Courses

All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise specified.

544/644 Trustworthy Computing
The Internet age of universal electronic connectivity is vital for every aspect of our lives and our economy. It enables businesses, transportation, electronic banking, health records, as well as entertainment. To maintain the integrity of the Internet, it is vital to protect and defend this infrastructure from malicious viruses, worms, eavesdropping, electronic fraud, denial-of-service attacks etc. In this course we introduce the fundamentals of network security as well as provide a practical survey of network security applications and standards as implemented on the Internet and for corporate networks.

547 Security Engineering
Topics from applied cryptography, security in computer engineering and networking. Related issues in psychology, sociology, public policy and economics. Project.

558 Introduction to VLSI Design
With lab. Introduction to VLSI design and custom design methodology in MOS. Topics include: MOS devices and circuits, fabrication, structures, sub-system and system design, layout, CAD techniques, and testing. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 212 and 232 or equivalent. Credit, 4.

559 VLSI Design
Lab. The design of very large scale integrated circuits. Experience in VLSI design through team projects emphasizing issues involved in the design of an entire custom chip. CAD tools used in the design process, resulting in specification of circuitry suitable for fabrication. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 558 or equivalent.

563 Introduction to Communications and Signal Processing
Continuous-time (CT) and discrete-time (DT) signals and systems. DT processing of CT signals. DT and CT random processes and noise models. Analog communication systems and their performance in noise. Digital filter design methods. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 313, 314 or equivalent.

564 Communication Systems
Introduction to digital communications. Signaling formats, optimal receivers and error probability calculations. Introduction to error control coding, source coding and information theory. Prerequisite: ECE 563.

565 Digital Signal Processing
Transform domain analysis of discrete-time linear time-invariant systems. Minimum-phase, allpass, linear phase systems. Applications of DFT and FFT. IIR and FIR digital filter design. Implementation of discrete-time systems. Finite word-length effects. Multirate digital signal processing. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 563 or equivalent. Credit, 4.

568 Computer Architecture
Quantitative study of pipelined processor architectures, memory hierarchy, cache memory, Input/Output, RISC processors and vector machines. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 232 or equivalent.

570 System Software Design
An introduction to software systems with emphasis on operating system design and implementation. Computer architecture and system software interaction. Topics include process management, threading, synchronization, deadlocks, scheduling, security, IO systems, and distributed systems. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 232 and 242 or equivalent.

571 Microelectronic Fabrication
With lab. Semiconductor instructional processing laboratory (SIPL) and lectures. Principles and practice of modern microelectronic silicon device processing. Theory and practice of basic processing technology including photo-lithography, oxidation, diffusion, thin film deposition, ion implantation, packaging, yield, and process integration. State-of-the-art laboratory fabrication of working microelectronic devices and process simulation techniques. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 344 or equivalent. Credit, 4.

572 Optoelectronics
Theory and applications of modern optoelectronic components such as waveguides and optical fibers, photodetectors, light emitting diodes, and semiconductor lasers. Emphasis on the physics and operating characteristics of optoelectronic semiconductor devices. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 344 or equivalent.

580 Feedback Control Systems
Time domain and frequency domain analysis and synthesis techniques for linear continuous-time feedback control systems. Topics include benefits and costs of feedback, modeling of dynamic systems, steady-state and transient performance, stability, PID control, root locus, frequency response, Nyquist stability criterion, and introduction to loop-shaping. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 313 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Credit, 4.

584 Microwave Engineering I
With lab. Electromagnetic theory applied to microwave propagation in waveguides, coaxial lines, microstrip lines, and striplines. Microwave circuit theory applied to matching networks and passive microwave devices. S-parameters, ABCD parameters, couplers, and equivalent circuits. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 333 or equivalent. Credit, 4.

585 Microwave Engineering II
Analysis and design of passive microwave devices, including resonators, filters, and ferrite devices in various transmission-line media. Noise and noise effects in detectors, mixers, and modulators. Introduction to FET amplifier design. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 584 or equivalent.

