Graduate Program
The Computer Engineering Program offers a course of study leading to the degree of Master of Science (M.S.). The basic courses in the M.S. program come from the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Departments. Students completing the program are prepared to work (or study further) in such fields as digital computer design, digital communications, and the design of embedded computer systems.
Applicants are generally expected to have a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering with at least a 3.2 GPA in technical courses. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), General Test only, is required of all applicants.
Students must take at least 30 points of courses at Columbia University at or above the 4000 level. These must include at least 15 points from the courses listed below that are deemed core to computer engineering. At least 6 points must be included from each department. CSEE and EECS courses can count toward either department minimum. Other courses may be chosen with the prior approval of a faculty adviser in the Computer Engineering Program.
Core Computer Engineering Courses
- CSEE W4119: Computer networks
- CSEE W4140: Networking lab
- CSEE W4180: Network security
- CSEE W4823: Advanced logic design
- CSEE W4824: Computer architecture
- CSEE W4825: Digital systems design*
- CSEE W4840: Embedded systems design
- CSEE W4861: Computer-aided design of digital systems
- CSEE E6180: Modeling and performance evaluation
- COMS E6181: Advanced internet services
- COMS W6831: Sequential logic circuits*
- COMS W6832: Topics in logic design theory
- CSEE W6847: Distributed embedded systems
- ELEN E4321: VLSI circuits
- ELEN E4332: VLSI design lab*
- EECS E4340: Computer hardware design
- ELEN E4702: Digital communications
- ELEN E4810: Digital signal processing
- ELEN E4830: Digital image processing
- ELEN E4896: Music signal processing
- ELEN E6321: Advanced digital electronic circuits
- ELEN E6761: Computer communication networks, I
- ELEN E6762: Computer communication networks, II*
- ELEN E6850: Visual information systems
- ELEN E6860: Advanced digital signal processing
*Occasionally offered
The overall program must include at least 15 points of 6000-level ELEN, EECS, CSEE, or COMS courses (exclusive of seminars). No more than 9 points of research may be taken for credit. No more than 3 points of a nontechnical elective (at or above the 4000 level) may be included. A minimum GPA of at least 2.7 must be maintained, and all degree requirements must be completed within five years of the beginning of the first course credited toward the degree.