Computer engineering is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to the design and analysis of all hardware, software, and operating systems for a computer system. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Computer Engineering integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer science and includes the study of hardware, software, and their integration. As such, students learn the principles of electricity, signals and systems, and technologies used in making digital devices. They further study programming languages, data structures, operating systems, and databases. The knowledge acquired during the first three years of the undergraduate program will culminate in architecture and design-related courses in which students experience the cost-performance trade-offs associated with mitigating hardware issues to software.
Please see the UNLV Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering web page at www.unlv.edu/engineering for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plans for the major are available at www.unlv.edu/degree/bse-computer-engineering.
ABET Program Educational Objectives
Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation. Program educational objectives are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies.
Computer Engineering Program Objectives
The Program Educational Objective of the Computer Engineering program is to create, apply, and disseminate knowledge immediately or within a few years after graduation the graduate can:
- successfully practice and mature intellectually in the field of Computer Engineering or a related field.
- be admitted to and successfully progress through a post graduate program in Computer Engineering or related program.
ABET Student Outcomes
Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program.
Computer Engineering Student Outcomes
To achieve the above objectives and goals, each graduate of the Computer Engineering Major will attain the following outcomes before graduation:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- An ability to 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.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to 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.
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Admission to the Major
Minimum GPA: 2.0
To enter the Computer Engineering (CpE) Major, a student must be admitted to the College of Engineering. Admission and transfer policies are described in the College of Engineering section. Students who have been admitted to the College of Engineering and are interested in being admitted to the CpE Major will be placed in the Computer Engineering Pre-major (CpEPRE). A student in the CpEPRE is eligible to submit an application to the Academic Advising Center for advanced standing in the CpE Major after completing the 22 credit CpEPRE curriculum listed below. Students who have not completed the CpEPRE curriculum and do not have advanced standing in the CpE Major cannot enroll in upper division Computer Engineering courses except for those listed below in the CpEPRE Extended Curriculum.
Department Policies
Regardless of catalog of graduation students must satisfy prerequisite and co-requisite course requirements as specified in the current Undergraduate Catalog. All mathematics, science, and computer science courses, and ENG 101 and ENG 102 must be completed with a grade of C or better. All engineering courses and their immediate prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Electrical and computer engineering students should register for EE 497 EE 497 - Senior Design Project I in their next to last semester before their anticipated date of graduation.
Career Possibilities
A Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering specifically prepares graduates for a career in the computer engineering field. Computer engineers apply principles from electrical engineering and computer science to design and analyze all hardware and software required for a computer system. This includes the design of microprocessors and microcontrollers, software and firmware for microprocessors and microcontrollers, integrated circuits, computer networks and operating systems. A Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering can also help graduates find work in other careers such as patent law.