The Department offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a concentration in Electrical Engineering, Computer Networks and Distributed Computing, Computer Systems and Software, or Computer Graphics and Visualization. Because most graduate courses are not repeated every quarter, students should make every effort to begin their graduate program in the fall.

Detailed descriptions of the four concentrations are as follows.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CONCENTRATION (EE)

The Electrical Engineering faculty study the following areas: optical and solid-state devices, including quantum electronics and optics, integrated electro-optics and acoustics, design of semiconductor devices and materials, analog and mixed-signal IC design, microwave and microwave devices, and scanning acoustic microscopy; systems engineering and signal processing, including communication theory, machine vision, signal processing, power electronics, neural networks, communications networks, systems engineering, and control systems. Related communication networks topics are also addressed by the Networked Systems M.S. and Ph.D. degrees (listed in the Interdisciplinary Studies section of the Catalogue).

COMPUTER GRAPHICS AND VISUALIZATION CONCENTRATION (CGV)

The concentration in Computer Graphics and Visualization provides students with a solid base in the design, development, and evaluation of scientific and information visualization systems. Both hardware and software aspects are addressed with a particular focus on the development of algorithms and techniques for the representation of complex scientific data. The main research activities of the faculty in this concentration are in the fields of computer graphics, scientific visualization, computer-aided geometric design, imaging, image processing, and virtual reality. Application areas include computational physics, computational chemistry, computational fluid dynamics, computational and molecular biology, medical and biomedical imaging, civil and environmental engineering, photorealistic rendering, animation, remote sensing, industrial design, and media and arts.

COMPUTER NETWORKS AND DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING CONCENTRATION (CNDC)

The concentration in Computer Networks and Distributed Computing is concerned with the design and evaluation of computer networks and distributed computer systems, and their integration into a comprehensive computing network. Both hardware and software aspects of these systems are covered. Specific topics include computer communication protocols; performance modeling and analysis of computer networks; computer network hardware; reliability, security, and fault tolerance in computer networks and distribution computer systems; distributed operating systems; distributed software architectures, distributed data bases, network-based parallel computing, and programming languages for parallel/distributed processing. Related topics are addressed by the Networked Systems M.S. and Ph.D. degrees (listed in the Interdisciplinary Studies section of the Catalogue) and within the Computer Systems and Networks concentration in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE CONCENTRATION (CSS)

The Computer Systems and Software Concentration is concerned with the set of engineering principles which are used for design and construction of information-processing systems and software. The engineering design procedures are based on both the computational principles and theories discovered in the field of computer science and new highly integrated component devices made by electrical engineers. The main research activities of the faculty in this concentration are in the areas of fault-tolerant computing, parallel and distributed computer systems, ultra-reliable real-time computer systems, VLSI architectures, computer design automation, numerical processing, and intelligent management.

MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Two plans are offered for the M.S. degree: a thesis option and a comprehensive examination option. For either option, students are required to develop a complete program of study with advice from their faculty advisor. The graduate advisor must approve the study plan. Part-time study toward the M.S. degree is available. The program of study must be completed within four calendar years from first enrollment.

Plan I: Thesis Option

The thesis option requires completion of 36 units of study; an original research investigation; the completion of an M.S. thesis; and approval of the thesis by a thesis committee. The thesis committee is composed of three full-time faculty members with the faculty advisor of the student serving as the chair. Required undergraduate core courses and graduate seminar courses, such as EECS292, EECS293, EECS294, and EECS295, may not be counted toward the 36 units. No more than four units of EECS299 and three units of undergraduate electives may be counted toward the 36 units. Up to 12 of the required 36 units may be from EECS296 (M.S. Thesis Research) with the approval of the student's thesis advisor. Additional concentration-specific requirements are as follows; a list of core and concentration courses is given at the end of this section.

Electrical Engineering Concentration: At least seven concentration courses in the Electrical Engineering concentration (EE) must be completed.

Computer Networks and Distributed Computing Concentration: Four core courses in the Computer Networks and Distributed Computing concentration (CNDC) must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better. At least three additional core or concentration courses must also be completed.

Computer Systems and Software Concentration: Four core courses in the Computer Systems and Software concentration (CSS) must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better. At least three additional core or concentration courses must also be completed.

Computer Graphics and Visualization Concentration: Four core courses in the Computer Graphics and Visualization concentration (CGV) must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better. At least three additional core or concentration courses must also be completed.

