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Program ObjectivesThe program is structured to ensure that graduates have a clear understanding of the design and theapplications of computers, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge throughout their professionalcareers.Within a few years after graduation, graduates in computer engineering should be able to:1. Work in industry or government producing or evaluating components of computer hardware and/orsoftware systems.2. Work in teams to design, implement, and/or maintain components of computer hardware and/orsoftware systems.3. Stay current through professional conferences, certificate programs, post-baccalaureate degreeprograms, or other professional educational activities.During the first two years, students in computer engineering take many courses in common with otherengineering majors, including courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. In addition, students takeseveral specialized courses in the major, such as algorithms and programming, electrical engineering,digital systems and logic, and computational theory. From these courses, students gain experience usingsophisticated software tools, working in a hardware laboratory, and completing individual and groupprojects. During the second two years, students complete a series of courses in both hardware andsoftware systems. Students also select from numerous electives. Throughout the four years, studentsdevelop communication skills, including a senior year course in which students examine the completedesign process and participate in a series of oral and written experiences similar to those that would beseen in industry.Student OutcomesThe following Student Outcomes summarize the skills acquired through the computer engineering program:1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.Analyze circuits, devices, and systems using differential and integral calculus and principles ofelectricity, magnetism, and physics.Analyze linear systems using continuous and discrete-time techniques.Analyze the time complexity of algorithms using discrete mathematics.2. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.Test circuits, devices, and systems using software, hardware and statistical tools.Test algorithms or computer code and analyze their correctness and efficiency.Design test cases for testing hardware or software.3. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.Design the electronic/logic circuits that form the basic building blocks of a computer system.Design the architecture and organization of the basic components of a computer system.Develop a modest (on the order of a thousand lines of code) software application, usingappropriate data structures and algorithms.4. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. The term multidisciplinary is used here in the broader sense to include teams of computer professionalSummer 2017CMPEN – Page 3

5.6.7.8.9.10.11.having different skills; e.g., one team member might be familiar with web development,whereas another might have experience with microprocessor systems.An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.Given specifications, design and implement a computer and/or digital system (defined as anydigital device used for computation or control) under time and budget constraint.An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.Be able to identify ethical issues in engineering case studies.An ability to communicate effectively.Write clear and effective technical prose.Speak clearly and persuasively about technical subjects in large and/or small group settings,and use supporting materials effectively.The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global andsocietal context.Be able to discuss major trends in industry and current research activities within the discipline.A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.Demonstrate independent learning by using unfamiliar computer systems, test equipment, andsoftware tools to solve technical problems.A knowledge of contemporary issues.Be able to discuss major trends in industry and current research activities within the discipline.An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineeringpractice.Analyze the performance of software and/or hardware systems using probabilistic andstatistical methods.Design and simulate computer hardware components using standard tools.Students who are interested in math and science and enjoy solving problems are excellent candidates forthe computer engineering major. CMPEN 270 and CMPSC 121 are excellent introductions to this major.Job opportunities are virtually limitless; graduates are employed by all sectors of industry, government, andacademic institutions.*Computer engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: 410-347-7700 or http://www.abet.org.Summer 2017CMPEN – Page 4

