Skip to Navigation
George Mason University
    George Mason University
   
 
 
 
2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

Computer Engineering, BS


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 30 full-time professors, including fellows of IEEE or other professional societies, and 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 robotics and embedded systems, computer networks, signal processing, and integrated circuits.  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 full-time or part-time basis. Cooperative education provides students the opportunity to integrate paid career-related work experience with classroom learning.  Academic credit towards the completion of major requirements 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 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 must complete each ECE, ENGR, BENG, CS, MATH, PHYS and STAT course presented as part of the required 126 credits for the degree with a grade of C or better.

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 126 credits required for the BS in computer engineering are the Mason Core  requirements and all of the following:

Notes:


*Note that ECE 285 /ECE 286  courses taken at Mason prior to fall 2013 or transferred to Mason prior to fall 2014 do NOT meet the circuits analysis requirement.  Students who fit in either category need to contact the department as soon as possible to discuss their options.

**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.

Engineering Credits: 2


Technical Electives Credits: 9


Students must choose one of the four technical specialization areas listed below. All three of the technical electives totaling 9 credit hours must be selected from within the chosen specialization area. With the prior approval of the ECE department, students may also create a custom specialization area and select a set of technical electives, including non-ECE courses, to apply to the custom specialization area. Graduate courses listed within the specialization areas can only be taken with prior approval of the department. The decision to approve taking graduate courses listed within the specialization areas is based on a review of the student’s academic record.

Specialization Areas:


Integrated Circuits

Select three of the following courses:

English, Communication, and Economics Credits: 9


Additional Mason Core Credits: 15


Students must complete all Mason Core  requirements not fulfilled by major requirements.  Mason Core  courses should be selected from the department’s list of approved courses.  The Synthesis Mason Core 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 Mason Core social science and humanities courses listed above.

Total: 126 credits


Change of Major


Students who are considering changing their major to computer engineering must meet with the Volgenau School of Engineering Coordinator of Undergraduate advising, 2500 Nguyen Engineering Building.  Students considering 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 that is 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.  Undeclared students in the Volgenau School who do not successfully complete a course required for a Volgenau School major within three attempts will also be terminated.  For more information, see the “Termination from the Major” section under AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Once a student has attempted one of these courses twice unsuccessfully, the third attempt must be no later than the next semester of enrollment, excluding summers. Failure to take the course at that time will result in termination from the major. If the student is unable to take the course when required, the student may request an extension to a future semester; extensions require approval of the student’s advisor, their department, and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs. The deadline for extension requests is the add deadline for the semester in which the course is required.

Students who have been terminated from a Volgenau School of Engineering major may not register for a Volgenau School course without permission of the department offering the course. This applies to all undergraduate courses offered by the Volgenau School except IT 104 and STAT 250.

A student may not declare any major in the Volgenau School of Engineering if the student has previously met the termination criteria for that major at any time, regardless of what the student’s major was at the time the courses were taken.

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 Mechanical Engineering minor.