Electrical & Computer Eng
- COS 302/SML 305/ECE 305: Mathematics for Numerical Computing and Machine LearningThis course provides a comprehensive and practical background for students interested in continuous mathematics for computer science. The goal is to prepare students for higher-level subjects in artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, graphics, and other topics that require numerical computation. This course is intended students who wish to pursue these more advanced topics, but who have not taken (or do not feel comfortable) with university-level multivariable calculus (e.g., MAT 201/203) and probability (e.g., ORF 245 or ORF 309). See "Other Information"
- COS 375/ECE 375: Computer Architecture and OrganizationAn introduction to computer architecture and organization. Instruction set design; basic processor implementation techniques; performance measurement; caches and virtual memory; pipelined processor design; design trade-offs among cost, performance, and complexity.
- COS 432/ECE 432: Information SecurityCourse goals: learn how to design a secure system, probe systems for weaknesses, write code with fewer security bugs, use crypto libraries correctly, protect (or breach!) privacy, and use your powers ethically. Main topics: basic cryptography, system security, network security, firewalls, malware, web security, privacy technologies, cryptocurrencies, human factors, physical security, economics, and ethics of security.
- COS 516/ECE 516: Automated Reasoning about SoftwareAn introduction to algorithmic techniques for reasoning about software. Basic concepts in logic-based techniques including model checking, invariant generation, symbolic execution, and syntax-guided synthesis; automatic decision procedures in modern solvers for Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) and Satisfiability Modulo Theory (SMT); and their applications in automated verification, analysis, and synthesis of software. Emphasis on algorithms and automatic tools.
- ECE 115: Introduction to Computing: Programming Autonomous VehiclesThis course is an introductory course in programming and computing concepts for engineering students who have little or no experience in computing and programming and are interested in learning programming in the context of a robotic autonomous vehicle system. Introduction to fundamental programming concepts: control flow, iteration, abstraction, sub-routines, functions, recursion, lists and arrays. This course is tightly integrated with a real robotic platform: an autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle which the students will program and fly in lab as they learn programming. Significant emphasis will be placed on building good debugging skills.
- ECE 206/COS 306: Contemporary Logic DesignIntroduction to the basic concepts in logic design that form the basis of computation and communication circuits. Logic gates and memeory elements. Timing methodologies. Finite state systems. Programmable logic. Basic computer organization.
- ECE 297: Sophomore Independent WorkProvides an opportunity for a student to concentrate on a state-of-the-art project in electrical engineering. Topics may be selected from suggestions by faculty members or proposed by the students. The final choice must be approved by the faculty advisor. There is no formal reading list; however, a literature search is a normal part of most projects.
- ECE 308: Electronic and Photonic DevicesIntro to fundamentals and operations of semiconductor devices and sensors and the micro/nano fabrication technologies used to make them. The devices include field-effect transistors, photodetectors and solar cells, light-emitting diodes and lasers. Applications to be discussed include computing and microchips, optical transmission of info (the internet backbone), displays and renewable energy. Students will fabricate their own devises in a clean room and test them via microprobes. Special emphasis will be placed on the interplay between the material properties, fabrication capabilities, device performance and ultimate system performance.
- ECE 351: Foundations of Modern OpticsThis course provides the students with a broad and solid background in electromagnetics, including both statics and dynamics, as described by Maxwell's equations. Fundamental concepts of diffraction theory, Fourier optics, polarization of light, and geometrical optics will be discussed. Emphasis is on engineering principles, and applications will be discussed throughout. Examples include cavities, waveguides, antennas, fiber optic communications, and imaging. There will be several laboratory assignments supporting the material covered in lectures.
- ECE 364: Machine Learning for Predictive Data AnalyticsMachine learning for predictive data analytics; information-based learning; similarity-based learning; probability-based learning; error-based learning; deep learning; evaluation.
- ECE 396/COS 396: Introduction to Quantum ComputingThis course will introduce the matrix form of quantum mechanics and discuss the concepts underlying the theory of quantum information. Some of the important algorithms will be discussed, as well as physical systems which have been suggested for quantum computing.
- ECE 397: Junior Independent WorkProvides an opportunity for a student to concentrate on a "state-of-the-art" project in electrical engineering. Topics may be selected from suggestions by faculty members or proposed by the students. The final choice must be approved by the faculty advisor. There is no formal reading list; however, a literature search is a normal part of most projects.
