Computer Engineering, MS

Program Description

The Computer Engineering program is a combination of computer software, hardware, systems and applications. Areas of specialization include computer systems architecture, communication systems and networks, digital signal processing and intelligent systems. Enrollment is open to graduates in any branch of engineering, computer science, or applied mathematics who have an appropriate engineering and/or science background. Students may choose a non-thesis (all-coursework) option or a thesis option. All MS students are admitted into a focus area and must satisfy the requirements for that area.

Detailed information on program requirements and application procedures is available at the Electrical and Computer Engineering website, www.clemson.edu/cecas/ece/academics/grad/index.html.

Summary of Degree Requirements

Thesis Option

The MS thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours consisting of six credit hours of ECE 8910  (Master’s Thesis Research) and 24 credit hours of letter-graded graduate-level coursework. The 24 hours of coursework must include at least 12 credit hours of ECE courses, and 12 credit hours must be at the 8000 level. Focus area requirements as detailed in Appendix A of the ECE Graduate Student Handbook must also be met. No credit for ECE 8900 or MATH 6000  can be applied towards the degree requirements. MS thesis students must write, orally present, and defend a thesis that is approved by the advisory committee and the Graduate School.

Non-Thesis Option

The MS non-thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of letter-graded graduate-level coursework, which include 12 credit hours of ECE courses, and 18 credit hours must be at the 8000 level. Focus area requirements as detailed in Appendix A of the ECE Graduate Student Handbook must also be met. No credit for ECE 8900, ECE 8910  or MATH 6000  can be applied towards the degree requirements. 

MS students select a major advisor, who, in consultation with the student, chooses additional advisory committee members. The student’s advisory committee must include at least three Clemson University faculty members. A majority (more than 50%) of the committee members must be ECE tenured or tenure-track ECE faculty.