Electrical and Computer Engineering - Graduate | 2023-24

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department offers two graduate degree options:

Master of Science (MS)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In addition, an Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity is offered in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science.

The MS program prepares students for development-oriented engineering careers and/or continuation to doctoral studies by providing:

Increased depth in an area of focus
Expanded breadth in supporting areas
Focused study of recent advances in the area of focus

The MS program offers the balance of advanced theory and practical engineering knowledge necessary to prepare its graduates for professional practice and/or for continuation into a PhD program. The program culminates with either a thesis or a project report through which students develop their ability to perform independent investigation of recent advances and present the results in a written document. The typical time for completion is 18-24 months of full-time study.

The PhD program is a research-focused program that prepares students for research and development careers in corporate, academic and research lab environments by providing:

A flexible program of course work to support the research area
An opportunity for extensive independent research on a cutting-edge research topic

The Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity will document a student's completion of a formally organized suite of courses in information systems security. The program will introduce a breadth of cybersecurity concepts in a foundational course that is common to all students in the program, but will allow depth in chosen areas of specialization. In addition to the foundational course, each student will take one course each related to analysis, design and applications as they pertain to information systems security. The intent of the program is not to provide a comprehensive self-contained competency, but rather to provide the student with special attention, in the context of an MS program or in professional practice, to information security issues inherent in computer science and electrical and computer engineering subject matter. It therefore highlights security dimensions of existing coursework and professional experience.

Detailed degree requirements for these programs are given below.

Full-time graduate students are encouraged to apply for part-time work as teaching assistants, research assistants or technical assistants to gain practical experience, as well as financial aid and tuition scholarship.

Focus Areas

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Communication: EECE 513, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 527, 529X, 542, 545, 549, 559, 564, 629, 642, or any 580 or 680 topics course that fits in this category
Control Systems: EECE 503, 504, 509, 510, 513, 515, 517, 518, 519, 567, 568, 616, 619, or any 580 or 680 topics course that fits in this category
Computer Architecture and Networks: EECE 552, 553, 558, 559, 560, 565, 568, 570, 573, 575, 657, WTSN 551, or any 580 or 680 topics course that fits in this category
Information Assurance: EECE 519, 527, 560, 562, 564, 565, 566, 567, 657, 658, WTSN 551, or any 580 or 680 topics course that fits in this category
Power and Energy: EECE 502, 503, 504, 508, 509, 511, 512, 513, 514, 516, or any 580 or 680 topics course that fits in this category
VLSI: EECE 570, 573, 574, 575
Physical Electronics and Electro-Optics: EECE 501, 504, 505, 508, 516, 530, 532, 534X, 535X, 537X, 549, 578, or any 580 or 680 course that fits in this category

Note: In any given semester, special topics courses are offered that may be used toward degree requirements. See the published schedule of courses on BU BRAIN.

Note: With approval of the ECE director of graduate programs, it is possible to form an ad hoc focus area (e.g., power systems, solar cells, etc.). MS students wishing to form such an area should first consult with the professor who would oversee their thesis or project in the ad hoc area of interest and prepare a proposed ad hoc area; after that, approval from the ECE director of graduate programs should be obtained.

Courses Cross-Listed with Undergraduate Courses

For graduate credit, students in these courses complete additional work beyond that required for undergraduates. Cross-listed courses may not be counted if the student has taken a similar course as an undergraduate and may not be counted after taking a course that has the cross-listed course as a prerequisite.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted, a student is required to have earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering (EE), computer engineering (CoE) or a related field. All students are expected to have the equivalent of the courses listed in the following content areas: Calculus Through Differential Equations, Computer Programming, Digital Logic Design (EECE 251), Electrical Circuits (EECE 260), Electronics (EECE 315), Signals and Systems (EECE 301) and laboratory experience.

Qualified students with non-electrical and computer engineering backgrounds are admitted on a conditional basis until the undergraduate EECE course(s) needed to fulfill these requirements are taken.

Students specializing in EE will need some of the following before proceeding to graduate work:

EECE 212 Linear Algebra and Matlab
EECE 323 Electromagnetics
EECE 332 Semiconductor Devices
EECE 361 Control Systems
EECE 377 Communication Systems

Note: Taking the Programming Course EECE 212 is highly recommended if the incoming student does not have any programming experience. The requirements vary depending on the focus area the student wishes to pursue; prospective students should contact the ECE director of graduate admissions to discuss a plan for these courses.

Students specializing in CoE will need some of the following before proceeding to graduate work:

CS 211 Programming for Engineers
EECE 287 Sophomore Design
EECE 351 Digital Systems
EECE 359 Computer Comm and Networking

Note: Taking the programming course CS 211 is highly recommended if the incoming student does not have any programming experience.