Advising and Procedures for MajorIf you are a first- or second-year student at University Park who is intending to major in computerengineering, you will see an adviser at the Engineering Advising Center (EAC), 208 Hammond Building,863-1033. This office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Walk-in advising is availablebut appointments are encouraged).If you are a junior or senior who has been admitted into the computer engineering major you can meet withDr. Mark Mahon, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Undergraduate Adviser (W308Westgate Building, 867-5396). The email address, advising@cse.psu.edu will send email to him. SchreyerScholars will be assigned a Scholar’s Adviser. If you communicate via e-mail, always use your PennState account, not another account such as Gmail.Required courses for the computer engineering major and a suggested schedule are given on the followingpages. Information about all majors at Penn State are listed in the Bulletin of Baccalaureate DegreePrograms. The Bulletin is updated yearly and should be used along with this Handbook. Clarifications tothe Bulletin are noted here.The final responsibility for selecting courses and meeting degree requirements is yours. The role of youradviser is to suggest, recommend, and remind you of the requirements of the major and rules of theUniversity. (Two helpful references for University procedures on-line are: University Faculty SenatePolicies for Students and the Student Guide to General University Policies and Rules). When meetingwith your adviser, always take a copy of your recent audits, transcript, your present schedule, and your planfor at least the next semester’s courses.Because computer engineering is such a rapidly changing field, adjustments in course content and/orcourse offerings should be expected. It will be to your advantage to keep abreast of new course offerings,current course enhancements, and allowable course substitutions through regular contact with your adviserand the department office.Entrance to the major (ETM) -- To qualify for the computer engineering major:(1) You must complete MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 250/251, CHEM 110, PHYS 211, and PHYS212 with a grade of C or better in each and have at least a 2.6 cumulative GPA in order to beadmitted to the computer engineering program. You may request admission to the major viaLionPath as soon as you have completed 40 credits of Penn State coursework and before youcomplete 59 credits of Penn State coursework.(2) You should complete at least two full semesters of coursework appropriate to the major and be indegree status. It is advisable to be taking CMPEN 270 or (CMPEN 271 and CMPEN 275), and EE210 during your second year in order to make normal progress. Be sure you’re accumulatingcredits at a minimum rate of 30 credits per calendar year.Enrollment Controls – Due to over enrollment, the computer engineering and computer science majorsare controlled majors. This means for entrance to the major you must successfully complete the requiredETM courses AND you must have the needed minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6 when you are in the ETMcredit window (40-59 cumulative Penn State credits). Because of this the CSE Department will not approverequests for transfers from other Colleges and Universities, requests for Change of Major, after a studentSummer 2017CMPEN – Page 5

has been admitted to a major, requests for computer engineering or science as a second (or later)concurrent major, nor for either major as a sequential major.Degree Audits – You are responsible for periodically checking your Degree Audit on LionPath to verify thatthe courses you have taken and plan to take will satisfy your degree requirements and that you are on trackto complete your degree when you expect to complete it. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor toreview your degree audit to verify this information.Change of Major – If you discover an interest in other areas of study or you are not admitted into computerengineering, you should explore other possible majors and alternatives at the Engineering AdvisingCenter or online at the Academic Advising Portal.Concurrent Major – Concurrent majors will not be allowed in computer science and computer engineeringor computer engineering and data sciences, although it is possible to obtain a concurrent major withanother non-enrollment controlled program.Registration – When it is time to register for the next semester’s courses, refer to this handbook andconsult with your adviser to determine an appropriate set of courses. Then go to LionPath and use itsSchedule Builder to construct your schedule. You should register as early as possible – courses fill upquickly!Re-ordering your course schedule from the “sample schedule” will not necessarily delay graduation. Thekey to completing 128 credits over 4 years is to average approximately 16-17 credits per semester. Thoughmany students do maintain this pace, it is not unusual for students to take lighter loads some semestersand to delay graduation. Experience has shown that the 5th semester has been difficult for many students; ifyou have doubts, it is a good place for a light load. Needed credits may be able to be taken during thesummer (not necessarily at University Park). Some students will elect to attend for a 9th semester. While allrequired CMPEN and CMPSC courses are offered both fall and spring semesters, most electives areoffered at most once per year. EE 353 is only offered in the spring. Take these restrictions into accountwhen you schedule. This is especially true for co-op students.Prerequisite Courses – If a CMPEN or CMPSC course has a prerequisite course(s) specified you mustcomplete the prerequisite course with an appropriate grade before taking the successor course. For mostcourses an appropriate grade is a grade of D or higher. However, if the prerequisite course is a “C orhigher” course, the appropriate grade is a C or higher. Waiving of prerequisites is not normallyapproved and can only be done by the course instructor.Schedule Changes – Schedule adjustments (course adds/drops) may be made online using LionPathduring the first 5 calendar days of each semester. Detailed instructions, costs, and deadlines are providedin the university’s Undergraduate Advising Handbook. After this time, you may still adjust your schedule,but any change is considered a late add or a late drop. REMEMBER: A student who has not yet beenadmitted to the major should seek advice at the Engineering Advising Center; a student who has beenadmitted should see the Department Undergraduate Adviser. Excessive dropping of courses may affectyour eligibility for federal financial aid.General Education – All baccalaureate students at the University are required to complete 46 credits ofGeneral Education. A General Education course can be identified by its course suffix. You will partiallySummer 2017CMPEN – Page 6

