Computer Engineering

major

Computer Engineering (CpE) is a discipline that embodies the science and technology of design, construction, implementation, and maintenance of software and hardware components of computing systems and computer-controlled equipment. Studies in computer engineering integrate fields from both computer science (CS) and electrical engineering (EE).

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

Electrical engineers study electricity and design electrical systems that solve problems—how to make your smartphones smarter; how to make your refrigerator run more efficiently; coming up with the optimal temperature to heat pizza in your microwave; designing the audio and visual technology that brings movies to life.
Website

CONTACT

352.392.9758 (tel) | 352.294.0911 (fax)

P.O. Box 116200
968 Center Drive
216 LARSEN HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-6200
Map

 Curriculum

Computer Engineering (CpE) brings a core competency and unique value of integrated knowledge in both computer software and hardware, providing a balance among computer systems, hardware, and software as well as theory and applications. Specialization in computer engineering is provided via technical electives from the Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering (www.cise.ufl.edu) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (www.ece.ufl.edu).

Via elected coursework, students specialize in knowledge areas such as computer architecture, computer system engineering, digital signal processing, embedded systems, intelligent systems, networking and communication, and security. Additionally, cooperative education opportunities help students develop a broader understanding of the industrial applications of computer engineering technologies. Graduates will be prepared to engage in graduate studies in computer engineering or to pursue career paths in many different areas of computing and its applications in high technology environments.

Program Education Objectives

Graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering will:

  1. Advance in careers utilizing their education in computer engineering;
  2. Continue to enhance their knowledge through graduate or professional studies, self-learning, and on-job training;
  3. Become leaders in multidisciplinary and diverse professional environments.

Mission

  • To educate undergraduate majors as well as the broader campus community in the fundamental concepts of the computing discipline
  • To create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology
  • To use expertise in computing to help society solve problems.

Transfer Admission Requirements

Successful transfer applicants must have earned a 2.5 grade point average, based on the first two attempts, in the seven preprofessional courses and have earned a minimum grade of C in each course of Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, Physics with Calculus 1, Physics with Calculus 2, General Chemistry 1, and Differential Equations. Only the first two attempts (including withdrawals) in each course will be considered for admission to or retention in the department.

Transfer students must attend Transfer Preview as part of admissions. Course equivalency appeals must be submitted to earn credit for coursework completed outside of Common Course Numbering for Core CpE coursework and will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Computer Engineering Requirements

A minimum grade of C is required for each critical-tracking course and the critical-tracking GPA must be a minimum of 2.5.

A minimum grade of C is required in any computer engineering course that is a prerequisite for another computer engineering course and CpE Design 2 CEN 3908C. The prerequisite course and its subsequent course cannot be taken the same term, even if the prerequisite course is being repeated.

Minimum grades of C are required in:

CDA 3101Introduction to Computer Organization3
CEN 3031Introduction to Software Engineering3
COP 3502CProgramming Fundamentals 14
COP 3503CProgramming Fundamentals 24
COP 3504CAdvanced Programming Fundamentals for CIS Majors4
COP 3530Data Structures and Algorithm3
COT 3100Applications of Discrete Structures3
EEL 3701CDigital Logic and Computer Systems4
EEL 4744CMicroprocessor Applications4
ENC 3246Professional Communication for Engineers3
CpE Design 1
Select one:3
Computer Engineering Design 1
Integrated Product and Process Design 1
CpE Design 2
Select one:3
Computer Engineering Design 2
Integrated Product and Process Design 2

Students may opt to take COP 3504C in lieu of COP 3502C and COP 3503C. If elected, students will need to complete an additional 4 credits to complete the degree program.

A CpE major grade point average (GPA) is calculated as the average of the grades of all CpE program courses and the CISE and ECE department courses taken by the student. CpE students must maintain a cumulative, college, upper-division and CpE major GPA minimum of 2.0.

