Electrical and Computer Engineering Master's Program

The Brown University electrical and computer engineering (ECE) master's degree program offers in depth training in computer hardware, sensors, biomedical instrumentation, communications systems, control system, and more. The program is flexible and customizable to individual goals. Students in the program select courses from a range of topics within ECE. Students can also take courses in other disciplines including applied mathematics, medical science, and computer science. Students can engage in thesis research, experiential learning, and design projects in our state-of-the-art facilities including a nanotechnology cleanroom, advanced imaging suite, and community makerspace.

Brown University has nationally recognized and highly ranked programs in engineering, applied mathematics, medicine, and computer science. Brown faculty are involved in cutting edge, interdisciplinary research and scholarship while remaining deeply committed to teaching.

Students in the ECE master's program can study a broad range of ECE topics including:

  • Computer Architecture and Embedded Systems
  • Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition
  • Computer Vision and Image Processing 
  • Electronic Materials and Devices
  • Mixed-Signal Electronics and Analog/Digital Design
  • Photonics, Plasmonics and THz
  • Neuroengineering and Brain-Computer Interfaces
  • Robotics and Industrial Automation
  • Sensor Networks, Networked Systems and Signal Processing
  • Wireless Communication & Power Transmission

Program of study

Master of Science – Non-Thesis Option

Students take a total of eight courses to satisfy the degree requirements. Students are expected to complete the Master of Science – Non-Thesis program option in three semesters, taking three courses in the first and second semesters, and two courses in the third semester.

Master of Science – Non-Thesis Option (professional track)

In addition to the course requirements, a paid or unpaid internship is a required component of the professional-track program. Assistance in obtaining internships will be provided by the School and the Brown Center for Career Exploration.

Master of Science – Thesis Option

Students take a total of seven courses, including independent reading and research courses. Students are expected to complete the Master of Science – Thesis program option in four semesters, taking three courses in the first semester, two in the second and third semesters, and one in the fourth semester. Students can switch between degree options during the program for greater flexibility. Students interested in pursuing the Thesis option usually identify a faculty advisor during their first or second semester at Brown.

Master's student should meet with their advisor at their orientation and/or the start of the semester and share their intended program of study for advice and approval. 

Listed below are some of the popular courses among ECE master's students, both in engineering and in other departments. For the most up to date and authoritative information, please consult Banner and Courses@Brown.

Engineering courses:

ENGN 2010 Mathematical Methods in Engineering and Physics I
ENGN 2020 Mathematical Methods in Engineering and Physics II
ENGN 2912B Scientific Programming in C++
ENGN 2912V Deep Learning for Scientists and Engineers
ENGN 2520 Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning
ENGN 2605 Image Understanding
ENGN 2560 Computer Vision
ENGN 1630 Digital Electronics Systems Design
ENGN 2912K Mixed-Signal Electronic Design
ENGN 1640 Design of Computing Systems
ENGN 2530 Digital Signal Processing
ENGN 1650 Embedded Microprocessor Design
ENGN 2590 Semiconductor Devices
ENGN 1620 Analysis and Design of Electronic Circuits
ENGN 2912U Coordinated Mobile Robotics
ENGN 2790 Quantum Optics
ENGN 2150 Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization
ENGN 1220 Neuroengineering
ENGN 2501 Digital Geometry Processing
ENGN 1931Y Control Systems Engineering
ENGN 2920F Sensors and Actuators
ENGN 1570 Linear Systems
ENGN 2920H Materials and Interfaces for Energy Storage Devices
ENGN 2912P Topics in Optimization
ENGN 1930B Biomedical Optics
ENGN 1730 Lasers and Nonlinear Optics
ENGN 1932M Foundations of Internet Communication Systems
ENGN 1590 Introduction to Semiconductor Electronics
ENGN 2912R Implantable Devices
ENGN 2625 Optical Microscopy: Fundamentals and Applications

Applied math courses:
APMA 2822B Introduction to Parallel Computing on Heterogeneous (CPU+GPU) Systems
APMA 2630 Theory of Probability I
APMA 2640 Theory of Probability II
APMA 1690 Computational Probability and Statistics
APMA 1170 Introduction to Computational Linear Algebra
APMA 1720 Monte Carlo Simulation with Applications to Finance
APMA 2822 High-Performance Computing
APMA 1650 Statistical Inference I
APMA 1660 Statistical Inference II
APMA 1930P Mathematics and the Climate

Computer Science courses:
CSCI 2230 Computer Graphics
CSCI 2240 Advanced Computer Graphics
CSCI 2470 Deep Learning
CSCI 2952 Robust algorithms in Machine Learning
CSCI 1420 Machine Learning
CSCI 1951R Introduction to Robotics
CSCI 1460 Computational Linguistics
CSCI 1570 Theory of Algorithms
CSCI 1330 Computer Systems
CSCI 1380 Distributed Computer Systems
CSCI 1340 Introduction to Software Engineering
CSCI 2670 Operating Systems
CSCI 1310 Fundamentals of Computer Systems
CSCI 1290 Computational Photography
CSCI 1650 Software Security and Exploitation

Other departments:
CLPS 1291 Computational Methods for Mind, Brain, And Behavior
EEPS 1340 Machine Learning for The Earth and Environment
DATA 2060 Machine Learning: from Theory to Algorithms
DATA 1050 Data Engineering
NEUR 1030 Neural Systems
NEUR 1680 Computational Neuroscience

Brown University ECE master's program graduates are in highly competitive in academic and industry markets. Companies that have hired our recent graduates include:

Amazon, Antra, Bloomberg, Citrix, Facebook, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Goldman Sachs, Google, Intel, Microsoft, NewSky Security, Roku, Shepherd Therapeutics, and VMware.