Computer Engineering, BS

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering without Co-op (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 Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.  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 (DPR) 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

General Education Requirements *24
Natural Science12
Mathematics and Statistics21-23
Computer Science8
Electrical Engineering15
Computer Engineering28
Capstone Design Project7
Computer Engineering Electives 18
Total Hours133-135
*

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

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 Foundations12
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 Learning2
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 Hours36

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.

Natural Science

CHEM:151Principles of Chemistry I3
CHEM:152Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory1
PHYS:291Elementary Classical Physics I4
PHYS:292Elementary Classical Physics II4
Total Hours12

Mathematics and Statistics

MATH:208Introduction to Discrete Mathematics4
MATH:221Analytic Geometry-Calculus I4
MATH:222Analytic Geometry-Calculus II4
MATH:223Analytic Geometry-Calculus III4
MATH:335Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations3
STAT:401Probability and Statistics for Engineers2-4
or STAT:461 Applied Statistics
Total Hours21-23

Computer Science

CPSC:209Computer Science I4
CPSC:210Computer Science II4
Total Hours8

Electrical Engineering

ELEN:230Circuits I Laboratory1
ELEN:231Circuits I3
ELEN:330Circuits II Laboratory1
ELEN:332Circuits II3
ELEN:340Signals & Systems4
ELEN:360Physical Electronics3
Total Hours15

Computer Engineering

CPEN:101Tools for Computer Engineering3
CPEN:320Computer Systems3
CPEN:325Operating Systems Concepts3
or CPSC:426 Operating Systems
CPEN:221Digital Logic Design3
CPEN:222Digital Logic Design Laboratory1
CPEN:367VLSI Design3
CPEN:420Computer Systems Design3
CPEN:422Embedded Systems Interfacing3
CPEN:427Computer Networks3
CPEN:440Digital Signal Processing3
Total Hours28

Capstone Design Project

CPEN:309Design Project Seminar - Computer Engineering1
CPEN:401Senior Design Project I - Computer Engineering3
CPEN:402Senior Design Project II - Computer Engineering3
Total Hours7

Computer Engineering Electives

Select 18 credits from the following list, according to departmental Breadth and Depth requirements, and with at least 9 credits from the ELEN or CPEN subject areas:18
CPEN:301Undergraduate Research I: Computer Engineering
CPEN:302Undergraduate Research II: Computer Engineering
CPEN:303Undergraduate Research III: Computer Engineering
CPEN:410Embedded Scientific Computing
CPEN:415System Simulation
CPEN:462Analog Integrated Circuit Design
CPEN:465Programmable Logic
CPEN:467VLSI Circuits & Systems
CPEN:498Special Topics: Computer Engineering
ELEN:341Introduction to Communication Systems
ELEN:350Engineering Electromagnetics
ELEN:361Electronic Design
ELEN:371Control Systems I
ELEN:381Energy Conversion
ELEN:434Active Circuits
ELEN:441Digital Communication
ELEN:445Wireless Communications
ELEN:447Random Signals
ELEN:448Optical Communication Networks
ELEN:451Electromagnetic Compatibility
ELEN:453Antenna Theory
ELEN:455Microwaves
ELEN:461Optical Electronics & Photonic Devices
ELEN:469Introduction to Sensors and Actuators
ELEN:472Control Systems II
ELEN:481Modern Power Systems
ELEN:483Power Electronics I
ELEN:485Electric Motor Drives
ELEN:486Dynamics of Electric Machines
ELEN:487Electromagnetic Design of Electric Machines
ELEN:488Control of Machines
ELEN:489Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
MATH:427Applied Numerical Methods I
MATH:428Applied Numerical Methods II
CPSC:307Internet Systems Programming
CPSC:316Data Structures
CPSC:421Object-Oriented Programming
CPSC:435Algorithms
CPSC:436Applied Machine Learning
CPSC:440Compiler Design
CPSC:453Computer Security
CPSC:457Computer Graphics
CPSC:460Artificial Intelligence & Heuristic Programming
CPSC:475Database Management
CPSC:477Introduction to Parallel Processing
Total Hours18

Recommended Sequence with Cooperative Education

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 certificate require a five-year plan of study.  The program recommends that students earn this certificate. 

