Electrical and Computer Engineering

Web: ece.gmu.edu
Phone: (703) 993-1569

• Faculty
• Course Work
• Undergraduate Programs
• Electrical Engineering, B.S.
• Concentrations
• Degree Requirements
• Sample Schedule
• Change of Major
• Writing-Intensive Requirement
• Computer Engineering, B.S.
• Degree Requirements
• Sample Schedule
• Change of Major
• Writing-Intensive Requirement
• B.S. in Computer Engineering with a Minor in Computer Science
• Double Major in Computer Engineering and Computer Science
• B.S./Accelerated M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering
• Admission Requirements
• Degree Requirements
• Degree Conferral
• Graduate Programs
  • Admission
  • Admission Categories
  • Admission Requirements
  • Non-ECE Students
  • Electrical Engineering, M.S.
    • Course Work
  • Computer Engineering, M.S.
    • Course Work
  • Degree Requirements Common to the M.S. in Computer Engineering and the M.S. in Electrical Engineering
    • Student Advising
    • Plan of Study
    • Seminar Requirement
    • GPA Requirements
    • Graduation Requirements
    • Thesis Option
    • Scholarly Paper Option
  • Certificate in Communications and Networking
    • Admission Requirements
    • Certificate Requirements
  • Certificate in Signal Processing
    • Admission Requirements
    • Certificate Requirements
  • Certificate in VLSI Design/Manufacturing
    • Admission Requirements
    • Certificate Requirements
  • Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Admissions Requirements
    • Advisor/Dissertation Director
    • Course Requirements
    • Qualifying Examination
    • Teaching Requirement
    • Research Competency Examination and Dissertation Proposal
    • Dissertation Research and Defense

Faculty

Professors: Allnutt, Black, Cook, Ephraim, Gertler, Griffiths, Ioannou, Jabbari, Levis, Manitius (Chair), Mulpuri, Tabak, Van Trees

Associate professors: Baraniecki, Beale, Berry, Ceperley, Chang, Hintz, Pachowicz, Paris, W. Sutton

Assistant professors: Gaj, Mark, Wage

Adjunct professors: Beatty, Fuller, Gorman, Herman, Kreidl, LaPean, Lyons, Martin, Mayhew, Shumaker, Storey, Wasson, Yegenoglu

Course Work

The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department offers all courses designated ECE in the "Course Descriptions chapter" of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

The undergraduate education mission of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department is to provide a quality education for electrical engineering and computer engineering students to support the needs of Virginia and the nation. The objectives of the department are to:

1. provide students with the fundamental knowledge and methodologies of electrical or computer engineering, including the opportunity to learn appropriate experimental and computational tools essential for a successful career;

2. provide students with an awareness of, and skills in, lifelong learning and self-education, and to prepare them for graduate studies in electrical or computer engineering or related areas;

3. cultivate teamwork, technical writing, and oral communication skills;

4. provide students with an appreciation of engineering's impact on society and the professional responsibilities of engineers; and

5. provide students with an opportunity to acquire an understanding of the engineering profession and to observe the use of cutting-edge technologies and advanced systems through direct interaction with industry through internships and cooperative education experiences.

Electrical Engineering, B.S.

Electrical engineering is a major field of modern technology. Electrical engineers are involved in research, development, design, production, and operation of a wide variety of devices and systems, from integrated circuits and microwave and laser devices, to communication systems, control systems, radar, robots, large telecommunication networks, and power networks.

The bachelor's program in electrical engineering at George Mason is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Md., 21202-4012; telephone, (410) 347-7700. The electrical engineering program is staffed by 25 full-time professors, including five fellows of IEEE or other professional societies. The curriculum provides a strong background in the fundamentals of electrical engineering as well as senior-level courses in the important areas of electronics, networks, communications and signal processing, computer engineering, and controls and robotics. Further, the curriculum includes 9 credits of senior technical electives, 2 credits of advanced engineering labs, and 3 credits of Senior Advanced Design Project, which may be used for further concentration in one of these areas.

Career opportunities exist in the areas of engineering research and development, system design, system integration, engineering management, engineering consultancy, technical sales, patent law and many others. The program provides a strong preparation for graduate study.

