Computer Engineering, BS
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (445000BS)
In addition to traditional large computer applications, devices containing some form of embedded computing system are becoming pervasive in our society. Computer engineers design and develop hardware and software for all of these systems, ranging from software applications to communication networks to components in computing systems to small embedded sensors. Branches of computer engineering include operating systems, embedded systems design, digital circuits, algorithms, software design, and computer architecture among others. Important applications include wired and wireless networks, simulation, automation, digital control, sensing, robotics, “apps,” data management, and many others.
The BS in Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. Our comprehensive curriculum prepares students to identify, formulate, and implement solutions to real-world problems. Students learn how to use modern engineering tools in well-equipped laboratories, with activities that reinforce the concepts learned in the classroom. The curriculum emphasizes design and teamwork, and culminates in a capstone senior design project that integrates the material learned in earlier courses.
The program educational objectives (PEOs) for the Computer Engineering program are that, within a few years after graduation, our Computer Engineering graduates:
- achieve competitively compensated computer engineering positions or related professional positions, or entry into programs of advanced study
- prove to be highly competent and productive in computer engineering or related practice
- continue to develop professionally through both practical experience and a lifelong commitment to learning
- exhibit high standards of ethical conduct, societal responsibility, and professionalism in engineering
The Computer Engineering program has specified these student outcomes to be achieved by the time of graduation:
(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
(2) 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
(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
(4) 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
(5) 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
(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering can be combined with the Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science certificate, for a nominal five-year plan of study that includes four total years of coursework and one full year of relevant work experience. Alternatively, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering can be earned without the certificate, with a nominal four-year plan of study.
Requirements for Admission
All students who meet the minimum requirements for admittance into The University of Akron and intend to major in engineering or engineering technology are accepted into the College of Engineering and Polymer Science and welcome to begin study towards their intended major. Students must show success in key classes early in the program curriculum before they gain approval to take classes in the third year of the curriculum and beyond.
The following information has official approval of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and The College of Engineering and Polymer Science, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Requirements
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements * | 24 | |
| Program-Specific General Education | 12 | |
| Mathematics and Natural Science | 21-23 | |
| Computer Science | 8 | |
| Electrical Engineering | 15 | |
| Computer Engineering | 22 | |
| Capstone Design Project | 6 | |
| Computer Engineering Electives | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 123-125 | |
- *
Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 36 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to multiple requirements.
General Education Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
| Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
| Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
| Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
General Education
Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 34 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to both.
Program-Specific General Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | 4 |
| PHYS 291 | Elementary Classical Physics I | 4 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Mathematics and Natural Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 208 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| MATH 222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 292 | Elementary Classical Physics II | 4 |
| STAT 401 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 2-4 |
| or STAT 461 | Applied Statistics | |
| Total Hours | 21-23 | |
Computer Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPSC 209 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| CPSC 210 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| Total Hours | 8 | |
Electrical Engineering
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ELEN 230 | Circuits I Laboratory | 1 |
| ELEN 231 | Circuits I | 3 |
| ELEN 330 | Circuits II Laboratory | 1 |
| ELEN 332 | Circuits II | 3 |
| ELEN 340 | Signals & Systems | 4 |
| ELEN 360 | Physical Electronics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Computer Engineering
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPEN 101 | Tools for Computer Engineering | 3 |
| CPEN 320 | Computer Systems | 3 |
| CPEN 325 | Operating Systems Concepts | 3 |
| or CPSC 426 | Operating Systems | |
| CPEN 221 | Digital Logic Design | 3 |
| CPEN 222 | Digital Logic Design Laboratory | 1 |
| CPEN 420 | Computer Systems Design | 3 |
| CPEN 422 | Embedded Systems Interfacing | 3 |
| CPEN 427 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Capstone Design Project
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CPEN 309 | Design Project Seminar - Computer Engineering | 1 |
| CPEN 401 | Senior Design Project I - Computer Engineering | 2 |
| CPEN 402 | Senior Design Project II - Computer Engineering | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Computer Engineering Electives
Select 15 credits from the lists below to satisfy the three requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 15 credits | 15 | |
