B.S. Computer Engineering
Our computer engineers are changing the way we interact with the world from computer circuitry, robotics, and innovative software coding. Our faculty have been highlighted in many news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Wired,CNET, IEEE Spectrum, Gizmag, Popular Science, and the MIT News Office. They also have been featured on television such as CNN, The Discovery Channel, FOX News, and KSL, as well as Scientific Reports.
What Makes Us Unique?
- Most affordable Pac-12 institution. Cost of attendance>>
- On top of the College of Engineering scholarships, we award nearly 50 individuals scholarships each year totaling over $200,000!
- Our faculty to undergraduate student ratio is 1:8
- Earn an additional Certificate in Engineering Entrepreneurship
- The number of ECE faculty has more than doubled in the past 15 years.
- Nearly 100% of Ph.D. candidates get research funding & financial assistance
- We fund many master’s students.
- USTAR funded a $150 Million research center on campus as well as seven new outstanding junior and senior faculty members in the ECE department. USTAR collaborates with the University of Utah to create world-class research teams in strategic areas in engineering.
Our Grads Earn Top Dollar
| Degree at the U | Our Graduates | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $87,700 | $73,800 |
| Electrical Engineering | $75,300 | $67,000 |
| Materials Science & Engineering | $70,000 | $68,600 |
| Chemical Engineering | $65,000 | $68,000 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $62,400 | $62,400 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,000 | $64,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $56,000 | $59,200 |
| * Data taken from careers.utah.edu and US Dept of Labor | ||
Who Hires Our Graduates?
COMPUTER ENGINEERS
- EMC
- L-3 Communications
- Microsoft
- Sandia National Labs
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
- General Motors
- IM Flash
- L-3 Communication Systems
- Micron
- Qualcomm
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
- Raytheon
- Rocky Mountain Power
- Skull Candy
- U. S. Airforce
- Verizon Wireless
Our Electrical and Computer Engineers don’t just end up at tech companies though! Many of our graduates are seeking promising careers at Overstock.com, MattressFirm, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and even the United States Department of Defense.
ADMISSIONS
DIRECT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Incoming freshmen meeting the following criteria can be directly admitted to the EE or CE major:
- High School GPA of 3.6 or higher; AND
- Math ACT Score of at least 28 – OR – SAT Math Score of at least 630. Students must be ready to enroll in Calculus I (MATH 1210 or MATH 1310)
Students meeting the above criteria should designate their major as Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering during the online application process. All other students should use the pre-major path described below.
INDIRECT ADMISSION AND THE PRE-MAJOR PROCESS
Students can also become a Computer Engineering major through a pre-major process or the “traditional” process.
- Students should meet with an advisor to declare a “Pre-Computer Engineering” designation. Pre-majors will be eligible to enroll in all of the courses required to apply for major status.
- Once the pre-major courses listed below have been completed, you may then apply for major status.
The Academic Advisor reviews major status applications once at the end of each semester. You will not be able to register for any further ECE or CS classes until your application has been approved.
