The Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in computer science and engineering requires a minimum of 128 s.h. of coursework. The major provides technical depth and breadth along with the flexibility for students to customize their programs according to their own goals and interests. Students choose one of several elective focus areas according to the type of job or research they plan to pursue. Many EFAs are available, such as bioinformatics, business, medical imaging, embedded systems, and software engineering; for a complete list, see ECE Elective Focus Areas. Students may also work with their academic advisor to create a customized EFA plan tailored to their goals and interests.
CSE students complete B.S.E. core requirements, including: RHET:1030 Rhetoric; ENGR:1300 Introduction to Engineering Computing; and courses in chemistry, engineering mathematics and fundamentals, and physics. CS:1210 Computer Science I: Fundamentals, is taken in lieu of ENGR:1100 Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving. However, students who complete ENGR:1100 before entering the CSE program may use this this course for elective credit. Students must earn a grade of C-minus or higher in the core requirements MATH:1550 Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus and MATH:1560 Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus.
Students also complete the curriculum designed for their major program, which covers four major stems: mathematics and basic sciences, engineering topics, an elective focus area, and the general education component. For information about the curriculum stems, see Bachelor of Science in Engineering in the Catalog.
Computer Science and Engineering students complete the curriculum listed under Academic Plans. During their second year, they select an elective focus area (EFA) in consultation with their academic advisor. Students typically begin EFA courses in their third year.
Course Work
CSE students must complete 7 core courses; 9 math, science and communication courses; 13 required Computer Science and Engineering program courses; one constrained program elective course; 5 approved elective focus area (EFA) courses; 5 general education courses (GEC); and a two-semester capstone design sequence.
The Computer Science and Engineering major requires the following courses:
Core Computing Courses
| Course Code | Title | Semester | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGR:1300 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | Fall & Spring | 3 |
| CS:1210 | Computer Science I | All | 4 |
| ENGR:2730 | Computers in Engineering | All | 3 |
Core Engineering Courses
| Course Code | Title | Semester | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGR:1000 | Engineering Success for First-Year Students | Fall | 1 |
| ENGR:2110 | Engineering Fundamentals I: Statics | All | 2 |
| ENGR:2120 | Engineering Fundamentals II: Electrical Circuits | All | 3 |
| ENGR:2130 | Engineering Fundamentals III: Thermodynamics | All | 3 |
Math, Science and Communication Courses
| Course Code | Title | Semester | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | All | 4 |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I | All | 4 |
| PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I | All | 4 |
| PHYS:1612 | Introductory Physics II (with laboratory) | Fall & Spring | 4 |
| MATH:1550 | Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus | All | 4 |
| MATH:1560 | Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus | All | 4 |
| MATH:2550 | Engineering Mathematics III: Matrix Algebra | All | 2 |
| MATH:2560 | Engineering Mathematics IV: Differential Equations | All | 3 |
| STAT:2020 | Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences | All | 3 |
Required Program Courses
| Course Code | Title | Semester | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE:2400 | Linear Systems I | Spring | 3 |
| ECE:2410 | Principles of Electronic Instrumentation | Spring | 3 |
| ECE:3000 | Professional Seminar: Electrical Engineering | Fall | 1 |
| ECE:3320 | Introduction to Digital Design | Fall | 3 |
| ECE:3330 | Introduction to Software Design | Fall | 3 |
| ECE:3350 | Computer Architecture and Organization | Spring | 3 |
| ECE:3360 | Embedded Systems and Systems Software | Spring | 3 |
| ECE:3540 | Communications Networks1, 2 | Fall | 3 |
| CS:2210 | Discrete Structures | All | 3 |
| CS:2230 | Computer Science II: Data Structures | All | 4 |
| CS:3330 | Algorithms | All | 3 |
| CS:3820 | Programming Language Concepts | Fall & Spring | 3 |
| CS:3620 | Operating Systems1 | Fall & Spring | 3 |
1 Students graduating before Fall 2017 only need to take one course from ECE:3540, CS:3620 or CS:3640.
2 If taken prior to Fall 2017, CS:3640 may be substituted for ECE:3540
Computer Science Theory Elective
Students must take one theory elective from the following options:
CS: 4330 Theory of Computation
CS: 4350 Logic of Computer Science
CS: 4720 Optimization Techniques
CS: 5340 Limits of Computation
CS: 5360 Randomized Algorithms
CS: 5370 Computational Geometry
CS: 5430 Machine Learning
CS: 5620 Distribution Systems and Algorithms
CS: 5810/ ECE: 5810 Formal Methods in Software Engineering
ECE: 5330 Graph Algorithms
ECE: 5450 Pattern Recognition
ECE: 5520 Information Theory and Coding
ECE: 5995 – when offered as Cryptography ONLY
CS: 5860 Programming Language Foundations
CS: 5870 Lambda Calculus and Applications
Elective Focus Area
Students select an Elective Focus Area (EFA) to personalize their curriculum and to help them prepare for the type of job or research they plan to pursue. Many EFAs are available, such as bioinformatics, business, medical imaging, embedded systems, and software engineering; for a complete list, see ECE Elective Focus Areas. Students may also work with their academic advisor to create a customized EFA plan tailored to their goals and interests.
Students complete five elective focus area courses (15 s.h.), which they choose according to guidelines established by the department.
Students who choose their EFA and GEC courses carefully may be able to earn the Certificate in Sustainability, the Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship, or one of several undergraduate minors offered by the University by taking minimal additional coursework beyond that required for the CSE major.
Click here for a list of approved CS EFA Courses.
General Education Courses
Student are required to take at least 15 semester hours of General Education Component (GEC) course credit, see the General Education Component on the College of Engineering website. The requirements are the following:
- Engineering Be Creative: Complete 3 s.h.
A full list of approved courses can be found on the Engineering Be Creative Course List. - CLAS General Education Course: Complete 3 s.h.
Students must complete 3 s.h. of coursework from one of the approved CLAS GEC categories (listed below).- Interpretation of Literature
- World Languages
- Historical Perspectives
- International and Global Issues
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
- Values, Society, and Diversity
- Social Science
- Complete 9 s.h. of Approved Course Subjects.
Capstone Design Courses
In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in the development and implementation of a significant, original project. The capstone design experience emphasizes teamwork, professionalism, open-ended problem solving, and the ability to work within real-world constraints and engineering standards.
| Course Code | Title | Semester | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECE:4880 | Principles of ECE Design* | Fall & Spring | 3 |
| ECE:4890 | Senior ECE Design** | Fall & Spring | 3 |
* Prerequisites: Senior standing, ENGR:2730 and ENGR:2410
** Prerequisites: ECE:4880 and three of the following courses: CS:2210, ECE:3330, ECE:3350, ECE:3360, CS:3330, or ECE:3540.