Computer Engineering (CpE) combines the disciplines of electrical engineering and computer science. It encompasses computer hardware, software, and systems. The study of computer engineering is not limited to general purpose computers, but also covers embedded computer systems that control a vast multitude of devices and functions from automotive ignitions to cellular phones and various industrial controls, medical instruments, robotics, consumer electronics. Computer hardware design involves logic design, digital electronics, computer architecture, and integrated circuit design. Computer software involves the design of programs in various languages using structured and object-oriented techniques to control devices and systems. Computer systems involve the combination of hardware, software and operating system that will provide the most effective realization of a system.
Computer engineers are continually developing newer and faster computers, and they find new applications for computers every day to fill the needs of society. The computer engineer must have a broad understanding not only of computer systems, but also of basic engineering fundamentals to apply computer technology to the solution of real engineering problems.
The courses and laboratories offered in the CpE program are organized into the three disciplines of hardware, software, and system design. Technical electives that are chosen from various fields of specialization (e.g., robotics, networking, machine learning, high-performance computing, communications, computers, controls, and electronics) enable CpE seniors to apply their computer engineering knowledge in selected areas in their professional career.
The department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, in conjunction with its various constituencies, has clearly defined program objectives. These engineering program objectives are listed in the School of Engineering and Applied Science section of this catalog.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org, under the General Program Criteria and the Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.
B.S. in Computer Engineering: 130 credits
First Year |
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Fall |
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| CHEM 101 General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 101L General Chemistry I Lab | 1 credit |
| DEPT 193 First Year Seminar | 3 credits |
| MATH 157 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 credits |
| PHIL 101 Reasoning | 3 credits |
| COMM 100 Communication and Speech | 3 credits |
Spring |
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| CPSC 121 Computer Science I | 3 credits |
| ENGL 101 Writing |
3 credits |
| MATH 258 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II | 4 credits |
| CPEN 230 Introduction to Digital Logic | 3 credits |
| CPEN 230L Introduction to Digital Logic Lab | 1 credit |
| PHIL 201 Human Nature | 3 credits |
Second Year |
|
Fall |
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| CPEN 231 Embedded Computer Systems | 3 credits |
| CPEN 231L Embedded Computer Systems Lab | 1 credit |
| PHYS 121 Physics I | 4 credits |
| PHYS 121L Physics I Lab | 1 credit |
| EENG 201 Circuit Analysis Lab | 3 credits |
| EENG 201L Circuit Analysis I Lab | 1 credit |
| MATH 231 Discrete Structures | 3 credits |
Spring |
|
| CPSC 122 Computer Science II | 3 credits |
| CPEN 247 Network Interfacing and Sockets | 3 credits |
| EENG 202 Circuit Analysis II | 3 credits |
| MATH 259 Calculus and Analytical Geometry III | 4 credits |
| Religion Requirement: Christianity and Catholic Traditions | 3 credits |
Third Year |
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Fall |
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| CPSC 223 Abstract Date Structures | 3 credits |
| EENG 303 Electronics Design I | 3 credits |
| EENG 303L Electronics Design I Lab | 1 credit |
| EENG 311 Signals and Systems | 4 credits |
| MATH 260 Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 credits |
| Ethics core requirement | 3 credits |
Spring |
|
| CPEN 342 Cyber-Physical Systems | 3 credits |
| CPEN 342L Cyber-Physical Systems Lab | 1 credit |
| EENG 304 Electronics Design II | 3 credits |
| EENG 304L Electronics Design II Lab | 1 credits |
| EENG 322 Signals and Systems | 3 credits |
| Religion Requirement: World or Comparative Religion | 3 credits |
| Core Broadening Requirement | 3 credits |
Fourth Year |
|
Fall |
|
| CPEN 430 Digital System Design | 3 credits |
| CPEN 430L Digital System Design Lab | 1 credit |
| CPEN 442 Introduction to Robotics |
3 credits |
| CPEN/CPSC Technical elective | 3 credits |
| ENSC 491 Senior Design Project I | 2 credits |
| Technical elective1 | 3 credits |
| Spring | |
| ENSC 492 Senior Design Project II | 3 credits |
| ENSC 400 Fundamentals of Engineering Examination | 0 credits |
| CPEN/CPSC Technical elective1 | 3 credits |
| Technical elective1 | 3 credits |
| Core Broadening Requirement: (History, Literature, Social and Behavioral Science) | 3 credits |
| Core Integration Seminar (432) | 3 credits |
| Note1: Approved EENG, CPEN or CPSC elective courses | |
Technical Electives in Computer Engineering
Only 300 and 400 level courses that are not required in the degree plan can be used to satisfy the technical elective requirements. Approved electrical and computer engineering and computer science courses with an EENG, CPEN or CPSC designation may be used as electives. The student’s advisor must approve the selection. However, a maximum number of two approved computer science courses with a CPSC course designation may be used to satisfy computer engineering technical elective degree requirements. Please see your advisor for current course offerings.