The requirements for the degree may be satisfied on a part-time or co-op basis. Cooperative education provides students with the opportunity to integrate paid, career-related work experience with classroom learning. In addition to the usual financial aid available to all students through the Office of Student Financial Aid, electrical engineering majors are eligible to apply at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department for several scholarships provided by professional societies and industrial organizations, such as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Association of Old Crows, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Rockwell International.

Concentrations

Computer engineering, communications/signal processing, control systems, and electronics concentrations are available within the electrical engineering baccalaureate program. Completion of specific senior-level courses leads to one of these designations on the student's transcript upon graduation.

Degree Requirements

All electrical engineering students are required to see their major advisor before course registration each semester. Students interested in electrical engineering who are not declared majors also are invited to obtain advising at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department office. Students are strongly encouraged to follow the sample schedule below to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied.

The 120 credit hours of courses required for the B.S. in Electrical Engineering are as follows:

• Electrical and computer engineering: ECE 101, 201, 220, 280, 305, 320, 331, 332, 333, 334, 421, 433, 445, 460, 491, 492, 493
• Computer science: CS 112, 211
• Advanced ECE labs (2 credits)
• ECE technical electives (9 credits)
• Engineering: ENGR 107
• English: ENGL 101, 302; COMM 100
• Literature (3 credits)
• Economics: ECON 103
• Western civilization general education course (3 credits)
• U.S. history general education course (3 credits)
• Global/international issues general education course (3 credits)
• Mathematics: MATH 113, 114, 203, 213, 214; STAT 346
• Physics: PHYS 160, 260, 261, 262, 263
• Synthesis general education course: ECE 492/493

Note: The general education courses should be selected from the department's list of approved courses. The ECE technical electives should be selected from the department's list of approved courses. The required design content must be satisfied by these technical electives.

Sample Schedule

The following table presents a sample schedule that an undergraduate electrical engineering major would follow to obtain a bachelor's degree.

Change of Major

Students who want to change their majors to electrical engineering must have at least a 2.750 GPA in all math, physics, engineering, and computer science courses, and should have successfully completed MATH 114.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by completion of ECE 492 and 493 Senior Advanced Design Project I and II. Faculty provide feedback on student writing. Drafts and revisions are required.

Computer Engineering, B.S.

The field of computer engineering can be described as a blend of electrical engineering and computer science. It is an amalgam of the computer hardware orientation of an electrical engineering program and the operating systems and languages of a computer science program. Computer engineers are involved in research, development, design, production, and operation of a wide variety of digital systems, from integrated circuits to computer systems and large-scale computer networks. Reflecting the industry trend to integrate hardware and software development, the computer engineering program is built around software, running on advanced hardware, that can simulate and assist in the design of new digital systems. Advanced software, such as VHDL, and software tools, such as logic and system design tools by Mentor Graphics and Cadence Design Systems, can be used to model hardware and hardware functionality from the system and architecture level down to the gate level and can include relations to integrated circuit fabrication technology. Design and testing methodology involving these tools is taught in the program.

Career opportunities exist in the areas of engineering research and development, product design, digital system design and integration, engineering management, engineering consultancy, technical sales, patent law and many others. The program provides a strong preparation for graduate study.

The bachelor's program in computer engineering at George Mason is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, Md. 21202-4012; telephone (410) 347-7700. The computer engineering program is staffed by 25 full-time professors, including five fellows of IEEE or other professional societies.

The curriculum provides a strong background in the fundamentals of computer engineering. A number of technical elective concentrations are offered, ranging from strongly hardware oriented to strongly software oriented. A major project with appropriate planning, documentation, and oral and written reports is required.

The requirements for the degree may be satisfied on a part-time or co-op basis. Cooperative education provides students with the opportunity to integrate paid, career-related work experience with classroom learning. In addition to the usual financial aid available to all students through the Office of Student Financial Aid, computer engineering majors are eligible to apply at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department for several scholarships provided by professional societies and industrial organizations, such as the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, the Association of Old Crows, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Rockwell International.

Degree Requirements

All computer engineering students are required to see their major advisors before course registration each semester. Students interested in computer engineering who are not declared majors are also invited to obtain advising at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department office. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and follow the sample schedule below to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied.

