{"id":201,"date":"2018-10-18T12:52:23","date_gmt":"2018-10-18T16:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/?page_id=201"},"modified":"2026-08-04T21:21:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T01:21:25","slug":"special-topics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/academic-information\/special-topics\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Topics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Fall 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n
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ECE 492 – 055 Generative AI for Computer Systems<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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The course will cover the application of machine learning in CPU design, covering topics such as feature engineering, perceptrons, neural networks, recurrent neural networks, LSTMs, language models, generative adversarial learning, genetic algorithms, AI Agents, ML interpretation, reinforcement learning and other machine learning concepts for solving design challenges related to performance, power, and security; solving challenges common in many engineering fields. You will also get hands-on experience in training and inference of the latest Large Language Models on custom data. <\/p>\n\n\n

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ECE 492 – 056 Robot Motion Planning<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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This course will introduce fundamental concepts in robot motion planning with a focus on spatial manipulators utilizing simulation and, if available, real robots. The course\u2019s topics will include rigid-body spatial transformations, robot kinematics, trajectory generation, configuration space, and sampling-based path planning. Course projects and exercises will utilize a high-level programming language and modern tools and environments used in robotics.<\/p>\n\n\n

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ECE 492 – 058 Circuit Board Layout<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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ECE 492 – 059 Introduction to Radar Systems<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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Introduction to basic principles of radar and key radar sub-systems: transmitter and receiver architectures; sub-components, e.g. filters, amplifiers, mixers and oscillators; sources of degradation, such as noise and non-linearity; radar range equation, phenomenology (target reflectivity models, clutter, stealth and scattering), radar measurements of range and velocity, basic radar waveforms, pulse compression, coherency. Technical writing proficiency and communication skills will be honed in this course through oral and written student presentations\/assignments. Hands-on experience will be gained through lab experiments\/projects conducted using a software-defined CW\/FMCW radar.<\/p>\n\n\n

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ECE 492 – 060 Silicon Photonic Design: Devices & Systems<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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This course focuses on applying advanced electromagnetic principles and semiconductor theory to design silicon photonic integrated circuits. Key principles such as matrix optics, waveguide theory, coupled mode theory, and P-I-N junctions will be used to design practical silicon photonic devices which are relevant in today’s foundries. Topics include passive wavelength filters, active switches, high-speed optical modulators, and photodetectors for optical communication and computing systems.<\/p>\n\n\n

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ECE 492 – 062 Fundamentals of Algorithms<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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This course covers the fundamentals in algorithm design and analysis, focusing on the themes of efficient algorithms and intractable problems.  Topics include divide and conquer algorithms, graph algorithms, greedy algorithms, dynamic programming, NP-completeness and reductions.  The course goal is to provide a solid foundation in algorithms for students in preparation for a job in industry and more advanced courses.<\/p>\n\n\n