- ECE 435: Machine Learning and Pattern RecognitionThe course is an introduction to the theoretical foundations of machine learning. A variety of classical and recent results in machine learning and statistical analysis are discussed, including: Bayesian classification, regression, regularization, sparse regression, support vector machines, kernels, neural networks and gradient descent.
- ECE 441/ENE 441: Solid-State Physics IAn introduction to the properties of solids. Theory of free electrons--classical and quantum. Crystal structure and methods of determination. Electron energy levels in a crystal: weak potential and tight-binding limits. Classification of solids--metals, semiconductors and insulators. Types of bonding and cohesion in crystals. Lattice dynamics, phonon spectra and thermal properties of harmonic crystals.
- ECE 445: Solid-State Electronic DevicesThe physics and technology of solid-state electronic devices. Covers electronic structure of semiconductors, energy bands and doping, followed by discussion of carrier transport by drift and diffusion and recombination/generation. Detailed analysis of p-n junctions, bipolar transistors and field effect transistors. Survey of a wide range of devices, including photodetectors, solar cells, light-emitting diodes and semiconductor lasers, highlighting contemporary concepts such as thin film electronics and 2D semiconductors.
- ECE 453: Optical and Quantum ElectronicsFundmentals of light-matter interactions, waveguides and resonators, nonlinear optics and lasers.
- ECE 457: Experimental Methods in Quantum ComputingThis course aims to introduce students to the basics of experimental quantum information processing. Students will gain hands-on experience with several qubit platforms, including single photons, nuclear spins (NMR), electron spins (NV centers in diamond), and superconducting qubits. Additionally, students will learn data analysis and signal processing techniques relevant for a wide range of quantum computing platforms.
- ECE 458: Photonics and Light Wave CommunicationsThis course provides an introduction to the state-of-the-art in photonic technology and systems, focusing on high performance fiber-optic telecommunication systems of silicon photonics. The basic physical principles and performance characteristics of optical fibers, lasers, detectors, optical amplifiers and dispersion management will be discussed. The design and performance analysis of photonic systems will be presented. There will be four participatory lab demonstrations exposing students to the components in a fiber optic communication link. In lieu of a final exam, students do a lab project or term paper, and class presentation.
- ECE 462/COS 462: Design of Very Large-Scale Integrated (VLSI) SystemsAnalysis and design of digital integrated circuits using deep sub-micron CMOS technologies as well as emerging and post-CMOS technologies (Si finFETs, III-V, carbon). Emphasis on design, including synthesis, simulation, layout and post-layout verification.Analysis of energy, power, performance, area of logic-gates, interconnect and signaling structures.
- ECE 470/COS 470: Principles of BlockchainsBlockchains are decentralized digital trust engines that are the underlying technology behind Web3, a loosely defined denotation of the Internet architecture in the years to come, including decentralization of the platform economy of the modern Internet (Web2). In this course, we conduct a full-stack study of blockchains, viewing them as a whole integrated computer system involving networking, incentives, consensus, data structures, cryptography and memory management. The course uses the Bitcoin architecture as a basis to construct the foundational design and algorithmic principles of blockchains.
- ECE 482: Digital Signal ProcessingThe lectures will cover: (1) Basic principles of digital signal processing. (2) Design of digital filters. (3) Fourier analysis and the fast Fourier transform. (4) Roundoff errors in digital signal processing. (5) Applications of digital signal processing.
- ECE 497: Senior Independent WorkSenior Thesis Course. The student has the opportunity to do a self driven project by proposing a topic and finding a faculty member willing to supervise the work, or, the student may do a project in conjunction with a faculty member's research. A second reader will be required for both the midterm report and final thesis report. Students will be required to enroll in ECE 498 in the spring.
- ECE 511: Quantum Mechanics with ApplicationsThis course covers the principles of quantum mechanics of relevance to students in applied physics, materials science and engineering. Topics include the concept of Hilbert Spaces, Schrodinger and Heisenberg Representations, Bound State and scattering problems in one, two and three dimensions, consequences of symmetry, Angular momentum algebra, Approximation methods for stationary states, Many-body systems, Time dependent Perturbation Theory, and Second Quantization.
