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Computer Engineering

University Park, College of Engineering (CMPEN)

PROFESSOR RAJ ACHARYA, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering

The mission of the faculty of the undergraduate Computer Engineering program at Penn State is to provide students with the knowledge and experience needed to pursue a productive lifelong career in industry or to engage in further study at the graduate level. Students participate in a balanced program of instruction covering the basic principles of the design and application of computer systems. The program includes coverage in breadth and depth in basic science, engineering, and abstract concepts of information handling. Students will specialize in and be prepared for careers in the design, analysis and use of hardware, software and systems. The program is structured to ensure that graduates have a clear understanding of the design and applications of computers, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge throughout their professional careers. In particular within a few years after graduation, graduates in computer engineering should be able to:

  1. Successfully enter a technical graduate degree program.
  2. Complete an assigned portion of a significant hardware/software project that meets the specifications and complies with time and budget constraints.
  3. Lead a design team in a significant hardware and/or software project.
  4. Function as an engineer or graduate student in an ethical manner.
  5. Engage in lifelong learning, keeping up to date with current engineering practice, tools, and technologies.
  6. Effectively collaborate with co-workers, customers, and partners in diverse environments.
  7. Effectively articulate and defend a technical position.

For the B.S. degree in Computer Engineering, a minimum of 129 credits is required. This baccalaureate program in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012; telephone 410-347-7700; or www.abet.org.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem:1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(27 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in front of Bulletin.)

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
 (Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 111 credits
(This includes 27 credits of General Education courses: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 9 credits of GWS courses.)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (79 credits)
CHEM 110 GN(3)[1], CHEM 111 GN(1), CMPSC 121(3)GQ[1], MATH 140 GQ(4), MATH 141 GQ(4)[1], PHYS 211 GN(4)[1], PHYS 212 GN(4) (Sem: 1-2)
CMPSC 122(3)[1], CMPSC 221(3)[1], CMPSC 360(3)[1], CMPEN 362(3), E E 210(4)[1], MATH 220 GQ(2-3), MATH 231(2), MATH 250(3), PHYS 214 GN(2) (Sem: 3-4)
CMPEN 331(3)[1], CMPEN 431(3)[1], CMPSC 311(3)[1], CMPSC 465(3)[1], E E 310(4)[1], E E 353(3)[1], ENGL 202C GWS(3), STAT 418(3) (Sem: 5-6)
CMPEN 482W(3), CMPSC 473(3) (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (26 credits)
Select 1 credit of First-Year Seminar (Sem: 1-2)
ENGL 015 GWS(3) or ENGL 030 GWS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
CAS 100A GWS(3) or CAS 100B GWS(3) (Sem: 3-4)
CMPEN 270(4)[1]; or CMPEN 271(3)[1] and CMPEN 275(1) (Sem: 3-4)
ECON 002 GS(3), ECON 004 GS(3), ECON 014 GS(3), or E B F 200 GS(3) (Sem: 3-4)
Select 6 credits from CMPEN 411(3), CMPEN 416(3), CMPEN 417(3), CMPEN 454(3), CMPEN 455(3),CMPEN 471(3), CMPEN 472(3), CMPEN 473(3), CMPEN 475(3), E E 453(3), E E 456(3) (Sem: 5-8)
Select 6 credits from any 400-level CMPEN or CMPSC course (Sem: 5-8)

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (6 credits)
Select 6 credits from department list (Students may apply up to 6 credits of ROTC and 3 credits of Co-op.)

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.

Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2008

Blue Sheet Item #: 36-05-059

Review Date: 2/26/08

UCA Revision #1: 8/3/06
UCA Revision #2: 7/27/07

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