Computer and Systems Engineering

The Master of Engineering in Computer and Systems Engineering provides the student with the appropriate hardware and software tools needed in such critical areas as digital communications and signal processing, robotics and automation systems, computer communication networks, and software engineering.

Preparatory courses do not apply toward the minimum 30 credit hours required for the Master of Engineering degree.

Digital Communications and Signal Processing

• ECSE 2010 - Electric Circuits Credit Hours: 4
• ECSE 2410 - Signals and Systems Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 2610 - Computer Components and Operations Credit Hours: 4

Computer Communications Networks

• ECSE 2010 - Electric Circuits Credit Hours: 4
• ECSE 2410 - Signals and Systems Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 2610 - Computer Components and Operations Credit Hours: 4

Robotics and Automation Systems

• ECSE 2010 - Electric Circuits Credit Hours: 4
• ECSE 2410 - Signals and Systems Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 2610 - Computer Components and Operations Credit Hours: 4

Software Engineering

• CSCI 1100 - Computer Science I Credit Hours: 4
• CSCI 2300 - Introduction to Algorithms Credit Hours: 4
• ECSE 2610 - Computer Components and Operations Credit Hours: 4

Required Core (15 credits)

• CSCI 4210 - Operating Systems Credit Hours: 4
• ECSE 4670 - Computer Communication Networks Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6620 - Digital Signal Processing Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6980 - Master’s Project Credit Hours: 3 to 9

Electives (15 credits)

• ECSE 6960 Topics in Electrical Engineering, LANS, MANS, and Internetworking
• ECSE 6960 Topics in Electrical Engineering, Embedded Digital Control Systems
• ECSE 6960 Topics in Electrical Engineering, Applied Digital Signal Processing
• ECSE 6960 Topics in Electrical Engineering, Cryptography and Network Security

• CISH 6010 - Object Oriented Programming and Design Credit Hours: 3
• CISH 6050 - Software Engineering Management Credit Hours: 3
• CISH 6510 - Web Application Design and Development Credit Hours: 3
• COMM 6420 - Foundations of Human-Computer Interaction Usability Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 4490 - Robotics II Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 4770 - Computer Hardware Design Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6050 - Advanced Electronic Circuits Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6420 - Nonlinear Control Systems Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6440 - Optimal Control Theory Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6460 - Multivariable Control Systems Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6560 - Digital Communications Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6590 - Principles of Wireless Communications Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6630 - Digital Image and Video Processing Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6660 - Broadband and Optical Networking Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6770 - Software Engineering I Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6780 - Software Engineering II Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 7010 - Optical Fiber Communications Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 7100 - Real-Time Programming and Applications Credit Hours: 3

Sample Curricula for Four Areas of Specialization

Digital Communications and Signal Processing

• ECSE 4440 - Control Systems Engineering Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 4670 - Computer Communication Networks Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6400 - Systems Analysis Techniques Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6560 - Digital Communications Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6620 - Digital Signal Processing Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6630 - Digital Image and Video Processing Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6960 - Topics in Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering Credit Hours: 3

• Applied Digital Signal Processing

• ECSE 6980 - Master’s Project Credit Hours: 3 to 9
• ECSE 7010 - Optical Fiber Communications Credit Hours: 3

Robotics and Automation Systems

• ECSE 4440 - Control Systems Engineering Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 4490 - Robotics II Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 4670 - Computer Communication Networks Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6400 - Systems Analysis Techniques Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6420 - Nonlinear Control Systems Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6440 - Optimal Control Theory Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6460 - Multivariable Control Systems Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6620 - Digital Signal Processing Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6960 - Topics in Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering Credit Hours: 3

• Mechatronics

• ECSE 6980 - Master’s Project Credit Hours: 3 to 9

Computer Communication Networks

• ECSE 6960 Topics in Electrical Engineering, LANS, MANS, and Internetworking
• ECSE 6960 Topics in Electrical Engineering, Cryptography and Network Security

