Requirements
Base Requirement
In their first year, all M.S. students, regardless if they are in Thesis Plan I or Capstone Plan II, must show proficiency in three fundamental subjects: 1) computer algorithms and data structures; 2) computer architecture; and 3) one of the following three subjects—logic design, circuits, or software systems. Proficiency can be demonstrated by either completing one of the associated undergraduate courses at UCSC, by establishing that an equivalent undergraduate course has been completed elsewhere, or by passing the final examination (or project when deemed appropriate by the responsible faculty) of an associated course. Students should obtain a computer engineering base requirement worksheet for the list of associated courses and instructions on fulfilling this requirement.
All graduate students must meet the base requirement by the end of their first year in the program.
Course Requirements
Thesis Plan I
Each M.S. student is required to complete a total of 48 credits. The coursework must include:
- Completion of base requirement as described above.
Core Requirements (CSE 200 to be taken in fall quarter of the first year):
| CSE 200 | Research and Teaching in Computer Science and Engineering | 3 |
| CSE 201 | Analysis of Algorithms | 5 |
| CSE 220 | Computer Architecture | 5 |
Research Credits
Up to 10 credits of the CSE 297 series, Independent Study or Research; or the CSE 299 series, Thesis Research:
Graduate Courses in Related Disciplines
Up to 10 credits of either graduate courses (not seminars) in related disciplines outside the School of Engineering (requires faculty adviser and graduate director approval) or upper-division undergraduate courses, taken as a graduate student, when necessary to strengthen the student's preparation for graduate studies (requires faculty adviser approval).
Graduate Courses from within the School of Engineering
All remaining courses must be regular 5-credit graduate courses from within the School of Engineering (with faculty adviser and graduate director approval); courses that do not count include CSE 296, and all courses numbered CSE 280. At most, 10 units of CSE 297 and/or CSE 299 may be counted toward the 48 credits requirement.
Half of the credits from the graduate-level courses must be Computer Engineering graduate courses. CSE 297 and CSE 299 do not count toward the half credits that must be Computer Engineering courses.
Capstone Plan II
Each M.S. student is required to complete a total of at least 50 credits. The coursework must include:
- Completion of base requirement as described above.
Core Requirements (CSE 200 to be taken in fall quarter of the first year):
| CSE 200 | Research and Teaching in Computer Science and Engineering | 3 |
| CSE 201 | Analysis of Algorithms | 5 |
| CSE 220 | Computer Architecture | 5 |
| CSE 296 | Masters Project | 2 |
Graduate Courses in Related Disciplines
Up to 10 credits of either graduate courses (not seminars) in related disciplines outside the School of Engineering (requires faculty adviser and Computer Engineering graduate director approval) or upper-division undergraduate courses, taken as a graduate student, when necessary to strengthen the student's preparation for graduate studies (requires faculty adviser approval).
Graduate Courses from within the School of Engineering
All remaining courses must be regular 5-credit graduate courses from within the School of Engineering; courses that do not count include all courses numbered CSE 280, CSE 297, and CSE 299. CSE 296 may only be counted once toward the 50-credit requirement.
At least half of the credits from the graduate-level courses must be Computer Engineering graduate courses. CSE 200 and CSE 296 may not be counted toward the half of all credits that must be Computer Engineering courses.
Other Requirements
Thesis Plan I
Completion of a master's thesis is required for award of the master's degree Thesis Plan I. After the student has completed some coursework in the proposed area of research and become acquainted with the faculty conducting research in that area, a student electing Thesis Plan I submits a written proposal to a faculty member, usually by the end of the third academic quarter. If the faculty member determines they are able to advise the student's thesis, they collaborate with the student to further develop the scope of the student's research and refine the proposal. By accepting the proposal, the faculty member becomes the thesis adviser for the proposed thesis. In consultation with the adviser, the student must form a Master's Thesis Reading Committee with at least two additional faculty members, each of whom is provided a copy of the proposal. Exceptions to the committee structure may be granted by the graduate program director. Changes in the membership of the committee, once appointed, may only be made with the approval of the graduate dean.
Members of the Master's Thesis Reading Committee must meet the following criteria:
- The first member must be a ladder rank CSE faculty member (may be the faculty adviser) or a ladder rank ECE faculty member in the Robotics and Control group (may be the adviser). This is the chair of the committee.
- The second member must be a ladder rank UCSC Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE) faculty member.
- The third member must be a UCSC BSOE faculty member or a recognized expert in the student's research area as judged by the Master's Thesis Reading Committee.
Additional members may be added to committee. Students should consult their advisers about the membership of their committee.