597D Power Systems
The fundamentals of electrical power system generation and transmission including three-phase power, transformers, synchronous generators, transmission lines, power-system representation, introduction to power-flow studies and system faults.

597EN/697EN Nano Energy
Thermal, electrical and optical energy transport and conversion mechanisms at the nanoscale. Photons, electrons and phonons as energy carriers. Tools for energy and heat transport processes from nanoscale to macroscale. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 344 or equivalent.

597M Computational Biology
Survey of results from the area of computational molecular biology, applying computational methods and analysis to the interpretation of data collected from biological systems. Survey of recent advances in computational methods for genomic sequence assembly, DNA and protein sequence comparison, protein structure and interaction, phylogenetic analysis. No prior biological background necessary. Prerequisites: MATH 455 and E&C-ENG 242 or equivalent.

597NE Nanoelectronics
A self-contained overview of the necessary physical concepts of nanostructures, nanomaterials and nanodevices. The core diciplines of nanoelectronics may include material and device principles, emerging devices, nanofabrication, nanoelectronics circuits and nanocomputer architectures. The multiscale aspects of the nanoelectronics discipline and their interactivity. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 344 or equivalent.

597XX/697XX Introduction to Cryptography
Stream ciphers and pseudo-random number generators. Symmetric ciphers (e.g., DES and AES encryption standards), public-key cryptography (e.g., RSA, El Gamal, and elliptic curve), digital signatures, message authentication codes, hash functions, key distribution.

603 Probability and Random Processes
Fundamentals of random variables and stochastic processes. Special random processes. Convergence and limit theorems. Applications of probability theory to engineering problems. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 364 or equivalent.

604 Linear Systems Theory
Matrix analysis, state variables, state space techniques for continuous time systems, matrix fraction descriptions. Controllability, observability, realization theory. Feedback and observers. Stability analysis.

606 Electromagnetic Field Theory
Physical and mathematical techniques for solving practical electromagnetic problems encountered in antennas, propagation, scattering and microwave circuits using Maxwell’s equations. Topics include Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic energy and power, constitutive parameters, Helmholtz equation, generalized plane waves, electric and magnetic currents, electromagnetic duality, equivalence principle, induction theorem, optical theorem, reciprocity theorem, Green’s functions, TE/TM field decomposition, rectangular harmonics, cylindrical harmonics, and spherical harmonics. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 333 or equivalent undergraduate engineering Electromagnetic Theory.

607 Fundamentals of Solid State Electronics I
Fundamental quantum mechanical principles; basis for advanced courses in semiconductor materials and devices, quantum electronics, quantum information, and related topics. Solutions of Schrodinger’s equation pertinent for electrical engineers. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 344 or equivalent.

608 Signal Theory
Unified treatment of techniques for representation of signals and signal processing operations. Emphasis on physical interpretation of vector spaces, linear operators, transform theory, and digital signal processing with wavelet filter banks. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

609 Semiconductor Devices
In-depth examination of semiconductor devices. The physics of semiconductors, p-n junction diodes, bipolar transistors, Schottky barriers, JFETs, and MOSFETs. Beyond-CMOS devices will be explored through additional readings and a term paper. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 344, or introductory semiconductor theory course.

614 Numerical Semiconductor Device Modeling
Semiconductor equations, boundary conditions, and physical parameter models. Numerical methods—scaling, discretization, Newton’s method and matrix inversion. The Monte Carlo particle simulation method. Time-dependent and non-isothermal problems. Actual device simulation examples. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 344 and MATH 235, or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

618 Fundamentals of Solid State Electronics II
Physical and electronic structure of semiconductors, band theory, semiconductor statistics, scattering processes and carrier transport, optical properties, modern quantum electronic devices. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 607 or equivalent.

622 Embedded Systems: Design, Modeling and Verification.
Rigorous modeling of embedded and cyber-physical systems. Exposure to the capabiities and limitations of embedded systems. Use of appropriate abstractions for embedded system modeling.

