Computer Engineering

This is an archived copy of the 2018-19 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

Major Requirements

Major: Computer Engineering

Degree Type: B.S.Cpr.E.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 128

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specific by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses number 300 or higher.
  6. Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institituion. 
    1. Of these 60, at least 36 must be NDSU residence credits as defined in #7.
    2. Within the 36 resident credits, a minimum of 15 must be in courses numbered 300 or higher and 15 credits in the major field of study.
  7. At least 36 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Residence credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

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 Credits39
  •  A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Major Requirements

Computer Engineering Core Requirements
ECE 111Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering3
ECE 173Introduction to Computing *4
ECE 275Digital Design *4
ECE 320Electronics for Computer Engineers3
ECE 341Random Processes3
ECE 343Signals & Systems4
ECE 374Computer Organization4
ECE 376Embedded Systems4
ECE 401Design I (capstone)1
ECE 403Design II (capstone)2
ECE 405Design III (capstone)3
ECE 474Computer Architecture3
ECE 475Advanced Digital Design4
Math Courses Required
MATH 129Basic Linear Algebra *3
MATH 165Calculus I (May satisfy general education category R)4
MATH 166Calculus II *4
MATH 265Calculus III (w/ vectors) *4
MATH 266Introduction to Differential Equations *3
CSCI Courses Required
CSCI 161Computer Science II (May satisfy general education category S for Computer Engineering majors only))4
CSCI 222Discrete Mathematics3
CSCI 413Principles of Software Engineering3
CSCI 459Foundations of Computer Networks3
CSCI 474Operating Systems Concepts3
Other Courses Required
CHEM 121General Chemistry I (May satisfy general education category S)3
CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry I Laboratory (May satisfy general education category S)1
or PHYS 251L University Physics I Laboratory
EE 206Circuit 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 402Engineering Ethics and Social Responsibility1
PHYS 251University Physics I (May satisfy general education category S)4
ECE ElectivesSelect 6 cr. of ECE 400 level electives (excluding 494 and 496); may include CSCI 4676
Includes the cross listed courses of ECE/IME 427; ECE/IME 429; ECE/PHYS 411; & ECE/PHYS 411L
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 Credits100

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.