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  • Computer Engineering

    Computer engineering (CpE) is a discipline that embodies the science and technology of design, construction, implementation and maintenance of software and hardware components of computing systems and computer-controlled equipment. Studies in computer engineering integrate fields from both computer science (CS) and electrical engineering (EE).

    About this Major

    To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.


    Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan

    Overview

    Computer engineering (CpE) brings a core competency and unique value of integrated knowledge in both computer software and hardware, providing a balance among computer systems, hardware and software as well as theory and applications. Specialization in computer engineering is provided via technical electives from the Department of Computer and Information Science (www.cise.ufl.edu) and Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (www.ece.ufl.edu). By properly choosing electives, students can specialize in knowledge areas such as computer architecture, computer system engineering, digital signal processing, embedded systems, intelligent systems, networking and communication and security. Also, opportunities for cooperative education provide students a better understanding of the industrial applications of computer engineering technologies. Graduates will be prepared to pursue graduate studies in computer engineering or they can choose from many different careers related to computers and their applications in high technology environments.

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    Educational Objectives

    The objective of the program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is to prepare a student such that three to five years after graduation, a CpE 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
    • Provide leadership and demonstrate professional integrity
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    Mission

    • To educate undergraduate majors as well as the broader campus community in the fundamental concepts of the computing discipline
    • To create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology
    • To use our expertise in computing to help society solve problems.
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    Admission Requirements

    Successful applicants must have earned a 2.5 grade point average, based on the first two attempts, in the eight preprofessional courses and have earned a minimum grade of C in each course of Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, Physics with Calculus 1, Physics with Calculus 2, General Chemistry 1, and Differential Equations. Only the first two attempts (including withdrawals) in each course will be considered for admission to or retention in the department.

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    Computer Engineering Requirements

    A minimum grade of C is required for each critical-tracking course and the critical-tracking GPA must be a minimum of 2.5.

    A minimum grade of C is required in any computer engineering course that is a prerequisite for another computer engineering course. The prerequisite course and its subsequent course cannot be taken the same term, even if the prerequisite course is being repeated.

    Minimum grades of C are required in COP 3502, COP 3503, EEL 3701C, ENC 3246 and CpE Design 2 (CEN 4913C, CIS 4914, EEL 4913 or EEL 4924C).

    A CpE major grade point average (GPA) is calculated as the average of the grades of all the CISE and ECE courses taken by the student. CpE students must maintain a cumulative, upper-division and CpE major GPA minimum of 2.0.

    Students who do not meet these requirements will be placed on academic probation and will be required to prepare a probation contract with a CpE advisor. Students are normally given two terms to remove their deficit points; however, students who do not satisfy the conditions of the first term of probation may be dismissed from the program.

    All graduating seniors must complete an exit survey with their advisor before graduating.

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    Critical Tracking

    Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

    Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

    Semester 1

    • Complete 1 of 8 critical-tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts: CHM 2045 or CHM 2095, CHM 2046 or CHM 2096 or a 2000-level or higher advisor-approved science course, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049
    • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 2

    • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts
    • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 3

    • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
    • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 4

    • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
    • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
    • 2.0 UF GPA required

    Semester 5

    • Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C in each course within two attempts
    • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
    • 2.0 UF GPA required
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    Model Semester Plan

    Students are expected to complete the general education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements. This is often done concurrently with another general education requirement, typically GE-C, H, or S.

    To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

    This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

    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
    ​COP3502 Programming Fundamentals 1 ​3
    IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
    GE-H
    3​
    MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
    State Core GE-M
    4
    ​Social and Behavioral Sciences
    State Core GE-S
    ​3
    Total 17
    Semester 2 Credits
    CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2 or
    CHM 2096 Chemistry for Engineers 2 or
    Biological science (2000 level or above; GE-B)
    3
    ​COP 3503 Programming Fundamentals 2 ​3
    MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
    State Core GE-M
    4
    PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1
    GE-P
    3
    PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory
    GE-P
    1
    ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing
    GE-C; E6
    3
    Total 17
    Semester 3 Credits
    COT 3100 Applications of Discrete Structures 3
    ​EEL 3701C Digital Logic and Computer Systems ​4
    MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
    GE-M
    4
    PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2
    GE-P
    3
    PHY 2049L Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2 1
    ​ENC 3246 Professional Communication for Engineers
    State Core GE-C; E6
    3​
    Total 18
    Semester 4 Credits
    CDA 3101 Introduction to Computer Organization ​3
    COP 3530 Data Structures and Algorithms 4
    EEL 3111C Circuits 1 4
    MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations 3
    ​Social and Behavioral Sciences
    GE-S with N or D; E6
    ​3
    Total 17
    Semester 5 Credits
    Humanities
    State Core GE-H with N or D
    3
    EEL 3744C Microprocessor Applications 4
    MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra 3
    CEN 3031 Introduction to Software Engineering 3
    ​College breadth elective
    From approved list
    2-3​
    Total 15-16
    Semester 6 Credits
    Engineering ethics course
    From approved list
    1-2
    EEL 4712C Digital Design 4
    ​College breadth elective
    From approved list
    3
    Technical electives 6
    ​Total ​14-15
    Semester 7 Credits
    CpE Design 1
    CEN 3913 CISE Design 1 or
    EEL 3923C Electrical Engineering Design 1 or
    EEL 4912 / CIS 4912C Integrated Product and Process Design 1
    3
    ​COP 4600 Operating Systems ​3
    EEL 3135 Signals and Systems 4
    ​STA 3032 Engineering Statistics ​3
    Technical elective 3
    Total 16
    Semester 8 Credits
    CpE Design 2
    CEN 4914 CISE Design 2 or
    EEL 4924C ECE Design 2 or
    EEL / CIS 4913 Integrated Product and Process Design 2
    3
    Technical electives 9
    Total 12
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    18 Credits of CpE Technical Electives

    • At least 12 credits must be courses at or above the 3000 level in the departments of CISE or ECE.
    • A current list of exceptions: EEL3003 Elements of Electrical Engineering
    • A CpE student will have credit for two programming courses (Java and C++). One additional programming language course (not Java or C++) can count as a technical elective.
    • Up to six credits of the following courses:
      • 4000-level courses in the mathematics department
      • 3000-level courses in the physics department
      • 4000-level courses in the statistics courses
      • 3000-level courses in any Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering department
      • Any advisor-approved course
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    Related Computer Engineering Programs

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majors: computer-engineering