meet these requirements by taking specific courses required for the computer engineering major, and byfollowing the general guidelines below.General Education consists of the following categories:first year seminar - at least 1 credit - courses with the designation PSU will fulfill thisrequirement, as will courses with the suffix S, T or X (see NOTE below).writing/speaking - 9 credits - course suffix of GWSquantification - 6 credits - suffix of GQhealth and physical activity - 3 credits - suffix GHAnatural sciences - 9 credits - suffix GNarts - 6 credits - suffix GAhumanities - 6 credits - suffix GHsocial and behavioral sciences - 6 credits - suffix GSNote: Some campuses do not have a first year seminar requirement, but instead require participation in afirst year experience. If you started at such a campus you will need to take 1 additional credit of departmentlist course work.College of Engineering students follow the University’s General Education guidelines; refer to the Collegeof Engineering Undergraduate Programs Guide and to the University’s Baccalaureate Degree ProgramsBulletin for a complete list of available courses.Writing Requirement – All Penn State students have a Writing Across the Curriculum graduationrequirement. You must complete at least 3 credits of writing-intensive courses selected from “W” coursesoffered within the major or college of enrollment. The course in the computer engineering major that fulfillsthis requirement is CMPEN 482W (Computer Engineering Project Design).US & International Cultures Requirement – Courses approved to fulfill this requirement will bedesignated as US, IL, or both US and IL. Students must complete 3 credits in United States Cultures (US)and 3 credits in International Cultures (IL). If a student takes a 3-credit course that is both US and IL, tocomplete the requirement, he/she must take another 3-credit course that is US, IL, or both US and IL.Education abroad courses and other credit-bearing experiences such as internships that meet thisrequirement will be designated as US, IL, or both US and IL. Most students complete this requirement byselecting GA, GS or GH courses which also satisfy the US/IL requirement.Graduation Requirements – To graduate from the University, every student must:(1) Complete the course requirements for his or her major;(2) Earn at least a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and(3) Earn at least a C in each of these courses: CMPSC 121, CMPSC 122, CMPSC 221, CMPSC 360,CMPEN 270 or CMPEN 271 and CMPEN 275, CMPSC 311, CMPEN 331, CMPEN 431, CMPSC465, CHEM 110, EE 210, EE 310, EE 353, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 250/251, PHYS 211,PHYS 212.Credit Acquisition – In addition to taking courses at any Penn State campus, you may be able to earncredit through World Campus or by transferring credits from another school. Before taking a course atanother university, check with the Admissions office and your adviser to be sure the course will transferSummer 2017CMPEN – Page 7

usefully. Note that CMPSC 473, CMPEN 431, CMPSC 465 and CMPEN 482W must be taken at PennState.Cooperative Education Program – The cooperative education program provides work experience byalternating periods of academic study and full-time employment in industry or government. The programtypically starts at the beginning of the junior year and consists of three rotations, providing a cumulativework experience of one year.If you have interest in the co-op program, you should obtain advising no later than your fourth semesterfrom the designated co-op adviser, who will help you plan work and study schedules. You may earn up to 3credits toward graduation in the Department List requirements.If you prefer less of a time commitment, you can pursue one or more summer internships. You may earn 1credit per internship (maximum of 2 credits total) toward graduation in the Department List requirements.If you are not a formal co-op or

College of Engineering: Dean's Office, 101 Hammond Building 865-7537 Associate Dean for Academic Programs, 101 Hammond Building 863-3750 Global Engineering Education, 205 Hammond Building 863-9899 Engineering Advising Center, 208 Hammond Building 863-1033 Assistant Dean for Student Services, 208G Hammond Building 865