Computer Engineering Major

Computer Engineering

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. 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 tradeoffs associated with mitigating hardware issues to software.

Computer Engineering Program Accreditation

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities www.nwccu.org
Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.), http://www.abet.org

Computer Engineering Program Objectives

The educational objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering – Computer Engineering Major are to transmit, create, and apply knowledge so that:

1. The graduate can practice in the field of Computer Engineering.
2. The graduate can be admitted to and successfully complete a graduate program in Computer Engineering.

Computer Engineering Program Goals

To achieve the above program objectives, the Computer Engineering program’s goals are for the graduate to possess:

1. Appropriate technical knowledge and skills
2. Appropriate interpersonal skills
3. The knowledge and skills to be a responsible citizen

Computer Engineering Program Outcomes

To achieve the above objectives and goals, each graduate of the Computer Engineering Major will attain the following outcomes before graduation:

1. The appropriate technical knowledge and skills
   a.  An ability to apply mathematics through differential and integral calculus,
   b.  An ability to apply advanced mathematics such as differential equations and discrete mathematics,
   c.  An ability to apply knowledge of basic sciences,
   d.  An ability to apply knowledge of computer science
   e.  An ability to apply knowledge of probability and statistics,
   f.  An ability to apply knowledge of engineering
   g.  An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints
   h.  An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
   i.  An ability to analyze and design software and systems containing hardware and software
   j.  An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
   k.  An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
2. The appropriate interpersonal skills
   a.  An ability to communicate effectively
   b.  An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
3. The knowledge and skills to be responsible citizens
   a.  An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
   b.  The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
   c.  A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
   d.  A knowledge of contemporary issues
   e.  A knowledge of the basic content and concepts of the U.S. and Nevada constitutions 

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 23 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.

Computer Engineering Pre-major (CpEPRE) Curriculum - Total Credits: 22

Sciences - Total Credits: 8

  
 
 

Mathematics - Total Credits: 8
  
 

Electrical and Computer Engineering - Total Credits: 3

  

Computer Science - Total Credits: 3
  

Computer Engineering Pre-major (CpEPRE) Extended Curriculum (can be taken as Pre-Major or Advanced Standing students)

Sciences - Total Credits: 4
 
 

Mathematics - Total Credits: 9
  
  or   
 

Electrical and Computer Engineering - Total Credits: 14
 
 
 
 
  
 
   

Department Policies

Regardless of catalog of graduation students must satisfy prerequisite and corequisite course requirements as specified in the current Undergraduate Catalog. All mathematics, science, and computer science courses, and 

  and   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. 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 Senior Design I in their next to last semester before their anticipated date of graduation. Students should register for Senior Design I, in their next-to-last semester.