Nov 24, 2024  
2011-2012 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2011-2012 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Computer Engineering Major

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BS degree

Computer Engineering encompasses a broad spectrum of challenging activities including research, design and development of computer systems hardware and software, as well as the electronic or software components that comprise these systems. The Computer Engineering program prepares students to meet the changing high-technology needs in the computer engineering area, and for graduate study in computer engineering, by imparting a strong background in science and mathematics along with engineering skills.

The program consists of a core of basic science and mathematics courses interwoven throughout the four years of study. The student also selects 15 credit hours in general education. Students begin to identify with their field in the first and second year of study. In the junior year, students gain a foundation in computer systems. A senior year composed primarily of elective courses and a capstone design project allows students to concentrate their studies in one or more areas of their choice and hone their skills for the real world. A co-op experience is also available for qualified students in cooperation with regional industries.

Specialization opportunities are offered in microprocessors and microcomputer systems, computer networks, and database systems.

Students may join the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a professional society with a student branch in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Qualified students can join the Zeta Xi Chapter of Eta Kappa Nu, the Electrical and Computer Engineering National Honor Society.

Calculation of the GPA in the Computer Engineering Major

Students must have a minimum 2.000 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all courses taken at the University in order to graduate. Students must also have a minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA in the major. For purposes of this computation:

  1. All courses with an ECE prefix, except ECE 298, ECE 400, ECE 401, ECE 495 or ECE 595; and courses with a CIS prefix numbered 200 or above, except CIS 298, CIS 411, CIS 491, CIS 492, CIS 495 or CIS 595, count in calculating the GPA for the Computer Engineering major.
  2. Courses required for the major but taken outside the major discipline are not counted in the calculation of the major cumulative GPA.
  3. As is the case for all University courses, only the most recently-earned course grade (whether higher or lower) shall enter in the calculation of the major cumulative GPA.

 

Requirements

First Year

First Semester: 16 credits

  • General Education Elective - 3 credits (see footnote 1 below)

Second Semester: 17 credits

Second Year

First Semester: 17 credits

Second Semester: 18 credits

Third Year

First Semester: 17 credits

  • General Education Electives - 3 credits
    See footnote 1 below

Second Semester: 16 credits

  • General Education Electives - 3 credits  (See footnote 1 below)
  • Science Elective - 3 credits  (See footnote 5 below)

Fourth Year

First Semester: 15 credits

  • General Education Elective - 3 credits (See footnote 1 below)
  • Technical Electives - 6 credits  (See footnote 7 below)

Second Semester: 12 credits

  • Technical Electives - 3 credits  (See footnote 7 below)
  • General Education Elective - 3 credits  (See footnote 1 below)

Total credits: 128

Notes

* Alternative courses should only be taken in exceptional circumstances and with the written permission of an ECE faculty advisor (CHM 151 and CHM 161 in lieu of CHM 153; MTH 111 in lieu of MTH 113; MTH 112 in lieu of MTH 114; MTH 211 in lieu of MTH 213; PHY 113 in lieu of PHY 111; PHY 114 in lieu of PHY 112).

[1] See General Education requirements (Areas C, D, and G).

[2] This course meets the General Education Area I (Tier 2) requirement: Information and Computer Literacy.

[3] This course meets the General Education Area W (Tier 2) requirement: Writing Skills.

[4] This course meets the General Education Area E requirement: Ethics and Social Responsibility.

[5] Must be taken from this list: all CHM, MTX, and PHY courses numbered above 150; all BIO courses numbered above 199; or 100-level BIO courses with the S designation.

[6] This course meets the General Education Area O requirement: Oral Skills.

[7] Must be taken from approved list of courses.

Technical Electives in Computer Engineering

Technical electives are courses above and beyond the required courses that allow computer engineering students to broaden or deepen their engineering knowledge in one or more technical areas. Students are required to take four technical electives. Generally, allowable technical electives are any 400- or 500- level courses in the College of Engineering (CEN, CIS, ECE, MNE, PHY or MTX departments) except seminars, independent study, directed study, internship or required courses within the program. Additional allowable courses are:

Any 300- or 400-level course in Mathematics (MTH) except seminar, independent study, directed study, internship or required courses within the program.

Any 300-level course in Electrical or Computer Engineering except seminar, directed study or required courses within the program.

Choices of technical electives must always be discussed with, and approved by, the student’s academic advisor prior to enrollment. Some restrictions are:

  1. No more than one technical elective course may be taken from outside the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
  2. No more than one technical elective course may be taken at the 300-level.
  3. The student must have the required prerequisites and/or co-requisites for each course.
  4. Enrollment in 500-level courses requires a grade point average of at least 3.000, senior standing and the written permission of the instructor.

Additional Technical Electives

Distribution Requirements/General Education Requirements for Civil, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Degree candidates in the College of Engineering must satisfy the university’s General Education requirements, as described in the Academic Policies section of this Catalogue.

  • General Education requirements in Areas M and S and the Tier 1 Writing/Information requirement are automatically satisfied by the courses shown as required for these majors.
  • The General Education requirements in Areas C, G, and D may be fulfilled by selecting courses from the approved lists in each area, using the General Education electives shown in the course requirement tables for each major.
  • The requirements for General Education areas E, I, W, and O will be specified within courses that are included in each major. Requirement tables for these areas are included for each major.

General Education Requirements

Students majoring in Computer Engineering will meet their departmentally-determined General Education requirements as follows:

Area E

Satisfied by:

Area I, Tier 2

Satisfied by:

Area W, Tier 2

Satisfied by:

Area O

Satisfied by:

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