Learn how modern computing systems are designed, built and validated through the ECE computer hardware engineering master’s track. You can tailor your coursework toward areas such as AI hardware, cyber-physical systems and edge computing while learning from faculty with strengths in computer architecture, embedded systems and next-generation computing platforms.
Note: Courses are subject to change based on availability.
To earn a master’s in ECE focused on computer hardware engineering (MS or MEng)
10
Courses
Build depth in computer architecture, digital design and systems
Broad Elective Options
Explore areas such as AI hardware, edge computing, IoT or cyber-physical systems
Customize Your Degree
Flexible pathways allow you to tailor your curriculum for industry or research
What is the Computer Engineering Hardware Master’s Track?
Duke ECE’s Computer Hardware Engineering track gives you a strong foundation in the systems that power today’s computing platforms. Just as important, it helps you understand how hardware performs in real settings such as AI systems, embedded devices, edge computing environments and cyber-physical systems.
Strong foundation in hardware systems: Rigorous coursework in digital system design, integrated circuits and computer architecture help you contribute from day one in industry.
Understand the full system, not just the chip: Today’s hardware engineers need to know how hardware and software work together. In this track, you’ll study that interface through topics like systems programming, compilers and performance optimization.
Explore emerging areas of computer hardware: Tailor your coursework toward areas such as AI hardware, cyber-physical systems, edge computing and Internet of Things applications. You’ll graduate with experience in the technologies driving innovation across the field.
Internationally recognized faculty: Learn from researchers whose work is advancing computer architecture, AI hardware, cyber-physical systems and edge computing.
Computer Hardware Engineering Track Curriculum
Graduates must take a minimum of 10 required graduate level courses (30 credits) and the first-year seminar.
ECE 529 (Digital Integrated Circuits)
ECE 532 (Analog Integrated Circuit Design)
ECE 539 (CMOS VLSI Design Methodologies)
ECE 550D* (Fundamentals of Computer Systems and Engineering)
ECE 552* (Advanced Computer Architecture I)
ECE 554 (Fault Tolerant Computing)
ECE 652 (Advanced Computer Architecture II)
* These two courses should not be taken in the same semester.
ECE 523 (Quantum Computing)
ECE 533 (Biochip Engineering)
ECE 567 (Cyber-Physical System Design)
ECE 655L (Full-Stack IOT Systems)
ECE 590 (Computer Architecture and Hardware Acceleration)
ECE 551D (Programming, Data Structures, and Algorithms in C++) or ECE 751D (Adv. Programming, Data Structures, and Algorithms in C++)
ECE 651 (Software Engineering)
MS students choose three electives, and MEng students choose one elective from the following list:
Any other course in the computer hardware engineering study track not already used to satisfy another requirement
ECE 538 (VLSI System Testing)
ECE 559 (Advanced Digital System Design)
Any course offered for the software engineering track
ECE 899 (Independent Study) in a relevant topic with faculty agreement required (max 2)
Any other graduate-level course with advisor approval
Ungraded research (3 credits for optional MS project, 6 credits for optional MS thesis)
ECE 701S (weekly seminar required for first-year master’s students)
MEng 540 (Management of High Tech Industries)
MEng 570 (Business Fundamentals for Engineers)
Internship (0 credits), typically completed in the summer between first and second years
MS students have three options to complete their requirements.
Coursework only (30 credits) with poster session
Coursework (27 credits) + capstone project (3 credits of ungraded research or independent study ECE 899)
Coursework (24 credits) + thesis (6 credits of ungraded research or independent study ECE 899)
Hear from Our Students
Duke gave me a wide range of opportunities to explore my fields of interest through flexible course selections and abundant research opportunities.
Xiangyu (Mike) ZhangArchitecture Engineer at Ambarella
It gave me a huge salary boost going into my job. The boost for me was going in as a level 1 versus level 2 engineer, which was around $30,000 per year.
Will DentonMEng (ECE, Computer Hardware Engineering), 2025
Careers in Computer Hardware Engineering
All Duke ECE master’s students have access to professional development support, faculty mentorship and career advising as they prepare for roles in industry or further graduate study. MEng students complete an industry internship and take core courses in management and business fundamentals designed to strengthen career readiness.
A major Duke-led research institute funded by NSF and DHS, focuses on developing edge computing with groundbreaking AI functionality that leverages next-generation communications networks to provide previously impossible services at reasonable cost.
Duke ECE is part of an innovation ecosystem at Duke University that includes frequent collaborations with other engineering disciplines, the Department of Computer Science, and other universities through the Athena AI Institute. Partnerships with Duke Health allow students to work on medical technologies in real-world environments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A computer hardware engineering master’s can prepare you for roles such as computer hardware engineer, hardware designer, hardware validation engineer, test engineer and systems engineer. Duke ECE graduates from this track have gone on to work at companies such as NVIDIA, AMD, Apple, Microsoft, Google and Amazon in sectors including computing hardware, semiconductors, AI hardware and embedded systems.
In Duke ECE’s computer hardware engineering track, you’ll build skills in digital system design, integrated circuits, computer architecture and hardware validation. You’ll also study the hardware-software interface through topics such as systems programming, compilers and performance optimization, then tailor your coursework toward areas such as AI hardware, cyber-physical systems, edge computing and the internet of things.
A computer hardware engineering focus means concentrating on the design, performance and validation of the hardware systems behind modern computing platforms. At Duke ECE, this track combines core preparation in digital system design, integrated circuits and computer architecture with study of the hardware-software interface, helping you prepare for careers in computing hardware, embedded systems and related fields.
Through pioneering neuromorphic computing research, Yiran Chen is developing brain-inspired hardware neurons that could lead to faster, smarter and more energy‑efficient AI.
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