- ECE 514: Extramural Research InternshipFull-time research internship at a host institution, to perform scholarly research relevant to student's dissertation work. Research objectives are determined by advisor in conjunction with outside host. A mid-semester progress review and a final paper are required. Enrollment limited to post-generals students for up to two semesters. Special rules apply to international students regarding CPT/OPT use. Students may register by application only.
- ECE 518: Selected Topics in Computer Engineering and Information Sciences and SystemsThis course introduces first year graduate students to the research of the faculty in the area of Computer Engineering and Information Sciences and Systems. It helps first year graduate students find a research advisor.
- ECE 519: Selected Topics in Solid-State Electronics: Advanced Topics in Electronic and Optoelectronic Materials and DevicesIntroduction to the topics and methods of research in electronic materials and devices, providing an overview of current research of the faculty in electronic materials and devices, and in optical and optoelectronic engineering.
- ECE 535: Machine Learning and Pattern RecognitionThis course is an introduction to the theoretical foundations of machine learning. A variety of classical and recent results in machine learning and statistical analysis are discussed, including: Bayesian classification, regression, regularization, sparse regression, support vector machines, kernels, neural networks and gradient descent.
- ECE 538: Special Topics in Information Sciences and Systems: Advanced Wireless SystemsThis course is a graduate level course, focusing on advanced topics in wireless systems. It covers millimeter-wave networking, reconfigurable radio environments, wireless sensing, visible light communication, terehertz wireless networks, 5G/6G, wireless security, wireless energy harvesting, and autonomous networked UAVs. The students develop knowledge and skills to understand and critically evaluate research advances in emerging topics related to wireless systems. This course is held in a debate format and students will be able to defend and critically analyze research, both in writing and verbally.
- ECE 538A: Special Topics in Information Sciences and Systems:: Graph Signal Processing and LearningAdvanced studies in selected areas in signal processing, communication and information theory, decision and control, and system theory. Emphasis on recent developments and current literature. Content varies from year to year according to the instructor's and students' interests.
- ECE 538B: Special Topics in Information Sciences and Systems: Theory of Deep Weakly Supervised LearningGraduate level course focusing on theoretical foundations of deep learning with a focus on weakly supervised aspects. The class covers the theoretical analysis tools used in deep learning including stochastic gradient, uniform convergence theory and statistical learning. The course focuses primarily on unsupervised learning and weakly supervised learning. Topics include generative models, self-training, transfer learning, representation learning, semi-supervised learning and other forms of self-supervised learning. Prior knowledge on statistics, linear algebra, probability theory and optimization is required.
- ECE 539/COS 512/MAE 572: Special Topics in Data and Information Science: Safety-Critical Robotic SystemsThe course covers the mathematical foundations of dynamical system safety analysis and modern algorithmic approaches for robotic decision making in safety-critical contexts. The focus is on safe robot learning, multiagent systems, and interaction with humans, paying special attention to uncertainty and the reality gap between mathematical models and the physical world.
- ECE 539B: Special Topics in Information Sciences and Systems: Security and Performance Challenges in Networked SystemsMultiple services we use every day, from Zoom to cryptocurrency wallets, rely on large-scale networked systems. These systems consist of a complex series of interdependent components and control algorithms, which make their management particularly challenging. In effect, we often observe disturbances such as cross-layer security vulnerabilities and unpredictable interferences across seemingly independent applications. In this course we revisit a few fundamental network topics (such as routing, monitoring, and congestion avoidance) aiming at revealing and addressing their performance and security implications.
- ECE 544: Physics & Technology of Low-Dimensional Electronic StructuresA broad overview of materials science and physics of low-dimensional electronic structures will be presented. Emphasis is on the fabrication and physics of high-mobility carrier systems in modulation-doped structures. Examples include two-dimensional, one-dimensional (quantum wire), and zero-dimensional (quantum dot) systems.
- ECE 547B/MSE 557: Selected Topics in Solid-State Electronics: Bio Sensing and DiagnosticsOne or more advanced topics in solid-state electronics. Content may vary from year to year. Recent topics have included electronic properties of doped semiconductors, physics and technology of nanastructures, and organic materials for optical and electronic device application.
