The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) program in computer science and engineering combines the technical content of a computer science degree and a computer engineering degree in a single degree program. The program curriculum is jointly taught by faculty from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences). The program provides students with a strong theoretical and conceptual understanding of the principles underlying computer software and hardware along with the engineering analysis, design, and multidisciplinary teamwork skills needed to develop large and complex systems containing both software and hardware components.
The computer science and engineering program encompasses the technical rigor of a Bachelor of Science program in computer science and a Bachelor of Science program in computer engineering.
Graduates gain the foundational knowledge provided by a computer science education together with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and system design skills at the heart of a computer engineering curriculum. The major provides technical depth and breadth as well as flexibility and the opportunity for students to customize their programs according to their own goals and interests. Students choose one of several focus areas according to the type of job or research they plan to pursue; students also have the opportunity to work with their academic advisor to build a focus area plan that adheres to their goals and interests. Students select a focus area to personalize their curriculum and to prepare them for certain jobs or research studies they intend to seek.
In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in the development and implementation of a significant, original project. The capstone design experience emphasizes teamwork, professionalism, open-ended problem solving, and the ability to work within real-world constraints and engineering standards.
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Educational Objectives
Graduates of the computer science and engineering program will:
- demonstrate initiative and perseverance to successfully apply the knowledge and skills gained in the CSE program in their chosen computing-related technical, business, or academic careers;
- exhibit ethical leadership and vision in contributing to the technical and policy decisions of industry, government, and research enterprises;
- thrive in diverse, global, and multidisciplinary environments;
- excel at constructive communication and collaborative engagement with other computer engineers and professionals; and
- actively engage in lifelong-learning and mentoring activities that enhance their professional and personal development.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) with a major in computer science and engineering requires a minimum of 129 s.h. of credits. At the time of graduation, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college work used to complete degree requirements and in all UI coursework in order to be awarded the BSE.
All BSE students are required to take the same collegiate curriculum. For information about these collegiate requirements, see the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, BSE in the catalog. 6 s.h. of a student's major courses fulfill the basic science or college-level math collegiate requirement. Students completing the major in computer science and engineering fulfill the collegiate statistics requirement by completing STAT:2020 Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences.
The major in computer science and engineering includes ECE:3000 Electrical and Computer Engineering Professional Seminar, typically taken in the third year.
The BSE with a major in computer science and engineering requires the following coursework.
Requirements Summary
| Requirements |
Hours |
| Collegiate Curriculum |
49 |
| Basic Science and College-Level Math, from Major Requirements or Focus Area |
6 |
| Major Requirements |
53 |
| Focus Area |
21 |
Major Requirements
Major requirements include a set of common courses (53 s.h.) and two capstone design courses (6 s.h.).
Common Courses
Capstone Design Courses
In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in the development and implementation of a significant, original project.
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| ECE:4880 | Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design 1 | 3 |
| ECE:4890 | Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Design 2 | 3 |
Focus Area
Students must select focus area courses according to guidelines established by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. A number of established focus areas are available, and students may also work with their academic advisor to create a customized plan tailored to their goals and interests.
Students complete a minimum of 21 s.h. in electives, including at least one complementary theory elective course (3 s.h.). Carefully selected elective and general education courses may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate, including the Certificate in Sustainability (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) or the Certificate in Technological Entrepreneurship.
For a complete list of focus areas and course selection guidelines, see Focus Areas on the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering website. Although general guidelines and requirements for elective courses are listed, course recommendations for specific focus areas differ. While some courses may apply to more than one focus area requirement, a single course may only count once toward completing a focus area.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Electives
Students choose two focus area electives from electrical and computer engineering courses (prefix ECE) not already required for the major, excluding seminars. Students must consult an academic advisor and gain approval from the undergraduate curriculum chair to count ECE:5998 Individual Investigations: Electrical and Computer Engineering toward this requirement.
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| 3 |
| 3 |
Computer Science Electives
Students choose two focus area electives (at least 6 s.h.) from computer science courses (prefix CS) not already required for the major, excluding seminars. At least one course must be numbered 4000 or above.
The following courses do not count towards the major; students take more advanced versions of these courses as part of their required coursework.
Course List
| Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| CS:2630 | Computer Organization | 4 |
| CS:2820 | Introduction to Software Development | 4 |
| CS:3210 | Programming Languages and Tools | arr. |
| CS:3640 | Introduction to Networks and Their Applications | 3 |
Additional Electives
Students select an additional 6 s.h. in courses to reach a minimum of 18 s.h. in focus area electives. Courses may be from the electrical and computer engineering (prefix ECE) or computer science (prefix CS) categories in the previous lists, or they may be chosen from outside of those lists with the approval of an academic advisor.
Theory Elective
Double Major in Computer Science and Engineering/Electrical Engineering
Students may earn a double major in computer science and engineering (CSE) and electrical engineering (EE). They must satisfy all requirements of the electrical track of the EE major and all requirements of the CSE major.
Students completing the major in computer science and engineering (CSE) may not also complete a major in computer engineering (CE) or in computer science (CS).
BSE/MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
The College of Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science for computer science and engineering undergraduate students who intend to earn an MS in electrical and computer engineering. BSE/MS students may take up to 12 s.h. of graduate-level coursework and do thesis-level research while they are still undergraduates. They may count 9 s.h. of graduate coursework toward both degrees. Once students complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree, they are granted the BSE, and they normally complete the MS one year later.
To be admitted to the degree program, students must have completed at least 80 s.h., have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25, and submit a letter of application to the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. For more information, see Joint BS/MS Degree Program Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) on the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering website.
BSE/MCS
The College of Engineering and the Department of Computer Science (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) offer a combined Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Computer Science for computer science and engineering undergraduate students.
The combined degree program allows students to count a limited amount of credit toward both degrees. For more information, see the Master of Computer Science, MCS in the catalog.
Computer science and engineering graduates pursue careers in software development, systems engineering, cybersecurity, embedded systems, data science, artificial intelligence, networking, and related technical fields. They work in industries such as technology, aerospace, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, and energy, and many also engage in research or entrepreneurial ventures. Graduates may continue their education in computer science, engineering, or other disciplines that rely on advanced computational and analytical skills.
Engineering Career Services connects students with experiential learning and professional opportunities that support their development as emerging engineers. Staff coordinate the college’s co-op and internship program, sustain strong employer relationships, and offer a variety of opportunities for students to engage with industry, including engineering career fairs and additional career-focused programming. The office provides individual advising on resumes, job and internship search strategies, interviewing, and evaluating job offers. Engineering Career Services works closely with the Pomerantz Career Center to facilitate on-campus interviewing, collect postgraduation data, and manage the university’s recruiting system, Handshake.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Computer Science and Engineering, BSE
This sample plan is currently being reviewed and will be added at a later date.
