Computer Architecture and Design

Overview

Computer architecture and design encompasses everything from instruction set architecture to microprocessor design, memory hierarchy, interconnect, I/O, and performance measurement.  Target applications range from consumer electronics and graphics processors to industrial and automotive electronics to desktop, servers, and high-performance computing. 

The computer architecture and design track provides a solid foundation in computer architecture and design as well as an introduction to more advanced topics. The depth and breadth options along with electives allow the flexibility for an additional emphasis on design verification, IC design, or embedded systems

 Core Courses

ECE 585 Microprocessors System Design
ECE 586 Computer Architecture
ECE 587 Advanced Computer Architecture I
ECE 588 Advanced Computer Architecture II

Course Planning

A suggested curriculum for the Computer Architecture's Core and Depth and Breadth courses can be found below. Some notes about course sequence order:

1. Students shall take ECE 571 before or/at the same term as ECE 585
2. Students shall take ECE 585 and ECE 586 before taking ECE 540, ECE 544, ECE 560,  ECE 593, ECE 595. 
3. All course pre-requisites need to be met.
4. The courses below will not necessarily be taken in the order listed.
5. One additional 4-credit ECE course and 9 credits of electives must also be completed.

Primary Focus: Computer Architecture. Secondary Focus: Design Verification and Validation 

Core courses of ECE 585, ECE 586, ECE 587, ECE 588
And Depth and Breadth course list of:
ECE 560 Assertion Based Verification
ECE 571 Introduction to System Verilog for Design and Verification
ECE 582 Formal Verification of HW/SW Systems
ECE 593 Fundamentals of Pre-silicon Validation
One additional 4-credit ECE course:
ECE 550 Post-Silicon Functional Validation

Primary Focus: Computer Architecture. Secondary Focus: Digital IC Design

Core courses of ECE 585, ECE 586, ECE 587, ECE 588
And Depth and Breadth course list of:
ECE 525 Digital Integrated Circuit Design I
ECE 526 Digital Integrated Circuit Design II
ECE 530 Physical Design of Digital Integrated Circuits 
ECE 581 ASIC Modeling and Synthesis
One additional 4-credit ECE course:
ECE 571 Introduction to System Verilog for Design and Verification

Primary Focus: Computer Architecture. Secondary Focus: Embedded Systems

Core courses of ECE 585, ECE 586, ECE 587, ECE 588
And Depth and Breadth course list of:
ECE 540 System on a Chip Design with FPGAs
ECE 544 Embedded System Design with FPGAs
ECE 558 Embedded Systems Programming
ECE 571 Introduction to System Verilog for Design and Verification
One additional 4-credit ECE course:
ECE 581 ASIC Modeling and Synthesis

Suggested Schedule for Full-time ECE MS Students

The schedule below is for students beginning the ECE MS program in Fall term. Students that begin in Winter term will shift their schedule one term forward and can work with the department on advising for their course plans.

Computer Architecture

First Year Plan

Note: International Students on F-1 visas with internship offers will take 1 internship credit of ECE 504 the summer after their first year, if applicable.

Second Year Plan

 *Students who are not participating in internships can replace ECE 504 in the above table with elective courses

Possible Careers in Computer Architecture

Please see our Careers in Electrical and Computer Engineering page to find out more information about the types of careers that may be available for graduates of the ECE MS program.

Track Director

Supporting Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

Brian Cruikshank, MSEE, Senior PE, Ampere. Expertise: ACIS Design.