Computer Engineering
Home Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department Head:
Mark G. Thompson, Ph.D.
Room 2-703 AB, 810-762-7900
ece@kettering.edu
Program Overview
Computer engineering is a branch of engineering concerned with the design, development, and application of computer systems. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (CE) program at Kettering University focuses on embedded-computer systems, in which a computer chip, module, or circuit board is built into a larger product or system. Examples of products containing embedded computers include “smart” phones, MP3 players, GPS navigation systems, hybrid and electric vehicle drive systems, unmanned vehicles, medical diagnostic devices, and manufacturing systems. Embedded systems applications span a wide range of industry sectors including consumer electronics, internet technology, computer hardware, automotive systems, and automated manufacturing. Computer engineers today can find employment in all these industries, and many more.
The Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.
Program Educational Objectives
The Computer Engineering Program is designed to provide its graduates a solid educational foundation on which they can build successful and sustainable careers in computer engineering or a related field. In particular, graduates of the Computer Engineering Program will:
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Be employed or pursuing an advanced degree in the field of computer engineering or other related disciplines.
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Be productive members of interdisciplinary teams.
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Assume leadership positions in their industry, their continuing education, or in their communities, as their careers develop.
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Continue their professional development and engage in the life-long learning necessary for a sustainable career.
The Computer Engineering program is designed to meet its objectives through its curriculum, experiential learning including cooperative education, and co-curricular activities sponsored by the department and the university.
The curriculum includes a strong sequence of mathematics and basic science courses that provides the solid foundation in these areas that is common to all engineering programs at Kettering University. Engineering design and basic engineering concepts from a variety of disciplines are introduced in the freshman year in IME-100. Basic and practical computer programming and problem solving are introduced, also in the freshman year, in ENGR-101.
The “core” curriculum covers hardware design, software development in both assembly and higher-level languages, computer networking, and embedded computer applications through a combination of computer engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science courses. Every course in the core curriculum includes a strong laboratory experience, a hallmark of the program that both enhances students’ learning and hones their abilities to apply technology effectively in the workplace. A flexible selection of electives allow students to deepen their knowledge in specific areas or applications of computer engineering, or to broaden their background through dual majors or minors, or simply well chosen combinations of courses that meet their individual educational goals.
The culminating experience in the curriculum takes place in CE-490, which gives students experience working in a team environment to complete a large engineering project that builds on the knowledge and skills they have gained in their coursework.
The curriculum is supported by modern lab facilities for digital systems, embedded systems, computer networks, virtual reality systems, logic systems, mobile robotics, mobile application development, circuits, and electronics.
BS/MASTERS PATHWAY
Undergraduate students also have an opportunity to get their bachelor's and master's degrees in five years with the BS/MASTERS Pathway.
Computer Engineering Program Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience | ||
| CILE-101 | First Year Foundations | 1 |
| General Education | ||
| COMM-101 | Rhetoric & Writing | 4 |
| ECON-201 | Economic Principles | 4 |
| 200-level Liberal Arts Electives | 8 | |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Electives 1,2 | 8-12 | |
| LA-489 | Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 29-33 | |
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Humanities and Social Science advanced electives must be selected from approved 300 and 400 level courses.
