Curriculum in Computer Engineering
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Computer engineering is a discipline that applies principles of physics and mathematics to the design, implementation, and analysis of computer and communication systems. The discipline is broad, spanning topics as diverse as radio communications, coding and encryption, computer architecture, testing and analysis of computer and communication systems, computer vision, and robotics. A defining characteristic of the discipline is its grounding in physical aspects of computer and communication systems. Computer engineering concerns itself with development of devices that exploit physical phenomena to store and process information, with the design of hardware that incorporates such devices, and with software that takes advantage of this hardware's characteristics. It addresses problems in design, testing, and evaluation of system properties, such as reliability, and security. It is an exciting area to work in, one that has immediate impact on the technology that shapes society today.
Educational Objectives and Outcomes
The Computer Engineering (CompE) curriculum is administered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). There are four educational objectives of the CompE curriculum:
- Depth. To provide students with an understanding of the fundamental knowledge prerequisite for the practice of or for advanced study in computer engineering, including its scientific principles, rigorous analysis, and creative design.
- Breadth. To provide students with the broad education, including knowledge of important current issues in engineering, with emphasis on computer engineering, necessary for productive careers in the public or private sectors or for the pursuit of graduate education.
- Professionalism. To develop skills for clear communication and responsible teamwork and to inculcate professional attitudes and ethics, so that students are prepared for the complex modern work environment and for lifelong learning.
- Learning Environment. To provide an environment that enables students to pursue their goals in an innovative program that is rigorous and challenging, open and supportive.
The following educational outcomes are expected for each graduating student:
- Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- Ability to design and conduct experiments as well as analyze and interpret data
- Ability to design a system to meet desired needs
- Ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
- Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Broad education necessary to understand impact of engineering solutions in a global/societal context
- Recognition of the need for and ability to engage in lifelong learning
- Knowledge of contemporary issues
- Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
- Knowledge of probability and statistics, including applications to computer engineering
- Knowledge of mathematics necessary to carry out analysis and design appropriate to computer engineering
- Knowledge of discrete mathematics
The CompE program objectives and outcomes detailed above are consistent with the Engineering Criteria 2000 (EC2K) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
The Importance of the First-Year ECE Experience
First-year students take Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE 110), a four-credit-hour class combining theory, laboratory measurement, and design. Not only do beginning students get a substantive course in their major, they also gain a better appreciation for the basic science and mathematics courses that are taken during the first two years of study. Students gain first-hand experience in the activities of a professional computer/electrical engineer and are better able to make the important decision as to whether they have chosen the major best suited to them.
Intellectual Content of the Computer Engineering (CompE) Curriculum
Student involvement in the computer engineering discipline increases during each year of the program. Most of the core CompE courses are taken in the fourth and fifth semesters. During the last three semesters, the student chooses electives to define a curriculum meeting individual educational and career needs.
The computer engineering core curriculum focuses on fundamental computer engineering knowledge: circuits (ECE 110), systems (ECE 210), electromagnetics (ECE 329), computer engineering (ECE 190, ECE 290, ECE 385, ECE 391, ECE 411), solid state electronics (ECE 440), and computer science (CS 225). The rich set of ECE elective courses permits students to concentrate in any subdiscipline of computer engineering including: computer systems; electronic circuits; networks; engineering applications; software, languages, and theory; and algorithms and mathematical tools.
Methods of Instruction and Design Experience
Instruction is given using a combination of lecture, discussion, laboratory, and project methodologies of the highest quality. The large number of laboratory courses and superb access to advanced computer facilities provide excellent practical experience in the field. Engineering design, communication, and teamwork are integrated throughout the curriculum, including the beginning required courses, Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE 110), Introduction to Computing Systems (ECE 190), and Introduction to Computer Engineering (ECE 290), as well as Computer Systems Engineering (ECE 391), Digital Systems Laboratory (ECE 385), and Computer Organization and Design (ECE 411), which are taken in the third year. Further design experiences occur in the elective courses.
Honors Activity
Students wishing to do honors work are encouraged to apply to the James Scholar Program administered jointly by the College of Engineering and the ECE Department. In consultation with departmental honors advisors, students create and carry out honors activity contracts. They must also participate in the ECE Honors Seminar and are encouraged to participate in the yearly Undergrad Research Symposium. The department offers thesis courses and project opportunities for students wishing to graduate with Highest Honors.
Grade-Point Average Requirements
A student must have an overall grade-point average of at least 2.0 and a grade-point average of at least 2.0 in ECE courses in order to remain in good standing and to graduate. To qualify for registration for the ECE courses shown in the third year of the curriculum, a student must have completed, with a combined 2.25 grade-point average, the mathematics, physics, and electrical and computer engineering courses shown in the first two years.
Overview of Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation and is organized as follows:
Required Courses
Required courses total 75 hours.
