Dec 06, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Computer Engineering (B.S.Cmp.E.)


Program: B.S.Cmp.E.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering  
College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science

Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science Building 327 ~ 260-481-6362

URL: http://www.pfw.edu/ece, email: ece@pfw.edu


Computer Engineering is the engineering discipline that deals with the design and application of computer systems.  These computer systems range in size from tiny embedded processors to massive database and network servers. Purdue University Fort Wayne offers a four-year computer engineering undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

Computer engineers have a broad technical background, covering both hardware (equipment) and software (programs). These two aspects of computer systems are inseparable: software cannot operate without hardware; without software, computer hardware can perform no useful function. In system design, it is often necessary to assign functions to hardware and software components, based on cost and performance criteria.

Our students, while drawn from diverse backgrounds, are all extremely able and committed to learning. Purdue Fort Wayne delivers an exceptional educational experience to engineering students, encouraging collaboration and teamwork throughout the curriculum.


Student Learning Outcomes:

As a framework for the continuous improvement policy, the Computer Engineering program has adopted a set of program educational objectives that describe the anticipated accomplishments of our graduates within a few years after graduation.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCmpE) program educational objectives are to produce graduates who:

  1. Function and communicate effective to solve technical problems
  2. Advance professionally to roles of greater computer engineering responsibilities and/or by transitioning into leadership positions in business, government, and/or education
  3. Participate in life-long learning through the successful completion of advanced degree(s), continuous education, and/or engineering certification(s)/licensure or other professional development
  4. Demonstrate a commitment to community by applying technical skills and knowledge to support various service activities

The graduates from the Computer Engineering program will demonstrate that they have:

  1. The ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. The ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. The ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. The ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. The ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions.
  7. The ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Accreditation:

  • The Computer Engineering (B.S.) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Program Delivery:

  • The BSCmpE program is delivered primarily through on-campus courses; however, some of the required General Education courses are available as hybrid and/or on-line courses and those can be used to satisfy the program requirements.

Declaring this Major:

Students interested in declaring Computer Engineering as their major may do so in one of two ways:

  • On their application when they first apply to Purdue Fort Wayne
  • After meeting with an ECE faculty advisor, who will determine that the student has the required math and chemistry background to begin our program

General Requirements:

  1. Degree Requirements  
  2. General Education Requirement  
  3. Overlapping Course Content  
  4. Academic Regulations  

Program Requirements:

In order to start in the Computer Engineering program, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Math Placement at or above MA 15400

Students in the Electrical Engineering program and Computer Engineering program take many common courses and are encouraged to explore the possibility of dual majors in BSEE and BSCmpE.  Please contact your advisor for further information.

Program Requirements:


Computer Engineering BSCmpE 4-Year Plan:  

In order to start in the Computer Engineering program, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Math Placement at or above MA 15400

General Education Requirements


The Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements for the Computer Engineering program is provided below. This plan satisfies the competency requirements and the credit hour requirement.

CATEGORY COMPETENCY COURSE Credit Hours
A 1 ENGL 13100 Elementary Composition 3
A 2 COM 11400 Fundamentals of Speech 3
A 3 MA 16500 Analytical Geometry and Calculus I 4
    MA 16600 Analytical Geometry and Calculus II 4
B 4 CHM 11500 General Chemistry I 4
    PHYS 15200 Mechanics 5
B 5 Select from the list of approved courses 3
    (all Competency 5 outcomes must be met)  
B 6 Select from the list of approved courses 3
    (all Competency 6 outcomes must be met)  
B 7 PHYS 25100 Heat, Electricity and Optics 5
C 8 ECE 40500 Senior Design I 3
  1. For B 5 and B 6, if a student selected a course that does not meet ALL outcomes for that competency, he/she must take another course that meets rest of the outcomes for that competency.
  2. All courses used to complete the General Education Requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Major and Supporting Courses Required for the BSCmpE


Technical Elective Requirements


All Computer Engineering students must take at least three (3) credit hours from the list of Group I Technical Electives, and at least nine (9) credit hours from either the Group I or Group II Technical Elective lists. 

Group I Technical Electives


All Computer Engineering students must take at least one (1) course from the list of Group I Technical Electives given below:

Group II Technical Electives


GPA Requirement


You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in the 121 credits required for this major.

Total Credits Required: 121


Student Responsibility


You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. 

Additional Course Use:


  • ECE 20700 required, ECE 29300 accepted
  • ECE 22900 required, CS 22900 accepted
  • ECE 40601 + ECE 40602 can replace ECE 40600.
  • For students in 2+3 programs who have completed the first two years in the School of Polytech, the following transfer credits can be applied
    • MA 16500, CPET 19000 & ECET 11100 –> ENGR12800 + MA 16500
    • ECET 11100 + ECET 14600 +self study of State Machine  –> ECE 27000
    • ECET 10200 , ECET 15200 + ECET 20400 –> ECE 20700
  • New technical elective courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may also be used as technical electives.