Computer Engineering

This is an archived copy of the 2022-23 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

Major Requirements

Major: Computer Engineering

Degree Type: B.S.Cpr.E.
Minimum 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 specified 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 numbered 300 or higher.
  6. Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institution. 
    1. Of these 60, at least 36 must be NDSU resident 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.  Resident 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 Computing4
ECE 275Digital Design4
ECE 311Circuit Analysis II4
ECE 320Electronics I3
ECE 341Random Processes3
ECE 343Signals & Systems4
ECE 374Computer Organization4
ECE 375Digital Design 23
ECE 376Embedded Systems4
ECE 401Design I (capstone)1
ECE 403Design II (capstone)2
ECE 405Design III (capstone)3
Math Courses Required
MATH 129Basic Linear Algebra3
MATH 165Calculus I (May satisfy general education category R)4
MATH 166Calculus II4
MATH 265Calculus III (w/ vectors)4
MATH 266Introduction to Differential Equations3
CSCI Courses Required
CSCI 161Computer Science II (May satisfy general education category S for Computer Engineering majors only))4
CSCI 222Discrete Mathematics3
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 I4
PHYS 251University Physics I (May satisfy general education category S)4
ENGR 327Ethics, Engineering, and Technology3
Select one from 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
Core Electives12
Select 4 courses from the following:
VLSI Design
Introduction to Semiconductor Devices
Computer Architecture
Hardware Design for Machine Learning
Algorithm Analysis
Operating Systems Concepts
ECE Electives6
Select 6 credits from the following. A Core Elective from the section above may be used in this section if not taken as an ECE Core Elective.
Electronics II
Analog VLSI
Applied Digital Signal Processing
Image Analysis I
Control Systems I
Modern Control
Fault Tolerant Digital Systems
Design Automation of VLSI Circuits
Advanced Embedded Systems
Instrumentation for Engineers
Biomedical Engineering
Foundations of Computer Networks
Principles of Software Engineering
Tech Electives3
Select 3 credits from the following:
Theoretical Computer Science
Database Systems
Comparative Programming Languages
CSCI 4XX
Any CSCI 400 level didactic course
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 Credits102

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • In order to graduate, an ECE student must have at least a 2.0 GPA in all required EE and ECE courses.  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.