Curriculum in Computer Engineering

www.ece.uiuc.edu

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.

The computer engineering core curriculum focuses on fundamental computer engineering knowledge: circuits, systems, electromagnetics, computer engineering, solid state electronics, and computer science. 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.

Overview of Curricular Requirements

The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation and is organized as shown below. Technical grade point average requirements for graduation and advanced-level course registration apply to students in this curriculum. These rules are summarized at the College of Engineering's undergraduate advising Web site.

Orientation and Professional Development

These courses introduce the opportunities and resources your college, department, and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve your career goals. They also provide the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.

Hours	Requirements
0	ENG 100—Engineering Lecture¹
0	Total

1. External transfer students take ENG 300—Engineering Transfer Lecture instead.

Foundational Mathematics and Science

These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.

Hours	Requirements
3	CHEM 102—General Chemistry I
1	CHEM 103—General Chemistry Lab I
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
31	Total

Computer Engineering Technical Core

These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of computer engineering.

Hours	Requirements
3	CS 173—Discrete Structures or MATH 213—Basic Discrete Mathematics
4	CS 225—Data Structure & Softw Prin
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 413—Probability with Engrg Applic or STAT 410—Statistics and Probability II
3	ECE 440—Solid State Electronic Devices
40	Total

Technical Electives

These courses stress the rigorous analysis and design principles practiced in the major subdisciplines of computer engineering.

Hours	Requirements
23	Technical electives. 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	Electives in social sciences and humanities approved by the College of Engineering and satisfying the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities, including cultural studies western and non-western.

Composition

These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.

Hours	Requirements
4	RHET 105—Principles of Composition
	Advanced Composition. May be satisfied by completing a course with the Advanced Composition designation in either the social sciences and humanities or the free elective categories.
4	Total

Free Electives

These unrestricted electives give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique interest. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define research specialties or to complete minors.

Hours	Requirements
12	Free electives. Additional unrestricted course work so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree. At least seven hours must be taken for a grade.

Suggested Sequence

The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each individual’s case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken.

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 ECE 110—Intro Elec & Comp Engrg²
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

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.