Computer Engineering includes the design, implementation, and programming of digital computers and computer-controlled electronic systems. Computer engineers do everything from write operating systems software to design next-generation microprocessors. The School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering jointly offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, allowing students to pursue their passions by taking classes from either department. The program is a software- and hardware-oriented degree with courses offered by both the School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The culminating experience of the program includes a semester capstone or an alternative yearlong project. Computer engineers are in demand, and students who graduate from the program will enter the industry with valuable knowledge in both the hardware and the software aspects of computing.
The Student Experience
For enrichment opportunities, be sure to participate in some of the many clubs and honor societies offered by the School of Computing and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Join Tau Beta Pi, the University of Utah’s only national engineering honor society, or become part of the iPhone Programmers Association, a club of students who develop iPhone apps for fun. Students may also wish to complete internships or study abroad programs, allowing them to develop and hone their technical skills in a non-academic environment.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the U’s Computer Engineering program have found work as software engineers and developers, computer engineers, and firmware engineers. You can also pursue careers in quality control, network administration, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, and bioinformatics (using technology to collect and analyze biological data). Graduate school and subsequent employment in the fields of computer science and engineering is possible, as are graduate programs and careers in law, medicine, and other sciences.
Admission Requirements
DIRECT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Incoming freshmen meeting the following criteria can be directly admitted to the CE major:
High School GPA of 3.6 or higher; AND
Math ACT Score of at least 28 – OR – SAT Math Score of at least 630. Students must be ready to enroll in Calculus I (MATH 1210 or MATH 1310)
Students meeting the above criteria should designate their major as Computer Engineering during the online application process. All other students should use the pre-major path described below.
INDIRECT ADMISSION AND THE PRE-MAJOR PROCESS
Students can also become an Computer Engineering major through a pre-major process or the “traditional” process.
Students should declare a “Pre-Computer Engineering” designation. Pre-majors will be eligible to enroll in all of the courses required to apply for major status.
Once the pre-major courses listed below have been completed, you may then apply for major status.
B.S. COMPUTER ENGINEERING ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Complete the following classes:
ECE 1250 or ECE 1240, 1245, AND 1050: Intro to Circuit Design, Intro to Circuit Design Lab, Matlab for ECE Design
Math 1310/1210: Calculus I
Math 1320/1220: Calculus II
Phys 2210: Physics for Engineers I
CS 1400: Introduction to Computer Programming and CS 1410: Object-Oriented Programming, Or CS 1420: Accelerated Object-oriented Programming
CS 2420: Data Structures & Algorithms
WRTG 2010: Intermediate Writing
Pre-major GPA of 3.0 or higher
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required in pre-major courses for consideration for admission to the major.
Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Maximum credit hours that can be transferred for a single course is 4 credit hours. All transfer classes are subject to evaluation and may be accepted or denied at the discretion of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.50.
- Minimum Technical GPA of 2.50 (calculated from all ECE and CS classes taken).
- All courses must be completed with a grade C- or better unless otherwise stated. All mathematics classes must be completed with a grade C or better.
- Courses may only be repeated only once. Courses repeated more than once will only have the second attempt counted in the Technical GPA. All grades, including "W" grades count as one attempt. If the second attempt is a "W" grade, then the first attempt shall be used for purposes of calculating the Technical GPA.
- Students must complete the online application in Canvas to be admitted to Full-Major Status.
Degree Requirements
Want to Declare a Major?
Incoming freshmen meeting the following criteria can be directly admitted to the CE major:
- High School GPA of 3.6 or higher; AND
- Math ACT Score of at least 28 – OR – SAT Math Score of at least 630. Students must be ready to enroll in Calculus I (MATH 1210 or MATH 1310)
- Students meeting the above criteria should designate their major as Computer Engineering during the online application process. All other students should use the pre-major path described below.
Book an Appointment
Your academic advisor can provide invaluable assistance with major/minor declaration, courses and registration, research opportunities, internships, and more. Book an appointment through the button below if you need any help with your major.