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The following programs complete eight credits of Advanced Humanities or Social Science Electives: Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
The following programs complete 12 credits of Advanced Humanities or Social Science Electives: Computer Science and Management
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Basic Science | ||
| CHEM-135 & CHEM-136 | Principles of Chemistry and Principles of Chemistry Lab | 4 |
| CS-211 | Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| MATH-101 | Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH-101X | Calculus I | |
| MATH-102 | Calculus II | 4 |
| or MATH-102X | Calculus II | |
| MATH-158 | Foundations of Probability & Statistics | 4 |
| MATH-203 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 |
| or MATH-203X | Multivariate Calculus | |
| MATH-204 | Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms | 4 |
| PHYS-114 & PHYS-115 | Newtonian Mechanics and Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS-224 & PHYS-225 | Electricity and Magnetism and Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory | 4 |
| Math/Science Electives | 4 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 40 | |
| Engineering Topics | ||
| CE-210 | Intro to Digital Systems Design | 4 |
| CE-320 | Intro to Microcomputers | 4 |
| CE-420 | Microcomputer Systems | 4 |
| CE-422 | Computer Architecture and Organization | 4 |
| CE-426 | Real-Time Embedded Systems | 4 |
| CE-480 | Computer Networks | 4 |
| CE-490 | Senior CE Design Project | 4 |
| CHME-207 | Materials Engineering | 4 |
| or MECH-207 | Materials Engineering | |
| ENGR-101 | Computational Thinking | 4 |
| EE-210 | Engineering Circuit Analysis 1 | 4 |
| EE-320 | Introduction to Microelectronic Devices and Circuits | 4 |
| IME-100 | Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing | 4 |
| Computer Engineering Electives | 8 | |
| Electrical Engineering Elective | 4 | |
| Computer Science | ||
| CS-101 | Computing & Algorithms I | 4 |
| CS-102 | Computing & Algorithms II | 4 |
| Computer Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 72 | |
| Electives | ||
| Free Electives | 8 | |
| Technical Elective | 8 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 16 | |
| Culminating Undergraduate Experience | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 | Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion 2 | 4 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 132 | |
(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161
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Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status.
Electives
Computer Engineering Electives
A computer engineering elective may be any course with a CE prefix.
Computer Science Electives
A computer science elective may be any course with a CS prefix.
Electrical Engineering Elective
The electrical engineering elective may be any course with an EE prefix.
Free Elective
COMM-435 and MATH-100 are not accepted for free elective credit.
Math/Science Electives
A math/science elective may be any course with a BIOL, CHEM, EP, MATH, or PHYS prefix, except MATH-100 and EP-235.
Technical Electives
A technical elective may be any course numbered 200-level and above with a BIOL, CE, CHEM, CHME, CS, EE, IME, MATH, MECH, or PHYS prefix, except IME-211, that is not used to complete core degree requirements. Additionally, BUSN-303, BUSN-304, and MGMT-419 also qualify as technical electives.
Representative Program
| Freshman I | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM-135 | Principles of Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM-136 | Principles of Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CILE-101 | First Year Foundations | 1 |
| COMM-101 | Rhetoric & Writing | 4 |
| IME-100 | Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing | 4 |
| MATH-101 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Freshman II | ||
| ECON-201 | Economic Principles | 4 |
| ENGR-101 | Computational Thinking | 4 |
| MATH-102 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS-114 | Newtonian Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS-115 | Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore I | ||
| CHME-207 or MECH-207 |
Materials Engineering or Materials Engineering |
4 |
| MATH-203 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 |
| PHYS-224 | Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS-225 | Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory | 1 |
| 200-level Liberal Arts Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore II | ||
| CE-210 | Intro to Digital Systems Design | 4 |
| EE-210 | Engineering Circuit Analysis 1 | 4 |
| MATH-158 | Foundations of Probability & Statistics | 4 |
| MATH-204 | Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms | 4 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior I | ||
| CE-320 | Intro to Microcomputers | 4 |
| CS-101 | Computing & Algorithms I | 4 |
| CS-211 | Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| EE-320 | Introduction to Microelectronic Devices and Circuits | 4 |
| 200-level Liberal Arts Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Junior II | ||
| CE-420 | Microcomputer Systems | 4 |
| CE-422 | Computer Architecture and Organization | 4 |
| CS-102 | Computing & Algorithms II | 4 |
| Advanced Social Science or Humanities Elective | 4 | |
| Math/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior I | ||
| CE-426 | Real-Time Embedded Systems | 4 |
| CE-480 | Computer Networks | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Computer Science Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior II | ||
| CE-490 | Senior CE Design Project | 4 |
| Computer Engineering Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Technical Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior III | ||
| LA-489 | Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues | 4 |
| Computer Engineering Elective | 4 | |
| Electrical Engineering Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Technical Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Any Term | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 |
Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion |
4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 161 | |
(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161