The 120 credit hours of courses required for the B.S. in Computer Engineering are as follows:

• Electrical and computer engineering: ECE 201, 220, 280, 331, 332, 333, 334, 442, 445, 447, 449, 491
• Computer science: CS 112, 211, 265, 310, 471
• Computer science or electrical and computer engineering: ECE 465 or CS 455
• Technical elective lab (1 credit)
• Technical electives (9 credits)
• Engineering: ENGR 107
• English: ENGL 101, 302; COMM 100
• Literature general education course (3 credits)
• Economics: ECON 103
• Western civilization general education course (3 credits)
• U.S. history general education course (3 credits)
• Global/international issues general education course (3 credits)
• Mathematics: MATH 113, 114, 125, 203, 213, 214; STAT 346
• Physics: PHYS 160, 260, 261, 262
• Synthesis general education course: ECE 447

Note: The general education courses should be selected from the department's list of approved courses. The technical electives and technical elective lab should be selected from the department's list of approved technical elective concentrations. Students are also encouraged to propose additional technical elective concentrations for approval.

Sample Schedule

The following table presents a sample schedule that an undergraduate computer engineering major would pursue to obtain a bachelor's degree.

Change of Major

Students who want to change their majors to computer engineering must have at least a 2.750 GPA in all math, physics, engineering, and computer science courses, and should have successfully completed MATH 114.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by completion of ECE 445 and 447, in which various aspects of project documentation and reports are prepared and critiqued. Faculty provide feedback on student writing. Drafts and revisions are required.

B.S. in Computer Engineering with a Minor in Computer Science

Computer engineering majors can earn a minor in computer science upon taking an additional 1-credit course, CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society.

Double Major in Computer Engineering and Computer Science

Computer engineering majors can earn a double major in computer engineering and computer science if they complete an additional 14 credits of courses according to an approved plan of study. Details are available in the departmental brochures or at the IT&E web site, ite.gmu.edu.

B.S./Accelerated M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

The B.S./Accelerated M.S. program is intended for those highly capable students who are interested in immediately continuing their undergraduate academic program in electrical or computer engineering into a graduate program in their respective discipline. This program allows for the completion of both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in electrical engineering or in computer engineering in five years, with 144 credit hours.

Admission Requirements

1. Students in the electrical engineering program or computer engineering program can apply for the B.S./ Accelerated M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering during the semester in which they expect to complete 90 undergraduate credits applicable toward the B.S. degree.

2. An overall GPA of at least 3.500 at the time of application is required.

3. Criteria for admission to the B.S./Accelerated M.S. program in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering is identical to the criteria for admission to the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or M.S. in Computer Engineering programs.

4. Application is made using the regular graduate program application forms and all normal requirements must be met. Additionally, an Accelerated Program application form specifying the overlapping courses and detailing the 3.500 undergraduate GPA must be submitted for approval.

Degree Requirements

1. Students must complete 144 credit hours that satisfy all the requirements for both the B.S. degree and the M.S. degree, with 6 credit hours overlap.

2. Students will take 6 credit hours of 500-level courses either as part of their technical electives or substituting for required courses as part of their 120-credit hour undergraduate program. The specific courses that may be taken and applied to the accelerated program will be specified by the ECE Department, for each of the two (electrical engineering and computer engineering) programs.

3. Students in the B.S./Accelerated M.S. program may take additional graduate level courses as part of their B.S. technical electives with their advisor's approval. These additional graduate level courses will not count toward the M.S. degree.

4. Students admitted to the accelerated program must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.500 during their entire B.S./M.S. program, and must present a GPA of at least 3.500 for the 24 credit hours of graduate work submitted for the M.S. degree.

Degree Conferral

Students in the B.S./Accelerated M.S. program may apply to have the B.S. (in electrical engineering or computer engineering) conferred during the semester in which they expect to complete the B.S. requirements. At the completion of the M.S. requirements the M.S. degree will be awarded.

