- Formal Graduate Courses
- Elective Courses
- Upper-Division Undergraduate Electives
- Capstone – Courses Plan
- Capstone – Project Plan
- Thesis Plan
- MS course planning – topical tracks
Formal Graduate Courses
For all three plans, there are a minimum number of formal graduate courses that must be taken from the ECE department in addition to the remaining elective courses and the required ECE 297 seminar. A formal graduate course is defined as any four-unit 200-level lecture course that is taken for a letter grade. Seminar-format, individual-studies, 500-level, 400-level, or 300-level courses do not count as formal graduate courses.
Elective Courses
Elective courses can be from the following approved departments:
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Physics
- Statistics
Courses outside of the above departments must be approved by the ECE Department through a Student Petition form sent to eerequest@seas.ucla.edu before they may be applied toward M.S. degree requirements. If approved, a maximum of one such course from outside of these above approved departments may count toward M.S. program requirements.
A maximum of one upper-division undergraduate course may be taken as an elective, replacing one of the four graduate elective courses, provided that the undergraduate course meets the following conditions:
- Is from an approved department listed above
- Is not on the Department’s list of prohibited courses
- Is at least 4 units
- Is a lecture course
- Is taken for a letter grade
All other electives must be formal graduate courses.
Capstone – Courses Plan
- ECE 297 Seminar
- Nine (9) four-unit lecture courses, taken for a letter grade
- At least five (5) of these courses must be formal graduate courses from the ECE department.
- The remaining four lecture courses are electives
Capstone – Project Plan
- ECE 297 Seminar
- ECE 299 Project Seminar, taken once during the student’s final quarter
- Eight (8) four-unit lecture courses, taken for a letter grade
- At least five (5) of these courses must be formal graduate courses from the ECE department
- The remaining three lecture courses are electives
- Submission of Project Report and Presentation slides by the end of Week 9
Students on the M.S. Project option must submit the report, presentation slides, and M.S. 299 Project Seminar form to the ECE Graduate Office no later than the final day of Week 9. Additionally, they must also email electronic versions of these materials to eerequest@seas.ucla.edu by the same date.
Thesis Plan
- ECE 297 Seminar
- Seven (7) four-unit lecture courses, taken for a letter grade
- At least four (4) of these courses must be formal graduate courses from the ECE department
- The remaining three lecture courses are electives
- A minimum of eight (8) units of the ECE 598 Thesis Preparation seminar.
- Nomination of an M.S. Thesis committee consisting of a minimum of three members, two of which must be from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department (including the chair of the committee).
- A properly formatted thesis approved by a Thesis Committee under the current University rules and regulations
M.S. Thesis Committee Nomination form
To file their thesis, students must receive the approval of all committee members by the filing deadline for their quarter of graduation. (The filing deadline is the last day of the quarter, at 5:00 p.m.) The day that the last committee member approves of an M.S. thesis is considered to be the filing date. Due to this, students are encouraged to submit and request that their committee review their thesis at least one week before their preferred filing date.
More information about filing the M.S. Thesis may be found on the Graduate Division’s website.
All new M.S. and M.S./Ph.D. students are assigned to the Capstone – Courses Plan by default. To change their M.S. Plan, students must submit a revised M.S. Program of Study under their proposed M.S. Plan. If a student intends to change to either the Capstone – Project Plan or Thesis Plan, their M.S Program of study must be approved by an ECE faculty member who agrees to supervise their Project or Thesis.
MS course planning – topical tracks
In order to assist with M.S. course planning, below are listed several M.S. tracks of courses that are aligned with selected topical themes. These tracks are purely advisory, as the formal course requirements are given above. Rather, they are intended to provide guidance to students allowing them to focus on areas of interest. Please note that the course numbers ECE 209AS, ECE239AS, and ECE279AS are “Special Topics” courses, with many versions – the title of the specific version is given in parentheses.
