| Introduction
Whether
candidate students aspire to be a computer scientist, applied
mathematician, engineer, or business person, InterAmerican
University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences can
provide them with a solid foundation for an exciting future.
At InterAmerican University, we encourage and prepare participating
students to become a lifelong learner. We all acknowledge
the dizzying pace of changing technology; surely, a great
deal of the equipment and computers we work with today soon
will be outdated. Yet the critical thinking skills and invaluable
experience of teamwork and intellectual dialogue that will
mark their academic years at InterAmerican University will
remain with them forever. Our graduates not only weather the
change, but lead the way through change.
The College
of Engineering's academic departments house the various research
centers and administer degree programs offered to students.
In addition, interdepartmental centers, laboratories, and
programs, which involve the College's faculty and research
staff, provide opportunities for faculty, staff, and students
to undertake collaborative research and engage in educational
programs dealing with many interdisciplinary applications
of importance to society.
Research and Learning
The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at InterAmerican
University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs
in 10 different fields of engineering and applied science.
Additional programs in business and the humanities, along
with a variety of academic support programs and research opportunities
complement these offerings.
The College encourages students at all levels to participate
in an open-ended research project as part of their educational
experience. A college-wide initiative seeks to expose students
to the value of learning through discovery.
Engineering education at InterAmerican University emphasizes
the fundamental principles of mathematics and the physical
engineering sciences, and is broadened by substantial opportunities
for study in the social sciences, the life sciences, and the
humanities. Each engineering undergraduate can develop an
academic program that reflects his or her aspirations and
interests within a general framework of requirements. The
depth and flexibility of the program make it a sound background
for engineering practice or graduate study in engineering,
science, business, law, or medicine.
Curricula in traditional engineering fields are offered through
three academic departments:
· Civil and Environmental Engineering
· Computer Science
· Operations Research and Financial Engineering
Interdepartmental curricula are presented in the following
programs:
· Architecture and Engineering
· Engineering and Management Systems
· Engineering Biology
· Engineering Physics
· Geological Engineering
In addition, the following topical programs are available
to students enrolled in any of the above curricula:
· Energy and Environment
· Transportation
Students may also combine an engineering curriculum with study
in depth in other fields, such as foreign areas studies or
public and international affairs.
Special University programs and opportunities are available
to B.S.E. as well as to A.B. candidates. A description of
these is contained in the "Special Features of the Undergraduate
Program" section of the Undergraduate Announcement. Of
particular interest to B.S.E. students are the sections concerning
advanced placement, advanced standing, writing requirement,
auditing courses, graduate courses, independent concentration,
optional additional courses, and the University Scholar program.
Engineering students also should be aware of their eligibility
for the Programs in Applied and Computational Mathematics,
Cognitive Studies, Environmental Studies, and Material Science
and Engineering,
Individual Approach
A distinguishing characteristic of the academic program in
our college is the small student-teacher ratio. This ensures
that all classes are offered as needed and are taught by faculty,
not by graduate students, as occurs at larger institutions.
This favorable student-teacher ratio also means that class
sizes are small, that individual student instructional needs
are recognized and addressed, and that meaningful research
participation with professors becomes an integral component
of the overall learning experience.
Majors
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
The Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers five programs
of study:
o Architecture and Engineering
§ Architecture Focus
§ Structures Focus
o Environmental Engineering
o Geological Engineering
o Structural Engineering
o Engineering and the Liberal Arts
All five programs are very flexible and allow students to
pursue individual areas of specialization by tailoring sequences
of technical, program and humanities electives. In addition,
the flexibility of the programs allows students to fulfill
the requirements of various certificate programs outside the
department, and to participate in study abroad programs.
A CEE major enters one of these programs at the end of the
freshman year. The flexibility of the programs, however, permits
the student to change programs as late as the junior year.
