Computer Engineering (BS)
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!
Core Courses
The electrical and computer engineering curricula share core courses comprising a substantial portion of the first three years of study. Many of the core courses are offered three times a year in fall, spring, and summer. A strong emphasis is placed on fundamental concepts in core courses so that graduates are prepared for rapid technological changes common in the electrical and computer engineering professions. A comprehensive foundation in mathematics and the physical sciences in the freshman year is followed in subsequent years by additional core courses in mathematics, physics, electric circuit theory, digital logic, computer systems, electronics, electromagnetics, and linear systems. Laboratory work is designed to demonstrate fundamental principles and to provide experience in designing and testing electronic hardware and computer software. Both curricula have a required two semester senior design project which gives students comprehensive experience in designing, building, and testing physical systems.
Curricula
In addition to the core courses described above, students in the electrical engineering curriculum take two foundational electives and four specialization electives in areas of their choice within the discipline and two technical electives that can be in either electrical engineering or selected engineering courses offered by other departments. Beyond the core, students in the computer engineering curriculum take courses in discrete mathematics, data structures, embedded systems, and complex digital systems, in addition to four specialization electives in areas of their choice and one technical elective. For both curricula, a variety of elective courses are offered in communications, computational intelligence, controls, digital signal processing, digital systems, nanotechnology, mechatronics, microelectronics, networking, robotics, and VLSI design. There are typically a dozen or more of these courses offered each fall and spring semester and two or three available each summer.
Plan Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| E 101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 | 1 |
| E 115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | 1 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 |
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 109 | Introduction to Computer Systems 2 | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PY 205 & PY 206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following Economics Courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| E 102 | Engineering in the 21st Century | 2 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 200 | Introduction to Signals, Circuits and Systems 2 | 4 |
| ECE 209 | Computer Systems Programming 2 | 3 |
| MA 242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PY 208 & PY 209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| CSC 226 | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists 2 | 3 |
| ECE 211 | Electric Circuits 2 | 4 |
| ECE 212 | Fundamentals of Logic Design 2 | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 301 | Linear Systems | 3 |
| ECE 302 | Microelectronics | 4 |
| ECE 306 | Introduction to Embedded Systems | 3 |
| ST 371 | Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 309 | Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming for Electrical and Computer Engineers | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Engineering Profession for Electrical Engineers | ||
| Engineering Profession for Computer Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship and New Product Development | ||
| ECE 310 | Design of Complex Digital Systems | 3 |
| CPE Elective | 3 | |
| ENG 331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select one of the following Senior Design Project I courses: | 3 | |
| Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development I | ||
| Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design I | ||
| CPE Elective | 3 | |
| ECE Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following Senior Design Project II courses: | 3 | |
| Engineering Entrepreneurship and New Product Development II | ||
| Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design II | ||
| ECE Elective | 3 | |
| Open/Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 105 | |
- 1
A grade of C or higher is required.
- 2
A grade of C- or higher is required.
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEP Courses | |||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 17 | ||
CPE Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comp Arch Sys | |||
| CSC 406 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 | |
| CSC 506 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 | |
| ECE 406 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 | |
| ECE 463 | Microprocessor Architecture | 3 | |
| ECE 464 | ASIC and FPGA Design with Verilog | 3 | |
| ECE 506 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 | |
| ECE 546 | VLSI Systems Design | 3 | |
| ECE 563 | Microprocessor Architecture | 3 | |
| ECE 564 | ASIC and FPGA Design with Verilog | 3 | |
| Embed Sys | |||
| ECE 460 | Embedded System Architectures | 3 | |
| ECE 461 | Embedded System Analysis and Optimization | 3 | |
| ECE 560 | Embedded System Architectures | 3 | |
| ECE 561 | Embedded System Analysis and Optimization | 3 | |
| Networking Sys | |||
| CSC 570 | Computer Networks | 3 | |
| CSC 573 | Internet Protocols | 3 | |
| CSC 574 | Computer and Network Security | 3 | |
| CSC 575 | Introduction to Wireless Networking | 3 | |
| CSC 577 | Switched Network Management | 3 | |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 | |
| ECE 470 | Internetworking | 3 | |
| ECE 570 | Computer Networks | 3 | |