| 1. ELEN/CPEN Credit Requirement | ||
| Of the 15 Computer Engineering Elective credits, at least nine credits must be from the ELEN or CPEN subject areas. | ||
| 2. Breadth Requirement | ||
| The Computer Engineering Electives must include at least three credits each from three of the four Computer Engineering Areas of Specialization | ||
| 3. Depth Requirement | ||
| The Computer Engineering Electives must include at least six credits from a single Computer Engineering Area of Specialization | ||
| Computer Engineering Areas of Specialization | ||
| Analog and Digital Hardware Area | ||
| CPEN 462 | Analog Integrated Circuit Design | |
| CPEN 465 | Programmable Logic | |
| CPEN 367 | ||
| CPEN 466 | VLSI Design | |
| CPEN 467 | VLSI Circuits & Systems | |
| ELEN 361 | Electronic Design | |
| ELEN 362 | Electronic Design | |
| ELEN 434 | Active Circuits | |
| Communications and Signal Processing Area | ||
| CPEN 440 | Digital Signal Processing | |
| ELEN 341 | Introduction to Communication Systems | |
| ELEN 441 | Digital Communication | |
| ELEN 445 | Wireless Communications | |
| ELEN 451 | Electromagnetic Compatibility | |
| Numerical Computation Area | ||
| CPEN 410 | Embedded Scientific Computing | |
| CPEN 415 | System Simulation | |
| MATH 427 | Applied Numerical Methods I | |
| MATH 428 | Applied Numerical Methods II | |
| Software and Algorithms Area | ||
| CPSC 307 | Internet Systems Programming | |
| CPSC 316 | Data Structures | |
| CPSC 421 | Object-Oriented Programming | |
| CPSC 435 | Algorithms | |
| CPSC 436 | Applied Machine Learning | |
| CPSC 440 | Compiler Design | |
| CPSC 453 | Computer Security | |
| CPSC 457 | Computer Graphics | |
| CPSC 460 | Artificial Intelligence & Heuristic Programming | |
| CPSC 475 | Database Management | |
| CPSC 477 | Introduction to Parallel Processing | |
| Open Electives | ||
After the Breadth and Depth Requirements are met, the remaining elective credits may be chosen from any of the Computer Engineering Areas of Specialization or from this list of Open Electives. | ||
| CPEN 301 | Undergraduate Research I: Computer Engineering | |
| CPEN 302 | Undergraduate Research II: Computer Engineering | |
| CPEN 498 | Special Topics: Computer Engineering | |
| ELEN 350 | Engineering Electromagnetics | |
| ELEN 370 | Control Systems I | |
| ELEN 371 | Control Systems I | |
| ELEN 380 | Energy Conversion | |
| ELEN 381 | Energy Conversion | |
| ELEN 447 | Random Signals | |
| ELEN 448 | Optical Communication Networks | |
| ELEN 453 | Antenna Theory | |
| ELEN 455 | Microwaves | |
| ELEN 461 | Optical Electronics & Photonic Devices | |
| ELEN 469 | Introduction to Sensors and Actuators | |
| ELEN 472 | Control Systems II | |
| ELEN 481 | Modern Power Systems | |
| ELEN 483 | Power Electronics I | |
| ELEN 485 | Electric Motor Drives | |
| ELEN 486 | Dynamics of Electric Machines | |
| ELEN 487 | Electromagnetic Design of Electric Machines | |
| ELEN 488 | Control of Machines | |
| ELEN 489 | Electric and Hybrid Vehicles | |
| ELEN 498 | Special Topics: Electrical Engineering | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Recommended 5-year Sequence with Cooperative Education Certificate
This plan of study shows the recommended schedule for students who are also earning the "Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science" certificate. Together, the Bachelor of Science and the certificate require a five-year plan of study. The program recommends that students earn this certificate.
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CPEN 101 | Tools for Computer Engineering | 3 |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPEN 221 | Digital Logic Design | 3 |
| CPEN 222 | Digital Logic Design Laboratory | 1 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II 1,2 | 3 |
| MATH 222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 291 | Elementary Classical Physics I 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CPSC 209 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| ELEN 230 | Circuits I Laboratory | 1 |
| ELEN 231 | Circuits I | 3 |
| MATH 223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 292 | Elementary Classical Physics II | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPEN 320 | Computer Systems | 3 |
| ELEN 330 | Circuits II Laboratory | 1 |
| ELEN 332 | Circuits II | 3 |
| MATH 208 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| MATH 335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| GNEN 300 | Cooperative Education Work Period (possible) | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CPEN 422 | Embedded Systems Interfacing | 3 |
| CPSC 210 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| ELEN 360 | Physical Electronics | 3 |
| Speaking Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Undergraduate Research I: Computer Engineering (Optional) 4 | ||
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GNEN 301 | Cooperative Education Work Period I (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| STAT 401 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 2 |
| Humanities Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Arts Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Undergraduate Research II: Computer Engineering (Optional) 4 | ||
| Hours | 8 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GNEN 302 | Cooperative Education Work Period II (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPEN 309 | Design Project Seminar - Computer Engineering | 1 |
| CPEN 420 | Computer Systems Design | 3 |
| CPSC 426 or CPEN 325 | Operating Systems or Operating Systems Concepts | 3 |
| ELEN 340 | Signals & Systems | 4 |
| Social Science Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| GNEN 403 | Cooperative Education Work Period III (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| 5th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CPEN 401 | Senior Design Project I - Computer Engineering | 2 |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement 3,6 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPEN 402 | Senior Design Project II - Computer Engineering | 3 |
| CPEN 427 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement 3,7 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 123 | |
- 1
Honors sections may be available; honors students should check the schedule of classes.
