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Master of Science - Computer Engineering

The Master of Science in Computer Engineering (MSCE) is a research degree. A thesis and final examination (thesis defense) are required. The final exam is a requirement to earn the thesis degree, it is not entitled to a waiver. Students who complete the MSCE may file a letter of intent requesting admission to the Ph.D. program. This is a STEM program.

Advisory Committee

The MSCE advisory committee is like that of the Master in Computer Science degree with the additional requirement that the chair or a co-chair must be a member of the computer engineering faculty.

Degree Plan

The degree plan should be completed by the student in consultation with the chair and the advisory committee. Requirements for the MSCE degree include:

  • At least 12 credit hours of graded computer science and engineering (CSCE) graduate coursework (excluding CSCE 681, 684, 685 and 691).
  • At least six credit hours of graded electrical and computer engineering (ECEN) graduate coursework that is not cross-listed with CSCE (excluding ECEN 681, 684, 685 and 691).
  • At least six credit hours of graded elective graduate coursework (excluding 681, 684, 685 and 691). This may include CSCE, ECEN or other approved graduate courses.
  • At most, one three-credit 400–level CSCE or ECEN undergraduate course approved by the graduate advisor. This course does NOT count towards the 12 hours of CSCE-graded graduate coursework.
  • One credit hour of CSCE 681 (Graduate Seminar).
  • Three to six credit hours of CSCE 691 (Research).
  • Up to three credit hours of CSCE 685 (Directed Studies). The combination of 685 and 691 cannot exceed six credit hours.
  • A total of at least 30 credit hours.

Courses That Cannot Be Used on Any Degree Plan:

  • In CSCE, we do not allow 601, 602, 603, 701, 705, 706, 707, 708 and 709.
  • In ECEN, we do not allow 714 and 749.
  • In STAT, we do not allow 624 and 654.
  • In MATH, we do not allow 679.
  • In CYBR, we do not allow 601.
  • In ISTM, we do not allow 601.
  • Any course that contains material required of our undergraduate computer science (CPSC) or computer engineering majors.
  • CSCE undergraduate courses 481, 482, and 483.

Other Degree Plan Information:

  • Texas A&M undergraduates who have taken 410 cannot use 611 on their degree plan. If the Texas A&M undergraduate receives an A in 410, they satisfy the Systems breadth requirement for the CPSC degrees.
  • Texas A&M undergraduates who have taken 431 cannot use 606 on their degree plan. Texas A&M undergraduates who receive an A in 431 satisfy the Software breadth requirement for the CPSC degrees.
  • Texas A&M undergraduates who have taken 420 cannot use 625 on their degree plan. This course is not stacked normally but overlaps by about two-thirds (2/3).
  • Texas A&M undergraduates who receive an A in 411 satisfy the Theory breadth requirement.
  • For stacked courses: If you have credit for an undergraduate class, you cannot get credit for the graduate class, except via Fast Track. When a graduate and undergraduate course is stacked, graduate students are required to take the graduate course in the stacked pair. If there are seats in the undergraduate section but not in the graduate section, you should contact the graduate advising office to request that seat be reallocated. Reallocation can be requested but will have to be approved. Not all reallocations may be able to be approved.
    • The common stacked pairs are:
      • 401/701 (always)
      • 402/702 (always)
      • 403/703 (always)
      • 410/611 (sometimes)
      • 413/713 (always)
      • 421/633 (always)
      • 433/627 (always)
      • 435/735 (sometimes) 
      • 440/640 (sometimes)
      • 445/656 (always)
      • 447/679 (always)
      • 451/652 (always)
      • 452/752 (always)
      • 463/612 (always)
      • 465/765 (sometimes)
      • 469/614 (always)
      • 477/703 (always)
  • Texas A&M undergraduates can receive credit for both courses in an undergrad/grad course pair under Fast Track.
  • Prerequisites listed for CSE graduate coursework are given to inform students of the knowledge they are expected to have to be successful in the graduate course. While the department does not block registration based on prerequisites for graduate courses, students are still responsible for ensuring they are prepared to meet course prerequisites. If students have concerns regarding preparation for a particular class, they should contact the instructor of the graduate course for more information regarding expectations.

CSCE 684 Hours:

  • Any international student who wishes to go on curricular practical training must have one credit hour for each semester they are on the internship of CSCE 684 on their degree plan. Any CSCE 684 hours are in addition to the required total credit hours of the degree plan.
  • If you are an international student, we recommend you place at least one credit hour of CSCE 684 on your degree plan when you submit it. This way if you receive an internship offer, you will not be rushing to have 684 added to your degree plan.
  • Domestic students do not need to register when they are on an internship. However, if they are gone for a year without registering, they must apply for a leave of absence. Otherwise, they will need to reapply for admission.

For additional information and clarification, please see the graduate catalog and the department’s graduate program webpage.

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