Here are some links to other directories that may help you find who you are looking for:
CE CURRICULUM
| General Education | ||
|---|---|---|
| American Institutions | 4.0cr | |
| Fine Arts I | 3.0cr | |
| Fine Arts II | 3.0cr | |
| LEAP 1500 | Humanities I | 3.0cr |
| Humanities II | 3.0cr | |
| LEAP 1501 | Behavioral Science I | 3.0cr |
| Behavioral Science II | 3.0cr | |
| Diversity Requirement | 3.0cr | |
| International Requirement | 3.0cr | |
| ECE 3030 | Comm & Writing | 3.0cr |
| Premajor Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| ECE 1250 | ECE Design | 4.0cr |
| MATH 1310 | Calculus I | 4.0cr |
| MATH 1320 | Calculus II | 4.0cr |
| PHYS 2210 | Physics for Engineers I | 4.0cr |
| CS 1410 | Object-oriented Programming | 4.0cr |
| CS 2420 | Data Structures | 4.0cr |
| WRTG 2010 | Intermediate Writing | 3.0cr |
| The Core | ||
|---|---|---|
| LEAP 1501 | Ethics for Engineers | 4.0cr |
| ECE 1900 | Freshman Seminar | 1.0cr |
| ECE 2240 | Circuits | 4.0cr |
| ECE 2280 | Electronics Fundamentals I | 4.0cr |
| CS 3500 | Software Practice I | 4.0cr |
| CS 4400 | Computer Systems | 4.0cr |
| CS/ECE 3700 | Digital System Design | 4.0cr |
| CS/ECE 3710 | Computer Design Lab | 3.0cr |
| CS/ECE 5780 | Embedded Systems Design | 4.0cr |
| CS/ECE 3810 | Computer Organization | 4.0cr |
| CS/ECE 3991 | Junior Seminar | 1.0cr |
| CS/ECE 3992 | Pre-thesis / Pre-clinic | 3.0cr |
| Additional Math/Science | ||
|---|---|---|
| CS 2100 | Discrete Structures | 3.0cr |
| MATH 2250 | Differential Equations & Linear Algebra | 4.0cr |
| PHYS 2220 | Physics for Engineers II | 4.0cr |
| ECE 3530 | Probability & Statistics | 3.0cr |
| Choose one additional class from the list below. If you did not complete the Engineering Calculus sequence, then you must take MATH 2210. | ||
| MATH 2210 | Calculus III | 3.0cr |
| MATH 3140 | Partial Differential Equations for Engineers | 4.0cr |
| MATH 5600 | Survey of Num Analysis | 4.0cr |
| CS 3200 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 3.0cr |
| PHYS 3740 | Quantum, Theory | 3.0cr |
| CHEM 1210 | General Chemistry | 4.0cr |
| BIOL 1210 | General Biology | 4.0cr |
| Capstone Experience: Choose 1 option | ||
|---|---|---|
| CS/ECE 4710 | Senior Project | 3.0cr |
| or | ||
| CS/ECE 4991 | Senior Thesis I | 2.0cr |
| CS/ECE 4992 | Senior Thesis II | 3.0cr |
| or | ||
| ECE 4900 | Senior Clinic I | 2.0cr |
| ECE 4910 | Senior Clinic II | 3.0cr |
| Advanced Technical Electives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Complete an additional 18 hours from ECE/CS 3000+ | ||
FAQ
WHERE DO OUR STUDENTS END UP?
Our graduate end up all over the place. More recently, we have seen our graduates take jobs in Utah, Texas, California, New Mexico, Arkansas, New York, Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma
HOW MUCH DO OUR GRADUATES GET PAID?
Average starting salaries are approximately $67,000-$70,000 per year.
WHERE DO OUR STUDENTS GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL?
Aside from our BS/MS program here at the U, our students have successfully enrolled at Cornell University, MIT, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Stanford University, University of Washington, and UT Austin among many others!
HANDBOOK
You are responsible for fulfilling the requirements of the program outlined in the catalog for the year in which you were admitted to the major. This year will be noted in your letter of admission to the major.
CURRENT YEAR: 2018-19 CATALOG
Sample plans, degree checklists, and lists of technical electives can be found on our Advising site.
PREVIOUS YEARS
OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Graduates of the Computer Engineering programs are expected to:
- Be competent and productive in the practice of modern Computer Engineering
- Engage in careers that provide opportunities for growth and leadership
- Keep informed of new technological developments and contribute to the expansion of engineering knowledge
The Department surveys alumni to evaluate how well the educational objectives are achieved. The BSCE has been designed so that specific outcomes are attained in support of these objectives.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
The Computer Engineering curriculum provides the students with the knowledge of probability and statistics, mathematics through differential and integral calculus, linear algebra and complex variables, basic sciences, computer science, and engineering sciences necessary to analyze and design complex electrical and electronic devices, software, and systems containing hardware and software components. To ensure that the graduates of the program consistently accomplish the objectives described above, the curriculum has been designed so that the students demonstrate the following outcomes by the time they graduate:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- 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
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- 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
- 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
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.