Computer Engineering
Computer engineering provides a core competency and unique value of integrated knowledge in both computer software and hardware, as compared to computer science or electrical engineering. Specialization in computer engineering is provided via technical electives with software or hardware emphases from the Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Overview
The computer engineering curriculum provides a balance among computer systems, hardware and software as well as theory and applications. Graduates can pursue graduate studies in computer engineering or they can choose from many different careers related to computers and their applications in high technology environments.
Opportunities for cooperative education provide students a better understanding of the industrial applications of computer engineering technologies. By properly choosing electives, students can specialize in computer systems, computer communications, networking, computer vision, embedded systems, pattern recognition, expert systems, multi-media systems or other areas.
Technical electives with software emphasis are offered primarily in the Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering and those with hardware emphasis are primarily in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
CISE Requirements (Software)
Students must complete all critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C in each course and the critical-tracking GPA must be a minimum of 2.5. A minimum grade of C is required in COP 3504 or 3503, EEL 3701C and ENC 3254. In addition, CISE requires all computer engineering students to maintain a cumulative, upper-division and department grade point average minimum of 2.0.
Students who do not meet these requirements will be placed on academic probation and be required to prepare a probation contract with a CISE adviser. Students normally are given two terms in which to remove their deficit points; however, students who do not satisfy the conditions of the first term of probation may be dismissed from the department.
Computer engineering students in the hardware emphasis should refer to the department requirements listed under Electrical Engineering.
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Educational Objectives
The objective of the program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is to provide students with a strong theoretical and practical background in computer hardware and software, along with the engineering analysis, design and implementation skills necessary to work between the two.
A computer engineer is someone with the ability to design a complete computer system from its circuits to its operating system to the algorithms that run on it. Although one can consider software and hardware separately, a computer engineer must take a more holistic approach.
If an electronic device is to be called a computer, it must produce mathematically meaningful results. Similarly, any useful theory of computing must be physically realizable. The synthesis of the theory and algorithm that must take place before any useful computing can be achieved is the job of the computer engineer, and to produce such engineers is the mission of this program.
Three to five years after graduating, a computer engineering graduate will:
- Excel in a career utilizing their education in computer engineering;
- Continue to enhance their knowledge;
- Be effective in multidisciplinary and diverse professional environments; and
- Provide leadership and demonstrate good citizenship.
Mission
- To educate undergraduate and graduate majors as well as the broader campus community in the fundamental concepts of the computing discipline,
- To create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology, and
- To use our expertise in computing to help society solve problems.
Hardware
Software
Hardware
Computer engineering has become a major part of electrical engineering, so much so that a separate degree is offered as computer engineering - hardware specialization.
Computer engineering in a broad sense deals with the body of knowledge that forms the theoretical and practical basis for the storage, retrieval, processing, analysis, recognition and display of information. It also includes the design and implementation of computer systems and peripheral devices for information handling and engineering applications.
The computer engineering - hardware degree provides an academic program and research environment to obtain knowledge and skills in digital hardware, microprocessors, software systems and computer applications. In the hardware courses, students study the functional behavior of integrated circuit components and the design of complex digital systems. In the software system courses, students receive hands-on operating experience in different aspects of system software and their relations to hardware facilities. Courses in computer engineering also deal with pattern processing, machine intelligence and information system design and evaluation.
Electives are taken according to individual interest to permit a student to delve more deeply into subject matter previously introduced. Students can specialize in the areas of computer system architecture, computer communications, computer network architecture, computer systems and controls, machine learning, man-machine interaction, robotics and machine intelligence. Technical electives must be taken from an approved list.
Students who want to take their technical electives in hardware would pursue the computer degree through the ECE department. Students who want to take their technical electives in software would pursue the computer degree through the CISE department.
