Academic Programs Catalog

College of Engineering

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Undergraduate Programs
Computer Engineering

Computer engineering is concerned with the organization and design of computers and computer systems. The study of computer hardware and software, and their integration and application, is emphasized. The undergraduate program in computer engineering integrates studies in mathematics, basic sciences, engineering sciences, and engineering design. The program is structured to establish analytical and design skills in areas such as computer architecture, digital logic design, analog and mixed-signal circuits, computer communication networks, digital computer control, integrated circuit engineering, software engineering, operating systems, data structures and algorithms, computer–aided engineering, and electronic design automation. Complementing these fundamentals, the program also provides opportunities for specialization in individually  selected areas of interest.

The Bachelor of Science Degree program in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 128 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering.
    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Computer Engineering major is met by completing Electrical and Computer Engineering 480.  That course is referenced in item  3. c.  below.
    Students who are enrolled in the College of Engineering may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements for All Majors in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
  2. The requirements of the College of Engineering for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
  4. a. One of the following courses (1 credit):
    CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    PHY 191 Physics Laboratory for Scientists, I 1
    b. All of the following courses (39 credits):
    CSE 232 Introduction to Programming II 4
    CSE 260 Discrete Structures in Computer Science 4
    CSE 325 Computer Systems 3
    CSE 331 Algorithms and Data Structures 3
    ECE 201 Circuits and Systems I 3
    ECE 202 Circuits and Systems II 3
    ECE 203 Electric Circuits and Systems Laboratory 1
    ECE 230 Digital Logic Fundamentals 3
    ECE 280 Electrical Engineering Analysis 3
    ECE 302 Electronic Circuits 3
    ECE 303 Electronics Laboratory 1
    ECE 331 Microprocessors and Digital Systems 4
    ECE 366 Introduction to Signal Processing 3
    ECE 390 Ethics, Professionalism and Contemporary Issues 1
    c. One of the following courses (4 credits):
    ECE 480 Senior Design 4
    ECE 489 Independent Senior Design 4
    d. Electives
    Complete 21 credits of electives as specified below. At least 15 credits must be from the focus tracks below including at least 6 credits from the core, with at least one course with a laboratory. Additional credits to meet the 21 credit requirement may be taken from other courses listed below, any 400-level Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) or Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) courses, or by completing an approved 3 or 4 credit experiential, out-of-classroom education experience obtained through engineering cooperative education or independent study.
    Focus Tracks
    Core
    At least 6 credits from the following:
    CSE 335 Object-Oriented Software Design 4
    CSE 420 Computer Architecture 3
    CSE 422 Computer Networks. 3
    or
    ECE 442 Introduction to Communication Networks 3
    CSE 425 Introduction to Computer Security 3
    or
    ECE 456 Introduction to Communication and Network Security 3
    ECE 430 Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems 4
    Both CSE 422 and ECE 442 or CSE 425 and ECE 456 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
    Hardware
    ECE 410 VLSI Design 4
    ECE 411 Electronic Design Automation 4
    ECE 431 Smart Sensor Systems 3
    ECE 445 Biomedical Instrumentation 3
    Software Systems
    CSE 410 Operating Systems 3
    CSE 415 Introduction to Parallel Programming 3
    CSE 431 Algorithm Engineering 3
    CSE 435 Software Engineering 3
    CSE 450 Translation of Programming Languages 3
    CSE 476 Mobile Application Development 3
    CSE 480 Database Systems 3
    Intelligent Systems
    CSE 404 Introduction to Machine Learning 3
    CSE 440 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 3
    CSE 482 Big Data Analysis
    ECE 434 Autonomous Vehicles 3
    ECE 446 Biomedical Signal Processing 3
    ECE 466 Digital Signal Processing and Filter Design 3
    MTH 314 Matrix Algebra with Computational Applications 3
    STT 351 Probability and Statistics for Engineering 3
    Electrical Systems
    ECE 305 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves I 4
