Enroll in ECE 5120, Graduate Seminar every semester.
• Pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination in Electrical & Computer Engineering.

Degree Plan

Master's students must complete the form entitled "Program for the Master's Degree and Admission to Candidacy." This is typically done by the student's second semester. The form lists all the courses a student plans to take for the master's degree together with his or her thesis title and committee members names, if the thesis option is chosen. It is prepared by the student based on his or her special interests with the advice of the ECE Department Graduate Advisor and the student's thesis advisor. In some cases, up to six credit hours of graduate coursework with a grade of B or better can be transferred from another school. The form must be signed by the ECE Department Graduate Advisor. The student is expected to follow the form in subsequent course enrollments and thesis work; if a course substitution or thesis change becomes necessary, the form can be amended.

Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

Master's students must pass the nationally administered Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination, also called the Engineer−in−Training (EIT) Examination, with the discipline-specific Electrical & Computer Engineering option. Students are required to provide evidence to the department of passing FE Exam results to meet their degree requirement.

Advisory Committee

Students who have selected the thesis option should find a thesis advisor as soon as possible. This is typically done in a student's second semester. When a thesis research topic has been determined, the members of an Advisory Committee, consisting of at least two faculty members of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. All must be members of the graduate faculty. The student may propose members for the committee and inquire regarding their willingness to serve.

A master's thesis describes independent work by the student conducted under the supervision of his or her committee. It is a document written in English following a format prescribed by the Graduate School of Texas Tech University. All members of the Advisory Committee must approve and sign the thesis.

Master students must deliver a public oral presentation to their committee of their thesis work.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department expects MS students to maintain a TTU graduate GPA of 3.5. or above.

Residence

The minimum residence required for a master's degree is one academic year or its equivalent.

Time Limit

Work credited toward a master's degree must be completed within six years. This is a maximum time limit determined by the Graduate School, but scholarship eligibility may require shorter time limits. Once a master’s student has completed their degree credits and requirements, they may not enroll in additional spring or fall semesters. Students whose graduate study is interrupted by military service will be granted an extension for the period of their service, up to five years.