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ECE 492 – 063 Control Systems for Robotics<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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Introduction to dynamics and control for robotic systems tailored for computer scientists. Concepts including ordinary differential equations, kinematics, and dynamics for common air and ground robotic systems will be introduced. Systems concepts such as step, impulse responses, Laplace Transform will be introduced. Feedback control via classical methods (e.g., Nyquist, Bode), PID, and modern state-space and observer-based design will be explored. Emphasis on implementation, and simulation on an aerial multicopter robot will help students visualize and evaluate learning and control design performance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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ECE 492 – 070 Laser Diodes and Photonic Integrated Circuits<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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  • Basic understanding. Recombination processes. Laser diode characteristics. Optical gain and loss. Frequency response. Rate equations. Interaction of photons and electrons\/holes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Basic engineering calculations. Efficiency and power versus current. Gain versus carrier density in quantum wells, bandgap versus alloy composition. Determining internal parameters (internal loss, efficiency, and gain) from laser diode data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Advanced calculations. Scattering and transfer matrixes for cavities. Response versus frequency. Quantum well energy states. Transverse waveguide modes. Threshold carrier densities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Design optoelectronic devices. Design of DFB, VCSEL, or DBR laser. Design of quantum well for specific energy transitions. Design of cavity dimensions and mirror losses for minimum threshold current.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
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    ECE 492 – 071 Introduction to Image Processing and Computer Vision<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    ECE 492 – 072 Mathematical Foundations of Data Science<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    ECE 492 – 073 Introduction to Quantum Machine Learning<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    ECE 492 – 074 Perf\/Sec Adv Microarch<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    Spring 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    ECE 492 – 053 Neural Networks<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    Suggested Pre-requisites:<\/strong> Programming experience (an object-oriented language), basic linear algebra (ECE 220, MA 305 or 405), basic vector calculus (MA 242 or equivalent), and basic probability and statistics (ST 370\/371 or equivalent). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Techniques for the design of neural networks for machine learning. An introduction to deep learning. Emphasis on theoretical and practical aspects including implementations using state-of-the-art software libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492 – 054 Signal Process Perspective Quant Comp<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    This course provides an introduction to quantum algorithms primarily through inner product space and signal processing perspectives. As such, it will be advantageous for students to be familiar with linear algebra (e.g., Math 305 or 405), linear systems (ECE 301) and signal processing (e.g., ECE 410), and basics of quantum computing, specifically quantum gates. Because most students lack at least part of this background, we will review these materials during the first half of the course. It will also be helpful for students to be familiar with probability and statistics (e.g., ST 371 or ECE 514). Some programming proficiency, for example in Matlab or Python, could be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492 – 056 Robot Motion Planning<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    This course will introduce fundamental concepts in robot motion planning with a focus on spatial manipulators utilizing simulation and, if available, real robots. The course\u2019s topics will include rigid-body spatial transformations, robot kinematics, trajectory generation, configuration space, and sampling-based path planning. Course projects and exercises will utilize a high-level programming language and modern tools and environments used in robotics.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492 – 057 Physical AI w. Brain-Inspired Electronics<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    Suggested Pre-requisites:<\/strong> Interest in microelectronic devices, unconventional electronics, computing, biophysics, neuroscience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Topics include: History of electronics & computing, limitations, elements of neuroscience (ions, cells, neurons, synapses, higher-order phenomena), artificial synapses & neurons, contemporary applications (physical ANNs with memory arrays, on-chip processing & classification, logic & decision making, adaptive & evolvable electronics, sensorimotor learning in robotics, neuromorphic bio-interfaces, biocomputing)<\/p>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492 – 058 Circuit Board Layout<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    Suggested Pre-requisites:<\/strong> C or better in ECE 200 and ECE 211<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Introduction to System Printed Circuit Board designing for microcontroller-based embedded computer systems.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492 – 067 Ubiquitous Computer and Mobile Health<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    Suggested Pre-requisite<\/strong>: ECE 309 or CSC 316<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This course introduces how wearable and mobile systems sensors can be used to gather data relevant to understand health, how the data can be analyzed with advanced signal processing and machine learning, and the evaluation performance of these systems in terms of diagnostics and disease progression detection. The course will also touch on how to solve privacy concerns in building mobile health systems in the real world.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492 – 068 Applied Quantum Mechanics for Engineering<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    ECE 492 – 069 The Physics and Operations of Qubits<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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    Suggested Pre-requisites:<\/strong> E 304 or ECE 304 or ECE 302 or MSE 355 or PY 401 or PY 407<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This course provides an in-depth exploration of the physics and operational principles of various qubit technologies, which are fundamental building blocks of quantum computing. The course is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of different types of qubits, their underlying physics, and the challenges associated with their implementation and scaling.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492-042 \/ 592-067: Operating Systems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The course explores basic concepts and mechanisms related to the design of modern operating systems, including: process scheduling and coordination, memory management, synchronization, storage, file systems, security and protection, and their application to multi-core and many-core processors and to distributed system. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492-043\/592-059: Internet of Things<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In this course, we will introduce the students to the concepts, challenges, and recent developments around Internet of Things \u2013 IoT. We will focus on the fundamental issues that arise in the operation, design and management of IoT systems(not just networks). Such issues include, among others, business objectives and technical design requirements, IoT building blocks, architectures and reference models, enabling technologies, IoT protocol stacks (around verticals), IoT-specific analytics, and computing models. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    ECE 492-040: Introduction to Autonomous Systems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The course is a broad introduction to unmanned systems, including unmanned ground systems (UGS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); the course will focus on principles and implementations common among all these systems, from hardware (e.g., sensors, actuators) to control systems, communications, and software. By the end of the course the students will be able to design an autonomous system suited for a particular application. The students will work in teams to extend the capabilities of a simple system platform in one or more directions.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n \n See Syllabus<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

    ECE 492-44: Application Programming with Java<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Using the Java programming language to program single-user applications (e.g. games, tools, robotics, simulation) and client\/server applications (e.g. a chat room) which involve multiple users and communications between apps in different computers using the internet. Several multi-threading and communications designs are evaluated and used in labs. GUI programming (buttons and text fields in the user interface) and animation are created on the client side and shared Object-Oriented data structures are used on the server side. One lab involves using the Java interface to a standard Relational Data Base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Principles of Object-Oriented programming are discussed in depth and used in labs, including interfacing to programs your app had no awareness of at compile time. A team lab project involves evaluating and graphing algebraic expressions of arbitrary complexity. <\/p>\n\n\n

    \n \n Course Description<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n

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    ECE 492-046 Electronic Warfare Systems <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This course will study the principles and operation of electronic warfare (EW) systems.  Through a combination of lectures, discussion, and self-study students will learn about wave propagation physics, radio architectures, and radar systems.  Students will then use these concepts to analyze approaches to electronic warfare common in modern defense systems.Prerequisites: ECE 303, instructor approval
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    ECE 492-047 \/ CSC 495-053 Introduction to Quantum Programming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This course will focus on the topic of quantum programming, without spending a lot of time on the math and physics that describe quantum behavior. Through high-level programming constructs and visualizations, you will learn fundamental programming concepts and will gain ntuition about how to problems with this new technology. The course will emphasizehands-on programming exercises, including the opportunity to run programs on actual
    computing hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \n \n Course description<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Fall 2026 Spring 2026 ECE 492-042 \/ 592-067: Operating Systems The course explores basic concepts and mechanisms related to the design of modern operating systems, including: process scheduling and coordination,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-201","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=201"}],"version-history":[{"count":83,"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/201\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2011,"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/201\/revisions\/2011"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}