The Department firmly believes that independent research is
an integral component of an engineer's education. Consequently,
all seniors are required to write a thesis and present the
results of their work at the annual CEE Senior Conference,
which is held during the first week in May. Sophomores and
juniors are also encouraged to participate in independent
research with departmental faculty members. Such independent
research work can be either experimental in one of the various
laboratories of the department, numerical/computational using
the extensive computer facilities of the school, or basic/fundamental
type of research work.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
During the four years at InterAmerican University, a CEE student
is required to take at least thirty-six (36) courses. The
36 courses consist of:
8 or 9 Mathematics and Basic Science Requirements (CEAS Requirements)
9 or 10 Engineering Science Requirements (Core Courses)
4 Engineering Design Requirements
4 or more Program Electives
7 or more Humanities & Social Science Electives; B.S.E.
students are required to include one course in four of the
six areas listed:
• Epistemology and Cognition (EC)
• Ethical Thought and Moral Values (EM)
• Foreign Language at the 107/108 level or above
• Historical Analysis (HA)
• Literature and the Arts (LA)
• Social Analysis (SA)
AND
CEE 478 (Senior Thesis - counts as two courses). This is a
full-year research project, although seniors register for
this course in the Spring Term only. No grade is given in
the fall; a double grade is awarded in the spring.
Among the 36 courses, there must be at least eight (8) departmental
courses at the 300 level or above, excluding the Senior Thesis,
CEE 478.
The math and basic science requirements are the same for all
departments within the College of Engineering and Applied
Science (CEAS). Many of these requirements are scheduled during
the freshman year. The CEE Core Courses (Engineering Science
Requirements) and Engineering Design Courses vary across the
programs of study. All students in the program must take these
courses. At least four Program Electives must be taken to
complete the technical portion of the student's academic program.
These refer to a coherent sequence of engineering, science,
economics, and/or mathematics courses within each program.
A maximum of one 200-level course may be chosen as a Program
Elective. Each student selects and schedules courses in consultation
with his/her academic advisor and the Departmental Representative.
INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS OF STUDY
In some instances, an exceptional student may wish to design
his/her own program, pulling together related courses from
several departments. Such a program is normally designed in
conjunction with the academic advisor, and must be approved
by the student's academic advisor and the Departmental Representative.
Whenever a program is designed that includes one or more Program
Elective not on the approved list of courses, the student
must complete the Green Program Proposal Form. This form may
be obtained from the Departmental Representative.
STUDY ABROAD
Study abroad can be used to enhance and diversify the educational
experience. For many CEE students, study abroad has served
as a valuable option for junior independent work and in providing
research material for the senior thesis. Courses taken during
foreign study may be preapproved for credit as departmentals
by the department representative. Students considering study
abroad should consult with the departmental representative
as early as possible.
DEPARTMENTAL GPA AND HONORS
Prior to graduation, the department will calculate each senior
student's departmental grade point average for determination
of honors. To graduate, a student's departmental GPA must
be 2.0 or greater. The guidelines the CEE department uses
to define the departmental courses included in the GPA calculation
are as follows:
All 300-level and above core courses, design courses, and
program electives, taken junior or senior year, plus any 300-level
and above courses (core, design or program) taken freshman
or sophomore year that raise the student's GPA.
If more than 4 Program Electives are taken, the lowest grade
of the Program Electives will be dropped.
Note that "300 level and above courses" means all
such courses and not just CEE courses. It should also be noted
that the CEE department does not use the Registrar's definition
of departmental courses to compute the departmental GPA. The
Registrar requires that graduates have taken at least eight
departmental courses at the 300 level or above, excluding
the Senior Thesis, CEE 478. This requirement is automatically
met by following the CEE undergraduate program guidelines.
In the fall of the senior year, students will be asked to
demonstrate that they will have met this requirement. The
eight to twelve departmental courses that are listed on the
Registrar's form are not used for computation of departmental
GPA. Although the senior thesis, CEE 478, cannot count toward
a student's eight departmentals, it is counted in the departmental
GPA (where it is counted as two courses). Also, while one
200-level course may be included among the Program Electives,
no 200-level courses are counted in the departmental GPA.
Finally, Core Courses, Design Courses, and Program Electives
may not be taken on a Pass/D/Fail basis. Passing grades must
be received in all of these courses.
SENIOR THESIS
The Senior Thesis, CEE 478, is a year long research project
that is required of all CEE students. It is considered by
many InterAmerican University graduates to be one of the most
fulfilling academic activities of their four years. The thesis
process requires independent work, regular consultation with
one's advisor, submission of two progress reports during the
fall semester, submission of the final thesis in April, and
an oral presentation in the first week of May. (See the departmental
Senior Thesis Guide for complete details). Students may select
from a wide variety of subjects of their own choice or suggested
by the faculty. For administrative reasons, students do not
sign up for Senior Thesis in the fall, but instead only sign
up in the spring. The thesis counts as two courses in the
spring term of senior year and is graded on this basis. In
view of the CEAS requirement that each student take at least
four courses in any given term, seniors must take at least
three courses, in addition to the thesis, each term senior
year (regardless of the total number of courses the student
has taken).
