Computer Engineering

Overview of Curriculum Requirements

*Note: There is a curriculum change going into effect in Spring 2006 which has implications for the requirements listed below. See Computer Engineering Curriculum Changes for details.

The basic Computer Engineering curriculum requires 120 credits for graduation. The courses comprising these 120 credits can be categorized into six broad areas: (1) Mathematics and the Basic Sciences, (2) Disciplinary Foundation of Computer Engineering, (3) Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Electives, (4) Engineering Technical Electives, (5) Technical Writing, and (6) General Education Requirements.

Mathematics and Basic Sciences

This area comprises 31 credits. These courses stress the mathematical techniques and scientific principles upon which computer engineering is based. The courses are required and include the following:

MATH140: Calculus I (4 credits)
MATH141: Calculus II (4 credits)
MATH246: Differential Equations for Scientists & Engineers (3 credits)
CMSC250: Discrete Structures ( 4 credits)
PHYS161: General Physics, Mechanics and Particles Dynamics (3 credits)
PHYS260/261: General Physics, Vibrations, Waves, Heat, and E/M (4 credits)
CHEM135: General Chemistry for Engineers (3 credits

*A minimum of six additional credits must be completed from the approved “Mathematics and Basics Sciences” electives list. (6 credits)

These courses contribute to the required one year of mathematics and basic sciences. See section 4.d for a detailed treatment of this requirement.

Disciplinary Foundation of Computer Engineering

The Disciplinary Foundation in Computer Science consists of core course in both electrical engineering and computer science. There are 26 credits of electrical engineering work under this area. The computer science component requires students to complete an additional 18 credits.

For the electrical engineering component, students are required to take courses in circuits and microelectronics, electrical systems, computers organization, and digital computer design. These courses cover the fundamental electrical engineering concepts and laboratory skills common to any professional working in the field of computer engineering.

ENEE204: Basic Circuit Theory (3 credits)
ENEE206: Fundamental Electric and Digital Circuits Laboratory (2 credits)
ENEE241: Numerical Techniques in Engineering (3 credits)
ENEE244: Digital Logic Design (3 credits)
ENEE302: Digital Electronics (3 credits)
ENEE322: Signal and System Theory (3 credits)
ENEE324: Engineering Probability (3 credits)
ENEE350: Computer Organization (3 credits)
ENEE446: Digital Computer Design (3 credits)

For the computer science component students are required to complete a rigorous introduction to computer programming through a Java-based sequence of courses. Students also take courses in semantics and organization of programming languages, computer algorithms, and operating systems. These computer science courses amount to 18 credits of coursework.

CMSC132: Object Oriented Programming II (4 credits)*
CMSC212: Introduction to Low-level Programming Concepts (4 credits)
CMSC330: Organization of Programming Languages (3 credits)
CMSC351: Algorithms (3 credits)
CMSC412: Operating Systems (4 credits)

[*Students are required to complete CMSC 131 prior to taking CMSC132 unless they have AP credit for CMSC 131 (5 on the JAVA A exam, 4 or 5 on the JAVA AB) or have satisfactorily passed the Computer Science exemption exam.]

The total combined credits for these required electrical engineering and computer science courses is 44 credits.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Electives

In addition to the required engineering courses, students must complete 11 credits of electrical engineering and computer science electives. The elective courses are divided into four categories. The first is Category B, “Computer Science Theory and Applications” which consists of twenty CMSC electives students can choose from. The second is Category C, “Electrical Engineering Theory and Applications.” This area contains nearly two dozen upper-level ENEE courses that can be used to satisfy this requirement. The next is Category D, “Advanced Laboratory.” Students must select from among nine different courses to satisfy this requirement. All but one of these is two credits. The last group is Category E. This is the “Capstone Design” requirement. Students must select from six different capstone design courses. See the list of approved CP Technical Electives for an explanation of which courses fall into what categories.

Engineering Technical Electives

All Computer Engineering students are also expected to complete at least 3 additional credits of engineering electives. These credits must come from an engineering discipline other than electrical engineering. Furthermore, any course used to satisfy this requirement cannot be cross-listed as a CMSC course. See the Category F List for approved engineering courses that satisfy this requirement. Courses not on this list may be acceptable, but they must be approved. Such courses must: a) be at the 300- or 400-level; b) be junior- or senior-level in technical content, as evidenced by significant sophomore-level prerequisites in mathematics, physics, or engineering; and/or c) make academic sense in the student's program. Approvals of special requests are made by the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies.

Technical Writing

All engineering students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering are required to complete a 3-credit, junior-level English course in technical writing. The course typically taken is ENGL393: Technical Writing.

General Education Requirements – CORE

A degree from the University of Maryland signifies more than just mere technical or narrowly defined career training. Students are offered a liberal education that prepares them to achieve the intellectual integration and awareness they need to meet challenges in their personal, social, political, and professional lives. As such, all graduates are required to complete the University's general education or CORE requirements. Students usually do 40 credits of CORE work. Some of these requirements are satisfied in the process of completing some of the major requirements.

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