| ECE 573 | Internet Protocols | 3 | |
| ECE 574 | Computer and Network Security | 3 | |
| ECE 575 | Introduction to Wireless Networking | 3 | |
| ECE 577 | Switched Network Management | 3 | |
| Software Sys | |||
| CSC 517 | Object-Oriented Design and Development | 3 | |
| ECE 466 | Compiler Optimization and Scheduling | 3 | |
| ECE 517 | Object-Oriented Design and Development | 3 | |
| ECE 566 | Compiler Optimization and Scheduling | 3 | |
ECE Elective
ECE Elective
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE 402 | Communications Engineering | 3 | |
| ECE 403 | Electronics Engineering | 3 | |
| ECE 404 | Introduction to Solid-State Devices | 3 | |
| ECE 406/506 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 | |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 | |
| ECE 418/518 | Wearable Biosensors and Microsystems | 3 | |
| ECE 420 | Wireless Communication Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 421 | Introduction to Signal Processing | 3 | |
| ECE 422 | Transmission Lines and Antennas for Wireless | 3 | |
| ECE 423 | Introduction to Photonics and Optical Communications | 3 | |
| ECE 424/524 | Radio System Design | 3 | |
| ECE 426 | Analog Electronics Laboratory | 3 | |
| ECE 434 | Fundamentals of Power Electronics | 3 | |
| ECE 436 | Digital Control Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 442 | Introduction to Integrated Circuit Technology and Fabrication | 3 | |
| ECE 451 | Power System Analysis | 3 | |
| ECE 452/552 | Renewable Electric Energy Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 453 | Electric Motor Drives | 3 | |
| ECE 455 | Industrial Robot Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 456/556 | Mechatronics | 3 | |
| ECE 460/560 | Embedded System Architectures | 3 | |
| ECE 461/561 | Embedded System Analysis and Optimization | 3 | |
| ECE 463/563 | Microprocessor Architecture | 3 | |
| ECE 464/564 | ASIC and FPGA Design with Verilog | 3 | |
| ECE 466 | Compiler Optimization and Scheduling | 3 | |
| ECE 470 | Internetworking | 3 | |
| ECE 489/589 | Solid State Solar and Thermal Energy Harvesting | 3 | |
| ECE 492 | Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 1-4 | |
| ECE 505 | Neural Interface Engineering | 3 | |
| ECE 511 | Analog Electronics | 3 | |
| ECE 513 | Digital Signal Processing | 3 | |
| ECE 514 | Random Processes | 3 | |
| ECE 515 | Digital Communications | 3 | |
| ECE 516 | System Control Engineering | 3 | |
| ECE 517 | Object-Oriented Design and Development | 3 | |
| ECE 522 | Medical Instrumentation | 3 | |
| ECE 523 | Photonics and Optical Communications | 3 | |
| ECE 530 | Physical Electronics | 3 | |
| ECE 531 | Principles Of Transistor Devices | 3 | |
| ECE 532 | Principles Of Microwave Circuits | 3 | |
| ECE 533 | Power Electronics Design & Packaging | 3 | |
| ECE 534 | Power Electronics | 3 | |
| ECE 535 | Design of Electromechanical Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 540 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 | |
| ECE 542 | Neural Networks | 3 | |
| ECE 544 | Design Of Electronic Packaging and Interconnects | 3 | |
| ECE 546 | VLSI Systems Design | 3 | |
| ECE 549 | RF Design for Wireless | 3 | |
| ECE 550 | Power System Operation and Control | 3 | |
| ECE 551 | Smart Electric Power Distribution Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 553 | Semiconductor Power Devices | 3 | |
| ECE 555 | Autonomous Robot Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 557 | Principles Of MOS Transistors | 3 | |
| ECE 558 | Digital Imaging Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 568 | Conventional and Emerging Nanomanufacturing Techniques and Their Applications in Nanosystems | 3 | |
| ECE 570 | Computer Networks | 3 | |
| ECE 573 | Internet Protocols | 3 | |
| ECE 574 | Computer and Network Security | 3 | |
| ECE 575 | Introduction to Wireless Networking | 3 | |
| ECE 577 | Switched Network Management | 3 | |
| ECE 581 | Electric Power System Protection | 3 | |
| ECE 582 | Wireless Communication Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 583 | Electric Power Engineering Practicum I | 3 | |
| ECE 585 | The Business of the Electric Utility Industry | 3 | |
| ECE 586 | Communication and SCADA Systems for Smart Grid | 3 | |
| ECE 592 | Special Topics In Electrical Engineering | 1-6 |
Open/Technical Electives
Open Electives
Choose from the ECE Elective List or the other Open Electives listed below
ECE Elective
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE 402 | Communications Engineering | 3 | |
| ECE 403 | Electronics Engineering | 3 | |
| ECE 404 | Introduction to Solid-State Devices | 3 | |
| ECE 406/506 | Architecture Of Parallel Computers | 3 | |
| ECE 407 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 | |
| ECE 418/518 | Wearable Biosensors and Microsystems | 3 | |
| ECE 420 | Wireless Communication Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 421 | Introduction to Signal Processing | 3 | |
| ECE 422 | Transmission Lines and Antennas for Wireless | 3 | |
| ECE 423 | Introduction to Photonics and Optical Communications | 3 | |
| ECE 424/524 | Radio System Design | 3 | |
| ECE 426 | Analog Electronics Laboratory | 3 | |
| ECE 434 | Fundamentals of Power Electronics | 3 | |
| ECE 436 | Digital Control Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 442 | Introduction to Integrated Circuit Technology and Fabrication | 3 | |
| ECE 451 | Power System Analysis | 3 | |
| ECE 452/552 | Renewable Electric Energy Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 453 | Electric Motor Drives | 3 | |
| ECE 455 | Industrial Robot Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 456/556 | Mechatronics | 3 | |
| ECE 460/560 | Embedded System Architectures | 3 | |
| ECE 461/561 | Embedded System Analysis and Optimization | 3 | |
| ECE 463/563 | Microprocessor Architecture | 3 | |