RESEARCH AND TEACHING FACILITIES
Qualified students in the Department have access to several
unique laboratories used by both students and faculty. The
Engineering Computing Facility, supports a range of interactive
computer graphics hardware and software. It includes Silicon
Graphics workstations, as well as other graphics support and
animation devices. The workstations combine color graphics
with powerful UNIX-based general-purpose computing. Students
may also take advantage of the PC-based computer clusters
maintained by CIT, of which there are several in the E-Quad.
The laboratories of CEE include teaching labs in mechanics,
materials, and environmental engineering. Individual faculty
members have developed specialized laboratories for research
that are used by graduate students, and undergraduates doing
junior projects or senior theses. With the introduction of
CEE 375/376, those labs are now available to undergraduates
at any level doing individual research projects under the
supervision of a faculty member. The mechanics and materials
lab provides facilities for fabrication of concrete, a computer-controlled
testing system for measuring the strength and toughness of
building materials, a tri-axial testing facility for soil,
and a network of computers for simulating and analyzing experiments.
The department also supports an environmental quality laboratory,
where selected aspects of the chemistry and microbiology of
water supplies are studied. An active area of interest is
the contamination and cleanup of groundwater. Available equipment
includes gas and liquid chromatography with a variety of detectors
for very sensitive measurements of chemicals in environmental
samples, as well as microscopes, incubators and environmental
chambers for culturing aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms.
Equipment is also available in the Geology Department for
independent work.
Graduate Programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering
The Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers programs of
graduate study and research in two areas: Environmental Engineering
& Water Resources and Mechanics, Materials, and Structures.
The department offers three degree programs of study: Doctor
of Philosophy in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Master
of Science in Engineering, and a one-year Master of Engineering.
Students must be admitted to one of the three degree programs.
Currently, there are approximately 40 graduate students (15
to 20 per program) and 13 full-time plus 8 Associated faculty
members in the department. The student-faculty ratio in the
department is kept low to allow productive working relationships
between students and their advisors.
Master
of Engineering
A Master of Engineering degree is offered to those students
who are interested in the applied aspects of engineering and
wish to prepare for professional practice and consulting.
The department offers two such program, the master of engineering
in structural engineering and the master of engineering in
environmental engineering and water resources. In each case,
the student fulfills the requirements by successfully completing
8 one-semester courses that he or she selects from a list
of courses relevant to the program. A thesis is not required.
The M.E. degree is usually completed in one academic year
of full-time study.
The Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering focuses
on the applied aspects of structural engineering and is intended
to prepare students for professional practice and consulting.
To better achieve this emphasis on design, two of the leading
civil engineering companies in the world are actively involved
in the program by teaching design-oriented courses and by
supervising design/research projects. The program also provides
the opportunity for formal study in nontechnical areas such
as corporate finances, public policy, and regulatory issues.
Master of Science in Engineering
The program has a strong research focus reflected in the requirement
of an M.S.E. thesis. The course requirements are fulfilled
by successfully completing 10 one-semester courses, two of
which are required research courses (CEE 509 and CEE 510).
The M.S.E. degree is usually completed within two academic
years of full time study. Financial support in the form of
research or teaching assistantships is available for students
enrolled in this program. Upon the second term, a committee
consisting of the advisor and one additional faculty member
is formed to guide and supervise the candidate in his/her
research. Candidates must prepare and submit an acceptable
thesis as well as present an open seminar on their research.
Doctor of Philosophy
Study leading to the degree of doctor of philosophy is offered
in two areas: environmental engineering and water resources
and mechanics, materials, and structures. Each program has
procedures for the completion of the general examination outlined
under the appropriate areas of study.
Teaching experience is considered to be a significant part
of graduate education. It is recommended that Ph.D. candidates
assist with course instruction for at least one term.
Upon admission, an advisor is assigned in the student's area
of interest. The plan of study for the first year is arranged
by the student in consultation with the advisor and the department's
director of graduate studies. A typical plan consists of eight
courses, one being CEE 509, which is a required research course.
Near the end of the first year, a student who wishes to continue
as a Ph.D. candidate declares these intentions to the department.