Graduate Programs

Graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in engineering prepare students for careers in industry, government, and academia. Graduate certificate programs provide well-defined targets for students who want to advance or update their knowledge in selected areas. The Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, the M.S. degrees in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering, and certificates in communications and networking, signal processing, and VLSI design/manufacturing are offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The Ph.D. in Information Technology is offered by the School of Information Technology and Engineering, and includes a number of courses with an electrical engineering or computer engineering emphasis. Details about these programs are available at the School of Information Technology and Engineering web site, ite.gmu.edu.

The department is committed to high standards of teaching and research excellence in the vibrant areas of communications, digital systems design, computer networks, microprocessor and embedded systems, distributed computing, signal and image processing, control systems, intelligent systems, microelectronics, electromagnetics, and optoelectronics. The department recognizes the need to augment and enhance these areas through the use of modern information technology. Graduate students are offered a progressive environment with ample opportunities for the type of advanced engineering research that will be needed to confront the complex realities of the 21st century.

The courses in these programs are offered during the evening or late afternoon hours to permit persons who are employed full time to enroll in the programs. For those who enter the programs on a full-time basis, some financial aid may be available in various forms such as teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and workstudy and co-op agreements with local industry.

Admission

Admission is strictly competitive. The department's policy is to admit only those students who have demonstrated a potential for outstanding performance in their graduate work.

Admission Categories

Each student may be admitted into one of the following categories: degree, provisional, or nondegree. Provisional admission is for anyone whose past performance provides reasonable, but not strong, evidence of his or her ability to pursue graduate work. To advance to degree status, a provisional student must achieve a 3.000 GPA after 12 credits, must remove all undergraduate deficiencies by completing the corresponding courses with grades of B or better, and must receive Bs or better in two core courses specific to the student's selected program and emphasis. The nondegree category is used primarily by students who wish to take courses but do not necessarily wish to pursue a degree. Nondegree students who wish to enter degree programs must formally apply for admission.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the master's program, each applicant should have the following:

1. A baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline from an accredited program with a reputation for high academic standards

2. A grade average of B or better during the last 60 credits

3. Three letters of recommendation, preferably from academic references or from references in industry or government who hold advanced degrees and are familiar with the applicant's professional accomplishments

4. A detailed statement of career goals and aspirations

5. For a student who has not earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. university, satisfactory performance on the Graduate Record Examination; and for a student whose native language is not English, a minimum score of 575 (paper-based) or 230 (computer-based) on the TOEFL. (A minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) is required for applicants who wish to be considered for a graduate teaching assistantship.)

Non-ECE Students

Students with B.S. or M.S. degrees in ECE related disciplines (for example, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, physics, electrical engineering technology) are encouraged to apply for admission. Such students may initially be admitted into the provisional category and advance to degree status by satisfying the requirements described in the Admissions Categories section. Such students may also be advised to take some courses from the undergraduate electrical or computer engineering curriculum, according to their intended areas of emphasis and specific backgrounds.

Electrical Engineering, M.S.

The electrical engineering program offers the following emphases: communications, signal processing, control and robotics, microelectronics, electromagnetics, and optoelectronics. Computer engineering remains a valid emphasis within the electrical engineering program; however, students interested in this emphasis are encouraged to pursue the M.S. in Computer Engineering instead.

Course Work

Each student must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. This work must represent a cohesive set of courses leading to comprehensive knowledge in one area. It cannot be a set of disjointed courses. The plan of study for the degree must include the following:

1. A minimum of two core courses (with a B or better in each) from the following:

• ECE 521 Modern Systems Theory
• ECE 528 Intro to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• ECE 548 Sequential Machine Theory or ECE 546 Parallel Computer Architectures
• ECE 584 Semiconductor Device Fundamentals or ECE 565 Introduction to Optical Electronics

2. A minimum of three courses, with a B or better in each, at the 600 level or above (not including ECE 798 or 799) from a chosen emphasis, including approved doctoral courses (800-900 level).

3. A maximum of 6 credits of non-ECE courses, subject to prior departmental approval. Approved IT courses (including doctoral, 800-900-level courses) that cover ECE topics may be taken for credit toward an M.S. in Electrical Engineering, subject to prior departmental approval, in addition to the 6 credits of non-ECE courses.

Computer Engineering, M.S.