- ECE 550: Laser Spectroscopy: New Technologies and ApplicationsThe course focuses on various aspects of laser spectroscopic sensing. Topics include physical principles of atomic and molecular spectroscopy, fundamentals of high resolution lasers spectroscopy, spectroscopic measurement techniques and instrumentation, laser sources and practical applications of spectroscopic sensing. Example applications of laser spectroscopy to chemical analysis and trace gas detection in fundamental science, industrial and environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics are discussed.
- ECE 552: Advanced Microscopy and Image Processing for Living SystemsFor the past three decades have witnessed an explosion of new forms of optical microscopy that allows us to study living systems with unprecedented details. This course aims to cut through the confusion of the wide array of new imaging methods by offering both a unified theoretical framework and practical descriptions of the pros and cons of each. In addition, this course will also explore advances in computational tools, especially recent advances in AI, for image visualization and quantification.
- ECE 554/MSE 553: Nonlinear OpticsA general introduction to nonlinear optics, including harmonic generation, parametric amplification and oscillation, electro-optic effects, photorefractive materials, nonlinear spectroscopy, and nonlinear imaging.
- ECE 558: Photonics and Lightwave CommunicationsThis course provides an introduction to the state-of-the-art in photonic technology and systems, focusing on high performance fiber-optic telecommunication systems of silicon photonics. The basic physical principles and performance characteristics of optical fibers, lasers, detectors, optical amplifiers and dispersion management will be discussed. The design and performance analysis of photonic systems are presented. There are four participatory lab demonstrations exposing students to the components in a fiber optic communication link. In lieu of a final exam, students do a lab project or term paper, and class presentation.
- ECE 562: Design of Very Large-Scale Integrated (VLSI) SystemsAnalysis and design of digital integrated circuits using deep sub-micron CMOS technologies as well as emerging and post-CMOS technologies (Si finFETs, III-V, carbon). Emphasis on design, including synthesis, simulation, layout and post-layout verification. Analysis of energy, power, performance, area of logic-gates, interconnect and signaling structures.
- ECE 568: Implementations of Quantum InformationThis course provides an overview of experimental approaches to quantum information processing and quantum computing. We discuss the basic principles of quantum computing to understand the physical requirements, and then survey current research on implementing quantum information processing in various physical systems, in part by reading recent experimental literature. Specific topics covered include gate-based and adiabatic quantum computing, topologically protected quantum architectures, as well as several physical qubit systems: trapped ions/atoms, superconducting circuits, and electron and nuclear spins in solids.
- ECE 582: Wireless and High Speed Integrated Circuits and SystemsThis course aims to cover the fundamentals of the wireless and high-speed integrated circuits for future wireless technology. We cover analysis and design of high-speed and wireless ICs that enables modern wireless communication across device-circuits-system level abstractions. The understanding of these fundamental concepts prepares students for a wide range of advanced topics from circuits and systems for communication to emerging areas of sensing and biomedical electronics.
- ECE 585: Parallel ComputationThe class reads seminal papers on different parallel programming models and parallel computer architectures. In addition, we explore different parallel programming models via programming assignments. Finally the course culminates in a project where students create a research-grade experiment and write a full length conference-style paper. One of the goals of this class is to get students introduced to writing a complete conference style computer architecture/CS paper.
- ECE 597: Electrical Engineering Graduate Project CourseGraduate Project Course. Under the direction of a faculty member the student carries out a graduate-level project and presents their results.
- EGR 491/ECE 491/ENT 491: High-Tech EntrepreneurshipThis hands-on course introduces students to analysis and actions required to launch and commercialize a tech company, through the use of Harvard Business School cases, visits from entrepreneurs, and two "field assignments". You will learn conceptual frameworks and analytical techniques for evaluating technologies, markets, and commercialization strategies. Additionally, you will learn how to attract and motivate the resources needed to start a company (e.g. people, corporate partners and venture capital), prepare business plans, structure relationships, refine product-market fit, and create and grow enterprise value.
- MAE 345/COS 346/ECE 345: Introduction to RoboticsRobotics is a rapidly-growing field with applications including unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous cars, and robotic manipulators. This course will provide an introduction to the basic theoretical and algorithmic principles behind robotic systems. The course will also allow students to get hands-on experience through project-based assignments on quadrotors. In the final project, students will implement a vision-based obstacle avoidance controller for a quadrotor. Topics include motion planning, control, localization, mapping, and vision.