Computer Engineering / Bachelor of Science
Program: BS-CPEN-1
Total Credit Hours: 133
Major Credit Hours: 90
Computer Engineering is the marriage of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. It focuses on computing in all forms, from microprocessors to embedded computing devices to laptop and desktop systems to supercomputers. As such, it concerns the electrical engineering considerations of how microprocessors function, are designed, and are optimized; how data is communicated among electronic components; how integrated systems of electronic components are designed and how they operate to process instructions expressed in software; and how software is written, compiled, and optimized for specific hardware platforms. Therefore, computer engineers are electrical engineers who specialize in software design, hardware design, or systems design that integrates both.
The topics Computer Engineers typically study include
- Microprocessor and microcontroller systems
- Assembly language
- Coding, cryptography, and information protection
- Distributed computing
- Computer vision and pattern recognition
- Computer graphics and multimedia applications
- Internet computing and wireless networks
- Computer architecture and embedded digital systems design
- Network security and privacy
- Real-Time Systems
- VLSI, VHDL, and ASICS design
- Computer internetworking and Network Protocols
- Embedded software for real-time microcontrollers
- Algorithms, compilers, and operating systems
- Human-computer interaction.
Several of these topics are also studied by computer scientists. The distinction between Computer Science and Computer Engineering could perhaps best be described by considering computing technology in terms of scale. Computer engineers operate often at the large and small ends of the computing spectrum, whereas computer scientists work in the middle. Computer engineers deal with the physics of semiconductor electronics so that they may design hardware at the integrated circuit level. They also work on the integration of hardware and software into optimized systems that perform specific tasks. Computer scientists write the software, design the databases, devise the algorithms, design the communications networks, and secure the data and devices that enable the integrated system to function. In reality, of course, this division of labor is a simplification, as computer engineers and computer scientists collaborate extensively. Because of this, computer scientists and computer engineers often qualify for the same career opportunities, with computer engineers having the edge in careers that focus more on hardware design, and computer scientists preferred for careers that focus more on software design. This program can be completed in four years.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Foundation Courses | ||
| CHEM 11000 | General Chemistry 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 11100 | General Chemistry 1 Lab | 1 |
| MATH 20900 | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| MATH 21000 | Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| MATH 22000 | Applied Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 23500 | Calculus 2 | 4 |
| MATH 25000 | Calculus 3 | 4 |
| MATH 30000 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 30500 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| PHYS 21000 | General Physics 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 21100 | General Physics 1 Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 21500 | General Physics 2 | 3 |
| PHYS 21600 | General Physics 2 Lab | 1 |
| Computer Engineering Core Courses | ||
| CPSC 21000 | Programming Fundamentals | 3 |
| CPSC 24500 | Object-Oriented Programming | 3 |
| CPSC 34000 | Algorithms and Data Structures | 3 |
| CPSC 35000 | Operating Systems | 3 |
| ECEN 10000 | Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| ECEN 20000 | Engineering Design and Tools | 3 |
| ECEN 21000 | Logic Design | 3 |
| ECEN 22000 | Circuit Analysis 1 | 4 |
| ECEN 23000 | Signals and Systems | 3 |
| ECEN 25000 | Semiconductor Devices | 3 |
| ECEN 30000 | Computer Architecture 1 | 3 |
| ECEN 31000 | Computer Architecture 2 | 3 |
| ECEN 32000 | Hardware and Software Systems | 3 |
| Computer Engineering Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
Any 20000-level or above ECEN course | ||
Any 30000-level or above CPSC course 1 | ||
Any 30000-level or above DATA course | ||
| Mathematical Modeling | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Analog and Digital Electronics | ||
| Solid State Physics | ||
| Capstone | ||
| ECEN 40000 | Electrical and Computer Engineering Practice | 3 |
| ECEN 49600 | Electrical-Computer Engineering Senior Project | 3 |
| Total Hours | 90 | |
- 1
CPSC 30000 Computer Organization will not fulfill the computer engineering elective
Advanced Writing Requirement
The Advanced Writing Requirement of the General Education Curriculum is satisfied by successful completion of ECEN 49600 Electrical-Computer Engineering Senior Project.
Double Major in Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Students who wish to major in both Computer Engineering and Computer Science must take at least 12 credit hours of upper-division coursework not counted toward the other degree. In other words, a Computer Engineer who also wishes to major in Computer Science must take four 30000- or 40000-level Computer Science courses (12 credit hours) that count strictly toward their Computer Science degree. Conversely, a Computer Science major who wishes to major in Computer Engineering must take four 30000- or 40000-level Computer Engineering courses (12 credit hours) that count strictly toward the Computer Engineering degree. Because CPSC 30000 Computer Organization / ECEN 30000 Computer Architecture 1 have similar contents, these courses may not apply to a second major.
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering Fast Track Course Options
Students who are enrolled in the MSECE Fast Track program may take the graduate course ECEN 54500 Real-Time Embedded Systems instead of ECEN 32000 Hardware and Software Systems. Additionally, Fast Track students should take 50000-level or above ECEN courses appropriate for their chosen MSECE specialization as Computer Engineering electives.
Admission Requirements
Incoming first-year students must be ready to enroll in Calculus 1 to be admitted to the Computer Engineering program. Transfer students and students who are changing majors must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must be ready to enroll in Calculus 1. Prospective students wishing to be admitted to the program but who do not currently meet the requirements can be admitted under the Pre-Electrical and Computer Engineering Program. They can then apply for admission to the Computer Engineering program once transfer admission requirements are met by contacting ece@lewisu.edu.