Computer Engineering and Computer Science
- CPEN 431 Computer Hardware Design and Architecture
- CPEN 435 Parallel and Cloud Computing
- CPEN 436 Machine Learning in Biomedicine
- CPSC 435 Parallel and Cloud Computing
- CPSC 436 Machine Learning in Biomedicine
- CPEN 443 Autonomous Mobile Robots
- CPSC 321 Database Management Systems
- CPSC 346 Operating Systems
- CPSC 348 Computer Security
- CPSC 450 Advanced Algorithms
Electrical Engineering
- EENG 340/EENG 340L Introduction to Electric Power Engineering
- EENG 401 Electronics III
- EENG 403 Passive and Active Filter Design
- EENG 406 VLSI Circuits and Systems
- EENG 411 Introduction to Control Systems
- EENG 412 Digital Control Systems
- EENG 413/EENG 413L Automation
- EENG 421 Introduction to Communication Systems
- EENG 422 Digital Communication Systems
- EENG 424 Digital Signal Processing
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a Concentration in Robotics:
This concentration is for students majoring in either the BSEE or the BSCpE degrees. A student majoring in one of these programs may pursue the concentration as they are not eligible for a minor in this area. The concentration course requirements are identical regardless of the degree a student is seeking.
ECE: Concentration in Robotics
| CPEN 442 Introduction to Robotics | 3 credits |
| CPEN 443 Autonomous Mobile Robotics | 3 credits |
| Two of the following four courses | 6 credits |
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CPEN 436 Machine Learning in Biomedicine
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EENG 411 Control Systems
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EENG 412 Digital Control
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EENG 424 Digital Signal Processing
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In addition to their major and minor areas of study, all undergraduate students follow a common program designed to complete their education in those areas that the University considers essential for a Catholic, Jesuit, liberal, and humanistic education. The University Core Curriculum consists of forty-five credits of course work, with additional designation requirements that can be met through core, major, or elective courses.
The University Core Curriculum is a four-year program, organized around one overarching question, which is progressively addressed through yearly themes and questions. Hence, core courses are best taken within the year for which they are designated. First year core courses encourage intellectual engagement and provide a broad foundation of fundamental skills. Second and third year courses examine central issues and questions in philosophy and religious studies. The fourth year course, the Core Integration Seminar, offers a culminating core experience. Taken at any time throughout the four years, broadening courses intersect with the core themes and extend students’ appreciation for the humanities, arts, and social and behavioral sciences. Finally, the designation requirements (writing enriched, global studies, and social justice) reflect important values and reinforce students’ knowledge and competencies.
Overarching Core Question: As students of a Catholic, Jesuit, and Humanistic University, how do we educate ourselves to become women and men for a more just and humane global community?
Year 1 Theme and Question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?
- The First-Year Seminar (DEPT 193, 3 credits): The First-Year Seminar (FYS), taken in the fall or spring of the first year, is designed to promote an intellectual shift in students as they transition to college academic life. Each small seminar is organized around an engaging topic, which students explore from multiple perspectives. The FYS is offered by many departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of FYS courses).
- Writing (ENGL 101, 3 credits) and Reasoning (PHIL 101, 3 credits): The Writing and Reasoning courses are designed to help students develop the foundational skills of critical reading, thinking, analysis, and writing. They may be taken as linked sections. Writing (ENGL 101) carries one of the three required writing-enriched designations (see below).
- Communication & Speech (COMM 100, 3 credits): This course introduces students to interpersonal and small group communication and requires the application of critical thinking, reasoning, and research skills necessary to organize, write, and present several speeches.