The computer engineering field is at the interface between the computer science and electrical engineering disciplines, as it involves knowledge of both hardware and software development. The major distinction between computer engineering and computer science is that the computer engineer is more concerned with the physical implementation of computing devices, the interaction between hardware and software, and the methodologies for designing digital systems. The major distinction between computer engineering and electrical engineering is that the computer engineer is more concerned with the computational aspects of electrical engineering problems and the implementation of these solutions in digital devices. The computer engineering program offers the following emphases: digital systems design, computer networks, distributed computing systems, microprocessor and embedded systems, and network and system security.

Course Work

Each student must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. This work must represent a cohesive set of courses leading to comprehensive knowledge in one area of computer engineering. It can not be a set of disjointed courses. The plan of study for the degree must include the following:

1. Two core courses (with a B or better in each) as appropriate for a given emphasis of computer engineering:

• Digital Systems Design: ECE 545 and ECE 586
• Computer Networks: ECE 542 and CS 571
• Distributed Computing Systems: ECE 546 and CS 571
• Microprocessor and Embedded Systems: ECE 511 and CS 571
• Network and System Security: ECE 542 and CS 571

2. A minimum of three courses, with a grade of B or better in each, at the 600 level and above (not including ECE 798 or 799) from a chosen emphasis, including approved doctoral courses (800-900 level).

3. A maximum of 6 credits of courses that are not on the list of approved computer engineering courses, subject to prior departmental approval. IT courses (including doctoral, 800-900-level courses) that cover computer engineering topics may be taken for credit toward the M.S. in Computer Engineering, subject to prior departmental approval, in addition to the 6 credits of non-computer engineering courses.

4. The remaining courses must be taken from the list of approved computer engineering courses (available through the ECE and Computer Science Department offices, and on the web), which includes selected courses offered by both departments.

5. The plan of study will normally have no fewer than 15 credit hours of courses designated ECE.

A nonstandard emphasis may be created when appropriate, with the approval of the computer engineering graduate program coordinator. This emphasis must include components of both hardware and software development, and the corresponding plan of study must be composed of courses from both the ECE and Computer Science Departments.

Degree Requirements Common to the M.S. in Computer Engineering and the M.S. in Electrical Engineering

Student Advising

Newly admitted graduate students must consult with the ECE graduate coordinator before they register for classes. Students should make an appointment by calling the ECE office. Each student is expected to select an emphasis from those available in each M.S. degree program. The student then is assigned an academic advisor from that area.

Plan of Study

Before the end of the second semester, each student must submit a plan of study (approved by his or her academic advisor) to the graduate coordinator's office. This plan should be kept up to date by regular consultation with the student's academic advisor. A final, signed version of this plan of study must be turned in when the student submits a graduation application.

Seminar Requirement

All degree candidates must attend a minimum of 10 graduate seminars approved for the given degree program.

GPA Requirements

A maximum of 6 credit hours of courses with grades of C, C+, or B- may be applied toward the degree. The student must present a GPA of at least 3.000 for all courses submitted for the degree.

Graduation Requirements

To complete the requirements for graduation, students may select one of the following options:

Thesis Option

Thesis students must complete ECE 799 Master's Thesis (6 credits) and 24 credits of course work. The thesis is particularly recommended for those students who wish to develop and document their research skills, and/or who contemplate subsequent enrollment in a Ph.D. program. The thesis involves a research effort, which is conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor. In some cases, permission may be granted to complete a portion of the work at the student's place of employment. The final written thesis and oral defense are approved by the student's advisory committee. For the electrical engineering program, this committee consists of at least three full-time faculty members, including two from the student's major area and one from outside the area. For the computer engineering program, this committee includes faculty members from the ECE and Computer Science Departments, including at least two affiliated with the M.S. in Computer Engineering program (one of whom must be from the ECE Department) and one from outside the M.S. in Computer Engineering program. Thesis students may not register for ECE 798 Research Project. Students must register for at least 3 credits of thesis for their first thesis semester. Following their first thesis semester, they must register for at least 1 credit of thesis each fall and spring semester until graduation.