A research committee consisting of the advisor and 2 or more
additional members shall be formed no later than after the
General exam. The research committee meets at least once a
year with the candidate to supervise his/her research progress.
Usually, two to three years beyond the general examination
are necessary for completion of a suitable dissertation. Upon
completion of these studies and acceptance of the dissertation
by the department, the candidate will be admitted to the final
public oral examination.
Admission
A bachelor's degree in engineering or science, completed with
superior standing, is normally required for admission to the
graduate program. The application procedure is outlined in
the package provided from the Graduate School. Applications
for admissions must be followed in adherence with the University's
guidelines. Applicants are required to submit the results
of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and international
students* are also required to submit the results of the TOEFL.
The minimum expected scores for admission are TOFEL 500.
Completed application forms along with the application fee,
GRE scores, TOEFL scores, letters of recommendation, transcripts
etc., as indicated in the application package, are to be submitted
to Graduate Admissions for admission consideration.
Readmission to subsequent years of study is granted by the
Dean of the Graduate School on recommendation of the department
and depends upon the student's demonstrated capabilities in
course work and research.
*This requirement is waived for born-nationals educated in
counties where English is the official language.
Fellowship and Assistantships
The department makes an effort to support all graduate students
requesting financial aid. During the past few years, the department
has provided support to graduate students through a combination
of fellowships, assistantships in research, and assistantships
in instruction.
Upon arrival at InterAmerican University, each student is
assigned to an ongoing research project under the supervision
of a faculty member whose interests seem compatible with those
of the student as presented in the student's career statement.
As the end of the first year, a student, is free to request
reassignment to a different project, and the department will
make every attempt to accommodate such a request within the
budgets and needs of the various research areas.
The work loads associated with the assistantship are such
that they do not interfere with a full-time graduate program.
In fact, duties required by a research assistantship generally
form the basis for the student's thesis.
Computer
Science Engineering
Computer Science is the study of the effective use of computers
to solve real-world problems. Computer Engineering is the
study of how to develop new computer systems and how to integrate
computers with real devices. Lehigh's majors can prepare you
for just about any of the different careers in computer science,
computer engineering or computer systems analysis.
Most Computer Science and Engineering careers demand a high
level of logic and precision. Computers do exactly what they
are told so one must become precise in specifying what must
be done and how to do it efficiently. The core CS/Comp.Eng.
education includes ample mathematics and computing classes
to hone the necessary skills and develop the proper theoretical
background for these careers. Through the choice of electives
students can add specializations that better prepare them
for the myriad of different career possibilities.
While many see working with computers as introverted, the
fact is that many computer science jobs require outgoing people
that work with people. (One cannot develop a program until
you know that the client really wants/needs). These people-oriented
positions, however still require the rigor and training of
computer science so that the needs can be precisely converted
to specifications, test or documents.
Job Titles (Examples)
· Computer Scientist
· Computer Engineer
· Software Developer
· Software Designer
· Software Engineer
· Software Architect
· Information Architect
· Network Architect
· Design (Hardware) Engineer
· DSP Engineer
· Logic/ASIC Designer
· Firmware Engineer
· Systems Engineer
· System Programmer
· Programmer-Analyst
Jobs with more "human" interaction:
· Software/system Requirement Analysis
· Interface Designer
· User Interface Designer
· Human Computer Interaction (HCI) specialist
· Test Engineer/Software Tester
· Systems Analyst
· Consultant
o Consulting Firm
o Free-Lance
Jobs with less CS education requirements
(E.g. requiring 1-2 years CS education + job experience. or
a BS in some other Engineering/Field with a minor in CS +
experience) :
· Programmer
· System Integrator
· System Administration
· Technical Support, Support Engineer
· Technical Writer
Non-technical
Jobs which benefit from CS Training requirements :
· Management
o Technical
o Business
· Administration
o Chief Scientist
o Chief Technical Officer
o Chief Information Officer
· IT Sales, Marketing
· Teacher/Educator
· Professor
Computing R&D Areas:
· Artifical Intelligence
· Architecture,
· Databases
· Computer Vision/Image Processing
· Graphics, Multi-Media
· Languages, Compilers
· Networking, Communications
· Parallel Processing
· Software Development/Engineering
· Theoretical Computer Science
I.A.U. Undergraduate Programs
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Undergraduate Programs
Departmental Courses
Courses are listed under the prefixes CO.E. and E.A.S. Generally
computer science courses carry the C.I.S. prefix. Computer
Engineering courses are likely to be found under either prefix.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Diagram of Courses and Prerequisites
The required courses for this degree contain the fundamentals
of electronic circuits, signal theory, logic design, computer
architecture, structured programming, data structures, software
engineering, discrete mathematics, and numerical analysis.