Human-Cyber-Physical & IoT Systems
Computer Systems Architecture & Design
Power and Energy Storage Systems
Integrated Circuits – Analog/Digital/Mixed-Signal
Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Machine Learning
Information/Optimization/Computation Theory
Electromagnetics/Antennas – Microwave and mmWave Systems
Semiconductors and Packaging Technology
Quantum Science and Engineering
Photonics, Optics, and Plasma Electronics
Cyberphysical Systems, Control, and Robotics
Human-Cyber-Physical & IoT Systems
Core: Choose 2 from
- ECE M202A Embedded Systems
- ECE 202C Internet of Things Security
- ECE 209AS (Engineering Interactive Systems)
Additional: Choose 3 from
- ECE M202B Energy-Aware Computing and Cyber-Physical Systems
- ECE 209AS (AI on Chip)
- ECE 209AS (Advanced and Secure Computer Architecture)
- ECE 209AS (Human-Factored Artificial Intelligence Systems)
- ECE 232E Large Scale Social and Complex Networks: Design and Algorithms
- CS 211 Network Protocol and Systems Software Design for Wireless and Mobile
- CS 215 Internet of Things: Connectivity and Sensing
- CS 239 (Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction)
- in addition to the core courses
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 119 Fundamentals of Embedded Networked Systems
- ECE 188 (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality)
- ECE 188 (Prototyping Intelligent and Interactive Systems)
Computer Systems Architecture & Design
Core: Choose 2 from
- ECE 201A Digital design automation
- ECE M216A Design of VLSI Circuits and Systems
- CS 251A Advanced Computer Architecture
Additional: Choose 3 from
- ECE 201C Modeling of VLSI Circuits and Systems
- ECE 201D Design in Nanoscale Technologies
- ECE M202A Embedded Systems
- ECE 209AS (AI on Chip)
- ECE 209AS (Advanced and Secure Computer Architecture)
- CS 251B Parallel Computer Architectures
- CS 259 (Chip Design Automation and Deep Learning)
- CS 259 (GPU)
- in addition to the core courses
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 115C (Cannot count towards MS requirements)
- ECE M116C Computer Systems Architecture
Other suggested courses:
- ECE M202B Energy-Aware Computing and Cyber-Physical Systems
- ECE 209AS (Engineering Interactive Systems)
- ECE 215B Advanced Digital Integrated Circuits
Secure & Trustworthy Systems
Core: Choose 1 from
- ECE 202C Internet of Things Security
- ECE 209AS (Mobile Security)
Additional: Choose 4 from
- ECE M202A Embedded Systems
- ECE 209AS (Advanced and Secure Computer Architecture)
- ECE 209AS (Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence)
- ECE 209AS (Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Systems)
- ECE 231A Information Theory
- ECE 239AS (Computer Network Measurement and Security)
- CS M282A Cryptography
- CS M282B Cryptographic Protocols
- CS 239 (Efficient Cryptography-Based Systems)
- CS 289A (Advanced Complexity-Based Cryptography)
- in addition to the core courses
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE M117 Computer System Security
- CS 183 Introduction to Cryptography
Other suggested courses:
Power and Energy Storage Systems
Core:
- ECE M240A Linear Dynamic Systems
Additional: Choose 4 from
- ECE 239AS (Renewable energy conversion, storage, and integration)
- ECE 215A Analog Integrated Circuit Design
- ECE M240C Optimal Control (equivalent to MAE M270C)
- ECE M242A Nonlinear Dynamic Systems
- MAE C237 Design and Analysis of Smart Grids
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 112 Introduction to Power Systems
- ECE 115B Analog Electronic Circuits II
- ECE 188 (Power Electronics)
Other suggested courses:
- ECE 215C Analysis and Design of RF Circuits and Systems
- MAE 273A Robust Control System Analysis and Design
- CBE 217 Electrochemical Engineering
- MSE 245 Materials and Physics of Solar Cells
Integrated Circuits – Analog/Digital/Mixed-Signal
Core: Both
- ECE 215A Analog Integrated Circuit Design
- ECE M216A Design of VLSI Circuits and Systems
Additional: Choose 3 from
- ECE 215B Advanced Digital Integrated Circuits
- ECE 215C RF Circuits and Systems
- ECE 215D Analog Microsystem Design
- ECE 215E Signaling and Synchronization (suggested pairing with 215B)
- ECE 216B VLSI Signal Processing (suggested pairing with 215B)
- ECE 209AS/BS (Design and Experimental Verification of CMOS Circuits). Please note this is part of a 3 quarter sequence of courses which must be all be taken. Only one of these is for a letter grade, and as such counts for one course.