• CISH 6230 - Network Management Credit Hours: 3

• or Cryptography and Network Security

• ECSE 4670 - Computer Communication Networks Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6560 - Digital Communications Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6620 - Digital Signal Processing Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6660 - Broadband and Optical Networking Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6980 - Master’s Project Credit Hours: 3 to 9
• ECSE 7010 - Optical Fiber Communications Credit Hours: 3

Software Engineering

• CISH 4210 - Operating Systems Credit Hours: 3
• CISH 6010 - Object Oriented Programming and Design Credit Hours: 3
• CISH 6050 - Software Engineering Management Credit Hours: 3
• CISH 6510 - Web Application Design and Development Credit Hours: 3

• or

• COMM 6420 - Foundations of Human-Computer Interaction Usability Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 4670 - Computer Communication Networks Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6620 - Digital Signal Processing Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6770 - Software Engineering I Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6780 - Software Engineering II Credit Hours: 3
• ECSE 6980 - Master’s Project Credit Hours: 3 to 9

Requirements

• On-line application (Apply Now)
• A well-written Statement of Background and Goals
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended with official English translations (if necessary); documentation showing award of degree
• Minimum two letters of recommendation (preferably from faculty)
• Resume or curriculum vitae (Be sure to list all publications and presentations)
• $75 application fee (not required for RPI students and alums)
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores that are less than two years old (required of all international applicants unless you have been studying for at least two years in the United States immediately prior to your study at Rensselaer)
• Official GRE scores that are less than five years old (required of all applicants)

Scholarships

Financial aid is available in the form of Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA) and Graduate Fellowships. These are awarded to top applicants who are interested in pursuing the MS and/or PhD and are a good match with our research and our faculty. It should be noted that preference on aid is given to those who already possess a master's degree and are seeking the PhD. The largest amount of aid is awarded to those starting in the fall semester, but TA and RA awards may also be made in the spring as they become available. It is also important to note that financial aid is given only to full-time students and is based on previous academic performance, not on need. Students must have a minimum 3.3 GPA to be eligible for TA consideration. Master's only students, particularly those seeking the MEng, should expect to fund their own education through personal funds, student loans or other external sources.

Students who enroll without aid may apply for support in future semesters but should be aware that funding opportunities are extremely limited and in no way guaranteed. They should plan to finance their entire education on their own. International students who are admitted without aid must provide official bank documents showing they have enough funds to support their educational expenses (tuition, books, fees and personal living expenses) before an I-20 can be issued.

The amount of the financial aid can vary depending on the type of award, but all are full awards. TA's are awarded on an academic year basis and include a minimum stipend of $18,500 and full tuition. RA's may be awarded on a calendar year basis (academic year plus summer) and include a minimum stipend of $18,500 and full tuition. TA's and RA's are expected to work up to 20 hours per week. The stipends for Fellowship winners can vary widely depending on the fellowship but are usually at least $20,000 for the year with full tuition, plus all fees. Information on the IGERT Fellowship may be found here. Students who are awarded financial aid with their admission can expect to continue receiving aid in some form provided they meet all the department and Institute guidelines for continuing aid and based on the availability of funding.

Decisions on applications requesting aid consideration will be made following the application deadline so that all applications that are complete as of the deadline will compete as a group for whatever aid is available. Students who apply for aid will be notified by email as the decisions are made. Students may be informed the aid decision is pending and may remain pending until all potential for aid is exhausted. There is no final deadline date for notification of aid awards. Rensselaer and the ECSE department abide by the April 15 deadline for a response by the student on all first round aid awards. Awards made after that will have a deadline response date set by the department.

Graduate Education Program (Russia)

Selected GEP Scholarship students are eligible for a renewable scholarship in the amount of 1,38 mln. rubles per year. Students in science and engineering fields are eligible for GEP funding. For application details and deadlines, please visit http://educationglobal.ru/en/. Applicants must be admitted to Rensselaer prior to finalizing the application for the GEP program.