MS in Computer Engineering

Total units required for MS: 30 minimum, (including 0-5 units of 500-level courses for Plan A, B, or C) and the remaining units from the list of required and elective courses 

Program Description

The Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering is jointly supported by the Departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The program is designed to provide opportunities for students with undergraduate degrees in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field to pursue graduate studies in this interdisciplinary field. The program provides students with broad and advanced knowledge in areas such as advanced microprocessor architecture, parallel computer architecture, advanced microprocessor systems, distributed computing, data communication, computer networks, operating systems, and concurrent programming. The program is sufficiently flexible to allow students to conduct independent research and broaden their professional scope. Each student plans a program of study in consultation with a graduate advisor and/or his/her thesis or project advisor and works closely with these advisors.

Computer Engineering is a part of the larger Information Technology (IT) discipline. Highly skilled computer engineers who have advanced knowledge of both hardware and software and who can design, test, and implement complex digital systems are a part of the IT workforce. Networks such as the Internet, Intranets, communication systems, banking computer systems, public utility systems, and transportation systems are just a few examples of areas where high-tech solutions and skilled workers are needed. The continuing dramatic progress in hardware and the sophistication of computing devices and systems require continually increasing technical skills in hardware and software.

Note: All graduate students are required to take CPE 201 in their first semester of study. Students may take no more than 6 units of CPE 299 to fulfill the unit requirements. Only those courses completed within seven years prior to date of graduation will satisfy course requirements.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate program in Computer Engineering requires all of the following:

  • a BS degree in Computer Engineering (CPE), Computer Science (CSC), Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), or a closely related field;
  • at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units of the BS degree;
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores and;
  • background as specified in Required Basic Knowledge to enter the program.

Students with deficiencies in the admission requirements are advised to remove any such deficiencies before applying. However, under special circumstances, a student who does not satisfy the admission requirements may be admitted as a conditionally classified graduate student. Conditional admission may be granted to those students who are likely to complete all the admission requirements. Deficiencies will be specified in the acceptance letter to the student and must be removed by the student before the student can become a fully classified graduate student.

A student registered as an unclassified or conditionally classified graduate student cannot use graduate courses to improve his/her grade point average for admittance to the program. Only undergraduate courses required in the degree program in CPE, CSC, or EEE may be taken or retaken to improve the GPA for admittance to the graduate program.

Required Basic Knowledge

A student must have completed the following list of Required Basic Knowledge before becoming a fully classified graduate student in Computer Engineering. Courses listed in parentheses are the equivalent Sacramento State courses.

Minimum required GPA in the following subject areas: 3.0

Electrical Fundamentals
Analog/Digital Electronics
CMOS and VLSI
Digital Logic Design and Introduction to Computer Organization
Assembly Language
Computer Interfacing
Object Oriented Programming
Algorithms and Data Structure
Systems Programming
Introduction to Operating Systems
Computer Networks and Internets
Differential Equations for Science and Engineering
Statistics and Probability
Applied Linear Algebra
Numerical Analysis

Graduate Admission Procedures

Applications will be accepted as long as there is space available. All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file all of the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 215, (916) 278-6470:

  • an online application for graduate admission and fee at the time of application;
  • one set of official transcripts from colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State; and
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores;

For more admissions information and application deadlines, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website.

Approximately six weeks after receipt of all items listed above, a decision regarding admission will be mailed to the applicant.

Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree

Units required for the MS:  30

Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0. Up to three courses in the program of study may have a grade of "C+" or "B-". All other courses in the program of study must have a grade of "B" or higher. 

Advancement to Candidacy

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:

  • removed any deficiencies in the admission requirements;

  • completed at least 12 units of graduate level (200 series) Computer Engineering courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA; and

  • complete a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline with a grade of "B" or better at California State University, Sacramento.

Students must have been advanced to candidacy before they can register for Plan A, B or C. The student should fill out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with a Computer Engineering graduate advisor. The completed form must be signed by the CPE Graduate Coordinator and is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.

Note: It should be recognized that the industry puts a high value on project and thesis problem-solving experience, and the demonstration of technical writing skills that these options require. Graduating under the Plan C option will not provide that experience. Students taking this option should consider, with their elective area advisors, other ways of gaining that valuable experience, such as through a CPE 299 Special Problems course.