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 115B Analog Electronic Circuits II
Other suggested courses:
- ECE 201A VLSI Design Automation (suggested pairing with 215B)
- ECE 279AS High-Frequency ICs and Electromagnetics
Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Machine Learning
Core: Both
- ECE 241A Stochastic Processes
- ECE 246 Foundations of Statistical Machine Learning
Additional: Choose 3 from
- ECE 219 Large Scale Data Modeling and Optimization
- ECE 232E Large Scale Social and Complex Networks
- ECE 236B Convex Optimization
- ECE 239AS (Modern Computation: AI + Quantum)
- ECE C247A Neural Networks and Deep Learning I
- ECE C247B Neural Networks and Deep Learning I
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE M146 Introduction to Machine Learning
- ECE M148 Introduction to Data Science
- ECE 149 Foundations of Computer Vision
Other suggested courses:
- ECE 236C Optimization Methods for Large-Scale Systems
Information/Optimization/Computation Theory
Core: Both
- ECE 231A Information Theory
- ECE 236B Convex Optimization
Additional: Choose 3 from
- ECE 205A Matrix Analysis for Scientists and Engineers
- ECE 231E Channel Coding Theory
- ECE 232E Large Scale Social and Complex Networks
- ECE 235A Mathematical Foundations of Data Storage Systems
- ECE 236A Linear Programming
- ECE 236C Optimization Methods for Large Scale Systems
- ECE 239AS (Modern Computation: AI + Quantum)
- ECE 241A Stochastic Processes
- ECE 279AS (Physics of Quantum Information and Computation)
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 128 Principles of Quantum Technology
Other suggested courses:
- M208B Functional Analysis for Applied Mathematics and Engineering (same as Mathematics M268A)
Cyberphysical Systems, Control, and Robotics
Core: Choose 1 from
- ECE M202A Embedded Systems
- ECE M240A Linear Dynamical Systems
- ECE 209AS (Computational Robotics)
Additional: Choose 4 from
- ECE 202C Internet of Things Security
- ECE 205A Matrix Analysis for Scientists and Engineers
- ECE 236A Linear Programming
- ECE 236B Convex Optimization
- ECE M240C Optimal Control
- ECE 241A Stochastic Processes
- ECE M242A Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
- ECE 246 Foundations of Statistical Machine Learning
- CS 239 (Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction)
- plus any course on Mandatory Core list not used for mandatory requirements
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 131A Probability and Statistics (cannot count towards MS degree requirements)
Communication and Networking
Core: Choose 3 from
- ECE 205A Matrix Analysis for Scientists and Engineers
- ECE 230A Detection and Estimation in Communication
- ECE 231A Information Theory
- ECE 233 Wireless Communications System Design, Modeling, and Implementation
- CS 215 Internet of Things: Connectivity and Sensing
- CS 218 Advanced Computer Networks
Additional: Choose 2 from
- ECE 230B Digital Communication Systems
- ECE 230C Signal Processing in Communications
- ECE 230D Algorithms and Processing in Communication Systems
- ECE 231E Channel Coding Theory
- ECE 262 Antenna Theory and Design
- CS 211 Network Protocol and Systems Software Design for Wireless and Mobile
- CS 216 Network Algorithmics
- CS 217A Internet Architecture and Protocols
- CS 217B Advanced Topics in Internet Research
- ECE 239AS (Computer Network Measurement and Security)
- in addition to the core courses
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 132A Introduction to Communication Systems (May not count toward MS requirements)
- ECE 132B Data Communications and Telecommunication Networks
- ECE 162A Wireless Communication Links and Antennas
Other suggested courses:
- ECE M202A Embedded Systems
- ECE 236A Linear Programming
- ECE 236B Convex Optimization
- ECE 241A Stochastic Processes
- ECE 279AS (RF and Microwave Transmitter Design)
- CS 219 (Network Verification and Synthesis)
- CS 219 (Next-Generation Wireless Networks and Systems)