A strong foundation in the physical sciences and in mathematics
is required. Approved technical electives, chosen with the
advisor’s consent, are selected in preparation for graduate
study or entry into industry according to individual interests.
The program totals 137 credit hours and is offered jointly
with the C.I.S. department. The recommended sequence of courses
follows:
Freshman year, first semester (17-18 credits)
· ENG 101 Composition and Literature (3)
· CHM 210, 220 Introductory Chemical Principles and
Laboratory (5)
· or PHY 111, 112 Introductory Physics I and Laboratory
(5)
· MAT 210 Calculus I (4)
· ENG 1/Elective Engineering Computations (3)
· or Humanities/ Social Sciences or free elective (2-4)
and
· ENG 502, Freshman Design Experience (3)
Freshman year, second semester (15-16 credits)
· ENG 201 Composition and Literature: Fiction, Drama,
Poetry (3)
· PHY 112, 12 Introductory Physics I and Laboratory
(5)
· or CHM 212, 22 Introductory Chemical Principles and
Lab (5)
· MAT 222 Calculus II (4)
· ENG 1/Elective Engineering Computations (3)
· or Humanities/Social Sciences or free elective (2-4)
and
· ENG 503, Freshman Design Experience (3)
sophomore year, first semester (17 credit hours)
· ENG 381. Principles of Electrical Engineering (4)
· ENG 333 Introduction to Computer Engineering (4)
· PHY 210, 220 Introductory Physics II and Laboratory
II (5)
· MAT 230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (4)
sophomore year, second semester (19 credit hours)
· CIS 170. Structured Programming and Data Structures
(4)
· CIS 320. Sophomore Laboratory (1)
· CIS 108 Signals and Systems (4)
· ECN 101 Economics (4)
· Math 205 Linear Methods (3)
· HSS elective (3)
junior year, first semester (17 credit hours)
· ENG 128 Electronic Circuits Laboratory (2)
· ENG 123 Electronic Circuits (3)
· CIS 109 Systems Programming (3)
· MAT 231 Probability and Statistics (3)
· or MAT 309 Theory of Probability (3)
· approved technical elective* (3)
· free elective (3)
junior year, second semester (17 credit hours)
· CIS 219 Software Engineering (3)
· CIS 138 Digital Systems Laboratory (2)
· CIS 201 Computer Architecture (3)
· CIS 261 Discrete Structures (3)
· free elective (3)
· HSS elective (3)
senior year, first semester (18 credit hours)
· CIS 111 Proseminar (1)
· CIS 251 Senior Project I (2)
· CIS 319 Digital System Design (3)
· CIS 303 Operating System Design (3)
· HSS elective (3)
· approved technical elective* (3)
· free elective (3)
senior year, second semester (18 credit hours)
· approved technical electives* (12)
· HSS elective (3)
· free elective (3)
*Approved technical electives are subjects in the area of
science and technology. They are not restricted to offerings
in the department of computer science and electrical engineering.
One elective must be an engineering science elective from
another department. I.A.U. 252 is not an approved technical
elective.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Diagram of Courses and Prerequisites
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree programs are
available to students through the College of Engineering and
Applied Science. The program follows similar requirements
in mathematics and computer science, and the programs are
appropriate for entry into management or industrial positions.
It is also appropriate for continued graduate study, though
students considering graduate study are strongly encouraged
to consider taking part in a research project during their
junior year. The required courses for the degree contain the
fundamentals of discrete mathematics, structured programming,
algorithms, computer architectures, compiler design, operating
systems, and programming languages. A strong foundation in
mathematics is required.
