Major in Computer Engineering

Be the intelligence behind artificial intelligence.

Our professors will teach you how to harness the unlimited potential of AI to shape the next era of computing – without harming the environment or compromising ethics.

With coursework designed to help you understand, advance, and protect the security of next generation technologies, you will gain skills and knowledge to drive innovation in virtually any field. The world needs the bright minds of computer engineers, the daring visionaries who build and improve the brains of computers, robots, self-driving cars, and more!

While our undergraduate program gives you the option to keep your studies broad, you may also specialize in one of the following concentrations:

• Aerospace Systems Concentration
• Embedded and IoT Systems Concentration
• Networks and Data Concentration

Career Opportunities

ECE graduates consistently earn the highest starting salaries across CSU. For more than a decade, computer engineering has ranked among the most in-demand majors nationwide, with opportunities spanning a wide range of industries. This means your knowledge will allow you to make difference in a fulfilling career, while earning a high paying salary.

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 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CS 310H/IDEA 310H	Design Thinking Toolbox: Mixed Reality Design	3
CS 314	Software Engineering	3
CS 320	Algorithms--Theory and Practice	3
CS 345	Machine Learning Foundations and Practice	3
CS 356	Systems Security	3
CS 370	Operating Systems	3
CS 4XX Any CS course numbered 400-479, excluding CS 408, CS 457 and CS 470
CS 5XX Any CS course numbered 500-579
CT 307	High Performance Programming in Rust	2
DSCI 475	Topological Data Analysis	2
ECE 340	Electromagnetics for Computer Engineering	3
ECE 4XX Any ECE course at the 400-level
A maximum of 3 credits may be selected from the following:
ECE 495A	Independent Study
ECE 495B	Independent Study: Open Option Project
ECE 495C	Independent Study: Vertically Integrated Projects
ECE 5XX Any ECE course at the 500-level, excluding ECE 532/SYSE 532
ENGR 430	Engineering With Drones	3
ENGR 478	Applied Engineering Data Analytics	3
MATH 301	Introduction to Combinatorial Theory	3
MATH 331	Introduction to Mathematical Modeling	3
MATH 360	Mathematics of Information Security	3
MATH 450	Introduction to Numerical Analysis I	3
MATH 451	Introduction to Numerical Analysis II	3
MATH 460	Information and Coding Theory	3
MATH 463	Post-Quantum Cryptography	3
MECH 564	Fundamentals of Robot Mechanics and Controls	3
STAT 421	Introduction to Stochastic Processes	3

¹

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

²

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).

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.