Major in Computer Engineering, Embedded and IoT Systems Concentration

Approaching innovation from a holistic perspective is key to advancing our hyper-connected world. The interdisciplinary embedded and IoT computing concentration takes a bird’s eye view of computer engineering to help students understand how electronic devices, software, and networks function together to enable end-to-end solutions. Take a smart home, for example. Rather than designing one aspect of the solution, such as the temperature sensors on a thermostat, this concentration will help students design and optimize software and hardware technologies across the entire spectrum to enable an integrated, smart system. Centering on the science and design of both hardware and software for computing systems across applications ranging from medical imaging tools to wearable electronic devices, students will work on complex engineering problems such as improving energy-efficiency in mobile devices, integrating artificial intelligence into computing platforms, and developing solutions for reliability and security in safety critical applications. Course work focuses on applications of key computer engineering principles in the areas of computer architecture, embedded systems, internet-of-things (IoT), machine learning, computer security, software algorithms, and more.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. 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. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. 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. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Effective Fall 2026

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in Electrical Engineering courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies. ECE courses required for the major at the 100, 200, and 300 level must be passed with a minimum grade of C (2.000); grades below a C will require the student to retake the course.  ECE courses designated as an elective are exempt from the C or higher minimum grade requirement.

Technical Electives 

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Recommended sequence for most incoming students is Group A: CS 150B to CS 164.

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Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 126 credits, of which at least 42 credits must be upper-division (300-level or higher).

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Course may count as a Technical Elective ONLY when not taken as part of the major requirements. The course cannot count as credit toward both major and technical elective requirements.

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:

TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER:  The curriculum for this major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. 

In order to maintain professional standards required of practicing engineers, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000 in Electrical Engineering courses as a graduation requirement. It is the responsibility of any student who fails to maintain a 2.000 average to work with their advisor to correct grade point deficiencies.  ECE courses required for the major at the 100, 200, and 300 level must be passed with a minimum grade of C (2.000); grades below a C will require the student to retake the course.  ECE courses designated as an elective are exempt from the C or higher minimum grade requirement.