Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering Graduate Major

We offer an MS and PhD in computer engineering. The MS degree, which generally requires a thesis, is recommended for students who intend to continue toward the PhD or want to pursue a career in research and development. The non-thesis MS degree requires an independent study project. Faculty and students routinely pursue multidisciplinary projects that cut across the current research areas. Undergraduate students also can enter the master's program while completing their bachelor's.

Program of Study

Degree requirements

Computer Engineering Research

Our highly interdisciplinary and innovative research focuses on the the following core areas:

More About Our Research

Computer and Research Laboratories

The department offers cutting-edge equipment, and we continually upgrade our labs to enable you to do your research. Find out more about our laboratories.

Get Paid to Learn

Research assistantships and teaching assistantships are available to qualified students to help offset the cost of graduate education. In addition, graduate scholarships and fellowships are available for highly qualified students. For more information, see Financial Aid for Graduate Students.

Admission to Graduate Study

The Graduate Admissions Office handles all admissions to Iowa State graduate programs. Graduate information is available from the ECpE Admissions page or on the Graduate College. Also, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

You may also contact the college by mail:
Graduate Admissions Office
100 Alumni Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-3232

Prerequisites

The normal prerequisite to graduate work in an ECpE graduate program is undergraduate work substantially equivalent to our electrical or computer engineering majors.

However, students may qualify for graduate study in certain areas even if their previous education was in another discipline. Prerequisites in these instances often depend upon the student's background and area of research interest.

Read more about admissions guidelines.