MIT's "Engineer in Computer Science" Degree

[Adamah]

On the MIT EECS website there is a graduate degree labeled "Engineer in Computer Science": http://www.eecs.mit.edu/grad/index.html

This is a pretty cryptic title, and the description is equally terse. Does anyone know what this degree is supposed to be? I get the impression that it's more than a master's, but less than a PhD. It seems research-focused, since there's a thesis requirement, but it's unclear if it's terminal (I'm guessing so?). It also doesn't say how long it should take to complete. It also doesn't say if admissions for that degree are separate from the masters/phd application process, and if any funding is available.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Amogh]

To qoute MIT's EECS Dept(http://www.eecs.mit.edu/ug/brief-guide.html#eng):

The two degrees E.E., Electrical Engineer,and E.C.S., Engineer in Computer Science,recognize additional classroom and research experience beyond the masters degree for students who do not wish the heavy emphasis on original research associated with the doctoral degrees. (Note: They are equivalent to the previous Electrical Engineer degree.)

[Adamah]

Thanks. It seems kind of odd that this information is in an undergrad guide, but it's a nice find.

"All applicants to the regular graduate program are reviewed for their ability to complete a Ph.D., regardless of their intended final degree."

That doesn't bode well for me then.

[starmaker]

Yeah, the only way, usually, that MIT EECS admits you for less than a PhD, is if you were an undergrad in the department (and in that case they're admitting you for an MEng, not an MS).

Normally there is funding for everybody.

If you don't want to get a PhD, but you're interested in MIT, check out some of the related departments. Aero/Astro offers a bunch of MS options, many of which are heavily CS-oriented in nature. Brain & Cog Sci offers a neural/cognitive computation track, if you're into that. The Media Lab (which has many CS-oriented groups) offers master's degrees, and there's an interdepartmental MS program in Computation for Design and Optimization.

[zep]

recognize additional classroom and research experience beyond the masters degree for students who do not wish the heavy emphasis on original research associated with the doctoral degrees.

Maybe it's meant as a graceful exit for people who made a lot of progress on their dissertation but stopped before defending/depositing the dissertation. Most places wouldn't give you more than a "normal" masters for this.