By the end of the second week of the quarter in which a student plans to graduate, the student must submit a formal nomination of their Master's Thesis Reading Committee to the Graduate Division for approval. The required form for nominating a Master's Thesis Reading Committee is located on the Graduate Division's website. A final draft of the thesis must be provided to the members of the committee at least 30 days before the final day of the quarter in which the student wishes to graduate. Once the thesis is completed, it is recommended that the student give an expository talk on the thesis research. The approved reading committee must accept the final thesis before the Master of Science degree can be awarded.
Capstone Plan II
Completion of a master's project is required to satisfy the master’s degree Capstone Plan II. The master’s project is the culmination of the student's academic experience and builds upon the knowledge acquired during the program. Students are expected to identify a faculty advisor for the M.S. project by the end of the first year. In consultation with the advisor, the student forms a Master's Project Reading Committee of at least two faculty members, each of whom is provided a copy of the project report.
Members of the Master's Project Reading Committee must meet the following criteria:
- The first member must be a ladder rank CSE faculty member (may be the faculty advisor) OR a ladder rank ECE faculty member in the Robotics and Control group (may be the faculty advisor). This is the chair of the committee.
- The second member must be a ladder rank UCSC Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE) faculty.
Additional members may be added to the committee. Students should consult their advisors about the membership of their committee.
The final project must be accepted by the review committee before the award of the Master of Science degree.
Transfer Credit
Up to three School of Engineering courses (15 credits) fulfilling the degree requirements may be taken before beginning the graduate program through the concurrent enrollment program.
M.S. students who have previously successfully completed graduate-level classes in a related field at another institution may substitute courses from their previous institution with the approval of the graduate director. The number of courses that can be substituted is limited so that, in all cases, students must complete a minimum of four graduate-level classes during their matriculation at UC Santa Cruz. These classes must be School of Engineering graduate-level courses and must be approved by the student's adviser and the program’s graduate director.
Petitions for course substitutions should be submitted along with the transcript from the other institution or UC Santa Cruz extension. For courses taken at other institutions copies of the syllabi, exams, and other coursework should accompany the petition. Such petitions are not considered until the completion of at least one quarter at UCSC.
Acceptance of prior work for course transfer is at the discretion of the department.
Academic Progress
Each year, the program faculty reviews the progress of every student in the graduate program. Normative academic progress for master's students includes selecting Thesis Plan I or Capstone Plan II, and identifying a faculty adviser by end of the third quarter. Students must complete the master's program within three calendar years, but students typically complete the program in six quarters.
Students without adequate academic preparation may be required to take additional courses. Full-time students are normally expected to complete the degree requirements at the rate of at least two courses per quarter. Full-time students must complete CSE 201 and CSE 220 within two years and normally must complete all course requirements within two years for the M.S.
Students receiving two or more grades of U (Unsatisfactory) or below B- in School of Engineering courses are not making adequate progress and will be placed on academic probation for the following three quarters of registered enrollment. Should any Computer Engineering graduate student fail a School of Engineering course while on probation, the program faculty may request the graduate dean dismiss that student from the graduate program. If after being removed from probation the student again fails a School of Engineering course, they will return immediately to academic probation. Taking a leave of absence does not count as enrollment, and it does not extend the degree timeline. Part-time enrollment is counted as a half of a quarter of enrollment.
Students not making adequate progress toward completion of degree requirements (see the UC Santa Cruz Graduate Handbook for policy on satisfactory academic progress) may be recommended for academic probation. Students who violate the terms of their academic probation are subject to dismissal from the program.
Graduate students experiencing circumstances or difficulties that impact their academic performance should contact their faculty adviser and the graduate director immediately. Students may appeal their dismissal.
Letter Grade Policy
Letter grading is required for all courses applied toward the Computer Engineering Master's degree with an exception for up to 10 credits of the student’s choice and the following courses: CSE 200, Research and Training in Computer Science and Engineering; CSE 296, Master's Project; CSE 297, Independent Study or Research; CSE 299, Thesis Research; and the CSE 280 seminar series. This policy includes courses used for this degree that are sponsored by other departments. To ensure they will receive a letter grade, students should check that they have selected the letter grade option no later than the 15th day of instruction each quarter for each class in which they are enrolled.
Applying for Graduation
All candidates for a degree must submit an Application for Master's Degree to the Graduate Advising Office by the date stated in the Academic and Administrative Calendar for the quarter you wish to receive the degree. Failure to declare candidacy by the deadline means that you cannot be considered a candidate until the next term.
A student is required to be registered or on Filing Fee Status, whichever is applicable, during the quarter in which the degree is conferred. Students should consult the department advisor to determine which option fits their situation. For more information about applying for graduation, visit the Baskin School of Engineering Graduate Studies website.