Photonics, Optics, and Plasma Electronics
Core: Choose 2 from
- ECE 270 Applied Quantum Mechanics
- ECE 271 Classical Laser Theory
- ECE 273 Nonlinear Optics
Additional: Choose 3 from
- ECE 260A Advanced Engineering Electrodynamics I
- ECE 260B Advanced Engineering Electrodynamics II
- ECE 223 Solid State Electronics I
- ECE 224 Solid State Electronics II
- ECE 279AS (Physics of Quantum Information and Computation)
- ECE 239AS (Modern Computation: AI + Quantum)
- ECE 279AS (Advanced Plasma Physics)
- ECE 285A Plasma Waves and Instabilities
- in addition to the core courses
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 128 Principles of Quantum Technology
- ECE 170A Principles of Photonics (Cannot count towards MS degree requirements)
- ECE 170C Photonic Sensors and Solar Cells
- ECE 176 Photonics in Biomedical Applications (Cannot count towards MS degree requirements)
Other suggested courses:
- ECE 221A,B Physics of semiconductor devices I,II
- MAE 250S Spectroscopy and Molecular Gas Dynamics
- MAE 231B Radiative Heat Transfer
- Physics 221A, B, C Quantum Mechanics
- ECE M287 Fusion Plasma Physics and Analysis (same as MAE M237B)
Quantum Science and Engineering
Core:
- ECE 270 Applied Quantum Mechanics
Additional: Choose 4 from
- ECE 205A Matrix Analysis for Scientists and Engineers
- ECE 223 Solid State Electronics I
- ECE 224 Solid State Electronics II
- ECE 279AS (Physics of Quantum Information and Computation)
- ECE 239AS (Modern Computation: AI + Quantum)
- ECE 271 Classical Laser Theory
- ECE 273 Nonlinear Optics
- CS M238 Quantum Programming
- CS 238B Quantum Algorithms
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 128 Principles of Quantum Technology
Other suggested courses:
- ECE 260A,B Advanced Engineering Electrodynamics I,II
- Physics 221A, B, C Quantum Mechanics
Semiconductors and Packaging Technology
Core: Both
- ECE 221A Physics of semiconductor devices I
- ECE 223 Solid State Electronics I
Additional: Choose 3 from
- ECE 221B Physics of semiconductor devices II
- ECE 221C Microwave semiconductor devices
- ECE 222 Integrated Circuits Fabrication Processes
- ECE 224 Solid State Electronics II
- ECE 270 Applied Quantum Mechanics
- ECE 279AS (Advanced Semiconductor Packaging)
- ECE M252 – MEMS Device Physics and Design
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 121B Principles of Semiconductor Device Design (Cannot count towards MS degree requirements)
- ECE 123 Fundamentals of Solid-State I
Other suggested courses:
- ECE 260A/B Advanced Engineering Electrodynamics I/II
- ECE 261 Microwave and Millimeter Wave Circuits
- ECE 262 Antenna Theory and Design
- ECE 201A VLSI design automation
- ECE 201C Modeling of VLSI Circuits and Systems
- ECE 201D Design in Nanoscale Technologies
- ECE M250B Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Fabrication
- MSE 221 Science of Electronic Materials
Electromagnetics/Antennas – Microwave and mmWave Systems
Core: Both
- ECE 260A Advanced Engineering Electrodynamics I
- ECE 261 Microwave and Millimeter Wave Circuits
Additional: Choose 3 from
- ECE 215C RF Circuits and Systems (prereq 215A)
- ECE 221A Physics of semiconductor devices I
- ECE 221C Microwave semiconductor devices
- ECE 223 Solid State Electronics I
- ECE 260B Advanced Engineering Electrodynamics II
- ECE 262 Antenna Theory and Design
- ECE 263 Reflector Antennas
- ECE 279AS (RF and Microwave Transmitter Design)
- ECE 279AS (High-Frequency ICs and Electromagnetics)
Suggested Undergrad courses (may take 1 that counts toward M.S. requirements unless otherwise noted)
- ECE 162A Wireless Communication Links and Antennas
- ECE 163A Introductory Microwave Circuits
- ECE 163C Fundamental Principles of Radiofrequency and Microwave Systems
- ECE 115B Analog Electronic Circuits II
Other suggested courses:
- ECE 270 Applied Quantum Mechanics
- ECE 271 Classical Laser Theory
- ECE 273 Nonlinear Photonics
- ECE 221B Physics of Semiconductor Devices II