2013-2014 University Catalog
Computer Engineering, BS
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Banner Code: VS-BS-CPE
School: Volgenau School of Engineering
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
The field of computer engineering can be described as a blend of electrical engineering and computer science. It is an amalgam of the computer hardware orientation of an electrical engineering program and the operating systems and languages of a computer science program. Computer engineers are involved in research, development, design, production, and operation of a wide variety of digital systems, from integrated circuits to computer systems and large-scale computer networks. Reflecting the industry trend to integrate hardware and software development, the computer engineering program is built around software running on advanced hardware that can simulate and assist in the design of new digital systems. Advanced software, such as VHDL, and software tools, such as logic and system design tools by Mentor Graphics and Cadence Design Systems, can be used to model hardware and hardware functionality from the system and architecture level down to the gate level and include relations to integrated circuit fabrication technology. Design and testing methodology involving these tools is taught in the program.
Career opportunities exist in engineering research and development, product design, digital system design and integration, engineering management, engineering consultancy, technical sales, and patent law, among others. The program provides a strong preparation for graduate study.
The bachelor’s program in computer engineering at Mason is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. The computer engineering program is staffed by 27 full-time professors, including eight fellows of IEEE or other professional societies, and of several part-time professors.
The curriculum provides a strong background in the fundamentals of computer engineering. A number of technical elective specializations are offered, ranging from strongly hardware-oriented to strongly software-oriented ones. These include Computer Networks, Signal Processing, Integrated Circuits, and Robotics and Embedded Systems. The curriculum includes 9 credits of senior technical electives, and 3 credits of senior advanced design project, which may be used for specialization in one of these technical areas.
The requirements for the degree may be satisfied on a part-time or co-op basis. Cooperative education provides students the opportunity to integrate paid career-related work experience with classroom learning. Academic credit cannot be given for co-op experience. In addition to the usual financial aid available to all students through the Office of Student Financial Aid, computer engineering majors are eligible to apply through the ECE Department for several scholarships provided by professional societies and industrial organizations, including the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to the accelerated master’s degree program. See Computer Engineering, BS/Computer Engineering, Accelerated MS for specific requirements. |
Degree Requirements
All computer engineering students are strongly encouraged to see their major faculty advisor each semester before course registration. Students interested in computer engineering who have not declared a major are also invited to obtain advising at the ECE Department office. Students are strongly encouraged to follow the sample schedule below to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied.
Students must complete each ECE, ENGR, BENG, and CS course presented as part of the required 120 credits for the degree with a grade of C or better.
Furthermore, students must also complete any course required by the program that is a prerequisite to another course applicable to the degree with a grade of C or better.
The 120 credits required for the BS in computer engineering are the University General Education requirements and all of the following:
Electrical and Computer Engineering Credits: 46
Notes:
*Computer engineering students with catalog years of 2013-2014 are encouraged to enroll in the 6-credit newly revived ECE 285 /ECE 286 sequence of courses rather than the 5-credit ECE 280 course, although the latter would still be acceptable for the degree. Note that ECE 285 /ECE 286 courses taken at GMU (or transferred to GMU) prior to fall 2013 do NOT meet the circuits analysis requirement. These students would need to either enroll in ECE 280 or take the new ECE 285 /ECE 286 sequence that has been revived by the ECE Department starting fall 2013. Students choosing to take the two course sequence may exceed the 120 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.
**Students who would like to complete a more challenging senior design project have the option of enrolling in ECE 392 to gain a semester head start in the design process. Computer Science Credits: 14
Mathematics and Statistics Credits: 23
English, Communication, and Economics Credits: 9
Additional University General Education Credits: 15
Students must complete all University General Education requirements not fulfilled by major requirements. General Education courses should be selected from the department’s list of approved courses. The Synthesis general education requirement is satisfied by ECE 492 plus ECE 493 .
- Written Communication (lower): 3 credits
- Literature: 3 credits
- Arts: 3 credits
- Western Civilization/World History: 3 credits
- Global Understanding: 3 credits
Note:
All students must submit at least 24 credits of social science and humanities course work, which is normally satisfied by the 24 credits of university general education social science and humanities courses listed above. Sample Schedule
The following presents a sample schedule that undergraduate computer engineering majors would pursue to obtain a bachelor’s degree. First Semester Credits: 16
Second Semester Credits: 14
Third Semester Credits: 16
- Literature course Credits: 3
Fourth Semester Credits: 16
Fifth Semester Credits: 16
Sixth Semester Credits: 13
Seventh Semester Credits: 15
- Technical elective Credits: 3
- Global understanding course Credits: 3
Eighth Semester Credits: 14
- Technical elective Credits: 3
- Technical elective Credits: 3
- Arts course Credits: 3
*Note:
*Computer engineering students with catalog years of 2013-2014 are encouraged to enroll in the 6-credit newly revived ECE 285/ECE 286 sequence of courses rather than the 5-credit ECE 280 course, although ECE 280 would still be acceptable for the degree. Students should consult the undergraduate program guide on the ECE website for an alternative sample schedule with the revived ECE 285/ECE 286 sequence of courses. Note that ECE 285/ECE 286 courses taken at GMU (or transferred to GMU) prior to fall 2013 do not meet the circuit analysis requirement. These students would need to enroll in ECE 280 or take the new ECE 286/ECE 286 sequence that has been revived starting fall 2013. Students choosing to take the ECE 285/ECE 286 sequence in place of ECE 280 may exceed the 120 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.
**Students who would like to complete a more challenging senior design project have the option of enrolling in ECE 392 to gain a semester head start in the design process. Change of Major
Students who want to change their majors to computer engineering must have at least a 2.75 GPA in all math, physics, engineering, and computer science courses, and should have successfully completed MATH 114. Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason’s writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by the following group of three courses: ECE 333, ECE 445 and ECE 491 in which faculty provide feedback on student writing assignments. Drafts and revisions are required. Termination from the Major
No math, science or Volgenau School of Engineering course, required for the major, may be attempted more than three times. Those students who do not successfully complete such a course within three attempts will be terminated from the major. For more information, see the “Termination from the Major” section under Academic Standing . Double Major and Minor Programs for Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering
Computer engineering majors and electrical engineering majors can earn degrees with double majors in a number of disciplines. Computer engineering and computer science are frequently combined. Electrical engineering has been combined with computer engineering, computer science, physics or math. Details are available in the department brochures or at the Volgenau School web site volgenau.gmu.edu. There are several minors available for students in the ECE Department including the new Mechanical Engineering minor. |
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