Engineering Computer Engineering

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Description

Websites: https://computing.unl.edu and https://engineering.unl.edu/ece/

Email: computing@unl.edu

The College of Engineering offers a comprehensive computer engineering undergraduate program to students on the City (Lincoln) and Scott (Omaha) campuses of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Curriculum requirements are nearly identical on both campuses and students can complete all degree requirements on either campus. 

In the college, the School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering offer this baccalaureate degree program in computer engineering that prepares graduates for professional practice in commerce, industry, and government and for post-graduate education to enter careers in research, development, and academia. 

The focus of the program is hands-on integrated hardware/software system design. Increasingly, diverse systems, products, and processes depend on computers for design, control, data acquisition, and other functions. The computer engineer possesses the range of expertise to have an integrated view of computer-based systems and to make global design decisions. 

Consistent with this focus, the computer engineering baccalaureate program develops: 

  • The ability to view computer systems as an integrated continuum of technologies and to engage in integrated system-level design. Studies include mathematical foundations, digital logic and technologies, programming and software design, system components and design, application of theory, experimentation, design tools and techniques, and documentation and maintenance. 

  • The ability to work with professionals in related fields over the spectrum of system design. Studies include natural sciences, electricity/electronics, and programming and software design. 

  • Skills to quickly adapt to new work environments, assimilate new information, and solve new problems. Studies develop skills in the application of theory, experimentation, design tools and techniques, documentation and maintenance, and technical communications. 

  • The background and perspective for post-graduate education. Studies develop skills in the application of theory, experimentation, and lifelong learning/professional development. 

  • Ability to work in conformance with societal needs and expectations. Studies include liberal arts and ethical/social issues. 

  • Insight into the world of practicing professionals for collaborations, mutual support, and representing the profession to government and society. Studies include teamwork and lifelong learning/professional development, plus students are provided multiple opportunities for involvement in organizations such as ACM, UPE, and IEEE. 

The School of Computing also offers a degree of bachelor of science in computer science, a bachelor of science in software engineering, and a bachelor of science in data science through the College of Engineering. The Electrical and Computer Engineering department also offers a degree of bachelor of science in electrical engineering. All students should see their advisor during their first semester to ensure they understand the requirements for each undergraduate degree program. Students should consult with their advisors each semester for registration advising.  

Introductory Courses

CSCE 155E Computer Science I: Systems Engineering Focus emphasizes computing for systems engineering, such as control systems, mobile computing, and embedded devices and is designed for students majoring in computer engineering. CSCE 164 Introduction to Computer Engineering provides an introduction to basic concepts and skills needed in computer engineering.  

Entering students who do not have adequate programming background should talk to their advisors about taking additional beginner courses.  

Program Professional Admission

Students are expected to meet minimum college entrance requirements. After being admitted to the college, students wishing to pursue a degree in computer engineering must go through the Professional Admission process, which is automatically performed for qualifying students at the end of the sophomore year. In order to be considered for Professional Admission to the computer engineering program, students must receive at least a C+ in CSCE 230 and CSCE 310 (RAIK 283H), at least a C in ECEN 215, with a GPA of at least 2.5 (semester and cumulative). If a student’s cumulative GPA drops below 2.4, the student may be placed on restricted status, may be removed from the College, and may not be able to graduate.

Accreditation

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

Program Educational Objectives

The Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) are a statement of what graduates are doing, or are capable of doing, three to five years after graduation.  The students in the Computer Engineering program receive a strong foundation in engineering science and design that not only enables them to pursue productive careers in the computer engineering fields but also play an integral role in advancing other areas including business, management,  medicine and manufacturing through computer engineering technologies. The Program Educational Objectives for the Computer Engineering program are that graduates will be:

  • Employed in business, non-profit, academia,  government,  or industry.
  • Successful engineers who view computer systems as an integrated contiunuum of technologies, which engaging and collaborating with professionals in related fields to provide innovative, effective, responsible, and sustainable computer engineering solutions.
  • Capable of quickly adapting to new work environments, assimilating new information, solving new problems, and creating new devices.
  • Engaging in lifelong learning, which may include postgraduate education and being part of professional organizations, to successfully adapt to technological, industry specific, and cultural changes and to foster adept functioning in society.
  • Performing engineering practice in a context that reflects awareness of the ethics of their profession and of the impacts of their work on the profession and society at large.

