Computer Engineering

major

Computer Engineering (CpE) is a discipline with core competencies based in knowledge of interaction between computer software and hardware, thereby providing a balance among computer systems, hardware, and software as well as theory and applications. It embodies the science and technology of design, development, and maintenance of computing and computer-controlled systems by integrating principles and techniques from computer science (CS) and electrical engineering (EE).

About this Program

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

Departments Information

Topical concentration in Computer Engineering is provided via technical electives from the Departments of Computer and Information Science and Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering. 

Department of CISE 

352.392.1090 (tel) 
P.O. Box 116120 
E301 CSE BUILDING 
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-6120 
Map 

Department of ECE 

352.392.9758 (tel) | 352.294.0911 (fax) 
P.O. Box 116200 
968 Center Drive 
216 LARSEN HALL 
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-6200 
Map 

Topical concentration in Computer Engineering (cpe.eng.ufl.edu) is provided via technical electives from the Departments of Computer and Information Science and Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering.

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. Continuously improve via graduate, professional, self-driven, and on-the-job learning
  3. Become leaders in multidisciplinary and diverse professional environments

Mission

  • To educate majors and the community in computing and engineering fundamentals
  • To create and disseminate computing and engineering knowledge and technology
  • To use our expertise in computing and engineering 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 six 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, 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 4908C. 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 2254Writing in the Disciplines3
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) requirement. This is often done concurrently with another state core or university 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 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
ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing (State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement: 6,000 words) 3
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
 Credits14
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
2048L
Physics with Calculus 1
and Laboratory for PHY 2048 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
4
 Credits15
Summer After Semester Two
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences; Writing Requirement) 3
EEL 3701C Digital Logic and Computer Systems 4
State Core Social and Behavioral Sciences (Writing requirement) 3
 Credits10
Semester Three
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
2049L
Physics with Calculus 2
and Laboratory for PHY 2049 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
4
 Credits14
Semester Four
CEN 3031 Introduction to Software Engineering 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 4
STA 3032 Engineering Statistics 3
Enrichment elective 1
 Credits15
Semester Six
ENC 2256 Writing in the Disciplines (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
Summer After Semester Six
CpE-Approved Experiential Learning Course (Experiential Learning Technical Elective) 3
 Credits3
Semester Seven
Select one CpE Design 1 course: 3
CEN 4907C
Computer Engineering Design 1
Integrated Product and Process Design 1
Select one Physical or Biological Science Course Option: 4
Astronomy and Astrophysics 1
and Astronomy Laboratory
Biological Sciences
and Laboratory in Biological Science
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry Laboratory
Chemistry For Engineers 1
and General Chemistry Laboratory
Physical Geology
Enrichment elective 3
Technical elective 3
 Credits13
Semester Eight
Select one CpE Design 2 course: 3
CEN 4908C
Computer Engineering Design 2
Integrated Product and Process Design 2
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:

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

The following limitations apply to technical electives:

  • A maximum of 3 credit hours of Practical Work qualify
  • A maximum of 6 credit hours of Practical Work and/or Independent Study qualify
  • A maximum of 9 credit hours of Research, Independent Study, Practical Work, and/or credits outside of CpE/CISE/ECE quality

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.

CpE-Approved Experiential Learning 3 courses satisfy both Experiential Learning and technical elective requirements.

Enrichment Electives

The purpose of enrichment electives is to encourage, facilitate, and support Computer Engineering students in becoming effective, well-rounded thinkers by broadening their understanding beyond the discipline. Please see the Computer Engineering website for more information.

Other Course Limitations

The following limitations apply to courses used to fulfill requirements in the program:

  • Only one of COT 4501 and MAD 4401 will meet program requirements (not both)
  • MAD 3107 and MAD 4203 do not qualify to meet any portion of the required curricula for the program (including technical, enrichment, and general electives).

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