Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering Major
The Computer Engineering program provides a background in three broad areas: computer hardware, software, and hardware-software integration. Fundamental topics included in the program are embedded systems, computer architecture, digital systems, software engineering, computer networks, and operating systems. In addition, the program includes core subjects that are common to all engineering disciplines and basic university studies in humanities and social science. The Computer Engineering program at NDSU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET .
CpE Specialization
The Computer Engineering program allows students to tailor their studies within broad parameters. Students are encouraged to develop an individual program of study in close consultation with their advisers. Examples are available to illustrate how specialization may be obtained in a number of different technical areas. Students may mix and match from the examples to suit their particular interests. Technical areas include the following:
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Computer Architecture/Digital VLSI -- VLSI Designers and Computer Architects design computer system hardware, including how the CPU communicates with various types of memory, and high-performance multi-processor systems. VLSI Design focuses on the lower levels of abstraction: transistor-level and physical-level design; whereas Computer Architecture focusses on the higher levels of abstraction: architecture and gate-level design.
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Cyber Physical Systems deal with the interaction of computing elements monitoring/controlling physical entities, often in a large network.
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Embedded Systems deal with the design of a dedicated computer system to perform a specific task, often requiring real-time constraints. An example is a smartphone.
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Computer Systems dealswith the close interaction between a system’s hardware and software.
Major Requirements
Major: Computer Engineering
Degree Type: B.S.Cpr.E.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 128
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
- A list of approved general education courses is available here .
- General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (C) | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (R) † | 3 | |
| Science and Technology (S) † | 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts (A) † | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) † | 6 | |
| Wellness (W) † | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D) *† | ||
| Global Perspectives (G) *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category. |
| † | May be satisfied with courses required in the major. Review major requirements to determine if a specific upper division writing course is required. |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering Core Requirements | ||
| ECE 111 | Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering | 3 |
| ECE 173 | Introduction to Computing * | 4 |
| ECE 275 | Digital Design * | 4 |
| ECE 320 | Electronics for Computer Engineers | 3 |
| ECE 341 | Random Processes | 3 |
| ECE 343 | Signals & Systems | 4 |
| ECE 374 | Computer Organization | 4 |
| ECE 376 | Embedded Systems | 4 |
| ECE 401 | Design I (capstone) | 1 |
| ECE 403 | Design II (capstone) | 2 |
| ECE 405 | Design III (capstone) | 3 |
| ECE 474 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| ECE 475 | Advanced Digital Design | 4 |
| Math Courses Required | ||
| MATH 129 | Basic Linear Algebra * | 3 |
| MATH 165 | Calculus I (May satisfy general education category R) | 4 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II * | 4 |
| MATH 265 | Calculus III (w/ vectors) * | 4 |
| MATH 266 | Introduction to Differential Equations * | 3 |
| CSCI Courses Required | ||
| CSCI 161 | Computer Science II (May satisfy general education category S for Computer Engineering majors only)) | 4 |
| CSCI 222 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| CSCI 413 | Principles of Software Engineering | 3 |
| CSCI 459 | Foundations of Computer Networks | 3 |
| CSCI 474 | Operating Systems Concepts | 3 |
| Other Courses Required | ||
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I (May satisfy general education category S) | 3 |
| CHEM 121L | General Chemistry I Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S) | 1 |
| or PHYS 251L | University Physics I Laboratory | |
| EE 206 | Circuit Analysis I * | 4 |
| Select one of the following: (May satisfy general education category C) | 3 | |
| Business and Professional Writing | ||
| Writing in the Technical Professions | ||
| Writing in the Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| ENGR 402 | Engineering Ethics and Social Responsibility | 1 |
| PHYS 251 | University Physics I (May satisfy general education category S) | 4 |
| ECE Electives | Select 6 cr. of ECE 400 level electives (excluding 494 and 496); may include CSCI 467 | 6 |
| Tech Electives: Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Theoretical Computer Science | ||
| Database Systems | ||
| Comparative Programming Languages | ||
CSCI 4XX | Any CSCI 400 level didactic course | |
| Circuit Analysis II | ||
| Electronics for Electrical Engineers † | ||
| Applied Electromagnetics | ||
ECE 4XX | Any ECE 400 level didactic course | |
| Individual Study | ||
| Field Experience (max. of 3 cr.) | ||
| Entrepreneurship for Engineers and Scientists | ||
| Engineering Economy | ||
| Program and Project Management | ||
| Evaluation of Engineering Data | ||
| Operations Research I | ||
| University Physics II | ||
| Total Credits | 100 | |
| * | No grade less than a C accepted in these courses. |
Degree Requirements and Notes
- A student must complete at least 60 semester credits of professional level course work in his/her program while in residence and enrolled in the college. Students transferring into the college from programs with professional accreditation are exempt from this residency requirement but are subject to the residency requirement of NDSU.
- Transfer Students – Transfer courses with grades less than ‘C’ in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and any type of engineering class will not be accepted as a major requirement.
- In order to graduate, an ECE student must have at least a 2.0 GPA in all required EE and ECE courses taken at NDSU. Elective ECE courses are not included in this GPA requirement.
- All Students – Students are required to attain a grade of ‘C’ or better in ECE 173 Introduction to Computing, ECE 275 Digital Design, EE 206 Circuit Analysis I, and all required MATH courses.