    ECE 313 Control Systems 3
    ECE 377 Principles of Electronic Devices 3
    ECE 404 Radio Frequency Electronic Circuits 4
    ECE 417 Robotics 4
Concentrations
The department offers the following concentrations to students wishing an area of specialization in their degree. Concentrations are available to, but not required of, any student enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering.  Courses completed to satisfy requirement 3 above may also be used to satisfy the requirements of a concentrations.  NOTE: Completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering with a concentration may require more than 128 credits.  Upon completion of the required courses for a concentration, certification will appear on the student’s official transcript.
Biomedical Engineering
This concentration is for students who plan to pursue graduate work in biomedical areas or seek employment in selected medical-related areas.
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering with a biomedical engineering concentration, students must complete requirements 1., 2., and 3. above and the following:
1. Complete 6 credits from the following courses:
ANTR 350 Human Gross Anatomy for Pre-Health Professionals 3
BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
PSL 250 Introductory Physiology 4
PSL 310 Physiology for Pre-Health Professionals 4
2. Complete 9 credits from the following courses:
BE 444 Biosensors for Medical Diagnostics 3
ECE 445 Biomedical Instrumentation 3
ECE 446 Biomedical Signal Processing 3
ECE 447 Introduction to Biomedical Imaging 3
ECE 448 Modeling and Analysis of Bioelectrical Systems 3
ECE 449 Fundamentals of Acoustics 3
Students may enroll in 3 or 4 credits of ECE 490 or 491 with biomedical engineering content as approved by the student's advisor for partial fulfillment of this requirement.
Cybersecurity
This concentration is for students interested in the theory and practice of communication networks and security. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering with a cybersecurity concentration, students must complete requirements 1., 2., and 3. above and the following:
1. All of the following courses (9 credits):
ECE 442 Introduction to Communication Networks 3
ECE 456 Introduction to Communication and Network Security 3
ECE 457 Communication Systems 3
2. Two of the following courses (6 credits):
CSE 402 Biometrics and Pattern Recognition 3
CSE 410 Operating Systems 3
CSE 425 Introduction to Computer Security 3
CSE 482 Big Data Analysis 3
Robotics and Automation
This concentration is for students interested in graduate work or employment in robotics or automation areas. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering with a robotics and automation concentration, students must complete requirements 1., 2., and 3. above and the following:
1. The following course:
ECE 417 Robotics 4
2. Complete 9 credits from the following: 3
ECE 415 Computer Aided Manufacturing 3
ECE 416 Digital Control 4
ECE 430 Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems 3
ECE 431 Smart Sensors Systems 3
ECE 434 Autonomous Vehicles 3
ECE 466 Digital Signal Processing
Smart Systems
This concentration is for students interested in the design and implementation of smart devices and systems for graduate work or employment in consumer electronics, wearables, and internet of things (IoT) fields. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering with a smart systems concentration, students must complete requirements 1., 2., and 3. above and the following:
1. Complete at least 13 credits from the following:
CSE 404 Introduction to Machine Learning 3
CSE 420 Computer Architecture 3
CSE 440 Introduction Artificial Intelligence 3
CSE 476 Mobile Application Development 3
CSE 482 Big Data Analysis 3
ECE 410 VLSI Design 4
ECE 411 Electronic Design Automation 4
ECE 430 Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems 4
ECE 431 Smart Sensors Systems 3
ECE 445 Biomedical Instrumentation 3
ECE 466 Digital Signal Processing 3
Software Systems
This concentration is for students wishing to focus on software development for graduate work or employment in embedded systems, cloud services and other software intensive fields. To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering with a software systems concentration, students must complete requirements 1., 2., and 3. above and the following:
1. Complete at least 13 credits from the following:
CSE 410 Operating Systems 3
CSE 415 Introduction to Parallel Programming 3
CSE 435 Software Engineering 3
CSE 450 Translation of Programming Languages 3
CSE 476 Mobile Application Development 3
ECE 430 Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems 4