Computer Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum
The sophomore year (terms three and four) starts the student’s specialization with courses in programming; data structures; digital logic; computer organization and the digital systems laboratory; as well as linear algebra and differential equations; linear systems and circuits; and electives in the humanities, social sciences, and communications skills. The junior year (terms five and six) develops the student’s knowledge in the practical foundations of computer engineering with courses in algorithm design, computer architecture, systems software, an advanced digital laboratory, and computer interfacing. These are complemented with courses in probability and statistics, as well as with electives in the humanities and social sciences. The senior year (terms seven and eight) continues the foundation sequence with software engineering and then extends the student’s experience with both technical and design electives in computer engineering. The rich set of electives available from computer engineering, computer science, telecommunications, and electrical engineering provides the student with exposure to several of the many subdisciplines within the field.
The overall objective of the computer engineering program is to prepare individuals to be confident and successful in whatever path they choose to pursue in the 21st century global economy. This includes those who move into practice within the computer engineering discipline either through employment in industry or government, or through a start-up of their own, those who move on to advanced computer study and research in graduate school, or those that move into other professions such as law, business, or management.
As indicated, the program has considerable elective flexibility. The humanities and social science electives must be selected from the list of acceptable courses compiled by the Swanson School of Engineering. The open elective may be satisfied by any University course, including band, Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), or physical education. Technical electives may include computer engineering; electrical engineering; computer science; or other engineering, mathematics, or basic science courses.