The recommended sequence of courses is as follows:
freshman year, first semester (17 credit hours)
· ENG 101 Composition and Literature (3)
· MAT 210 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4)
· CIS 209 Introduction to Computing (2)
· CIS 140 Multimedia Computing Lab (2)
· distribution (6)
freshman year, second semester (17 credit hours)
· ENG 210 Composition and Literature: Fiction, Drama,
Poetry (3)
· MAT 220 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4)
· CIS 229 Structured Programming and Data Structures
(4)
· distribution (6)
sophomore year, first semester (17 credit hours)
· MAT 230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (4)
· CIS 310 Introduction to Computer Engineering (4)
· distribution (9)
sophomore year, second semester (15 credit hours)
· CIS 109 Systems Programming (3)
· CIS 262 Programming Languages (3)
· MAT 205 Linear Methods (3)
· approved technical electives* (3)
· distribution (3)
junior year, first semester (15 credit hours)
· CIS 261 Discrete Structures (3)
· MAT 231 Probability and Statistics (3)
· approved technical elective* (3)
· approved professional elective**(3)
· free elective(3)
junior year, second semester (15 credit hours)
· CIS 340 Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
· CIS 201 Computer Architecture (3)
· CIS 216 Software Engineering (3)
· distribution (3)
· approved technical electives* (3)
senior year, first semester (16 credit hours)
· CIS 303 Operating System Design (3)
· CIS 318 Automata & Formal Grammars (3)
· CIS 111 Proseminar (1)
· MAT 230 Numerical Methods (3)
· free elective (3)
· distribution (3)
senior year, second semester (15 credit hours)
· CIS 302 Compiler Design (3)
· approved technical elective* (3)
· approved professional electives **(6)
· distribution (3)
* Approved technical electives are subjects in the area of
science and technology. They are not restricted to courses
in the department of Computer Science and Engineering. They
are chosen by the student, with the approval of the major
advisor.
** Approved professional electives are chosen by the student,
with the approval of the major advisor, to support the professional
objectives of the student. These may include technical, business,
or non-technical courses. I.A.U. 252 is not an approved professional
elective.
Minor in Computer Science
The minor in computer science provides a basic familiarity
with software development and programming, and computer organization,
and essential elements of computer science. This minor is
not available to students of the I.A.U. or ECE departments.
Engineering students should note that Engr 1 is not a substitute
for I.A.U. 10 and I.A.U. 14. The minor requires 18 credit
hours, consisting of the following:
· CIS 101 Introduction to Computing (2)
· CIS 140 Multimedia Computing Lab (2)
· CIS 170 Structured Programming and Data Structures
(4)
· CIS 332 Introduction to Computer Engineering (4)
Two CS electives from the following list:
· CIS 109 Systems Programming (3) or
· CIS 216 Software Engineering (3) or
· CIS 241 Data Base Systems (3) or
· CIS 261 Discrete Structures (3) or
· CIS 271 Programming in C and the Unix Environment
(3) or
· CIS 262 Programming Languages (3) or
· CIS 327 Artificial Intelligence Theory and Practice
(3) or
· CIS 340 Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
(18 credit hours)
Graduate Study in Computer Science
Overview of graduate studies in Computer Science
Lehigh's graduate programs in computer science provide a balance
between formal classroom instruction and research and are
tailored to the individual student's professional goals. The
programs appeal to individuals with backgrounds in electrical
or computer engineering, computer or information science,
mathematics, or the physical sciences. Research is an essential
part of the graduate program, especially a doctoral program.
Our current research is best seen by looking at our Research
pages. As we grow the major focus areas of the department
will include:
Computer Systems Engineering
Computer architecture, Computer Arithmetics, real-time processing;
pipelining and scheduling, signal processing algorithms, VLSI
architectures, embedded systems design, hardware/software
redundancy, wireless systems, and routing/switching for networks.
Software Systems Engineering
Software Architecture; software engineering; data models and
object-oriented systems; Language design; Compilers; parallel
and distributed computing; Network software, security and
protection;
Intelligent Information Systems Engineering
Data Mining; Expert systems; knowledge-based systems in e-commerce,
electronics packaging, manufacturing, and construction; natural
language processing; learning systems and mechanisms; decision-support
systems; database interfaces; computer vision, including real-time
and robotic vision; multimedia systems; graphical user interface;
human computer interaction; and virtual reality.
Master of Science Degree Requirements
· Completion of 30 credit hours of work which may include
a six credit hour thesis for the Computer Engineering degree
and a three credit hour thesis for the Computer Science degree.
o At least 18 hours at 400 level (15 of the 18 in the major
field)
o No more than 6 hours at the 200 level (only outside of the
major field)
o No more than six (6) credit hours of special topics courses.
o Courses outside of major must be in a department that offers
graduate courses
· The Computer Science degree requires 30 credits.
