Program Description

The Computer Engineering Program encompasses studies of hardware, software, and systems questions that arise in the design, development, and application of computers. The primary goal of the program is to provide students with a solid education in the engineering of computer systems. This includes an understanding of both hardware and software issues, as well as their interactions. Computer Engineers must have a knowledge of hardware systems (e.g., electrical networks, electronics, and VLSI); a knowledge of software systems (e.g., algorithms, data structures, and digital logic, switching theory, computer architectural and performance analysis). Students graduating with the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering will beable to understand the technical issues, evaluate the trade-offs, and optimize the design of computer systems taking into consideration the capabilities of both the hardware and software. Students obtaining a Master of Science in Computer Engineering will have deeper understanding of these issues and hardware/software trade offs and will be prepared to pursue a Ph.D. degree or enter industry at a more advanced level.

Training is provided through a variety of courses in computer science and electrical engineering; through involvement in complete system development projects; and through close association with computer laboratories in the Research Group in Telecommunications, Computer and Communications Research Center, the Applied Research Laboratory, and the Electronic Systems and Signals Research Laboratory. Facilities include many Sun and Intel computers and workstations, parallel computers, numerous microprocessors, a variety of image-processing equipment, tools for VLSI design and digital systems fabrication, and extensive hardware and software capabilities for the development of special-purpose computers and the evaluation of new computer architectures.

The Computer Engineering Program is intended for well-qualified, highly- motivated students who desire to study across the spectrum of both computer hardware and software. Undergraduate students who complete this program of study receive the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. As an option, these students may choose to pursue a double major by satisfying the degree requirements of the Department of Computer Science or Electrical Engineering, in addition to the degree requirements of the Computer Engineering Program.

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