Basic Sciences and Mathematics
These courses stress the scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | MATH 221—Calculus I |
| 3 | MATH 231—Calculus II |
| 4 | MATH 241—Calculus III |
| 4 | MATH 386—Intro to Differential Eq Plus |
| 4 | PHYS 211—Univ Physics, Mechanics |
| 4 | PHYS 212—Univ Physics, Elec & Mag |
| 2 | PHYS 213—Univ Physics, Thermal Physics |
| 2 | PHYS 214—Univ Physics, Quantum Phys |
| 3 | CHEM 102—General Chemistry I |
| 1 | CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I |
| 31 | Total |
Computer Engineering Core
These courses stress fundamental computer engineering concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of all computer engineering.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | ECE 110—Intro Elec & Comp Engrg |
| 4 | ECE 190—Intro to Computing Systems |
| 4 | ECE 210—Analog Signal Processing |
| 3 | ECE 290—Computer Engineering, I |
| 3 | ECE 329—Intro Electromagnetic Fields |
| 2 | ECE 385—Digital Systems Laboratory |
| 3 | ECE 391—Computer Systems Engineering |
| 4 | ECE 411—Comp Organization & Design |
| 3 | ECE 440—Solid State Electronic Devices |
| 4 | CS 225—Data Structure & Softw Prin |
| 34 | Total |
Advanced Mathematics
These courses provide additional sophistication for the computer engineer. The probability and statistics course lays the groundwork for understanding problems ranging from communications engineering to data analysis in diverse areas such as medicine and manufacturing.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | CS 173—Discrete Structures or MATH 213—Basic Discrete Mathematics |
| 3 | ECE 413—Probability with Engrg
Applic or STAT 410—Statistics and Probability II |
| 6 | Total |
Composition I
This course teaches fundamentals of expository writing.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | RHET 105—Principles of Composition |
Technical Electives
These courses stress the rigorous analysis and design principles practiced in the major concentration areas of computer engineering.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 23 | One course must not be either ECE or CS. The remainder are electives in electrical and computer engineering and in computer science. All are to be chosen from the departmentally approved List of Technical Electives. |
Social Sciences and Humanities
The social sciences and humanities courses, as approved by the College of Engineering, ensure that students have exposure in breadth and depth to areas of intellectual activity that are essential to the general education of any college graduate.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 18 | Social sciences and humanities courses approved by the College of Engineering and satisfying the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities. |
Free Electives
These unrestricted electives give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define research specialties or to complete minors such as bioengineering, technology and management, or languages. At least seven hours must be taken for a grade.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 12 | Free electives |
Campus General Education Requirements
Students must select courses that satisfy both the College of Engineering's social sciences and humanities requirement and the campus requirements in social and behavioral sciences and in humanities and the arts. Proper choices will assure that these courses also satisfy the campus requirements in the areas of Western and non-Western cultures. Many of these courses satisfy the campus Advanced Composition requirement, which assures that the student has the advanced writing skills expected of all college graduates. The campus requirements in Composition I, natural sciences and technology, and quantitative reasoning are met by required courses. Beginning with the class that entered in fall 2000, students must complete a third-level college language course. Most students satisfy this requirement by completing three years of high school instruction in a single language.
Suggested Sequence
First Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHEM 102—General Chemistry I |
| 1 | CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I |
| 0 | ENG 100—Engineering Lecture |
| 4 | MATH 221*—Calculus I1 |
| 4 | RHET 105—Principles of Composition
or |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 15 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | ECE 110*—Intro Elec & Comp
Engrg or RHET 105—Principles of Composition2 |
| 3 | MATH 231*—Calculus II |
| 4 | PHYS 211*—Univ Physics, Mechanics |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 17 | Total |
Second Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | ECE 190*—Intro to Computing Systems |
| 3 | CS 173*—Discrete Structures or MATH 213*—Basic Discrete Mathematics |
| 4 | MATH 241*—Calculus III |
| 4 | PHYS 212*—Univ Physics, Elec & Mag |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 18 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | ECE 210*—Analog Signal Processing |
| 3 | ECE 290*—Computer Engineering, I |
| 4 | MATH 386*—Intro to Differential Eq Plus |
| 2 | PHYS 213*—Univ Physics, Thermal Physics |
| 2 | PHYS 214*—Univ Physics, Quantum Phys |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 18 | Total |
Third Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CS 225—Data Structure & Softw Prin |
| 3 | ECE 329—Intro Electromagnetic Fields |
| 2 | ECE 385—Digital Systems Laboratory |
| 3 | Technical elective4 |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 15 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | ECE 391—Computer Systems Engineering |
| 3 | ECE 413—Probability with
Engrg Applic or STAT 410—Statistics and Probability II |
| 3 | ECE 440—Solid State Electronic Devices |
| 3 | Technical elective4 |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 15 | Total |
Fourth Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | ECE 411—Comp Organization & Design |
| 5 | Technical electives4 |
| 3 | Elective in social sciences or humanities3 |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 15 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 12 | Technical electives4 |
| 3 | Free elective |
| 15 | Total |
* 2.25 GPA rule courses
1. MATH 220—Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
2. RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester of the first year as authorized. The alternative is ECE 110.
3. Each student must satisfy the 18-hour social sciences and humanities requirements of the College of Engineering and the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities.
4. One course must not be either ECE or CS. The remaining classes are ECE and CS electives. All are to be chosen from the departmentally approved List of Technical Electives.