- Scientific Inquiry (BIOL 104/104L, CHEM 104/104L, or PHYS 104/104L, 3 credits): This course explores the scientific process in the natural world through evidence-based logic and includes significant laboratory experience. Students pursuing majors that require science courses will satisfy this requirement through their major.
- Mathematics (above Math 100, 3 credits): Mathematics courses promote thinking according to the modes of the discipline—abstractly, symbolically, logically, and computationally. One course in mathematics, above Math 100, including any math course required for a major or minor, will fulfill this requirement. MATH 100 (College Algebra) and courses without the MATH prefix do not fulfill this requirement.
Year 2 Theme and Question: Being and Becoming: Who are we and what does it mean to be human?
- Philosophy of Human Nature (PHIL 201, 3 credits): This course provides students with a philosophical study of key figures, theories, and intellectual traditions that contribute to understanding the human condition; the meaning and dignity of human life; and the human relationship to ultimate reality.
- Christianity and Catholic Traditions (RELI, 3 credits). Religious Studies core courses approved for this requirement explore diverse topics including Christian scriptures, history, theology, and practices as well as major contributions from the Catholic intellectual and theological traditions (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses) .
Year 3 Theme and Question: Caring and Doing: What principles characterize a well lived life?
- Ethics (PHIL 301 or RELI, 3 credits): The Ethics courses are designed to help students develop their moral imagination by exploring and explaining the reasons humans should care about the needs and interests of others. This requirement is satisfied by an approved ethics course in either Philosophy (PHIL 301) or Religious Studies (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- World/Comparative Religion (RELI, 3 credits): Religious Studies courses approved for this core requirement draw attention to the diversity that exists within and among traditions and encourage students to bring critical, analytical thinking to bear on the traditions and questions considered. These courses carries one of the required two global-studies designations (see below) (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
Year 4 Theme and Question: Imagining the Possible: What is our role in the world?”
- Core Integration Seminar (DEPT 432, 3 credits). The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) offers students a culminating core experience in which they integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the core, and their disciplinary expertise. Some CIS courses may also count toward a student’s major or minor. The CIS is offered by several departments across the University (click here [PDF] for list of CIS courses).
The Broadening Courses
- Fine Arts & Design (VART, MUSC, THEA, 3 credits): Arts courses explore multiple ways the human experience can be expressed through creativity, including across different cultures and societies. One approved course in fine arts, music, theatre, or dance will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- History (HIST, 3 credits): History courses are intended to develop students’ awareness of the historical context of both the individual and the collective human experience. One course in History (HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 112, HIST 201, HIST 202) will fulfill this requirement.
- Literature (3 credits): Literature courses foster reflection on how literature engages with a range of human experience. One approved course in Literature (offered by English, Classics, or Modern Languages) will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 credits): Courses in the social and behavioral sciences engage students in studying human behavior, social systems, and social issues. One approved course offered by Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Women and Gender Studies will fulfill this requirement (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
The Designations
Designations are embedded within already existing core, major, minor, and elective courses. Students are encouraged to meet designation requirements within elective courses as their schedule allows; however, with careful planning students should be able to complete most of the designation requirements within other core, major, or minor courses.
- Writing Enriched (WE; 3 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the WE designation are designed to promote the humanistic and Jesuit pedagogical ideal of clear, effective communication. In addition to the required core course, Writing (ENGL 101), which carries one of the WE designations, students must take two other WE-designated courses (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Global-Studies (GS; 2 courses meeting this designation): Courses carrying the GS designation are designed to challenge students to perceive and understand human diversity by exploring diversity within a context of constantly changing global systems. In addition to the required core course, World/Comparative Religion (RELI 300-level), which carries one of the GS designations, students must take one other GS-designated course (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
- Social-Justice (SJ; 1 course meeting this designation): Courses carrying the SJ designation are designed to introduce students to one or more social justice concerns. Students must take one course that meets the SJ designation (click here [PDF] for a list of approved courses).
Major-specific adaptations to the University Core Curriculum
All Gonzaga students, regardless of their major, will complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. However some Gonzaga students will satisfy certain core requirements through major-specific programs or courses. Any major-specific adaptations to the core are described with the requirements for the majors to which they apply.