634 Optimal Control Systems
Mathematics background and basic techniques in the optimization of static, dynamic, and combinatorial systems. Basics of linear programming, basics of nonlinear programming, calculus of variation, optimal control, dynamic programming, neuro-dynamic programming, random search, simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, ordinal optimization.

645 Digital Communications
Introduction to digital communications at the graduate level. Signaling formats, optimal receivers, and error probability calculations. Introduction to error control coding, source coding, and information theory. Prerequisite: undergraduate probability.

647 Advanced Security Engineering
Advanced survey course covering topics from applied cryptography, computer engineering and computer networking together with issues from psychology, sociology, public policy and economics. Course project requires students to design, implement and analyze their own security implementation.

655 Fault Tolerant Systems
Reliability and fault tolerance techniques for commercial and special purpose computer systems. Failure models and statistics, testing, redundancy techniques, error correcting codes and self-checking circuits, reliability modeling, case studies. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 314 and 568 or equivalent.

658 VLSI Design Principles
A graduate version of E&C-ENG 558 which includes additional readings in VLSI architecture, CAD, and systems. A more ambitious design project required, which can be related to the student’s research or possibly another advanced E&C-ENG course such as digital signal processing, control, computer architecture, or computer graphics. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 212 and 232 or equivalent. Credit, 4.

659 Advanced VLSI Design
A graduate version of E&C-ENG 559. Groups of students encouraged to work on VLSI chip designs tied into VLSI research in the Electrical and Computer Engineering or Computer Science departments. Involves knowledge of some additional aspects of computer architecture, circuit design, computer arithmetic, or a particular application area such as digital signal processing, control, cryptography, or computer graphics. Use of the chip within an overall sytem also stressed. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 558 or 658 or equivalent.

664 VLSI Architectures
The impact of VLSI technology on digital systems and architectures. A variety of applications of these architectures explored with emphasis on digital signal processing and other arithmetic-intensive computations. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 558, 568 or equivalent.

665 Algorithms
Introduction to the design and analysis of algorithms. Topics include basic algorithmic paradigms (e.g., divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, the greedy approach and randomization), their application to core problems in graph theory and optimization, and analysis of time and space complexity.

666 Digital Computer Arithmetic
Principles of algorithms for fast execution of arithmetic operations in digital computers. Basic operations in fixed-point, floating-point and unconventional number systems. More complex function evaluation, including trigonometric functions. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 568 or equivalent.

667 Synthesis and Verification of Digital Systems
Modern techniques and algorithms for synthesis and verification of digital systems. Topics in synthesis cover high-level synthesis, decision diagrams, multi-level logic, and sequential optimization. Topics in verification include symbolic techniques, combinational and sequential equivalence checking, and functional test generation. Prerequisite: undergraduate digital logic design.

668 Computer Architecture
A graduate version of E&C-ENG 568. Quantitative study of pipelined processor architectures, memory, Input/Output, RISC processors and vector machines. Prerequisite: undergraduate courses in digital design and hardware organization.

671 Computer Networks
Fundamental concepts and systems aspects of computer networks. Topics include a review of the layered Internet architecture and encompass router design, lookup and classification algorithms, scheduling algorithms, congestion control, wireless protocols, and network security. The key technical and research questions in computer networks and the necessary analytical, simulation, and measurement techniques.

673 Simulation and Evaluation of Computer Systems and Networks
Simulation techniques. Random number generators. Basic statistics for analysis of simulation results. Techniques for speeding up simulation. Simulation of processors, cache memory, and computer networks. Elementary queueing theory and Markov chains. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 314 or equivalent; undergraduate course on computer architecture.

678 Data Analytics
Introduction to data analytics. Data preparation, similarity and distances, association pattern mining and cluster analysis, outlier analysis, data classification, textual and time-series data, privacy issues, analysis of social networks.