| ECE 464/564 | ASIC and FPGA Design with Verilog | 3 | |
| ECE 466 | Compiler Optimization and Scheduling | 3 | |
| ECE 470 | Internetworking | 3 | |
| ECE 489/589 | Solid State Solar and Thermal Energy Harvesting | 3 | |
| ECE 492 | Special Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 1-4 | |
| ECE 505 | Neural Interface Engineering | 3 | |
| ECE 511 | Analog Electronics | 3 | |
| ECE 513 | Digital Signal Processing | 3 | |
| ECE 514 | Random Processes | 3 | |
| ECE 515 | Digital Communications | 3 | |
| ECE 516 | System Control Engineering | 3 | |
| ECE 517 | Object-Oriented Design and Development | 3 | |
| ECE 522 | Medical Instrumentation | 3 | |
| ECE 523 | Photonics and Optical Communications | 3 | |
| ECE 530 | Physical Electronics | 3 | |
| ECE 531 | Principles Of Transistor Devices | 3 | |
| ECE 532 | Principles Of Microwave Circuits | 3 | |
| ECE 533 | Power Electronics Design & Packaging | 3 | |
| ECE 534 | Power Electronics | 3 | |
| ECE 535 | Design of Electromechanical Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 540 | Electromagnetic Fields | 3 | |
| ECE 542 | Neural Networks | 3 | |
| ECE 544 | Design Of Electronic Packaging and Interconnects | 3 | |
| ECE 546 | VLSI Systems Design | 3 | |
| ECE 549 | RF Design for Wireless | 3 | |
| ECE 550 | Power System Operation and Control | 3 | |
| ECE 551 | Smart Electric Power Distribution Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 553 | Semiconductor Power Devices | 3 | |
| ECE 555 | Autonomous Robot Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 557 | Principles Of MOS Transistors | 3 | |
| ECE 558 | Digital Imaging Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 568 | Conventional and Emerging Nanomanufacturing Techniques and Their Applications in Nanosystems | 3 | |
| ECE 570 | Computer Networks | 3 | |
| ECE 573 | Internet Protocols | 3 | |
| ECE 574 | Computer and Network Security | 3 | |
| ECE 575 | Introduction to Wireless Networking | 3 | |
| ECE 577 | Switched Network Management | 3 | |
| ECE 581 | Electric Power System Protection | 3 | |
| ECE 582 | Wireless Communication Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 583 | Electric Power Engineering Practicum I | 3 | |
| ECE 585 | The Business of the Electric Utility Industry | 3 | |
| ECE 586 | Communication and SCADA Systems for Smart Grid | 3 | |
| ECE 592 | Special Topics In Electrical Engineering | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| E 304 | Introduction to Nano Science and Technology | 3 | |
| ECE 305 | Principles of Electromechanical Energy Conversion | 3 | |
| ECE 306 | Introduction to Embedded Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 308 | Elements of Control Systems | 3 | |
| ECE 309 | Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming for Electrical and Computer Engineers | 3 | |
| ECE 310 | Design of Complex Digital Systems | 3 | |
| CE 214 | Engineering Mechanics-Statics | 3 | |
| or MAE 206 | Engineering Statics | ||
| MSE 200 | Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials | 3 | |
| or MSE 201 | Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials | ||
| ISE 311 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 | |
| MAE 208 | Engineering Dynamics | 3 | |
| MAE 201 | Engineering Thermodynamics I | 3 | |
| MAE 302/BME 525 | Engineering Thermodynamics II | 3 | |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| E 101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 | 1 |
| E 115 | Introduction to Computing Environments 2 | 1 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 |
| MA 141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 109 | Introduction to Computer Systems 2 | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PY 205 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I 1 | 3 |
| PY 206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | 1 |
| E 102 | Engineering in the 21st Century | 2 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 200 | Introduction to Signals, Circuits and Systems 2 | 4 |
| ECE 209 | Computer Systems Programming 2 | 3 |
| MA 242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PY 208 & PY 209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| CSC 226 | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Scientists 2 | 3 |
| ECE 211 | Electric Circuits 2 | 4 |
| ECE 212 | Fundamentals of Logic Design 2 | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Analytical Foundations of Electrical and Computer Engineering 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 301 | Linear Systems | 3 |
| ECE 302 | Microelectronics | 4 |
| ECE 306 | Introduction to Embedded Systems | 3 |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| ST 371 | Introduction to Probability and Distribution Theory | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 309 | Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming for Electrical and Computer Engineers | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Engineering Profession for Electrical Engineers | ||
| Engineering Profession for Computer Engineers | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship and New Product Development | ||
| ECE 310 | Design of Complex Digital Systems | 3 |
| Open/Technical Elective | 3 | |
| ENG 331 | Communication for Engineering and Technology | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECE 484 | Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design I | 3 |
| CPE Elective | 3 | |
| CPE Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECE 485 | Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design II | 3 |
| ECE Elective | 3 | |
| ECE Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| GEP Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
- 1
A grade of C or higher is required.
- 2
A grade of C- or higher is required.