Scholarly Paper Option

Students who select this option must complete 30 credits of course work or 27 credits of course work plus ECE 798 Research Project, and must present a scholarly paper. The scholarly paper is a technical report on an independent study, laboratory or computer experimentation, or literature search done by the student on a current scientific or technological topic, such as a survey of some new technologies or new methodologies, or a case study of new applications, on a theme selected under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The student must demonstrate knowledge of the topic and make a satisfactory technical presentation of the paper in the graduate seminar. The scholarly paper and the final presentation must be approved by the student's advisory committee. When a student elects to submit an ECE 798 final report as a scholarly paper, it is expected that the 3 credits of effort in ECE 798 will result in a much more substantial paper than a scholarly paper submitted in addition to 30 credits of regular course work.

Certificate in Communications and Networking

The certificate in communications and networking provides graduate students with the opportunity to reach a demonstrated level of competence in communications and networking. Course work toward the graduate certificate may be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. However, the primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance their knowledge of modern communications but do not necessarily want to complete all the requirements for the M.S. degree. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in the School of Information Technology and Engineering.

Admission Requirements

The certificate program in communications and networking is open to all students who hold B.S. degrees in scientific and engineering disciplines from accredited universities.

Certificate Requirements

The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate courses (15 credits) in the area of communications and networking. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required, and at most one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. The certificate courses comprise two required foundation courses and three elective courses.

Foundation Courses

• ECE 528 Intro to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• ECE 542 Computer Network Architectures and Protocols or CS 656 Computer Communications and Networking

Elective Courses

After completing the foundation courses, students can choose elective courses by taking three courses from the list below.

• ECE 535 Digital Signal Processing
• ECE 565 Introduction to Optical Electronics
• ECE 567 Optical Fiber Communications
• ECE 630 Statistical Communication Theory
• ECE 633 Coding Theory
• ECE 635 Adaptive Signal Processing
• ECE 642 Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks
• ECE 643 Telecommunications Switching Systems
• ECE 646 Cryptography and Computer Network Security
• ECE 665 Fourier Optics and Holography
• ECE 731 Digital Communications
• ECE 732 Mobile Communication Systems
• ECE 734 Detection and Estimation Theory
• ECE 735 Data Compression
• ECE 737 Spread Spectrum Communications
• ECE 738 Advanced Digital Signal Processing
• ECE 739 Satellite Communications
• ECE 741 Wireless Networks
• ECE 742 High-Speed Networks
• IT 834 Telecommunications Networks
• IT 886 Information Theory
• OR 635 Discrete System Simulation
• OR 643 Network Modeling
• OR 647 Queuing Theory

Certificate in Signal Processing

The certificate in signal processing provides graduate students with a concise sequence of courses and laboratory experiences within the wide field of signal processing. Course work toward the graduate certificate may be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Statistical Science. However, the primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to advance or update their knowledge in this fast-moving field but do not necessarily wish to complete all the requirements for the M.S. degree. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in the School of Information Technology and Engineering.

Admission Requirements

The certificate program in signal processing is open to all students who hold B.S. degrees in scientific and engineering disciplines from accredited universities, and hold graduate status (either degree or nondegree) in the School of Information Technology and Engineering.

Certificate Requirements

The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate courses (15 credits) in signal processing. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required, and at most one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. The certificate courses comprise two foundation courses taken by all students and three elective courses.

Foundation Courses

• ECE 528 Intro to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering, or STAT 544 Applied Probability
• ECE 535 Digital Signal Processing

Elective Courses

After completing the two foundation courses, students can choose elective courses by taking three courses from the list below.

• ECE 537 Introduction to Digital Image Processing
• ECE 635 Adaptive Signal Processing
• ECE 638 Fast Algorithms and Architectures for Digital Signal Processing or IT 838 Signal Processing Algorithms and Architectures
• ECE 644 Architectures and Algorithms for Image Processing
• ECE 665 Fourier Optics and Holography
• ECE 728 Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering II
• ECE 734/IT 830 Detection and Estimation Theory
• ECE 735 Data Compression or IT 832 Speech and Image Coding
• ECE 738 Advanced Digital Signal Processing
• ECE 749 Neural Networks for Control or IT 844 Pattern Recognition
• STAT 652 Statistical Inference
• STAT 658 Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
• STAT 662 Multivariate Statistical Methods
• IT 746 Calculus of Random Signals
• IT 837/ECE 754 Optimum Array Processing I
• IT 838 Signal Processing Algorithms and Architectures or ECE 638 Fast Algorithms and Architectures for Digital Signal Processing
• IT 841/ECE 722 Kalman Filtering with Applications
• IT 885/ECE 752 Spectral Estimation
• IT 886/ECE751 Information Theory
• IT 930 Multichannel Statistical Signal Processing
• IT 934 Advanced Topics in Detection and Estimation
• IT 937/ECE 755 Optimum Array Processing II
• IT 941 System Identification and Adaptive Control
• IT 978/CSI 978 Statistical Analysis of Signals

