Academic Programs
Computer Engineering is one of the newest areas of engineering, a dynamic field that thrives on innovation and challenges. Business, industry, and home applications create the need for products that often can be used both for work as well as for entertainment. In the high technology areas of the United States, Sacramento included, Computer Engineering has experienced tremendous growth, becoming one of the major driving forces behind the rapidly advancing electronics and computer industry. Employment projections consistently predict that computer engineering and computer science will continue to experience more than a doubling of growth in a ten-year period. Nationally, nearly all engineering universities offer a degree in Computer Engineering. Being close in course content to Electrical Engineering and to Computer Science, these degrees are found in various departmental and program configurations. At Sacramento State, Computer Engineering enjoys the advantage of both areas since it is a program jointly supported by the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department and the Computer Science Department. Lower division preparation in Computer Engineering parallels that of Computer Science, with the addition of a basic electrical circuit course and a logic design course. Except for the logic design course, most community colleges offer sufficient lower division courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and most importantly, computer science.
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering is a four-year program that emphasizes engineering design of computer hardware and systems at all levels. Engineering design begins with logic design taught to entering students during their first semester. The thread of design continues through the study of architecture, CMOS and VLSI technology, ASIC design, operating systems, computer hardware design, and networking hardware. To complete their degree, students take a two-semester senior design and project course. Students are expected to satisfy the general education requirements of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as well as the University’s General Education requirements. Students should consult the Program Coordinator for specific General Education requirements. A second-year foreign language course (2A or equivalent) may also satisfy 3 units of GE when the course is being taken to comply with the Sacramento State foreign language requirement. Students should consult with an advisor for exact GE eligibility of these courses.
Units Required for Major: 101
Minimum total units required for the BS: 137
Additional units may be required to meet the Sacramento State
foreign language requirement.
The Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering is jointly supported by the Departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The program is designed to provide opportunities for students with undergraduate degrees in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field to pursue graduate studies in this interdisciplinary field. The program provides students with broad and advanced knowledge in areas such as advanced microprocessor architecture, parallel computer architecture, advanced microprocessor systems, distributed computing, data communication, computer networks, operating systems, and concurrent programming. The program is sufficiently flexible to allow students to conduct independent research and broaden their professional scope. Each student plans a program of study in consultation with a graduate advisor and/or his/her thesis or project advisor and works closely with these advisors. Computer Engineering is a part of the larger Information Technology (IT) discipline. Highly skilled computer engineers who have advanced knowledge of both hardware and software and who can design, test, and implement complex digital systems are a part of the IT workforce. Networks such as the Internet, Intranets, communication systems, banking computer systems, public utility systems, and transportation systems are just a few examples of areas where high-tech solutions and skilled workers are needed. The continuing dramatic progress in hardware and the sophistication of computing devices and systems require continually increasing technical skills in hardware and software.
Units required for MS: 30, including 2-5 units of 500-level courses and the remaining units from the list of required and elective courses.
Minimum required GPA: 3.0