All graduating seniors must complete an exit survey with their advisor before graduating.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course with minimum grades of C within two attempts
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course with minimum grades of C within two attempts
  • 2.5 GPA required for all 7 critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete EEL 4744C with a minimum grade of C 
  • Complete all critical-tracking course with minimum grades of C within two attempts
  • 2.5 GPA required for all 7 critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • 2.0 departmental GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

  • 2.0 departmental GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

  • 2.0 departmental GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements. This is often done concurrently with another general education requirement, typically GE-C, H, or S.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
COP 3502C Programming Fundamentals 1 4
EGN 2020C Engineering Design & Society 2
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
 Credits13
Semester Two
COP 3503C Programming Fundamentals 2 4
COT 3100 Applications of Discrete Structures 3
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 3
 Credits14
Summer After Semester Two
EEL 3701C Digital Logic and Computer Systems 4
State Core Gen Ed Composition (Writing requirement, 6,000 words) 3
State Core Social and Behavioral Sciences (Writing requirement) 3
 Credits10
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences with Diversity; Writing Requirement) 3
CDA 3101 Introduction to Computer Organization 3
COP 3530 Data Structures and Algorithm 3
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 3
 Credits16
Semester Four
CEN 3031 Introduction to Software Engineering (Critical Tracking) 3
EEL 4744C Microprocessor Applications (Critical Tracking) 4
MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations (Critical Tracking) 3
MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra 3
 Credits13
Semester Five
COP 4600 Operating Systems 3
EEL 3111C Circuits 1 4
EEL 4712C Digital Design (Critical Tracking) 4
STA 3032 Engineering Statistics 3
Enrichment elective; Writing Requirement 1
 Credits15
Semester Six
ENC 3246 Professional Communication for Engineers (State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words) 3
State Core Humanities with International or Writing Requirement 3
Enrichment elective 3
Technical electives 6
 Credits15
Semester Seven
Select one CpE Design 1 course: 3
Computer Engineering Design 1
Integrated Product and Process Design 1
Select one Gen Ed Physical and Biological Sciences course: 4
Astronomy and Astrophysics 1
and Astronomy Laboratory
Biological Sciences
and Laboratory in Biological Sciences
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
Chemistry for Engineers 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
Physical Geology
Enrichment elective 3
Technical electives 6
 Credits16
Semester Eight
Select one CpE Design 2 course: 3
Computer Engineering Design 2 (Critical Tracking)
Integrated Product and Process Design 2 (Critical Tracking)
EEL 3135 Introduction to Signals and Systems 4
EGS 4034 Engineering Ethics and Professionalism 1
Technical electives 6
 Credits14
 Total Credits126

Technical Electives

At least 12 technical elective credits must be from the CISE and/or ECE department(s).

Qualifying technical electives include, unless otherwise excluded:

  • 4000-level or higher CpE program courses
  • 4000-level or higher CISE courses
  • 3000-level CAP prefix CISE courses
  • 3000-level or higher ECE courses
  • 4000-level or higher Mathematics Dept. courses
  • 3000-level or higher Physics Dept. courses
  • 4000-level or higher Statistics Dept. courses
  • Other courses approved by program coordinator

The following courses do not qualify as technical electives (i.e., are excluded):

Students should check prerequisites when planning their major electives. Students should discuss electives with an advisor in the department. Individual study, co-op, internship, research, and special topics credits must be approved.


The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is concerned with the theory, design, development and application of computer systems and information processing techniques. Students will be equally proficient working with computer systems, hardware and software, as with computer theory and applications.

The Computer Engineering BS Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Pass assessment according to department rubric of student performance on a major design experience.
  • Pass assessment in one or more core courses of individual assignments targeted to each SLO.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Apply knowledge of mathematics and science to computer engineering problems.
  2. Design and conduct computer-engineering experiments, analyzing and interpreting the data.

Critical Thinking

  1. Design a computer engineering system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability constraints.

Communication

  1. Communicate technical data and design information effectively in writing and in speech to other computer scientists and engineers.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
CEN 3031 I, A
CEN 3908C A A A A
EEL 3135 I, A I, A
EEL 3701C I

Assessment Types

  • Assignments
  • Exams
  • Reports
  • Exit survey