{"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":"2026-09-16T10:15:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:15:04","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

Spring 2027<\/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 – 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

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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 – 077 AI-Powered Robotics<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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Suggested Pre-requisites: <\/strong>MA 305\/405 and ST 371<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This course will use Python programming. Machine Learning knowledge is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This course is intended to serve as an advanced overview of robotics from the perspective of computer science and artificial intelligence. The course discusses the complete autonomy loop, including perception, cognition, and action. This course covers the theories, algorithms, and computational implementations related to these topics, with focus on open discussions for how to do research to go beyond the state of the art. Students will gain hands-on experience in implementing and extending such algorithms using simulations and real robots (depends on the resource availability).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n <\/details>\n\n\n

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ECE 492 – 078 Algorithmic Foundations of Robotics<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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ECE 492 – 079 Generative AI: Introduction and Applications<\/h2>\n <\/summary>\n

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Fall 2026<\/h2>\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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    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Spring 2027 Fall 2026<\/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":103,"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/201\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2068,"href":"https:\/\/my.ece.ncsu.edu\/undergrad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/201\/revisions\/2068"}],"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}]}}