Certificate in VLSI Design/Manufacturing

The primary purpose of the certificate is to provide a well-targeted graduate continuing education opportunity for people working in Northern Virginia's semiconductor and intellectual property business. This certificate is intended for students who want to advance their knowledge of very large-scale integration (VLSI) design or VLSI manufacturing but do not necessarily wish to complete all requirements for the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. The course work is designed so that graduate students can reach a demonstrated level of competence either in VLSI design or VLSI manufacturing. Course work toward the graduate certificate may be used for credit toward the M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering. The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in the School of Information Technology and Engineering.

Admission Requirements

The certificate program in VLSI design/manufacturing is open to all students who hold B.S. degrees in scientific and engineering disciplines and hold graduate student status (degree or nondegree) in the School of Information Technology and Engineering. Students with nonscientific and nonengineering degrees are required to take remedial courses before being admitted into the certificate program.

Certificate Requirements

The certificate is awarded upon completion of five graduate courses (15 credits): a required foundation course, a compulsory core course, and three elective courses. A cumulative GPA of 3.000 is required, and only one course with a grade of C may be applied toward the certificate. At most, one course may be transferred from graduate course work at other accredited universities.

After completing the foundation course (ECE 684), students can choose one of the two concentrations, VLSI design or VLSI manufacturing, by taking four courses in that concentration, one of which will be the core course in that area.

Foundation Course

• ECE 684 MOS Device Electronics

VLSI Design Concentration

Core Course

• ECE 586 Digital Integrated Circuits

Electives

• ECE 545 Introduction to VHDL
• ECE 587 Design of Analog Integrated Circuits
• ECE 645 Computer Arithmetic: Hardware and Software Implementations
• ECE 680 Physical VLSI Design
• ECE 681 VLSI Design Automation
• ECE 682 VLSI Test Concepts

VLSI Manufacturing Concentration

Core Course

• ECE 689 VLSI Processing

Electives

• ECE 586 Digital Integrated Circuits
• ECE 680 Physical VLSI Design
• ECE 745 ULSI Microelectronics

Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the only combined electrical engineering and computer engineering doctoral program in Virginia. The program prepares students for leadership positions in research and development in industrial, government, and academic settings. The program includes course requirements, a qualifying examination testing fundamental concepts and the ability to think creatively, a teaching requirement, a research competency examination and dissertation proposal defense, dissertation research, and a dissertation defense. Students may choose to emphasize in such areas as communications, networking, computer engineering, control and robotics, signal processing, electronics, photonics, and electromagnetics. The general doctoral requirements of George Mason University apply to this program.

Admissions Requirements

All general George Mason University and specific School of Information Technology and Engineering admission requirements apply. Students typically admitted to the program hold M.S. degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and other related areas. Students holding European (or equivalent) diploma degrees may also be consid ered for admission. The application material for each student is reviewed by the departmental doctoral committee, which makes a recommendation to the department chair.

Advisor/Dissertation Director

Each student, upon admission to the program, is assigned a faculty member as advisor. Upon passing the qualifying examination, the advisor is replaced by (or becomes) the dissertation director. All decisions concerning the student's course requirements and selections have to be approved by the Ph.D. advisor with the consent of the chair of the ECE Department.

A dissertation committee is formed within a year after the student has passed the qualifying examination. The committee is headed by the dissertation director, and has two more faculty members from the ECE Department and one from outside the department. One more member, from outside the university, may be added to the dissertation committee if justified by the subject of the dissertation. The composition of the dissertation committee must be approved by the chair of the ECE Department.