683 Active Microwave Circuits
Theory and techniques used in the design of modern microwave and millimeter wave active circuits. Emphasis on amplifier and oscillator circuits using devices such as FETs, HEMTs, HBTs and optoelectronic devices. Modern reference material used as much as possibley. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 585 or equivalent.

684 Microwave Metrology
Lecture, laboratory. Metrology fundamentals. Advanced microwave measurement techniques including error correction, de-embedding, and noise effects in amplifiers and oscillators. Prerequisites: familiarity with microwave CAD software, basic microwave theory.

685 Active Microwave Devices
Microwave solid-state devices and their applications. Transfer-electron devices, IMPATT diodes, GaAs, MESFETs, Schottky diodes, oscillator and amplifier circuits.

686 Introduction to Radar Systems
Introduction to fundamentals of radar systems. Radar range equation, critical radar components, and system performance. Detection, modulation, noise, and propagation effects. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 584 or equivalent.

687 Antenna Theory and Design
Analysis and synthesis of antenna elements and arrays. Topics include linear antennas, self and mutual impedances, aperture, travelling wave, and broadband antennas. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 334 or equivalent.

697A Advanced Computer Networks and Wireless Systems
A broad overview of the technical aspects of mobile computing and wireless communications covering their major building blocks: mobile applications, mobile computing platforms, wireless networks, architectures, and security. The wireless networks discussed with a review of wireless communication principles, wireless LANs with emphasis on IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, sensor networks, UWB (Ultra Wideband), cellular networks ranging from 1G to 5G, wireless metropolitan area networks, and satellite communications.

697AB Security Engineering
Introduction to the new area of security engineering, a multi-disciplinary field combining technical aspects of applied cryptography, computer engineering, and networking as well as issues from psychology, sociology, policy, and economics. Examples drawn from recent research on campus and elsewhere. Several guest lectures presented by experts in the related disciplines. Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing in ECE or Computer Science.

697BE Biomedical Electronics
The principles of operation and the technology behind such biomedical devices as CT and MRI scanners, ultrasound machines, EKG and EEG recorders, pulse oximeters, electronic thermometers, and the laboratory equipment invisible to the patient. Prerequisites: ECE 323 and ECE 313, or equivalent.

697CS Introduction to Compressive Sensing
Signal models, recovery algorithms, measurement schemes. Use of approximation theory, linear algebra, convex optimization, high-dimensional geometry, probability and statistics.

697D Power Systems
Fundamentals of power systems. Includes three-phase circuits, transformers, AC machine fundamentals, transmission lines, power system representations, introduction to power flow studies. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 212 or equivalent.

697IC Analog Integrated Circuit Design
The design of analog IC’s, balancing design trade-offs such as power dissipation, area, speed, linear range, and noise. The value of engineeirng approximations. Building blocks for an operational amplifier including a band-gap biasing stage, ESD protection interfaces, common-mode feedback, and high-impedance current mirrors. Common topologies for analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, sample-and-hold circuits and filters. Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing in ECE.

697K Signal Processing
Introduction to signal processing, covering fundamentals of discrete-time signals and systems, design and implementation of signal processing systems, discrete-time random processes and applications, and adaptive signal processing. Prerequisites: undergraduate-level courses in signals and systems (equivalent to E&C-ENG 313) and probability (equivalent to E&C-ENG 314) or equivalent.

697KK Microwave Hardware Systems Engineering
Design, analysis and construction of microwave systems. Fundamental tradeoffs governing system design; the hardware components and technologies that comprise working systems, the models used to characterize the transmission and reception of signals, the physics of wave propagation and interaction, and estimation theory.Blending theory, probability, and practical understanding of systems into devices that work with radio frequencies.

697L Phased Arrays
Critical evaluation of the performance of phased array antenna systems with emphasis on factors that are important for high-performance radar and communication systems such as scanning, sidelobe levels, gain, and bandwidth. Prerequisites: a good understanding of basic antenna theory and performance, and of graduate-level electronmagnetics for waveguides, plane-wave spectrums, radiation.