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
- Complete 1 of 8 tracking courses with a minimum grade of C+ within two attempts: CHM 2045 or CHM 2095, CHM 2046 or CHM 2096 or approved biological science course, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical tracking course with a minimum grade of C+ within two attempts
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C+ within two attempts
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C+ within two attempts
Semester 5
- Complete all 8 critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C+ in each course within two attempts
Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical tracking courses, which appear in bold. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in Semester 1 or 2.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 or
CHM 2095 Chemistry for Engineers 1 (GE-P) |
3 |
| CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) |
4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
Biological Science 2000 level or above (GE-B) or
CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2 or
CHM 2096 Chemistry for Engineers 2 |
3 |
ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE-C, WR)
(professional communication for engineers) |
3 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) |
4 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE-P) |
3 |
| PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
COP 3504 Advanced Programming Fundamentals for CIS Majors (GE-M) or
COP 3502 and 3503 Programming Fundamentals for CIS Majors 1 and 2 (for students with no Java programming experience) |
3 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE-M) |
4 |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE-P) |
3 |
| PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory |
1 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| COT 3100 Applications of Discrete Structures |
3 |
| EEL 3105 Analytical Methods in Electrical Engineering |
3 |
| EEL 3111C Circuits 1 |
4 |
| MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations |
3 |
| Total |
13 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| EEE 3308C Electronic Circuits 1 |
4 |
| EEE 3396 Solid-State Electronic Devices |
3 |
| EEL 3135 Introduction to Systems and Signals |
3 |
| EEL 3701C Digital Logic and Computer Systems |
4 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| CDA 3101 Introduction to Computer Organization |
3 |
| COP 3530 Data Structures and Algorithm |
4 |
| EEL 3112 Circuits, Systems and Signals |
4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Summer |
Credits |
|---|
Co-op or internship, if desired
|
|
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| EEL 4744 Microprocessor Applications |
4 |
| STA 3032 Engineering Statistics |
3 |
| Electrical engineering technical elective (any EEL or EEE-prefixed course except EEL 3003) |
3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
13 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| CEN 3031 Introduction to Software Engineering |
3 |
| COP 4600 Operating Systems |
3 |
| EEL 3923C Electrical and Computer Engineering Design 1 |
3 |
| EGN 4034 Professional Ethics |
1 |
| College breadth, from approved list |
2 |
| Total |
12 |
| Semester 9 |
Credits |
|---|
EEL 4712C Digital Design or
EEL 4713C Digital Computer Architecture |
4 |
| Electrical engineering technical electives (any EEL or EEE-prefixed course except EEL 3003) |
6 |
| Technical elective, from approved list |
3 |
| Total |
13 |
| Semester 10 |
Credits |
|---|
| EEL 4924C Electrical Engineering Design |
3 |
| Technical elective, from approved list |
2 |
| Total |
5 |
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Software
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- 2.5 GPA on all critical tracking coursework for semesters 1-5
- Complete 1 of 8 tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts: CHM 2045 or CHM 2095, CHM 2046 or approved 2000-level biological or physical science course, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical tracking course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
Semester 5
- Complete all 8 critical tracking courses with minimum grades of C in each course within two attempts
Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. Students are required to complete HUM 2305 The Good Life (GE-H) in semester 1 or 2.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 or
CHM 2095 Chemistry for Engineers 1 (GE-P) |
3 |
| CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| COP 3502 Programming Fundamentals for CIS Majors 1 (CISE technical elective) |
3 |
| HUM 2305 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) |
4 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
COP 3504 Advanced Programming Fundamentals for CIS Majors or
COP 3503 Programming for CIS Majors 2 |
3 |
| COT 3100 Applications of Discrete Structures |
3 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) |
4 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE-P) |
3 |
| PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| Total |
14 |
| Summer |
Credits |
|---|
| Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
6 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| CDA 3101 Introduction to Computer Organization |
3 |
| COP 3530 Data Structures and Algorithms |
4 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE-M) |
4 |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE-P) |
3 |
| PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
Biological Science 2000 level or above (GE-B) or
CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2 or
CHM 2096 Chemistry for Engineers 2 (GE-P) |
3 |
| EEL 3111C Circuits 1 |
4 |
| MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations (GE-M) |
3 |
MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra or
MAS 4105 Linear Algebra 1 (4) |
3-4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Summer |
Credits |
|---|
| EEL 3701C Digital Logic and Computer Systems |
4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
| Total |
7 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| COT 4501 Numerical Analysis - A Computational Approach |
3 |
| EEL 4744C Microprocessor Applications |
4 |
| ENC 3254 Professional Communication for Engineers (GE-C, WR-6) |
3 |
| STA 3032 Engineering Statistics |
3 |
| Engineering core, from approved list |
2-3 |
| Total |
15-16 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| COP 4600 Operating Systems |
3 |
| EEL 4712C Digital Design |
4 |
| CISE technical elective |
3 |
| Engineering core, from approved list |
2-3 |
| Total |
12-13 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
| CEN 3031 Introduction to Software Engineering |
3 |
EEL 3135 Discrete - Time Signals and Systems (3) or
EEE 3308C Electronic Circuits 1 (4) |
3-4 |
| Approved engineering ethics course |
1 |
| Technical electives, two |
6 |
| Total |
13-14 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| CEN 4914 Senior Project (see adviser) |
3 |
| CISE technical electives, two |
6 |
| CNT 4007C Computer Network Fundamentals |
4 |
| Total |
13 |
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