2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Dec 30, 2024

2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Computer Engineering, BSCMPE

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About the Program

Computer engineering is re-shaping our world. Advances in hardware, coupled with powerful software, a new generation of algorithms, and an ever-expanding list of applications, are changing how we live, work, and have fun. Computer engineering is the reason why our smart phones are getting smarter, manufacturing is becoming more efficient, and virtual reality, robotics, and artificial intelligence are gaining momentum. As a computer engineer, you can specialize in computer architecture, embedded systems, computer networking, software engineering, virtual reality, or intelligent systems. So if you want to be part of something big, think about studying computer engineering.

As an ABET-accredited engineering program, PNW’s program for the Bachelor of Computer Engineering at the School of Engineering fulfills the educational requirements for PE licensure in Indiana and all states of the US

Degree Requirements

122 Credit Hours
Minimum grade of C- required for MA 16300 , MA 16400 , MA 26100 , and PHYS 15200
Minimum GPA of 2.0 required for all ECE courses
Minimum GPA of 2.0 required for graduation
Certain courses may only be available at one campus location

PNW General Education Core (33 Credits Minimum)

English Composition (6 Credits): ENGL 10400 - English Composition I and ENGL 30700 - Written And Oral Communication For Engineers
Speech Communication (3 Credits): COM 11400 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication
Quantitative Reasoning (10 Credits): MA 16300 - Integrated Calculus Analysis Geometry I and MA 16400 Integrated Calculus Analysis Geometry II
Natural Sciences (4 Credits): PHYS 15200 - Mechanics
Technology (3 Credits): ENGR 15100 - Software Tools For Engineers
Humanities (3 Credits): PHIL 32400 - Ethics For The Professions
Social Sciences (3 Credits): Select from the Social Sciences Core list
First-Year Experience (FYE) (1 Credit): ENGR 18600 - First Year Seminar For Engineers

Major Core (77 Credits)

Other Required Courses (12 Credits)

Computer Engineering Electives (9 Credits) - Any three (3) courses selected from a list approved by the ECE faculty.
Free Electives (3 Credits) - The free elective, subject to approval by the advisor, can be almost any three-or-more credit course. Not allowed are Math, Science, and Technology courses that are lower-level than the required courses; such as MA 15900 or MA 16019 , PHYS 22000 , ECET 20900 and ECET 21000 ; and FM and MSL courses.

Civics Literacy Proficiency

The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue Northwest students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
Earning a passing grade for one of the approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)

For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.

Total 122 Credits Required

Degree Map

Requirements

Minimum Grade and Grade Point Average (GPA): Minimum grade of C- required for MA 16300 , MA 16400 , MA 26100 , and PHYS 15200 ; Minimum GPA of 2.0 required for all ECE courses; Minimum GPA of 2.0 required for graduation

Experiential Learning (EL): One EL course required, select from the Experiential Learning course list

General Education Core: General Education notations can be found within the course description. Please click on a course to see if it meets a Gen Ed requirement.

Milestone Courses noted by (m) next to the course title have been identified as being critical to your success in this field of study.

Please see the Additional Information and Guidelines section below for more information.

Semester 1 (14 Credits)

Semester 2 (16 Credits)

Semester 3 (16 Credits)

Additional Information and Guidelines

Note 1: Senior Engineering Design I - Prerequisite: ENGL 30700 and ECE 31200 . Department permission required

Note 2: Computer Engineering Electives - Any three courses selected from a list approved by the ECE faculty.

Note 3: PHIL 32400 Ethics For The Professions - Please use section reserved for engineering students if available. PHIL 32100 is also allowed.

Note 4: The free elective, subject to approval by the advisor, can be almost any three-or-more-credit course. Not allowed are math, science, and technology courses that are lower-level than the required courses; such as MA 15900 or MA 16019 , PHYS 22000 , ECET 20900 and ECET 21000 ; and FM and MSL courses

Continuing students cannot transfer in credit for a required ECE course without prior approval of the Undergraduate Committee.

Students who do not receive a grade in a required ECE course that meets the minimum or better required for their plan of study in three attempts, including grades of W, will not be allowed to continue in Electrical or Computer Engineering programs.

Pass/No Pass Option is not available to students for engineering, math, and science courses.

Students may elect to add a minor in Computer Science.

Resources

The 8 semester plan of study is a recommended sequence of classes designed to show how this program can be completed within four years.

Visit the 15 to Finish website for information and resources.

For career information, click here to visit the Careers and Employment Trends page.

For Financial Aid eligibility, click here. See Important Dates and Deadlines for annual FAFSA filing deadlines and Indiana state aid deadlines. State Financial Aid recipients are required to complete 30 credits per calendar year to maintain eligibility for the 21st Century Scholars award and the On-time Frank O’Bannon grant.

Financial Guarantee: If you follow the degree map and find a course unavailable, you may be able to take the course for free in a future semester. Certain exclusions apply.

College Scorecard

The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs. The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings. Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program. That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more:

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?490805-Purdue-University-Northwest&fos_code=1409&fos_credential=3