Computer Engineering - BS, Computer Science Track
The curriculum is designed to cover the engineering aspects of both hardware and software—a total computer systems perspective. All computer engineering students take courses in the following areas: electrical circuits, electronics, digital circuits, computer architecture ranging from microcomputers to mainframes, interfacing, programming languages ranging from assembler to high level, data structures, analysis of algorithms, operating systems, software engineering and microcomputer systems. A solid foundation in the basic sciences of physics, chemistry and mathematics is used to support these courses.
There are two distinct tracks in this curriculum, the Electrical Engineering track and the Computer Science track, both culminating in the same Computer Engineering degree. The tracks are substantially similar, each providing a broad coverage of the computer engineering discipline, but each has a slightly different emphasis. Students in the Computer Science track often have a stronger interest in the software-related aspects of computer engineering, and students in the Electrical Engineering track often are more focused on the hardware-related aspects of the field. Note, however, that students in either track can take courses from the other as electives, or they can use their electives to further specialize within their own track. Although students are required to select a track immediately upon entering the Computer Engineering program, it is usually possible to change tracks as late as the junior year.
The Computer Science track of the Computer Engineering degree provides students the freedom to enhance their knowledge in the broad range of topics comprising Computer Engineering: computer networks, computer architecture, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, robotics, cybersecurity, computer languages, microcomputers, VLSI, and large-scale hardware and software systems. The track is administered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and encompasses nearly all of the core material of the Computer Science degree, but its greater emphasis on design and engineering fundamentals prepares the student for registration as a professional engineer.
Program Mission
The mission of the Computer Engineering program is to provide students with an education that ensures an excellent understanding of hardware and software systems and the necessary system design and development skills, and that fosters professional curiosity and imagination that drives them throughout their career.
The program will stimulate and challenge the students with an exceptional, highly motivated faculty that shares its knowledge and excitement about Computer Engineering, well designed undergraduate and graduate curricula, research opportunities at all levels, and a first-class educational infrastructure.
The program strives to produce graduates who are well prepared to excel in industry, academia and government, and who will take on leadership roles in shaping the technological landscape of the future.
Program Objectives
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Graduates of the program will have the necessary knowledge, both in breadth and depth, to pursue the practice, or advanced study, of Computer Engineering.
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Graduates of the program will understand the importance of life-long learning, and be prepared to learn and understand new technological developments in their field.
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Graduates of the program will understand the technical, social and ethical context of their engineering contributions.
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Graduates of the program will develop the communication, teamwork, and leadership skills necessary to carry on the legacy of excellence of an Aggie Engineer.
The freshman year is identical for degrees in aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, electronic systems engineering technology, environmental engineering, industrial distribution, industrial engineering, interdisciplinary engineering, manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology, mechanical engineering, multidisciplinary engineering technology, nuclear engineering, ocean engineering, and petroleum engineering (Note: not all programs listed are offered in Qatar). The freshman year is slightly different for chemical engineering, biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering degrees in that students take CHEM 119 or CHEM 107/CHEM 117 and CHEM 120. Students pursuing degrees in biological and agricultural engineering should refer to the specific curriculum for this major. It is recognized that many students will change the sequence and number of courses taken in any semester. Deviations from the prescribed course sequence, however, should be made with care to ensure that prerequisites for all courses are met.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
| CHEM 107 | General Chemistry for Engineering Students 1,4 | 3 |
| CHEM 117 | General Chemistry for Engineering Students Laboratory 1,4 | 1 |
| ENGL 103 or ENGL 104 | Introduction to Rhetoric and Composition 1 or Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| ENGR 102 | Engineering Lab I - Computation 1 | 2 |
| MATH 151 | Engineering Mathematics I 1,2 | 4 |
| University Core Curriculum 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGR 216/PHYS 216 | Experimental Physics and Engineering Lab II - Mechanics 1 | 2 |
| MATH 152 | Engineering Mathematics II 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 206 | Newtonian Mechanics for Engineering and Science 1 | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum 3 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Fundamentals of Chemistry II 4 | ||
| Semester Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31-32 | |
| 1 | A grade of C or better is required. |
| 2 | Entering students will be given a math placement exam. Test results will be used in selecting the appropriate starting course which may be at a higher or lower level. |
| 3 | Of the 21 hours shown as University Core Curriculum electives, 3 must be from creative arts, 3 from social and behavioral sciences (see IDIS curriculum for more information), 3 from language, philosophy and culture (see CVEN, EVEN and PETE curriculum for more information), 6 from American history and 6 from government/political science. The required 3 hours of international and cultural diversity and 3 hours of cultural discourse may be met by courses satisfying the creative arts, social and behavioral sciences, language, philosophy and culture, and American history requirements if they are also on the approved list of international and cultural diversity courses and cultural discourse courses. |
| 4 | BMEN, CHEN and MSEN require 8 hours of freshman chemistry, which may be satisfied by CHEM 119 or CHEM 107/CHEM 117 and CHEM 120; Credit by Examination (CBE) for CHEM 119 plus CHEM 120; or 8 hours of CBE for CHEM 119 and CHEM 120. BMEN, CHEN and MSEN should take CHEM 120 second semester freshman year. CHEM 120 will substitute for CHEM 107/CHEM 117. |
| 5 | For BS-PETE, allocate 3 hours to core communications course (ENGL 210, COMM 203, COMM 205, or COMM 243) and/or 3 hours to UCC elective. For BS-MEEN, allocate 3 hours to core communications course (ENGL 203, ENGL 210, or COMM 205) and/or 3 hours to UCC elective. |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
| CSCE 121 | Introduction to Program Design and Concepts 1 | 4 |
| ECEN 248 | Introduction to Digital Systems Design 1 | 4 |
| ENGR 217/PHYS 217 | Experimental Physics and Engineering Lab III - Electricity and Magnetism 1 | 2 |
| PHYS 207 | Electricity and Magnetism for Engineering and Science 1 | 3 |
| MATH 251 | Engineering Mathematics III 1 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCE 221 | Data Structures and Algorithms 1 | 4 |
| CSCE 222/ECEN 222 | Discrete Structures for Computing 1 | 3 |
| ECEN 214 | Electrical Circuit Theory 1 | 4 |
| MATH 308 | Differential Equations 1 | 3 |
| STAT 211 or ECEN 303 | Principles of Statistics I or Random Signals and Systems | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSCE 313 | Introduction to Computer Systems 1 | 4 |
| CSCE 350/ECEN 350 | Computer Architecture and Design 1 | 4 |
| ECEN 314 | Signals and Systems 1 | 3 |
| MATH 311 | Topics in Applied Mathematics I 1 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Technical and Business Writing | ||
| Communication for Technical Professions | ||
| Argumentation and Debate | ||
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCE 315 | Programming Studio 1 | 3 |
| CSCE 462 | Microcomputer Systems 1 | 3 |
| CSCE 481 | Seminar 1 | 1 |
| ECEN 325 | Electronics 1 | 4 |
| ECEN 454 | Digital Integrated Circuit Design 1 | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum 3 | 3 | |
| High Impact Experience 6 | 0 | |
| High-Impact Experience | ||
| Semester Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| University Core Curriculum 3 | 3 | |
| Area elective 5 | 9 | |
| Engineering elective 7 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CSCE 483 | Computer Systems Design 1 | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum 3 | 6 | |
| Area elective 5 | 6 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 97 | |
| 5 | Fifteen hours of area electives chosen in consultation with academic advisor. |
| 6 | All students are required to complete a high-impact experience in order to graduate. The list of possible high-impact experiences is available in the CSCE advising office. |
| 7 | Three hours of course work to be approved by academic advisor. |