The GRE is required but applicants with strong credentials may petition the director of graduate studies to be evaluated without supplying GRE scores. GRE quantitative scores must be generally 155 or above. An applicant's transcript is also heavily weighted.

An acceptable TOEFL, IELTS or PTE academic score is required from international students unless the student meets the eligibility criteria for waiving TOEFL/IELTS/PTE academic scores as established by the Graduate School. An internet-based TOEFL score of 80 or above is required for admission, while a score of 100 or above is preferred for students seeking teaching assistantships. Paper-based TOEFL minimum is 550. IELTS minimum score is 6.5 with no band below 5.0. PTE Academic minimum score is 53. International students must also submit immigration and financial documentation. See the Graduate School website for more information about the additional requirements for international students.

MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Degree Requirements

The student must maintain at least a B average in all graduate coursework:

Area of focus courses:
- Three EECE courses in a single area of focus (see list of areas above);
Breadth courses:
- Two EECE courses in two areas other than area of focus;
Math Methods course:
- EECE 506 Mathematical Methods in Electrical Engineering; or
- EECE 507 Mathematical Methods in Computer Engineering; or
- Another graduate mathematical methods course with prior approval from the director of graduate studies.
Electives:
- Two courses (for thesis option) or three courses (for project option) from the following list:
  - Any regular EECE graduate course; and/or
  - EECE 597 Independent Study (can be used for all electives); and/or
  - Regular graduate courses in other engineering, math and science departments (approved by ECE*); and/or
  - Regular graduate courses in the School of Management (approved by ECE*)
Thesis or project:
- Thesis option EECE 598 (three credits) and EECE 599 (three credits); and successful defense of MS thesis, or
- Project option EECE 598 (three credits)

*A list of pre-approved courses is given in the ECE Graduate Handbook.

PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering

General Academic Program Requirements

The PhD program meets the needs of each student through an individualized learning program. The program is structured within general guidelines set by the department that establish the scope of the educational experience to be achieved by each student. For students who already hold an MS degree in an appropriate field, the PhD program requires meeting the residency requirement, as defined by the Graduate School. For students who wish to pursue a direct BS-to-PhD path (without earning an MS along the way), the PhD program requires a minimum of 14 graduate courses (with no more than 12 credits or four courses of independent study.) The PhD program requires a minimum of three academic years of full-time graduate level study after the baccalaureate degree or their equivalent in part-time study. A student cannot take more than two independent study courses per semester with any one person (one 597 and one 697.) No more than 12 credits of independent study with any one person can count towards graduation.

Admission

Applications received for the PhD program are administratively divided into three categories. The categories are:

Students who are about to complete an MS degree in the department;
Students who have completed or are about to complete an MS degree elsewhere; and
Exceptional students completing their BS in EE degree with a cumulative GPA above 3.7.

Students in the first category (i.e., in their last semester of the MS in ECE program) may apply for the PhD program by requesting that the department indicate their intent to continue for the PhD on the Recommendation for Award of Master's Degree Form that is submitted at the completion of the MS degree.

Students who have completed an appropriate master's degree elsewhere can apply for the PhD program.

Exceptional baccalaureate students with a GPA above 3.7 are eligible for direct admission to the PhD program.

Students apply to the PhD program by submitting a completed application and application fee to the Graduate School. The application must include all transcripts, GRE scores, two letters of recommendation, a statement of research interests and a current résumé. International students must also submit proof of English proficiency (such as TOEFL, IELTS or PTE academic scores) and immigration and financial documentation. See the Graduate School website for more information about the additional requirements for international students.

PhD Advisor and Guidance Committee

The PhD student's research advisor is central in directing the student's development. Upon admission to the doctoral program, new students have as their advisor the ECE director of graduate programs until an advisor is identified on the PhD Principal Advisor/Guidance Committee Form. A Guidance Committee Form should be completed during the first semester in residence.

The guidance committee must have a minimum of three members, two of whom must be from the ECE department (including the principal advisor). Each of these members is expected to take an active role in supervising the student's development. Members, in addition to those mentioned above, may be added to enhance the committee. An outside examiner will be appointed by the dean of the Graduate School.

When a proposed committee has been identified, the names and signatures are submitted on a Principal Advisor/Guidance Committee Form to the ECE director of graduate programs. Once approved, the form is forwarded to Watson College's administrative coordinator of graduate affairs. When the guidance committee is approved, the form is placed on file with the administrative coordinator of graduate affairs. Any subsequent changes made to the membership of this committee must be documented in a new copy of the Principal Advisor/Guidance Committee Form.

