Computer Engineering, BSE
Computer Engineering is the discipline that designs and engineers computer systems from digital circuits, through compilers and runtime systems, to networking and world-wide distributed systems. As an engineering discipline, the computer engineer must appreciate the physical aspects of computations (energy, delay, area, reliability, costs) and be able to expertly navigate the multidimensional tradeoff space associated with implementing computations. Since today’s high performance programmable computing devices mean enormous computational tasks can be performed entirely in software, the computer engineer must manage computational capabilities and functionalities which migrate between hardware and software driven by advancing technology and these engineering tradeoffs. Recent advances in manufacturing make it economical to construct systems containing billions of components and millions of lines of code, and these systems are increasingly invaluable in life-critical and real-time systems; computer engineering is the discipline that seeks to understand how to design and manage systems of this complexity while providing adequate guarantees of safety and trustworthiness for such systems.
For more information: https://www.seas.upenn.edu/prospective-students/undergrad/majors/computer-engineering/
Computer Engineering (CMPE) Major Requirements
40 course units are required. Read more about the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | ||
| CIS 120 | Programming Languages and Techniques I | 1 |
| CIS 121 | Programming Languages and Techniques II | 1 |
| ESE 150 | Digital Audio Basics | 1 |
| ESE 215 | Electrical Circuits and Systems | 1.5 |
| CIS 240 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 1 |
| ESE 350 | Embedded Systems/Microcontroller Laboratory | 1.5 |
| CIS 350 | Software Design/Engineering | 1 |
| ESE 370 | Circuit-Level Modeling, Design, and Optimization for Digital Systems | 1 |
| CIS 371 | Computer Organization and Design | 1 |
| CIS 380 | Computer Operating Systems | 1 |
| CIS 441 | Embedded Software for Life-Critical Applications | 1 |
| Networking | ||
| ESE 407 | Introduction to Networks and Protocols | 1 |
| or CIS 553 | Networked Systems | |
| Concurrency Lab | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Internet and Web Systems | ||
| GPU Programming and Architecture | ||
| System-on-a-Chip Architecture | ||
| Senior Design | ||
| CIS 400 | Senior Project | 1 |
| or ESE 450 | Senior Design Project I - EE and SSE | |
| CIS 401 | Senior Project | 1 |
| or ESE 451 | Senior Design Project II - EE and SSE | |
| Math and Natural Science | ||
| MATH 104 | Calculus, Part I | 1 |
| MATH 114 | Calculus, Part II | 1 |
| MATH 240 | Calculus, Part III | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Engineering Probability | ||
| Discrete Probability, Stochastic Processes, and Statistical Inference | ||
| Engineering Statistics | ||
| CIS 160 | Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Principles of Physics I (without laboratory) | ||
| Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion | ||
| Honors Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion | ||
| Introduction to Mechanics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Engineering Electromagnetics | ||
| Principles of Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation | ||
| Honors Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Introduction to Biology A | ||
| Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life | ||
| MATH or Natural Science Elective | 1 | |
| Natural Science Lab 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Physics Laboratory I | ||
| Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion | ||
| Honors Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion | ||
| Introduction to Mechanics Lab | ||
| Introduction to Biology A | ||
| General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Technical Electives | ||
| Math, Science, or Engineering Electives 2 | 3 | |
| Technical Elective: Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Engineering Economics | ||
| Engineering Entrepreneurship I | ||
| Foundations of Leadership | ||
| Management of Technology | ||
Math, Science, or Engineering Elective | ||
| Social Sciences and Humanities 3 | ||
| Select 2 Social Science courses | 2 | |
| Select 2 Humanities courses | 2 | |
| Select 1 Social Science or Humanities course | 1 | |
| Select 1 Social Science, Humaities, or Technology in Business & Society courses | 1 | |
| Ethics Requirement: Select one of the following : | 1 | |
| Engineering Ethics | ||
| Technology and Policy | ||
| Free Elective | ||
| Select 3 course units of free electives | 3 | |
| Total Course Units | 40 | |
| 1 | One approved Natural Science Lab (.5 cu) is required. Satisfied with PHYS 150 Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion, PHYS 170 Honors Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion,MEAM 147 Introduction to Mechanics Lab, BIOL 101 Introduction to Biology A, BIOL 121 Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Lifeor CHEM 053 General Chemistry Laboratory I |
| 2 | A limit of two freshman-level Engineering courses may be used as a Technical Elective. |
| 3 | The Social Science & Humanities Depth, Writing & Ethics Requirements can be satisfied with the 7 total course units. |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2018 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.