Course Requirements

The total credits required after the B.S. degree is 72 hours, of which 24 hours typically is thesis research. Students entering with M.S. degrees may use up to 24 credits of course work from their M.S. programs, subject to approval. Students entering with European diploma degrees may use some course credit, subject to individual consideration, but not more than 24 hours.

Of the required 48 credits of course work, at most 12 credits may be at the 500 level and at least 12 credits have to be at the 700 level or higher. For courses taken elsewhere, the equivalent levels are to be determined by the Ph.D. advisor, subject to the approval of the chair of the ECE Department. Individualized reading courses at any level cannot account for more than 6 credits.

Each student is required to take one graduate course (3 credits) at the 600 level outside the department in a subject considered foundational for his/her area of specialization. Typical examples would be advanced mathematics or statistics courses for those wishing to pursue an emphasis in signal processing or control, physics courses for those desiring an emphasis in electronics, and computer science courses for those pursuing the computer engineering emphasis. Since such courses are usually not taken for M.S. degrees, this requirement can rarely be satisfied with a course taken previously.

Each student is required to take two courses (6 credits) within the department but outside his/her area of emphasis. This requirement may be satisfied with courses taken during previous studies, subject to approval.

The 24 hours of dissertation research (ECE 998 and ECE 999) must include at least 12 hours of ECE 999. The dissertation proposal must be approved by the dissertation committee before the student may enroll in ECE 999.

Qualifying Examination

The department offers a doctoral qualifying examination once each year. The exam is to test primarily the student's familiarity with fundamental concepts and the ability to think creatively.

Students must take the exam within the first year after they have entered the program with an M.S. degree. Students in the M.S.-Ph.D. track must take the exam within the first year after they have completed 24 credit hours beyond the B.S. degree. The qualifier consists of a written, in-class examination and an oral interview, the latter administered by the doctoral committee. Only students passing the written part proceed to the interview. The written exam is offered in at least six course subjects (see tentative course list below). The student has to select three of the course subjects, of which one has to be outside his/her area of emphasis. The exam may be repeated once. A student failing the exam twice is removed from the program.

Tentative list of qualifying exam subjects/courses:

• CS 571 Operating Systems
• ECE 511 Microprocessors
• ECE 521 Modern Systems Theory
• ECE 528 Intro to Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering
• ECE 535 Digital Signal Processing
• ECE 542 Computer Network Architecture and Protocols
• ECE 545 Introduction to VHDL
• ECE 546 Parallel Computer Architectures
• ECE 548 Sequential Machine Theory
• ECE 565 Introduction to Optical Electronics
• ECE 584 Semiconductor Device Fundamentals
• ECE 586 Digital Integrated Circuits

Teaching Requirement

To acquire lecturing and teaching experience, each doctoral student is required to participate in the department's teaching activity. This typically takes the form of working as a recitation instructor. The minimum requirement is one full semester of such activity in one course, or equivalent arrangements approved by the doctoral coordinator.

Research Competency Examination and Dissertation Proposal

Upon completing all course work requirements, the student takes an oral research competency examination to demonstrate his or her knowledge and preparation for dissertation research. The exam covers the knowledge derived from higher level courses taken, familiarity with the relevant technical literature, and preliminary thoughts about the proposed research. The exam is administered by the student's dissertation committee.

The student prepares a written dissertation proposal outlining the contents of the dissertation and the research activities leading up to it. The dissertation proposal is submitted to the dissertation committee for approval. The proposal is orally presented by the student, preferably as part of the research competency examination.

Dissertation Research and Defense

The student conducts dissertation research under the guidance of the dissertation director, with regular consultation with other members of the dissertation committee. During this period, the student has to present research results at least once in the form of a departmental seminar. The dissertation must represent an achievement in research; it must be a significant contribution to its field and should be deemed publishable in refereed journals or at highly selective conferences. Upon completion of the dissertation, a public defense is administered by the dissertation committee. This may be preceded by a pre-defense in the presence of the committee members only, at the discretion of the committee. A copy of the dissertation must be placed in the university library four weeks prior to the public defense.

Following a successful public defense, and the completion of the final form of the dissertation, the dissertation committee recommends the candidate for the degree of doctor of philosophy.