Learning Contract

The new doctoral student should start to work immediately with his or her advisor to develop a learning contract. The purpose of the learning contract is to define the knowledge and skills required in order to pass the comprehensive examination. The learning contract should identify core courses and concepts that must be mastered in order to provide breadth of background, as well as specialized courses and concepts germane to the proposed area of research. The learning contract may be modified later if additional knowledge is required or if the field of research is changed. A model for the learning contract is available from the administrative coordinator of graduate affairs.

A copy of the learning contract, with signatures indicating approval of the guidance committee, is placed in the student's file in the office of the administrative coordinator of graduate affairs.

Qualifying Examination

Students are encouraged to attempt this examination as early in their program as possible, preferably within the first three semesters. On the qualifying examination, students must demonstrate quantitative skills and subject knowledge in math and at least two core areas within ECE. A description of the qualifying examination is given in the ECE Graduate Handbook.

Comprehensive Examination and Admission to Candidacy

After completion of the required courses, and before completion of a significant portion of the dissertation research, the student must complete the comprehensive examination. This is an individual examination, with responsibility for the content given to the student's guidance committee. The ECE director of graduate programs is an ex officio member of the comprehensive examination committee to ensure uniformity in the level of examinations within the department. Once the guidance committee and ECE director of graduate programs have agreed on the examination content and format, it is clearly explained to the student and the examination date set. After successfully completing the comprehensive examination and any additional requirements such as the development of communication skills, the student is admitted to candidacy for the doctorate. The Graduate School is notified of the satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examination and the student's admission to candidacy on the Recommendation for Admission to Candidacy for Doctoral Degree Form. Note that the candidate is required to defend the dissertation within five years of admission to candidacy.

Dissertation Prospectus

Upon completion of the comprehensive examination, the candidate prepares a prospectus describing the proposed research. This prospectus is presented and defended in an open colloquium. Upon acceptance of the prospectus by the guidance committee, a copy is filed with Watson College's administrative coordinator of graduate affairs.

Evidence of Proficiency in Teaching

The candidate is required to meet the teaching proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

Be an instructor of record in an undergraduate/graduate course; or
Complete practicum in teaching course and teach one or more seminars or a portion of a course; or
Show evidence of past teaching experience comparable to the first and second choices above, which must be verified and approved by the guidance committee.

Dissertation Defense

If an outside examiner was not chosen at the time the Recommendation for Admission to Candidacy for Doctoral Degree Form was submitted to the Graduate School, then the chair of the guidance committee makes a recommendation to the ECE director of graduate programs, who, upon approval of the recommendation, forwards it to the vice provost and dean of the Graduate School. The vice provost and dean makes a formal appointment of the outside examiner. The outside examiner reviews and participates in the dissertation defense with the guidance committee. After distribution of the dissertation for review, an oral defense of the PhD dissertation is scheduled. The PhD candidate is required to present an oral defense of his or her dissertation in an open colloquium.

Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity

General Academic Program Requirements

The Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity is designed to:

Address depth and breadth of information science and security topics
Attract both CS and ECE undergraduates or students in closely related disciplines
Offer flexibility in choosing courses for certificate

Students will take a common foundational course and at least one course in three focus areas.

Design: creation and specification of secure systems (software or hardware) from elementary design principles
Analysis: assess and quantify security aspects and dimensions of software and hardware systems
Application: use existing tools and templates to defend systems or exploit vulnerabilities to become penetration testers or "red-team" assessors

The student must maintain at least a B average in four courses spanning all four general areas:

Cybersecurity Foundations: Fundamentals of Computer Security (WTSN 551) or Introduction to Computer Security (CS 558)
Design Course: Cyber-Physical Systems (EECE 567) or Operating Systems (CS 550)
Analysis Course: Science of Cybersecurity (CS 559), Fundamentals of Steganography (EECE 562), Contemporary Stats Cybersecurity (EECE 580I), Network Security (EECE 657), or Hardware-Based Security (EECE 658), or Cryptography and Information Security (EECE 560)
Applications: Cyber-Physical Systems (EECE 567), Network Computer Security (EECE 565), Software Security (CS 553X), Mobile Systems Security (CS 527), Operating Systems (CS 550), or Hardware and Systems Security (CS 580A)

Admission

The Advanced Certificate in Cybersecurity program is open to graduate students in computer science, electrical and computer engineering or a closely related area as an add-on certificate program or as a standalone certificate program to non-matriculated students. Non-matriculated students who intend to apply to 91�� to earn the certificate, but not a graduate degree, are required to hold a bachelor's degree in CS, ECE or a closely related area.

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