ENGINEERING ­
COMPUTER ENGINEERING
College of Engineering and Computer Science

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
MASTER OF SCIENCE
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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.

• Due to numerous generous donations from supportive industries, the computer engineering labs are well equipped with servers and workstations, and with software development tools for VLSI application-specific integrated circuits. Industries donate large electronic devices (FPGAs, CPUs) to each student in computer engineering laboratories.
• The Sacramento State Computer Engineering BS degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012; (410) 347-7700. Computer Engineering faculty value accreditation very highly.
• A mechanism of maintaining currency in technology, curriculum review, and outcomes assessment is in place to assure the university and graduates of the continued growth and high quality of the program.

The objectives of this program are to prepare graduates to:

• enter professional employment and/or graduate study in computer engineering areas, such as logic design, computer architecture, processor hardware, and computer systems;
• identify, analyze, and solve practical computer engineering problems using both hardware and software design tools and techniques;
• work cooperatively and communicate effectively through speaking, writing, and graphics, with peers, with multi-disciplinary teams, and with the general public;
• practice computer engineering in a professionally responsible and ethical manner; and
• anticipate changes in one's own career with respect to changing technology and shifting societal needs for the application of computer engineering.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

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.

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE

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.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Lower Division Courses (22 units)
(4)	CPE 64	Introduction to Logic Design (CSC 15 or CSC 25)
(3)	CSC 15	Programming Concepts and Methodology I (CSC 10 or programming experience)
(3)	CSC 20	Programming Concepts and Methodology II (CSC 15)
(3)	CSC 28	Discrete Structures for Computer Science (MATH 29; CSC 20, CSC 20 may be taken concurrently)
(3)	CSC 35	Introduction to Computer Architecture (CSC 15)
(3)	CSC 60	Introduction to Systems Programming in Unix (CSC 20, CSC 35)
(3)	ENGR 17	Introductory Circuit Analysis (PHYS 11C, MATH 45; either the math or physics may be taken concurrently, but not both)
B. Required Mathematics Courses (18 units)
(4)	MATH 30	Calculus I (MATH 29 or four years of high school mathematics which includes two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and one year of mathematical analysis; completion of ELM requirement and Pre-Calculus Diagnostic Test)
(4)	MATH 31	Calculus II (MATH 30 or appropriate high school based AP credit )
(3)	MATH 45	Differential Equations for Science and Engineering (MATH 31)
(4)	STAT 50	Introduction to Probability and Statistics (MATH 26A, MATH 30, or appropriate high school based AP credit)
(3)	MATH 100	Applied Linear Algebra (MATH 26B or MATH 31) OR
	MATH 150	Introduction to Numerical Analysis (MATH 31; some computer programming experience is desirable)
C. Additional Required Courses (13 units)
(5)	CHEM 1A	General Chemistry I (High school algebra (two years) and high school chemistry; or equivalent)
(4)	PHYS 11A	General Physics: Mechanics (MATH 30, MATH 31; or equivalent certificated high school courses. MATH 31 may be taken concurrently)
(4)	PHYS 11C	General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics (MATH 31, PHYS 11A)
D. Required Upper Division Courses (42 units)
(3)	CPE 138	Computer Networks and Internets (CSC 35, CSC 60, CSC 130)
(3)	CPE 142	Advanced Computer Organization (CPE 166, CPE 185)
(3)	CPE 151	CMOS and VLSI (CPE/EEE 64, CPE/EEE 102 or EEE 108)
(3)	CPE 159	Operating System Pragmatics (CSC 139)
(4)	CPE 166	Advanced Logic Design (CPE/EEE 64, ENGR 17)
(4)	CPE 185	Computer Interfacing (CPE/EEE 64, CSC 35, CSC 60)
(3)	CPE 186	Computer Hardware System Design (CPE 185 or EEE 174)
(2)	CPE 187	Embedded Processor System Design (CPE 166, CPE 185, CPE/EEE 102, passing score on the WPE)
(2)	CPE 190	Senior Design Project I (CPE 142, CPE 166, CPE 186, CPE 187, EEE 102 and passing score on the WPE)
(2)	CPE 191	Senior Design Project II (CPE 190)
(3)	CSC 130	Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis (CSC 20, CSC 28; CSC 28 may be taken concurrently)
(3)	CSC 139	Operating System Principles (CSC 60, CSC 137, or equivalents)
(3)	CPE/EEE 102	Analog/Digital Electronics (ENGR 17; Corequisite: CPE/EEE 102L)
(1)	CPE/EEE 102L	Analog/Digital Electronics Lab (ENGR 17; Corequisite: CPE/EEE 102)
(3)	ENGR 181	Electronic Materials (CHEM 1A, PHYS 11A, MATH 45)
E. Technical Electives (6 units)
(6) Select two from the following;
	CPE 144	DSP Architecture Design (CPE 142)
	CPE 153	VLSI Design (CPE 151)
	CSC 131	Computer Software Engineering (CSC 130; may be taken concurrently)
	CSC 133	Object-Oriented Computer Graphics Programming (CSC 130 and CSC 131)
	CSC 134	Database Management and File Organization (CSC 130)
	CSC 151	Compiler Construction (CSC 136, may be taken concurrently)
	CSC 155	Advanced Computer Graphics (CSC 133)
	EEE 108	Electronics I (EEE 117, EEE 166; Corequisite: EEE 108L)
	EEE 117	Network Analysis (ENGR 17, CPE/EEE 64; CPE/EEE 64 may be taken concurrently. Corequisite: EEE 117L)
	EEE 180	Signals and Systems (EEE 117)
	EEE 187	Robotics (EEE 180 or equivalent, or instructor permission)