Plan II: Comprehensive Examination Option

The comprehensive examination option requires the completion of 36 course units and a comprehensive examination. Also, students should take at least 12 courses. Only one EECS299 can be counted if the EECS299 course is three or more units. Undergraduate core courses and graduate seminar courses, such as EECS292, EECS293, EECS294, and EECS295, may not be counted toward the 36 units and 12 courses requirement. No more than three units of EECS299 and six units of undergraduate electives may be counted. In fulfillment of the comprehensive examination ele

ment of the M.S. degree program, students will complete two term paper-length reports on the current state-of-the-art of two separate technical fields corresponding to the concentration area. The term papers are completed as part of the end-of-course requirements for EECS294 (Electrical and Computer Colloquium), two units of which are needed to fulfill degree requirements. Each term paper must be completed with a grade of B or better; and each Colloquium section used to meet M.S. degree requirements must be completed with a satisfactory grade. Both Colloquium sections must be completed at the student's first opportunity upon enrollment in the ECE graduate program. Additional concentration-specific requirements are as follows; a list of core and concentration courses is given at the end of this section.

Electrical Engineering Concentration: Students enrolled in the Electrical Engineering (EE) concentration who choose the Comprehensive Examination option must select one of the following plans of study.

Circuits and Devices Plan of Study: At least four courses from the following list must be completed: EECS270A, EECS270B, EECS277A, EECS277B, EECS280A, EECS285A. At least five additional courses from the list of EE concentration courses must be completed.

Systems Plan of Study: At least four courses from the following list must be completed*: EECS240, EECS241A, EECS250, EECS251A, EECS260A, EECS267A. At least five additional courses from the list of EE concentration courses must be completed.

*If all six courses are not offered in an academic year, students who graduate in that year can petition to replace the courses that are not offered by EECS242 and/or EECS244.

Computer Networks and Distributed Computing Concentration: Four core courses in the Computer Networks and Distributed Computing concentration (CNDC) must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better. At least four additional core or concentration courses must also be completed.

Computer Systems and Software Concentration: Four core courses in the Computer Systems and Software concentration (CSS) must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better. At least four additional core or concentration courses must also be completed.

Computer Graphics and Visualization Concentration: Four core courses in the Computer Graphics and Visualization concentration (CGV) must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better. At least four additional core or concentration courses must also be completed.

List of Concentration Courses

Electrical Engineering Concentration: EECS202A-B, EECS203A, EECS206, EECS207, EECS213, EECS215, EECS217, EECS240, EECS241A-B, EECS242, EECS243, EECS244, EECS245, EECS248A-B, EECS250, EECS251A-B, EECS252, EECS260A, EECS260B, EECS261A-B, EECS262, EECS266, EECS267A-B, EECS270A, EECS270B-C-D, EECS272, EECS274, EECS275A-B, EECS276, EECS277A-B-C, EECS278, EECS279, EECS280A, EECS280B, EECS282, EECS285A, EECS285B-C.

(courses denoted with * are also core courses)

Computer Networks and Distributed Computing Concentration: EECS211*, EECS213*, EECS215*, EECS217*, EECS218*, EECS219, EECS221, EECS223, EECS224, EECS248A*, EECS248B, EECS261B, ICS 243B-C-E.

Computer Systems and Software Concentration: EECS207, EECS211*, EECS213*, EECS215*, EECS217*, EECS218*, EECS221, EECS223, EECS224, EECS225, EECS228, EECS229, EECS248A*.

Computer Graphics and Visualization Concentration: EECS 202A, EECS 202B, EECS203A, EECS204*, EECS205, EECS206, EECS207, EECS207A, EECS208, EECS209A, EECS211*, EECS213*, EECS215*, EECS218*, EECS248A*, EECS250, ICS 266, ICS 285.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The doctoral program in Electrical and Computer Engineering is tailored to the individual background and interest of the student. There are several milestones to pass: admission to the Ph.D. program by the Graduate Committee; Ph.D. preliminary examination on the background and potential for success in the doctoral program; departmental teaching requirement which can be satisfied through service as a teaching assistant or equivalent; original research work; development of a research report and dissertation proposal; advancement to Ph.D. candidacy in the third year (second year for students who entered with a master's degree) through the Ph.D. qualifying examination conducted on behalf of the Irvine Division of the Academic Senate; completion of a significant research investigation; and completion and approval of a dissertation. A public Ph.D. dissertation defense is also required. During the Ph.D. study, four quarters of EECS294 must be completed.

The Ph.D. preliminary examination consists of two parts: a breadth requirement and a depth examination. Detailed requirements for each concentration are specified in the departmental Ph.D. preliminary examination policies, available from the EECS Graduate Admissions Office. The depth examination is conducted during each spring quarter. A student must pass the Ph.D. preliminary examination within two complete academic year cycles after entering the Ph.D. program. A student has only two chances to take and pass the Ph.D. preliminary examination. A student who fails the Ph.D. preliminary examination twice will be asked to withdraw from the program, or will be dismissed from the program, and may not be readmitted into the program.

The Ph.D. degree is granted upon the recommendation of the Doctoral Committee and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Part-time study toward the Ph.D. degree is not permitted. The normative time for completion of the Ph.D. is five years (four years for students who entered with a master's degree). The maximum time permitted is seven years.