Oct 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Computer Engineering, B.S.E.


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Major technological advances are being made in the computer field at a rapid pace, and it is essential that computer engineering students are not only aware of these advances but prepared to work in this changing environment. Students should gain a strong background in the fundamentals of computer engineering and develop a willingness to accept and thrive on change.

The computer engineering program at Oakland University is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed to function effectively in computer-related activities in the years ahead. It is unique in offering a focus on embedded systems. A balance between theoretical and practical experience and an emphasis on the software and hardware aspects of computers are key elements to the university’s computer engineering major. The BSE in Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Computer Engineering Program Criteria. To earn the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in computer engineering, students must complete a minimum of 129 credits and satisfy the writing requirements. They must meet the following requirements: (also see Undergraduate degree requirements)

Program educational objectives


The undergraduate program in Computer Engineering will provide educational experiences aimed toward producing graduates who will:

  • Become successful practitioners in an engineering or related career.
  • Pursue graduate study and/or continuing education opportunities in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or other related disciplines.
  • Demonstrate leadership and excel in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments.
  • Function as responsible members of society with an awareness of the ethical and social ramifications of their work.

Schedule of Classes


Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

Requirements for the major in computer engineering, B.S.E.


General Education requirements


In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Each candidate for an Oakland University baccalaureate will need to satisfactorily complete approved courses in each of the following areas: Foundations, Explorations, and Integration. For details, refer to the General Education Requirements section of the catalog. In order to satisfy both general education and other program requirements, in some of the general education areas students should select from the courses listed below.

Foundations:

  • Writing Foundations - WRT 1060 
  • Formal Reasoning (satisfied by MTH 1554; see Mathematics and sciences)

Explorations: One course from each of the seven Explorations areas:

  • Arts
  • Language and Culture
  • Global Perspective
  • Literature
  • Natural Science and Technology (satisfied by EGR 2400 or EGR 2500; see engineering core)
  • Social Science (satisfied by ECN 1500, ECN 2010, or ECN 2020; see Additional Major Requirements)
  • Western Civilization (satisfied by PHL 1310; see Additional Major Requirements)

Integration:

  • Knowledge Applications (satisfied by MTH 1555 for engineering majors; see Mathematics and sciences)
  • Capstone (satisfied by ECE 4999; see Required Professional Subjects)

U.S. Diversity:

  • May be met by an approved course in the Explorations area

Writing Intensive:

  • Writing Intensive in the Major (satisfied by ECE 4999; see Required Professional Subjects)
  • Writing Intensive in General Education (may be met by an approved course in the Explorations area)

Additional Major Requirements

All students must meet the following requirements. Courses from these selections can meet general education exploration areas above.

  • Professional Ethics: PHL 1310 - Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering
  • Economics: Choose one from ECN 1500, ECN 2010, or ECN 2020

In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an SECS Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Mathematics and sciences


Students must complete at least 30 credits in the required math/science area. Students with fewer than 30 credit hours of math/science, for example due to transfers from another institution, must take additional courses to satisfy this requirement. Additional courses in math/science must be from the approved Math/Science Elective Options

Professional electives


Professional elective courses can be selected from 3000, 4000, or 5000 level ECE, CSI, or approved mathematics and science electives; provided that the prerequisites of the courses are met. Professional electives from other SECS programs can be selected with prior approval of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Of the 12 professional elective credits, 4 credits must be selected from the Computers and Algorithms list, and at least 4 credits must be from a 4000 or 5000 level course. Professional electives at the 5000 level require an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. Prior approval of the chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is required for ECE 4996 and ECE 4998. Co-ops/internships, ECE 3801, ECE 3802 and ECE 4731/5731 cannot be counted as professional electives in the Computer Engineering program.

Major standing


To enroll in 3000- or higher-level courses and to become candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in Computer Engineering, students must gain major standing. An application for major standing should be submitted prior to intended enrollment in 3000- or higher-level courses. Students can obtain the major standing form from the SECS Undergraduate Advising website. At the time that major standing is approved, students with majors of Pre-Computer Engineering will have their major changed to Computer Engineering. Approval of both a major standing application and change of major to Computer Engineering is required prior to enrolling in any 3000- or higher-level courses.

To gain major standing in Computer Engineering, students must:

A) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following mathematics and science courses: MTH 1554 , MTH 1555 , APM 2555 , CHM 1440 , PHY 1510 , PHY 1520 ;

B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following engineering core courses: EGR 1200 , EGR 1400 , EGR 2400 , EGR 2500 , EGR 2600 , EGR 2800 ;

C) have no more than two grades below C in the required courses listed in A and B above;

D) have not attempted any course listed in A and B above more than three times; and

E) have not repeated more than three different courses listed in A and B. Courses in which a W (withdrawal) grade is recorded will not be counted.

Conditional major standing may be granted in the semester in which the student will complete the courses listed in A and B above.

Performance requirements


Satisfactory completion of the program requires a GPA of at least 2.0 within each course group: mathematics and sciences, engineering core, and professional courses (including required professional subjects and professional electives) and a grade of C or better in the senior design capstone course (ECE 4999). Within professional courses, at most two grades below C are permitted, at most two different courses may be repeated, and a total of three repeat attempts per course are permitted.

Sample computer engineering schedule


Students entering the School of Engineering and Computer Science with the required background may follow a schedule such as the one indicated below. However, students will need additional time to complete the program if they do not have the required background upon entrance to the program.

Freshman year


Sophomore year


Junior year


Senior year


Fall semester – 16 credits

Winter semester – 16 credits

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