Computer Engineering, BSE

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE)
Major: Computer Engineering

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Computer Engineering is designed to give a student a strong background in the fundamentals of computer engineering through combined classroom and laboratory work. A graduate of this program will be able to use these fundamentals to analyze and evaluate computer systems, both hardware and software. A computer engineering graduate would also be able to design and implement a computer system for general purpose or embedded computing incorporating state-of-the-art solutions to a variety of computing problems. This includes systems which have both hardware and software components, whose design requires a well-defined interface between the two and the evaluation of the associated trade-offs.

Many courses have integral or associated laboratories in which students gain “hands-on” experience with computer engineering principles and instrumentation. Students have ready access to the teaching laboratory facilities and are encouraged to use them during non-scheduled hours in addition to the regularly scheduled laboratory sessions. Opportunities also exist for undergraduate student participation in the wide spectrum of research projects being conducted in the department.

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Mission

The educational mission of the computer engineering program is to graduate students who have fundamental technical knowledge of their profession along with requisite technical breadth and communications skills to become leaders in creating the new techniques and technologies which will advance the general field of computer engineering. Core courses provide our students with a strong background in digital systems design, computer organization, hardware architecture, and digital electronics.

Program Educational Objectives

  1. Graduates will be successful professionals obtaining positions appropriate to their background, interests, and education.
  2. Graduates will engage in life-long learning to improve and enhance their professional skills.
  3. Graduates will demonstrate leadership in their profession by using their knowledge, communication skills, and engineering ability.

Learning Outcomes

As preparation for achieving the above educational objectives, the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Computer Engineering is designed so that students attain:

  • an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  • an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  • an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  • an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  • an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  • an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  • an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Co-op and Internship Programs

Opportunities are available for students to alternate studies with work in industry or government as a co-op student, which involves paid full-time employment over seven months (one semester and one summer). Students may work in one or two co-ops, beginning in the third year of study. Co-ops provide students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in their field by completing a significant engineering project while receiving professional mentoring. During a co-op placement, students do not pay tuition but maintain their full-time student status while earning a salary. Alternatively or additionally, students may obtain employment as summer interns.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Program in Computer Engineering

The department encourages highly motivated and qualified students to apply for admission to the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Program in the junior year. This integrated program permits up to 9 credit hours of graduate level coursework to be counted towards both BS and MS degree requirements (including an option to substitute 3 credit hours of MS thesis work for ECSE 399). It also offers the opportunity to complete both the Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science degrees within five years.