Innovate

Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) stands at the forefront of today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape. It equips students to emerge as leaders in the field by honing their engineering skills, fostering their creativity, and providing them with practical insights essential for innovating impactful solutions. The department actively contributes to advancing and sharing knowledge in diverse areas such as energy, healthcare, mobile systems, smart infrastructure, nanotechnology, storage systems, cyber-physical systems, data and network science, and more.

The ECE department offers a wide range of comprehensive graduate programs, including a doctor of philosophy and several master of science programs. The department’s reach spans well beyond Pittsburgh, with offerings in Africa, Portugal, Thailand, Silicon Valley, and Washington, D.C.

students work at CMU's Nanofab laboratory

Doctor of philosophy program

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D. in ECE)
    The Ph.D. in ECE program guides students through research-intensive study of electrical and computer engineering fundamentals. With the help of a faculty advisor, students define an education and research program consistent with their background and career goals. This program is offered at several locations, including Pittsburgh, Portugal, Thailand, and Washington, D.C.
student works on electrical and computer engineering project

Master’s programs

  • Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS in ECE)
    The department’s MS in ECE program provides students with a thorough background in the fundamentals of ECE, as well as the opportunity for in-depth specialization in specific areas of the field. This program is offered at several locations, including Pittsburgh, Africa, Thailand, and Silicon Valley.
  • Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Engineering - Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS in AIE - ECE)
    The MS in AIE - ECE is a three-semester program that gives students the opportunity to gain state-of-the-art knowledge of artificial intelligence from an engineering perspective. Today, AI is driving significant innovation across products, services, and systems in every industry, and tomorrow’s AI engineers will have the advantage.
  • Master of Science in Software Engineering
    The MS in Software Engineering is a unique program offered exclusively at CMU’s Silicon Valley campus. It emphasizes a rigorous foundation in the core disciplines of software engineering. The program provides students with fundamental knowledge, skills, and first-hand experience in software engineering by balancing theory and practice, engaging active learning, and encouraging collaboration on projects drawn from real-world contexts.
  • Dual Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Innovation Management (MS in ETIM)
    The MS in ETIM program cultivates next-generation innovation leaders. Here, engineers and scientists develop the specialized business skills, frameworks, and technical acuity necessary to create and capture value from innovative technologies. Join an exceptional multi-disciplinary group of peers and professors who will help you shape the future.

Research areas

Energy

Healthcare and quality of life

Mobile systems

Smart infrastructure

Nanotechnology

Storage systems

Intelligent physical systems

Data and network science

Secure systems

Research facilities and engagements

Labs

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is home to several world-class research facilities, including the Advanced Chip Test Laboratory, the Computer Architecture Lab, the Data Center Observatory, the Microelectromechanical Systems Lab, and the Claire and John Bertucci Nanotechnology Laboratory.

Centers

ECE faculty and students contribute to several research centers across the university, including the CONIX Center, CyLab Security and Privacy Institute, CyLab Biometrics Center, Data Storage Systems Center, General Motors-Carnegie Mellon Connected and Autonomous Driving Collaborative Research Lab, and Parallel Data Lab.
students discuss research during poster session

Student experience

ECE graduate students join a global community of scholars and researchers, fostering diversity and collaboration at all levels. Students are encouraged to enhance their professional and technical skills through active participation in Carnegie Mellon’s student organizations.

Related organizations

News

Sep 16

Artificial Intelligence

Automated tuning of large-scale neuronal models

Researchers introduce new framework, Spiking Network Optimization using Population Statistics, to intelligently customize models that reproduce activity to mimic what’s observed in the brain.

The winningest team in DEF CON’s Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competition history, CMU’s Plaid Parliament of Pwning (PPP), won its third straight title, earning its record eighth win in the past 12 years.

CMU hacking team wins eighth DEF CON Capture-the-Flag title

Jun 13

News & Events

Engineering students awarded Fulbright Scholarships

Six students and alumni from the College of Engineering will research and study abroad on Fulbright program scholarships.