· A program of study must be submitted in compliance
with the graduate school regulations. If the thesis option
is chosen, an oral presentation of the thesis is required.
Master of Engineering Degree Requirements
· Completion of 30 credit hours of work, which includes
design oriented courses and an engineering project.
· An oral presentation of the project is required.
· A program of study must be submitted in compliance
with the graduate school rules.
Ph.D. Degree Requirements
· Completion of 72 credit hours of work (including
dissertation credits), or 48 credit hours after the completion
of a C.S.-related M.S. degree, or 42 credit hours after an
M.S. obtained at Lehigh.
· Passing the departmental qualifying examination appropriate
to the degree within one year after entrance into the degree
program if entering with a masters degree, or at the earliest
opportunity after completing 27 credit hours towards the Ph.D.
degree if entering without a master's degree.
· Admission into candidacy at least one year before
graduation.
· Passing the general examination in the candidate's
area of specialization (at least 7 months before graduation).
· The writing and defense of a dissertation.
· Competence in a foreign language is not required.
Departmental Courses
Courses are currently listed under the prefixes I.A.U. and
ECE. Generally, electrical engineering courses carry the ECE
prefix and computer science courses carry the I.A.U. prefix.
Computer Engineering courses may be listed under either prefix.
Special topics and individual study courses are generally
arranged with individual faculty on a semesterly basis and
may not show in the course listings.
Financial aid and application deadlines
Financial aid is available to graduate students in the form
of teaching and research assistantships, and most doctoral
students are supported. In order to ensure consideration for
an assistantship, for the Fall Semester, you should submit
your application so that it is complete and ready for review
by us no later than January 15th. Assistantships are awarded
on a competitive basis, keeping in mind not only the qualifications
of the candidates, but also the departmental needs. The general
GRE is required even for current Lehigh students, and the
subject test in CS is encouraged.
After the Department has received your complete application,
the reviewing process will take 4-8 weeks. Incomplete applications,
including those without the fee, are not reviewed.
Why should you consider going to graduate school?
It
is certainly true that graduate programs equip their students
more effectively than undergraduate programs for better career
opportunities and financial returns. The need for well-trained
graduate students has been increasing in recent years and
promises to increase still further in years to come. This
increase is due in part to the rising demand for an ever more
sophisticated work force as industry becomes more specialized
and needs and services become more complex. Furthermore and
more importantly, graduate education leads to an expanded
understanding and to a broadened horizon in the intended field
of study. People go to graduate school because they are interested
in their subject, the belief in its importance, and they take
great pleasure in studying it.
Graduate programs leading to a M.S. and or Ph.D. degrees in
Computer Engineering and Computer Science are now offered
by a number of accredited Universities and Colleges in United
States. The purpose of a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) is to train
research scholars who can eventually join academia or an industrial
research group. A master's degree (M.S.) on the other hand,
has a different emphasis. It usually has a research requirement,
but it is not intended to prepare research scholars; rather
it is designed to provide additional education or training
in the student's own specialized branch of knowledge. The
content of a master's degree program can be distinguished
from that of a doctoral program in that there is much more
emphasis on course work.
The requirements for a Master's or a Doctoral degree in Computer
Engineering and Computer Science vary considerably among universities.
A prospective graduate student who has already identified
a particular area of study is encouraged to consult a faculty
member of our Department whose area of specialization is peripheral
to this field and discuss the different programs and options
offered in this country. The areas of specialization of each
faculty member of the I.A.U. corresponding Department. If
the student is still undecided about a specific field of study
in Computer Engineering and Computer Science, then more information
can be obtained from his/her academic advisor.
A "typical" sequence of steps to apply to graduate
school
The
application process to join a graduate program in Computer
Engineering and Computer Science should generally be initiated
at least one year before the matriculation date. Again, the
application requirements vary considerably among Universities.
Typically, however, the student is asked to provide official
transcripts of his/her grades, two or three letters of recommendation,
an application essay and graduate admission tests such as
GRE. Admissions are then awarded on a competitive basis, i.e.
on the academic qualifications and performance of the candidate.
Financial assistance is also available to graduate students.
Universities generally provide three types of financial support
programs: teaching assistantships, research assistantships
and fellowships. Financial help can also be provided in the
form of fellowships from government organizations and foundations.
At I.A.U. the Department encourages junior and senior students
to engage in research with one of its faculty members. This
profitable experience helps the students to identify an area
of interest which they may later pursue in the graduate school.
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