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
CHEM:151 Principles of Chemistry I 1 3
CHEM:152 Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 1
ENGL:111 English Composition I 1 3
MATH:221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 4
CPEN:101 Tools for Computer Engineering 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
ENGL:112 English Composition II 1,2 3
MATH:208 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics 4
MATH:222 Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 4
PHYS:291 Elementary Classical Physics I 1 4
CPEN:221 Digital Logic Design 3
CPEN:222 Digital Logic Design Laboratory 1
 Hours19
2nd Year
Fall Semester
CPSC:209 Computer Science I 4
MATH:223 Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 4
PHYS:292 Elementary Classical Physics II 4
ELEN:230 Circuits I Laboratory 1
ELEN:231 Circuits I 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
 Hours19
Spring Semester
CPSC:210 Computer Science II 4
MATH:335 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
ELEN:330 Circuits II Laboratory 1
ELEN:332 Circuits II 3
CPEN:320 Computer Systems 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3
 Hours17
Summer Semester
GNEN:300 Cooperative Education Work Period (possible) 0
 Hours0
3rd Year
Fall Semester
ELEN:340 Signals & Systems 4
ELEN:360 Physical Electronics 3
CPEN:325
Operating Systems Concepts
or Operating Systems
3
CPEN:422 Embedded Systems Interfacing 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
Undergraduate Research I: Computer Engineering (Optional)
 Hours16
Spring Semester
GNEN:301 Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) 0
 Hours0
Summer Semester
STAT:401 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 2
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
Undergraduate Research II: Computer Engineering (Optional)
 Hours5
4th Year
Fall Semester
GNEN:302 Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) 0
 Hours0
Spring Semester
CPEN:309 Design Project Seminar - Computer Engineering 1
CPEN:367 VLSI Design 3
CPEN:420 Computer Systems Design 3
CPEN:427 Computer Networks 3
CPEN:440 Digital Signal Processing 3
Undergraduate Research III: Computer Engineering (Optional)
 Hours13
Summer Semester
GNEN:403 Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) 0
 Hours0
5th Year
Fall Semester
CPEN:401 Senior Design Project I - Computer Engineering 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CPEN:402 Senior Design Project II - Computer Engineering 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours133
 
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. While ENGL:112 is preferred, 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

Computer Engineering Electives must be chosen to meet Breadth and Depth requirements.  See Electrical and Computer Engineering Departmental Office for Approved Computer Engineering Electives (including Breadth and Depth requirements).

5

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 credit of undergraduate research in a semester.

Recommended Schedule without Cooperative Education

If a student chooses not to earn the Cooperative Education certificate, the following four-year plan of study is used.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
CHEM:151 Principles of Chemistry I 1 3
CHEM:152 Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 1
ENGL:111 English Composition I 1 3
MATH:221 Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 4
CPEN:101 Tools for Computer Engineering 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
ENGL:112 English Composition II 1,2 3
MATH:208 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics 4
MATH:222 Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 4
PHYS:291 Elementary Classical Physics I 1 4
CPEN:221 Digital Logic Design 3
CPEN:222 Digital Logic Design Laboratory 1
 Hours19
2nd Year
Fall Semester
CPSC:209 Computer Science I 4
MATH:223 Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 1 4
PHYS:292 Elementary Classical Physics II 1 4
ELEN:230 Circuits I Laboratory 1
ELEN:231 Circuits I 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
 Hours19
Spring Semester
CPSC:210 Computer Science II 4
MATH:335 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations 3
ELEN:330 Circuits II Laboratory 1
ELEN:332 Circuits II 3
CPEN:320 Computer Systems 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
 Hours17
3rd Year
Fall Semester
ELEN:340 Signals & Systems 4
ELEN:360 Physical Electronics 3
CPEN:325
Operating Systems Concepts
or Operating Systems
3
CPEN:422 Embedded Systems Interfacing 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
Undergraduate Research I: Computer Engineering (Optional)
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CPEN:309 Design Project Seminar - Computer Engineering 1
CPEN:367 VLSI Design 3
CPEN:420 Computer Systems Design 3
CPEN:427 Computer Networks 3
CPEN:440 Digital Signal Processing 3
Undergraduate Research II: Computer Engineering (Optional)
 Hours13
Summer Semester
STAT:401 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 2
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
Undergraduate Research III: Computer Engineering (Optional)
 Hours5
4th Year
Fall Semester
CPEN:401 Senior Design Project I - Computer Engineering 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CPEN:402 Senior Design Project II - Computer Engineering 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
Computer Engineering Elective 4 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours133
 
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. While ENGL:112 is preferred, 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

Computer Engineering Electives must be chosen to meet Breadth and Depth requirements.  See Electrical and Computer Engineering Departmental Office for Approved Computer Engineering Electives (including Breadth and Depth requirements).

5

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 credit of undergraduate research in a semester.