Computer Engineering Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)

Have you ever seen pictures of computer chips, circuit boards, wires, and wondered how these machines work? For students that enjoy math and physics, have a keen attention to detail, think logically, and enjoy a challenge, the computer engineering major at UWL might be a perfect fit.

Computer engineers develop new computer hardware systems and write the software to support these systems. Students will take classes in software development, digital and analog circuit design, hardware/software integration, and will complete a year-long senior project within a team of other well-trained computer engineering students. 

Graduates will be experts in writing low-level systems software and experts in digital circuit design - subfields of computer science and electrical engineering, respectively. This new program at UWL leverages existing expertise and courses within the computer science department, as well as in the physics department. Additionally, several new courses specific to engineers will round out the curriculum. 

The computer science department at UWL has an over 50 year history of delivering innovative curriculum, and their computer engineering program continues that tradition. The program includes a course sequence culminating in a senior level virtual machines offering. A virtual machine uses one computer to pose as another. Virtual machines are important because they are the backbone of the cloud, they help in making secure systems, and they make computers compatible with other systems and software. For efficient virtual machines, both hardware and software need to be finely-tuned - making this a perfect topic for computer engineers. While a few other universities have virtual machines as an elective topic, UWL is the only known undergraduate program to require topics in virtual machines - making graduates highly desirable to employers. 

Nationwide, computer engineering graduates are employed in a wide variety of industries, not just at companies that research and develop computers. Automotive, aerospace, medical equipment, agriculture equipment, defense, renewable energy, home and office appliance, manufacturing automation, and many other industries employ computer engineers. Anywhere you find a computer integrated into a product, you’ll find computer engineers. Computer engineers find careers in most regions of the United States, and across the world. Upon entering the field, computer engineers also enjoy salaries that are at the upper end of starting salaries for 4-year graduates in any discipline. 

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

63 credits (96 total credits including MTH, STAT, PHY requirements)

Core
CPE 105Introduction to the Computing Environment1
CPE 212Digital Logic3
CPE 301Introduction to Transient Analysis3
CPE 309Systems Development3
CPE 321Introduction to Digital Signal Processing3
CPE 478Virtual Machines3
CPE 481Professionalism in Engineering1
CPE 483Engineering Project Management1
CS 225Discrete Computational Structures 13
CS 270Introduction to Assembler Programming, C Programming and Computer Organization3
CS 340Software Design III: Abstract Data Types4
CS 351Simulation3
CS 370Computer Architecture3
CS 372Hardware/Software Integration3
CS 441Operating System Concepts3
PHY 334Electrical Circuits3
PHY 335Electronics4
Capstone
CPE 498Senior Capstone 24
Electives
Six credits from Group A6
Six additional credits from Group A or Group B6
Group A electives
Numerical Methods
Electrodynamics
Introduction to Robotics
Topics in Operating Systems
Fundamentals of Information Security
Parallel and Distributed Computing
Computer Networks
Internet of Things
Introduction to Control Systems
Independent Study
Architecture of Parallel Systems
Topics in Computer Engineering
Digital Design
ASIC Design
Advanced Computer Architecture
Code Generation and Optimization
Research in Computer Engineering
Group B electives
Graph Theory
Introduction to Python Programming
Introduction to Web Design
Introduction to Programming Language
Competitive Programming
Software Design IV: Software Engineering
Software Testing Techniques
Analysis of Algorithm Complexity
Software Exploitation
Introduction to Database Management Systems
Independent Study
Web Application Development
Free and Open Source Software Development
Mobile Application Development
Topics in Computer Science
Programming Language Concepts
Structures of Compilers
Advances in Software Engineering
User Interface Design
Artificial Intelligence
Introduction to Theory of Computation
Digital Image Processing
Secure Software Development
Advanced Database Management Systems
Computer Graphics and Modeling
Data Visualization
Research in Computer Science
Total Credits63

In addition to the 63 credits, the below prerequisite courses must be taken:

Prerequisite courses
CS 120Software Design I4
CS 220Software Design II4
MTH 207Calculus I5
MTH 208Calculus II4
MTH 308Linear Algebra with Differential Equations4
PHY 203General Physics I4
PHY 204General Physics II4
STAT 245Probability and Statistics4
Total Credits33
1

May substitute MTH 225 for CS 225.

2

CPE 498 Senior Capstone (2 cr.) must be taken in sequential semesters, starting in the fall.

Students in this major are exempt from the College of Science and Health core requirements. 

All students must complete the general education, college core (waived for computer engineering majors), major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.  

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

This major is exempt from the CSH College Core requirement.  

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MTH 207 (Gen Ed Math)5MTH 208 (Gen Ed Math)4
PHY 203 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)14CS 120 (Gen Ed Lang/Logical Systems)4
CPE 1051PHY 20424
FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3
ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3 
 16 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CS 2204CPE 2123
CS 22533CS 2703
STAT 2454CS 3404
MTH 3084PHY 3343
Gen Ed Arts2-3Gen Ed Minority Cultures3
 17 16
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CPE 3013CPE 3213
CPE 3093CS 3513
CS 3703CS 3723
PHY 3354CS 4413
Gen Ed Self & Society3Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
 CPE 4831
 16 16
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CPE Elective (Group A)3CPE 4783
CPE Elective (Group A)3CPE Elective (Group A or B)3
Gen Ed Arts2-3CPE Elective (Group A or B)3
CPE 4811Gen Ed World History3
Gen Ed Global Studies3Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3
CPE 49842CPE 49842
 14 17
Total Credits: 127
1

PHY 203 is only offered in the fall.

2

PHY 204 is only offered in the spring.

3

May substitute MTH 225 for CS 225.

4

CPE 498 must be taken in sequential semesters, starting in the fall.