697NA Numerical Algorithms
Introduction to scientific computing. Basic numerical linear algebra and applications. Data formats and practices. Solving large sparse linear systems and eigenvalue problems. Parallel computing with OpenMP and MPI. Numerical parallel algorithms.

697O Real-Time Systems
Static and dynamic priority task scheduling algorithms. Performance measures. Worst-case execution time estimation. Basics of fault tolerance. Clock synchronization. Power-aware and thermal-aware issues.

697PP Design for Manufacturability and Reliability of VLSI Circuits
The theory and practice of designing for manufacturability and reliability of VLSI circuits. Topics include: classification of manufacturing defects and lithographic aberrations, critical area calculation, optical proximity correction, lithographic and resist simulation, yield models, defect tolerance techniques (for memories and processors) and reliability issues (e.g., hot carrier, Electromigration and gate oxide problems).

697PS: Principles of Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems
Task scheduling algorithms. Power-aware and thermal-aware management. Deadline-sensitive network management. Accounting for controlled plant dynamics. Application Case Studies: Intelligent highway systems; smart power grid; fly-by-wire aircraft control.

697PT Physical Information Theory
Introduction to the fundamenal physical description of information processing and its application to the exploration of physical limits in communication and computation. Self-contained overviews of essential aspects of Shannon’s (“classical”) information theory and quantum mechanics. The quantification, transfer, and processing of both classical and quantum information.Prerequisite: graduate standing in ECE, Physics, or Computer Science.

697SN Online Social Networks
The challenges and important questions posed by online social applications such as youtube, facebook, and twitter. Topics include measurement studies of online social networks, analysis of online community, privacy in online social networks, system design for social networks, and recommendation system for social networks.

697SR Introduction to Random Processes and Statistical Inference
Review of probability. Introduction to simulation. Renewal and Poisson processes. Markov chains, martingales, random walks, Brownian motion. Introduction to statistical inference: estimation and confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, linear regression.

697V Radar Lifecycle Engineering
Radar systems engineering spanning needs analysis, technology readiness and risk reduction, conceptual design, detailed design and development, and production and lifecycle support. Emphasis on the system as a whole; case studies and semester-long group project. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 584 or equivalent.

699 Master’s Thesis
Credit, 9.

723 Principles of Masers and Lasers
Quantum-mechanical description of typical maser and laser materials, fundamentals of maser amplification, analysis of maser and laser devices, review of applications. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 607 or equivalent.

735 Stochastic Control of Dynamic Systems
Advanced topics in modern stochastic dynamic systems: stochastic differential equations; numerical methods for SDEs; large deviation theory and its application; importance sampling; point processes; filtering in queueing networks, nonlinear filtering theory; LQG control for continuous time systems; identification theory; stochastic approximation theory.

745 Advanced Communication Theory
Advanced modulation theory, performance limits, and error calculation techniques. The algebra of coding. Trellis-coded modulation. Fixed and adaptive channel equalization. Advanced signaling over fading channels. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 603 or equivalent.

746 Statistical Signal Processing
Basic theories of signal parameter estimation and signal detection. Bayes and maximum likelihood decision and estimation rules. Wiener and Kalman filtering. Parametric and non-parametric spectrum estimation. Prerequisite: E&C-ENG 603 or equivalent.

784 Selected Topics in Microwave Systems
Selected topics of contemporary interest on microwave systems: advanced radars, active and passive microwave remote sensing instruments, large scale antennas, and microwave integrated circuits. Prerequisites: E&C-ENG 584 or equivalent and graduate standing.

785 Selected Topics in Control Systems
Course varies according to current research trends.

786 Selected Topics in Communication Systems
Varies with research trends: signal space structures; time-frequency analysis; multiresolution analysis and wavelets; signal modeling; and spectrum estimation. Multidimensional signal processing, random processes in 2-D, fundamentals of image processing.

793, 794 Seminar in Electrical Engineering
Presentations of current research activities and literature by faculty and graduate students. Credit, 1 each semester.

899 Doctoral Dissertation
Credit, 18.