SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
www.sonoma.edu

Master of Science in Computer and Engineering Science Program

(Specialization in Communications and Photonics or Computer Hardware and Software Systems)

The Master of Science degree in Computer and Engineering Science (MS-CES) at Sonoma State University is a multidisciplinary degree built on a strong foundation of Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science and/or Electrical Sciences. Specifically, this program emphasizes the application of these fields to the design, analysis and synthesis of engineering problem solutions. The MS-CES faculty is composed of professors from Sonoma State University, whose interests traverse the fields of science and engineering, as well as professionals from the local community who have cutting-edge expertise in the various engineering disciplines of interest and are qualified to be adjunct faculty in SSU.

A linkage with local industry in the form of an Industry Advisory Board (IAB) is an integral part of the program. Such an advisory board is critical to ensure the Program meets local community needs. The IAB provides the Program with valuable input regarding the new scientific and technological developments and educational needs of the industry. It also facilitates internship opportunities for students, joint student research/project development and supervision, faculty-scientists/engineers joint project opportunities, equipment and financial support from the industries. Through this linkage of academic learning and practical application, students obtain a solid education indispensable for working in a professional environment. The MS-CES is a self-supported program that is underwritten by local industry as well as student tuition revenue. Therefore, as of this writing, tuition fee for this Program is $500 per unit for all students, resident and non-resident. The MS-CES is 30-33 unit program, not including any prerequisite work.

Program Educational Objectives

  • Educate and prepare students to be independent investigators.
  • Educate students to be leaders in their professions.
  • Educate students to be socially responsible engineers, committed to community service.

Program Outcomes

The students of this program will acquire:

  • knowledge of the theory of high performance computing, communications and/or networking
  • critical thinking ability and analytical and simulation tools to do system performance evaluation
  • ability to model and analyze scientific and engineering problems
  • ability to apply theory to design and implement efficient computing and/or communications systems
  • ability to integrate knowledge from multiple interrelated disciplines to formulate, design and/or implement interdisciplinary projects
  • ability to investigate and formulate research problems and/or design projects independently
  • ability for effective written and oral communication skills.

Admission to the Program

For admission, the applicant must have:

  1. a baccalaureate degree in a scientific or technical discipline from an U.S. institution accredited by an appropriate accreditation body, or an equivalent baccalaureate degree from a foreign institution of high reputation.
  2. attained grade point average of at least 3.0 (A=4.00) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted.
  3. earned a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This requirement applies only to applicants who have not spent at least three years of school at the secondary level (or beyond) where English is the principal language of instruction.
  4. demonstrate competency in writing by one of the WEPT (Written English Proficiency Test) criteria for MS-CES students given below. Generally, this requirement must be met before entering the Program. One of the criteria is demonstrating competency in writing through an essay. Therefore, if this requirement is to be met by writing an essay, it should be submitted with the application for admission.
  5. completed the following SSU courses or equivalent at the undergraduate level with a GPA of 3.0 or higher:
    • 3 semesters of Calculus (Math 161, 211, 241)
    • 2 semesters of Calculus-based Physics with lab (Phys 114, 116 and 214)
    • 1 semester of Probability Theory (Math 345)
    • 1 semester of Analog and Digital Electronics (ES 230 and 231)
    • 2 semesters of Programming in an approved high level Procedural Language, modeling and simulation (CS 115 and ES 314)
    • 2 semesters of Digital Systems Design and microprocessor systems (ES 210 and 310)

When ever possible, the department offers highly intense and compressed courses as CES 490 which cover the material necessary to satisfy the prerequisite requirements. Please contact department office to for more information regarding such offerings.

Conditional Admission

The applicants whose GPA is less than 3.0 but greater than 2.5, or who lack not more than 18 units of prerequisite work (generally, 6 courses), may be accepted conditionally and must complete a program of study specified by the graduate coordinator at the time of admission before being given full admission.

Degree Requirements

  • Core courses- 9 units
  • Track-core courses - 12 units
  • Technical electives - 3 to 9 units

(depending upon the culminating experience plan)

  • Culminating experience - 3 to 6 units

In addition to the above courses, a student must also meet the following two requirements:

  • Internship
  • WEPT.

These requirements are described in detail in this document later.

Total minimum number of units required for graduation - 30 to 33

Program of Study

The Program offers two tracks or areas of specialization:

  • Track 1: Communications & Photonics - This area of specialization provides students with the expertise in the areas of (i)analog and digital electronics, (ii)semiconductor and photonics components and devices, (iii)communications techniques (wireless, wireline and optical fiber media), (iv)local and wide area networking, and, (v)broadband access technology.
  • Track 2: Computer Hardware & Software Systems - This area of specialization is intended to deepen students' ability to analyze and design computer systems. This specialization includes topics such as embedded systems, digital data compression, software engineering and computer networks.

A student chooses one of the two tracks at the time of admission but can change it in the midstream. However, that may mean taking additional courses to meet the requirements of the new track. A student's program of study consists of the following four components: a common core, a track core, culminating experience and technical electives.