Computer Engineering

By: Alex Ela

Significant Points

• Computer software engineers are projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-14 period.

• Very good opportunities are expected for college graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science and with practical work experience.

• Computer software engineers must continually strive to acquire new skills in conjunction with the rapid changes that are occurring in computer technology.

What is it?

• Computer Engineering prepares students in the design and application of computers and computer-based systems.

• You learn the foundation in both electrical engineering and computer science, with a focus on the integration of hardware and software systems.

Recommended Classes

• If you want to graduate early in College, you should take some AP classes.

• AP Chemistry• AP Calculus AB-BC• AP Physics• Pass the AP Test!

Credits

• According to Chico State University, the total course requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree is 132 units.

• You will also need to do a Senior Project in your Senior year! (no really?)

Course Requirements for the Major: 108 units

• Lower-Division Requirements: 51 units • 15 courses required: • CHEM111-General Chemistry• CSCI112-Programming and Algorith II• EECE101-Intro Elec/Computer Engr• EECE144-Logic Design Fundamentals• EECE211-Linear Circuits I• EECE211-LLinear Circuits I Activity• EECE221-Processor Arch/Assembly Lang• MATH120-Analytic Geometry and Calculus• MATH121-Analytic Geometry and Calculus• MATH220-Analytic Geometry and Calculus• MATH260-Elem Differential Equations• PHYS204A-Mechanics• PHYS204B-Electricity and Magnetism• PHYS204C-Heat/Wave Motion/Sound/Light

• Upper-Division Requirements: 57 units • 15 courses required: • CIVL302-Engineering Econ & Statistics• CIVL495-Lifelong Development Engineers• CSCI311-Algorithms and Data Structures• EECE311-Linear Circuits II• EECE315-Electronics I• EECE320-System Architec/Performance• EECE335-Proj Requiremts/Design/Test• EECE343-Computer Interface Circuits• EECE344-Digital Systems Design• EECE365-Signals and Transforms• EECE431-SW Engr-Requirements & Design• EECE437-Real-Time Embedded Systems• EECE444-Microprocessor Systems Design• EECE490A-Senior Project Planning• EECE490B-Senior Project

Grading Requirements

• All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

• All students must attain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in all college courses attempted and for all courses attempted at Chico. Computer Engineering majors must also attain a 2.0 GPA in: (a) All courses required for the major, and (b) All Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Computer Science (CSCI) courses taken to meet major requirements at CSU, Chico.

Other Units Needed• Cultural Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units • See "Cultural Diversity" in The University Catalog. Most courses used to

satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education Areas C and D.

• American Institutions Requirement: 6 units • This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155.

For other alternatives, see the "Bachelor's Degree Requirements" section. • Literacy Requirement: • See "Mathematics and Writing Requirements" in The University Catalog.

Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See The Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.

Advising Requirement:

• Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate adviser for specific information.

• A sample program for students who wish to complete their major in four years is available upon written request to the department, CSU, Chico, CA 95929-0888, or on the department's website.

Honors in the Major • Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It involves 6 units of honors course

work completed over two semesters. • Your Honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your

diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair. Most importantly, however, the Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the university for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or competition in shows; such experience is valuable for graduate school and later professional life.

• Some common features of Honors in the Major program are 1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. At least 3 of these 6 units are independent study (499H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B. 2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units. 3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department. 4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent of majors in your department. 5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year. 6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your Honors project.

• While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major adviser for further information.

The Future• Median annual earnings of computer applications software engineers who worked full time in May 2004 were about $74,980.

The middle 50 percent earned between $59,130 and $92,130. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $113,830. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer applications software engineers in May 2004 were as follows:

• Software publishers$79,930• Management, scientific, and technical consulting services-$78,460• Computer systems design and related services-$76,910• Management of companies and enterprises-$70,520• Insurance carriers-$68,440• Median annual earnings of computer systems software engineers who worked full time in May 2004 were about $79,740. The

middle 50 percent earned between $63,150 and $98,220. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,420, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,350. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer systems software engineers in May 2004 are as follows:

• Scientific research and development services-$91,390• Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing-$87,800• Software publishers-$83,670• Computer systems design and related services-$79,950• Wired telecommunications carriers-$74,370• According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s

degree in computer engineering averaged $52,464 in 2005; offers for those with a master’s degree averaged $60,354. Starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science averaged $50,820.

• According to Robert Half International, starting salaries for software engineers in software development ranged from $63,250 to $92,750 in 2005. For network engineers, starting salaries in 2005 ranged from $61,250 to $88,250.