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
(work experience)

The Computer Engineering Program encourages students to participate in the Cooperative Education Program which provides alternate periods of university study and major-related, paid off-campus work experience in private industry or government. The experience will enhance the student's employment prospects upon graduation. Most participants in this program will complete the equivalent of two six-month work periods, one in their junior year and the other in their senior year. Students must enroll in the appropriate professional practice course (CPE 195A, CPE 195B, CPE 195C, or CPE 195D) and are awarded a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of the two work periods. However, the credits for this course do not replace the curricular requirements of the BS Computer Engineering degree. Students interested in this program should apply in the satellite office in Riverside Hall 2004 or the main office in Lassen Hall Room 2000 (csus.edu/careercenter/). For information, call (916) 278-6231.

GRADUATE PROGRAM

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.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate program in Computer Engineering requires all of the following:

• a BS degree in Computer Engineering (CPE), Computer Science (CSC), Electrical or Electronic Engineering (EEE), or a closely related field;
• at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units of the BS degree;
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores;
• two letters of recommendation from professors and/or supervisors familiar with the students' accomplishments; and
• background as specified in Required Basic Knowledge to enter the program.

Students with deficiencies in the admission requirements are advised to remove any such deficiencies before applying. However, under special circumstances, a student who does not satisfy the admission requirements may be admitted as a conditionally classified graduate student. Conditional admission may be granted to those students who are likely to complete all the admission requirements. Deficiencies will be specified in the acceptance letter to the student and must be removed by the student before the student can become a fully classified graduate student.

A student registered as an unclassified or conditionally classified graduate student cannot use graduate courses to improve his/her grade point average for admittance to the program. Only undergraduate courses required in the degree program in CPE, CSC, or EEE may be taken or retaken to improve the GPA for admittance to the graduate program.

Required Basic Knowledge

A student must have completed the following list of Required Basic Knowledge before becoming a fully classified graduate student in Computer Engineering. Courses listed in parentheses are the equivalent Sacramento State courses.

Minimum required GPA in the following subject areas: 3.0

Electrical Fundamentals (ENGR 17)
Analog/Digital Electronics (CPE/EEE 102)
CMOS and VLSI (CPE 151)
Digital Logic Design and Introduction to Computer Organization (CPE 64 or CSC 137)
Assembly Language (CSC 35 or EEE 174)
Computer Interfacing (CPE 185)
Object Oriented Programming (CSC 20)
Algorithms and Data Structure (CSC 130)
Systems Programming (CSC 60)
Introduction to Operating Systems (CSC 139)
Computer Networks and Internets (CPE 138)
Differential Equations for Science and Engineering (MATH 45)
Statistics and Probability (STAT 50)
Applied Linear Algebra (MATH 100)
[Numerical Analysis (MATH 150) may be substituted]

Graduate Admission Procedures

Applications will be accepted as long as there is space available. However, it is strongly recommended that students apply during the initial filing period of each semester (February for fall semester and August for spring semester). All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file all of the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470:

• an online application for graduate admission;
• two sets of official transcripts from colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State;
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores; and
• two letters of recommendation from professors and/or supervisors familiar with the student's accomplishments.

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:

• removed any deficiencies in the admission requirements;
• completed at least 12 units of graduate level (200 series) Computer Engineering courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA; and
• passed the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) or secured approval for a WPE waiver.

REQUIREMENTS - MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE

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

Students may take no more than 3 units of CPE 299 to fulfill the unit requirements. Only those courses completed within seven years prior to date of graduation will satisfy course requirements. Required prerequisites of each course are indicated in the parenthesis.

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

Computer Engineer · Computer Architect · ASIC Designer · Chip Architect · VLSI Engineer · Real Time System Design Engineer · Design Engineer · Hardware Engineer · Software Engineer · Systems Engineer · Applications Engineer · Networking Engineer · Control Engineer · Marketing Engineer · Data Communications Engineer · Project Engineer · Research Engineer · Consulting Engineer · Test Engineer · Production Engineer · Telecommunications Engineer · Solid State Engineer · DSP Engineer

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