Major in Computer Engineering

From autonomous vehicles to smart cities, we live in a hyper-connected world. A degree in Computer Engineering from CSU will allow you to have an impact well beyond your computer screen. As devices and systems become “smarter” and more connected through the Internet of Things (IoT), computer engineers hold the key to understanding, advancing, and protecting the security of next generation technologies. 

The Computer Engineering degree combines many aspects of electrical engineering and computer science, arming students with the knowledge to continually push the capabilities and applicability of next generation electronics and computing. Have an interest in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or data science management and optimization? With computer engineering at the heart of these disciplines, our professors will prepare you to make an impact in these and other emerging fields.

Computer Engineering students will experience the benefits of a smaller department with top-tier faculty, while enjoying the perks of a large university. Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) courses and research areas span a range of disciplines that include:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Communications and Signal Processing
• Computer Engineering
• Controls and Robotics
• Electric Power and Energy Systems
• Electromagnetics and Remote Sensing
• Lasers and Photonics
 
Career Opportunities
A field of endless possibilities, career paths for computer engineers are largely dependent on personal interests. Computer Engineering alumni hold positions such as software engineer for a tech giant, designer for a start-up company, and program manager for NASA. In addition to being one of the most lucrative college majors, Computer Engineering currently ranks among the top 10 majors in demand for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Almost every industry recruits Computer Engineering graduates, including the aerospace, biomedical, energy, robotics, manufacturing, and automotive industries.

Program Objectives and Outcomes
The Computer Engineering program educational objectives are designed and implemented around the following three principal attributes: mastery, innovation, and leadership.

Graduates of the Computer Engineering program will be able to:

1. Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
2. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
3. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
4. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
5. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Effective Fall 2019

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in Electrical Engineering courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies. In addition, it is required that students retake any Electrical Engineering course at the 300-level or below in which they receive a grade below C.

Technical Electives

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CS 314	Software Engineering	3
CS 320	Algorithms--Theory and Practice 5	3
CS 356	Systems Security	3
CS 4XX Any CS course at the 400-level, excluding CS 457 and CS 470 6
CS 5XX Any CS course at the 500-level
Select any course from the following: 7		1-3
ECE 495A	Independent Study
ECE 495B	Independent Study: Open Option Project
ECE 495C	Independent Study: Vertically Integrated Projects
ECE 4XX Any ECE course at the 400-level
ECE 5XX Any CS course at the 500-level, excluding ECE 532/SYSE 532
MATH 360	Mathematics of Information Security	3
MATH 450	Introduction to Numerical Analysis I	3
MATH 451	Introduction to Numerical Analysis II	3
MATH 460	Information and Coding Theory	3
MECH 564	Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls	3
STAT 421	Introduction to Stochastic Processes	3

1	Students are required to complete three Career Development Seminars: 1) Resume Writing; 2) Mock Interview or Behavior Based Interviewing; and 3) Using LinkedIn™. Completion of the required workshops may be spread over the student's four-year program.
2	CS 320 (followed by CS 453 in the senior year) is recommended for students interested in specializing in computer system design.
3	ECE 332 is recommended for students interested in specializing in VLSI.
4	Free elective credits can be satisfied by completing courses 100 level or above. Students use up to 3 credits of free electives to reach the required total of 129 program credits.
5	CS 320 may count as a Technical Elective ONLY when ECE 332 is also taken. ECE 332 will be applied toward junior year requirement. The course cannot count as credit toward both requirements.
6	CS 453 is recommended as one of the electives for students interested in specializing in computer system design.
7	A total 3 credits of Independent Study may apply toward total degree requirements. This includes credit awarded for ECE 395A, ECE 395B, ECE 395C and ECE 495A, ECE 495B, ECE 495C combined.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER:  The curriculum for this major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. 

The ECE curriculum has been modified as part of the Revolutionizing Engineering Departments initiative (RED).  Three threads run through the new curriculum: Foundations, Creativity and Professional Formation of Engineers. This new curriculum incorporates skills that engineers need beyond technical expertise, in areas like communication, ethics, social impact and interaction in large, diverse groups.  The ECE department requires that students also complete the following three Career Development Seminars: 1) Resume Writing; 2) Mock Interviewing or Behavior Based Interviewing; and 3) Using LinkedIn™. 

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in Electrical Engineering courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies. In addition, it is required that students retake any Electrical Engineering course at the 300-level or below in which they receive a grade below C.