- 2
Check General Education Program or Honors Distribution to find courses that satisfy the Writing Second Course requirement. ENGL 112 is preferred, but ENGL 222 Technical Report Writing is accepted to fulfill the English composition elective.
- 3
Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students). Honors students must also ensure that their course selections meet additional requirements not shown on this curriculum guide.
- 4
Up to three credits of undergraduate research in Computer Engineering may be applied to program requirements as Computer Engineering Electives. Students may take at most one undergraduate research course in a semester.
- 5
Computer Engineering Electives must be chosen to meet Breadth, Depth, and ELEN/CPEN Credit requirements.
- 6
Students should choose a class that also meets the Domestic Diversity requirement.
- 7
Students should choose a class that also meets the Global Diversity requirement.
Recommended 4-year Sequence
If a student chooses not to earn the Cooperative Education certificate, the following four-year plan of study is used. Students wishing to gain some work experience have the option of working with the Cooperative Education and Placement Office to seek placement in summer internships and / or summer cooperative education work terms.
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CPEN 101 | Tools for Computer Engineering | 3 |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Speaking Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPEN 221 | Digital Logic Design | 3 |
| CPEN 222 | Digital Logic Design Laboratory | 1 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II 1,2 | 3 |
| MATH 222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 291 | Elementary Classical Physics I 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CPSC 209 | Computer Science I | 4 |
| ELEN 230 | Circuits I Laboratory | 1 |
| ELEN 231 | Circuits I | 3 |
| MATH 223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 292 | Elementary Classical Physics II 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPEN 320 | Computer Systems | 3 |
| ELEN 330 | Circuits II Laboratory | 1 |
| ELEN 332 | Circuits II | 3 |
| MATH 208 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| MATH 335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Social Science Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CPEN 422 | Embedded Systems Interfacing | 3 |
| CPSC 210 | Computer Science II | 4 |
| ELEN 360 | Physical Electronics | 3 |
| STAT 401 or STAT 461 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers or Applied Statistics | 2 |
| Arts Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Undergraduate Research I: Computer Engineering (Optional) 4 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPEN 309 | Design Project Seminar - Computer Engineering | 1 |
| CPEN 420 | Computer Systems Design | 3 |
| CPSC 426 or CPEN 325 | Operating Systems or Operating Systems Concepts | 3 |
| ELEN 340 | Signals & Systems | 4 |
| Humanities Requirement 3 | 3 | |
| Undergraduate Research II: Computer Engineering (Optional) 4 | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CPEN 401 | Senior Design Project I - Computer Engineering | 2 |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement 3,6 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CPEN 402 | Senior Design Project II - Computer Engineering | 3 |
| CPEN 427 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Computer Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement 3,7 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 123 | |
- 1
Honors sections may be available; honors students should check the schedule of classes.
- 2
Check General Education Program or Honors Distribution to find courses that satisfy the Writing Second Course requirement. ENGL 112 is preferred, but ENGL 222 Technical Report Writing is accepted to fulfill the English composition elective.
- 3
Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students). Honors students must also ensure that their course selections meet additional requirements not shown on this curriculum guide.
- 4
Up to three credits of undergraduate research in Computer Engineering may be applied to program requirements as Computer Engineering Electives. Students may take at most one undergraduate research course in a semester.
- 5
Computer Engineering Electives must be chosen to meet Breadth, Depth, and ELEN/CPEN Credit requirements.
- 6
Students should choose a class that also meets the Domestic Diversity requirement.
- 7
Students should choose a class that also meets the Global Diversity requirement.