Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2017-2018 
    
Undergraduate Record 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Computer Engineering


Return to: School of Engineering and Applied Science: Departments/Programs  


Computer Engineering (www.cpe.virginia.edu) is an exciting field in which students learn and practice the development of hardware and software systems that work together to solve a problem or achieve a goal.  Computer engineers often develop embedded computer systems that interact with the world through sensors and provide direct control of some physical entity.  Computer engineering students have 24/7 access to our embedded systems lab which contains bench equipment for logic and signal analysis and a collection of embedded system development platforms and equipment from National Instruments (myRIO, myDAQ, Elvis), Texas Instruments (MSP430 Launchpad and custom header boards), iRobot (IRobot Create) and Altrea (FPGA development board).  State-of-the-art bench equipment is also available for printed circuit board development and evaluation in the ECE project lab, to which computer engineers also have access.

A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook states that “very favorable opportunities” (more numerous job openings compared to job seekers) can be expected for college graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. It also projects an employment increase of over 30% by 2020 for occupations available to graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. More details can be obtained from www.bls.gov/coh.

Program Objectives Graduates of the Computer Engineering program at the University of Virginia have the knowledge, skills and attitudes that allow them to make tangible contributions, meet new technical challenges, contribute effectively as team members, and be innovators in computer hardware, software, design, analysis and applications. They communicate effectively and interact responsibly with colleagues, clients, employers and society.

Faculties from the Computer Science and Electrical & Computer Engineering departments jointly administer the computer engineering undergraduate degree program at the University of Virginia.

Computer Engineering Curriculum (128 credits)


Second Semester Credits: 17


  • Science elective I Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 2 below)
  • HSS elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 1 below)

Third Semester Credits: 17


  • HSS elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 1 below)

Fourth Semester Credits: 16


Sixth Semester Credits: 18


  • CS/ECE elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 4 below)
  • HSS elective Credits: 3 
    (See Footnote 1 below)
  • ECE 4550 - Applied Research and Design Lab: 1.5

Seventh Semester Credits: 15


  • CS/ECE elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 4 below)
  • Unrestricted elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 3 below)

Eighth Semester Credits: 15


  • CS/ECE elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 4 below)
  • Unrestricted elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 3 below)
  • Unrestricted elective Credits: 3
    (See Footnote 3 below)

Footnotes


(1) Chosen from the approved list available in A122 Thornton Hall.
(2) Chosen from: among BIOL 2100, 2200; CHEM 1620; ECE 2066; MSE 2090; and PHYS 2620.
(3) Unrestricted electives may be chosen from any graded course in the University except mathematics courses below MATH 1310 including STAT 1100 and STAT 1120 and courses that substantially duplicate any others offered for the degree including PHYS 2010, 2020; CS 1010, 1020; or any introductory programming course. Students in doubt as to what is acceptable to satisfy a degree requirement should get the approval of their advisor and the dean’s office, located A122 Thornton Hall. APMA 1090 counts as three-credit unrestricted elective.
(4) Chosen from CS/ECE courses at the 3000 level or higher. Two CS/ECE electives must be 4000 level or above.