These Program Educational Objectives were developed with input from the program’s constituency, consisting of employers (including the Industry Advisory Board), graduates of the program, and faculty.

College Requirements

College Admission

College Entrance Requirements

Students must meet both the University and College of Engineering entrance requirements.  The following includes both the University and College of Engineering entrance requirements.

Students must have high school credit for (one unit is equal to one high school year):

  1. Mathematics – 4 units: 2 of algebra, 1 of geometry, and 1 of precalculus and trigonometry
  2. English – 4 units
  3. Natural sciences – 3 units that must include 1 unit of physics and 1 unit of chemistry (chemistry requirement waived for students in construction management or computer science)
  4. Foreign language – 2 units of a single foreign language
  5. Social studies – 3 units
  6. Students having a composite ACT score of 28 or greater (or equivalent SAT score) will be admitted to the College of Engineering even if they lack any one of the following: trigonometry, chemistry, or physics. Students without test scores who are missing a full unit of trigonometry/pre-calculus/calculus or chemistry or physics will be evaluated through College Review.
  7. Students having an ACT score of 19 or less in English (or equivalent SAT score) or a grade lower than B in high school English, must take ENGL 150 Writing and Inquiry or ENGL 151 Writing for Change.

A total of 16 units is required for admission.

Engineering requires that student performance meet one of the following standards: composite ACT of 24, SAT of 1180, ACT Math subscore of 24, SAT Math subscore of 580, or a 3.5 cumulative GPA. 

 

Any domestic first-year student who does not gain admission to Engineering but does gain admission to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) will be reviewed through College Review. College Review is conducted through the College Review Committee which considers factors beyond standardized testing. Any first-year student who is not admitted through college review is placed in Pre-Engineering (PENG) with the Exploratory and Pre-Professional Advising Center (Explore Center). Students in the Explore Center can transfer to the College of Engineering once college admission requirements are met.  

Students for whom English is not their language of nurture must meet the minimum English proficiency requirements of the University.  

Students who lack entrance units may complete precollege training by Independent Study through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Office of On-line and Distance Education, in summer courses, or as a part of their first or second semester course loads while in the Explore Center or other colleges at UNL.  

Students should consult their advisor, their department chair, or Engineering Student Services (ESS) if they have questions on current policies.  

Other Admission Requirements

Students who transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from other accredited colleges or universities and wish to be admitted to the College of Engineering (COE) must meet COE first-year student entrance requirements, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and be calculus-ready. Students not meeting either of these requirements must enroll in the Explore Center or another University college until they meet COE admission requirements. Students transferring from UNO, UNL, or UNK to the College of Engineering must be in good academic standing with their institution.  

The COE accepts courses for transfer for which a C or better grade was received. Although the University of Nebraska–Lincoln accepts D grades from the University of Nebraska Kearney and the University of Nebraska Omaha, not all majors in the COE accept such low grades. Students must conform to the requirements of their intended major and, in any case, are strongly encouraged to repeat courses with a grade of C- or less. 

Students who were previously admitted to COE and are returning to the College of Engineering must demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be readmitted to COE.

College Degree Requirements

Grade Rules

Grade Appeals

In the event of a dispute involving any college policies or grades, the student should appeal to their instructor, and appropriate department chair or school director (in that order). If a satisfactory solution is not achieved, the student may appeal their case through the College Academic Appeals Subcommittee. 

Catalog Rule

Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at Nebraska in the College of Engineering. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. The catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation. 

Students who have transferred from a community college may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  This decision should be made in consultation with the student’s College of Engineering academic advising team (e.g., ESS professional advisor and the chief faculty advisor for the student’s declared degree program).  The chief faculty advisor has the final authority for this decision. Eligibility is based on a) enrollment in a community college during the catalog year the student wishes to utilize, b) maintaining continuous enrollment of at least 12 credit hours per semester at the previous institution for at least 2 semesters, and c) continuous enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from the student’s last term at the previous institution.  Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year and within the timeframe allowable for that catalog year. 

Student Outcomes

Graduates of computer engineering must have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An 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. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An 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. An 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. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.