Program Requirements

A. Required Core Courses12
CPE 201
Research Methodology 1
CSC/EEE 273
Hierarchical Digital Design Methodology
CSC 205
Computer Systems Structure 2
EEE 270
Advanced Topics in Logic Design 2
B. Required Breadth Courses 26 - 12
Students must cover at least two from the following five areas with equal number from CSC and EEE courses:
Algorithms and Applications
CSC 206
Algorithms And Paradigms
EEE 221
Machine Vision
EEE 225
Advanced Robot Control
EEE 244
Electrical Engineering Computational Methods and Applications
EEE 246
Advanced Digital Control
Computer Architecture and Digital Design
CSC 242
Computer-Aided Systems Design and Verification
EEE 272
High Speed Digital System Design
EEE 274
Advanced Timing Analysis
EEE/CSC 280
Advanced Computer Architecture
EEE 285
Micro-Computer System Design I
EEE 286
Microcomputer System Design II
Microelectric Design
EEE 230
Analog and Mixed Signal Integrated Circuit Design
EEE 231
Advanced Analog and Mixed Signal Integrated Circuit Design
EEE 232
Key Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Building Blocks
EEE 234
Digital Integrated Circuit Design 2
EEE 235
Mixed-Signal IC Design Laboratory
EEE 236
Advanced Semiconductor Devices
EEE 238
Advanced VLSI Design-For-Test I
EEE 239
Advanced VLSI Design-For-Test II
Networks and Security
CSC 250
Computer Security
CSC 253
Computer Forensics
CSC 254
Network Security
CSC 255
Computer Networks
Systems Software
CSC 151
Compiler Construction
CPE/CSC 159
Operating System Pragmatics 3,4
CSC 239
Advanced Operating Systems Principles and Design
C. CSC Elective3
Courses from Area B (Required Breadth Courses) or any 200-level CSC courses subject to meeting the required prerequisites.
D. EEE Elective3
Courses from Area B (Required Breadth Courses) or any 200-level EEE courses subject to meeting the required prerequisites.
E. Culminating Requirement0 - 5
CPE 500
Culminating Experience
Plan A: Thesis (5 units) 5,6
Minimum 25 units of course work including 12 units from Area A (Required Core Courses), a minimum of 6 units from Area B (Required Breadth Courses), and a minimum of 3 units each from Area C (CSC Elective) and Area D (EEE Elective).
Plan B: Project (2 units) 5,6
Minimum 28 units of course work including 12 units from Area A (Required Core Courses), a minimum of 12 units from Area B (Required Breadth Courses), and a minimum of 4 units from the following options:
a) 3 units from Area C (CSC Elective) and 1 unit 299 from CPE or EEE;
b) 3 units from Area D (EEE Elective) and 1 unit 299 from CPE or CSC; or
c) 3 units from Area C (CSC Elective) and 3 units from Area D (EEE Elective).
Plan C: Comprehensive Exam (0 units) 5,6
Minimum 30 units of course work including 12 units from Area A (Required Core Courses), a minimum of 12 units from Area B (Required Breadth Courses), and a minimum of 3 units each from Area C (CSC Elective) and Area D (EEE Elective).
Total Units30-32
1

All graduate students must concurrently take CPE 201 in the semester they take their first graduate course.

2

Students whose undergraduate degree preparation has covered a significant amount of the material in the course may be allowed to waive the course. The course waiver form must be approved by the Computer Engineering Coordinator. In this case, for each CSC course waived students must take an additional CSC course, and for each EEE course waived students must take an additional EEE course from Required Breadth Courses or Elective Courses to satisfy the program unit requirement.

3

Students whose undergraduate degree preparation has not covered a significant amount of the material in CSC 159/CPE 159 must take this course as one of the CSC Breadth Requirement courses.

4

No more than 6 units of under 200-level courses.

5

Additional units from Area B (Required Breadth Courses), Area C (CSC Elective), or Area D (EEE Elective), or 299, to fulfill the minimum course work units.

6

The Masters Degree requires 18 units of Graduate (200-level) seminar courses. No more than six units of 295, 296, or 299 may be counted towards a degree.