The Tickle College of Engineering offers a Master of Science in Computer Engineering to qualified applicants. Candidates for the MS program are expected to possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering or related field.

Concentrations (Optional) and Options Available

Computer Architecture — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Computer Networks — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Computer Vision — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Cybersecurity — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Data Analytics — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Embedded Systems — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Image Processing — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Information Systems — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Signal Processing — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

VLSI System Design — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams Option

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Applicants for admission are expected to have completed a bachelor’s degree with an average GPA of at least 3.00 out of 4.00, both overall and in the senior year.
• A TOEFL score of 550 on the written exam or 80 on the Internet-based Test is required for non-native speakers of English, including those who have earned degrees at U.S. institutions.
  • The score must be no more than two years old from the requested date of entry.
• Applicants who have received a degree from an accredited U.S. institution within the past two years are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
• Applicants who hold the bachelor’s degree in fields other than electrical or computer engineering will be required to take selected undergraduate courses as determined by the applicant’s prior education and experience.
  • The student will be admitted under non-degree status until the required undergraduate courses are successfully completed with a 3.00 GPA average.
• An international student may not enroll as a non-degree student.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

Option Specific Courses:

• Thesis option = 24 credit hours graduate coursework, plus 6 credit hours of ECE 500  (6 credit hours).
• Project option = 27 credit hours graduate coursework, plus 3 credit hours of ECE 501  (3 credit hours) - with minimum grade of B.
• Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams = 30 credit hours of graduate coursework.

At least two-thirds of the total credit hours must be at the 500-level or above.

At least 6 credit hours selected from the following courses: ECE 504 , ECE 505 , ECE 533 , ECE 551 , ECE 553 , ECE 555 , ECE 572 , COSC 522 , and COSC 530 .

Non-Course Requirements

• In consultation with their advisor, students may select one of the following concentrations. Concentrations reflect research focus area and do not include specific course requirements.
  • Computer Architecture
  • Computer Networks
  • Computer Vision
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Embedded Systems
  • Image Processing
  • Information Systems
  • Signal Processing
  • VLSI System Design
• Thesis Option: a final oral exam covering the thesis.
• Project Option: A written final report and/or oral presentation, as determined by the advisor and approved by the committee.

 

Five-Year BS/MS Program - Computer Engineering Major (MS)

The department offers a 5 year BS-MS program for qualified students. The primary component of the program is that qualified students may take up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate courses for their senior undergraduate electives and have them count toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UT. This program is designed for students attending UT for their Master of Science degree because other universities may not accept these courses for graduate credit since they were used to satisfy requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.

Significant components of the program are:

• Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.40 to be admitted to the program. Conditional admission may be granted after completing 64 credit hours of required coursework while full admission is granted after completing 96 credit hours of required coursework with a minimum overall GPA of 3.40 in required coursework.
• Students must at least have conditional admission before taking graduate courses for both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. All courses taken for graduate credit must be approved by the departmental chair of the program. Students admitted to the program must request permission from the Graduate School to take approved courses for graduate credit.
• Students admitted to the program must also follow the normal procedure for admission to the Graduate School.
• Admission of students into this program must be approved by the department and the Graduate School.
• Students will not be eligible for graduate assistantships until they are enrolled as graduate-level students in the Graduate School.