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Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Computer engineers are responsible for developing the powerful computer systems that have become a part of our everyday life. Applications for computer engineering span the spectrum from high performance general purpose computing systems such as desktop workstations used in all facets of business, to small microprocessors embedded in larger systems and functioning as controllers. These latter applications, known as embedded systems, can be found in control systems for trains, aircraft and automobiles; medical equipment; telecommunications systems; and consumer electronics and appliances. This explosive growth of computer systems in use in almost every new appliance or vehicle has resulted in a strong demand for engineers trained in the development of these systems, and all indications are that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future.

Core curriculum
Technical electives and Capstone Project
Internship
Program options

Core curriculum

Freshman year, fall semester
Credits
CHEM 101 General Chemistry
3
CHEZ/FRSZ 101L General Chemistry Laboratory I
1
EGRE 101 Introduction to Engineering
3
MATH 200 Calculus with Analytic Geometry
4
UNIV 111 Focused Inquiry
3
 
 
14
 
Freshman year, spring semester
EGRE 150 Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
4
MATH 201 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
4
PHYS 207 University Physics I
5
UNIV 112 Focused Inquiry II
3
 
 
16
 
Sophomore year, fall semester
CMSC 245 Introduction to Programming Using C++
3
EGRE 206 Electric Circuits
4
MATH 301 Differential Equations
3
PHYS 208 University Physics II
5
Tier II core research and academic writing course*
3
 
 
18
 
Sophomore year, spring semester
CMSC 246 Advanced Programming Using C++
3
EGRE 224 Introduction to Microelectronics
4
EGRE 254 Digital Logic Design
3
EGRE 335 Signals and Systems I
4
MATH 211 Mathematical Structures
3
 
 
17
 
Junior year, fall semester
CMSC 355 Program Design and Implementation Practicum
3
EGRE 337 Signals and Systems II
3
EGRE 364 Microcomputer Systems
4
EGRE 365 Digital Systems
3
Humanities elective**
3
 
 
16
 
Junior year, spring semester
CMSC 312 Introduction to Operating Systems
3
CMSC 420 Software Engineering Practicum
3
ECON 205 The Economics of Product Development and Markets
3
Social science elective**
3
Technical elective^
3
 
 
15
 
Summer between junior and senior year: internship
 
Senior year, fall semester
EGRE 426 Computer Organization and Design
3
ENGR 402 Senior Design Studio I
1
ENGR 410 Review of Internship
1
SPCH 321 Speech for Business and the Professions or MGMT 325 Organizational Communications
3
Science elective**
3
Technical electives^
6
 
 
17
 
Senior year, spring semester
EGRE 427 Advanced Digital Design
4
ENGR 403 Senior Design Studio II
1
Ethics elective***
3
Free elective°
3
Technical electives^
6
 
 
17
 
Total credits
130
(Six general education electives are required.)  
   
* ENGL 200 or equivalent
** From university-approved core lists.
*** PHIL 201 or RELS 340
^ Refer to departmental lists for approved technical electives
° By careful choice of free and technical electives, students could obtain minors in math, physics, computer science, business or other disciplines.

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Technical electives (18 credits) and Capstone Project (four credits)

Students must select at least two technical electives from a single Group I category, one technical elective from a second Group I category and one technical elective from a Group II category. All other technical electives must be selected from the approved ECE technical electives list.

Group I

Computer Science I
CMSC 301 Introduction to Discrete Structures
CMSC 401 Algorithm Analysis with Advanced Data Structures
CMSC 403 Programming Languages
CMSC 502 Parallel Programming
CMSC 504 Compiler Construction
CMSC 508 Database Theory
CMSC 509 Artificial Intelligence
CMSC 511 Computer Graphics

Communications and Signal Processing
EGRE 336 Introduction to Communication Systems
EGRE 444 Communication Systems
EGRE 535 Digital Signal Processing

Integrated Circuits
EGRE 307 Integrated Circuits
EGRE 533 VLSI Design

Group II

Controls and Robotics
EGRE 455 Control Systems Design
ENGR 427 Robotics
ENGR 454 Automatic Controls

Microelectronics
ENGR 334 Introduction to Microelectronic Fabrication
EGRE 435 Semiconductor Processes
EGRE 436 Advanced Semiconductor Fabrication

Mechanical Engineering
ENGR 301 Fluid Mechanics
ENGR 305 Sensors/Measurements
ENGR 315 Process and Systems Dynamics
EGRM 420 CAE Design

Physics
PHYS 301 Classical Mechanics I
PHYS 302 Classical Mechanics II
PHYS 320 Modern Physics
PHYZ 320L Modern Physics Laboratory
PHYS 380 Quantum Physics I

Mathematics
MATH 307 Multivariate Calculus
MATH 310 Linear Algebra
MATH 327 Mathematical Modeling
MATH 351 Applied Abstract Algebra
MATH 437 Applied Partial Differential Equations
MATH 501 Introduction to Abstract Algebra
MATH 505 Modern Geometry
MATH 511 Applied Linear Algebra
MATH 512 Complex Analysis for Applications
MATH 515 Numerical Analysis I
MATH 520 Game Theory and Linear Programming

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Internship

The summer between the junior and senior years is devoted to a full-time university, industrial manufacturing floor or industrial research laboratory internship. This summer experience is intended to be intense and to have a major component of “hands-on” practice of engineering, which will bring the life of “real-world” engineering practice to the classroom.

Program options

Students in the electrical or computer engineering program concentrations may elect a pre-medicine or pre-dentistry option. This option may, however, require more than 130 credit hours in order to fulfill the requirements for both the baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering and those of the option listed below.

Pre-medicine/dentistry
Credits
BIOL 151 and 152 Introduction to Biological Science
3, 3
BIOZ 151L and 152L Introduction to Biological Science Laboratory I and II
1, 1
BIOL/PHIS 206 Human Physiology
3
BIOL 218 Cell Biology
3
CHEM 102 General Chemistry
4
CHEZ/FRSZ 102L General Chemistry Laboratory II
1
CHEM 301-302 Organic Chemistry
3-3
CHEZ 301L Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
2

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Richmond, Virginia
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Last update: 5/27/2009

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