Apr 03, 2025

2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog

2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Engineering, B.S.

Offered by Computer Science and Electrical Engineering .

The Computer Engineering, B.S. at UMBC is accredited by ABET, Inc.

Computer Engineering graduates from UMBC are successful practitioners of the art and science of engineering in computer-related fields, using the problem-solving skills, technical expertise, teamwork experience, and knowledge of professional practices obtained at UMBC to contribute to the success of their organizations and advance their careers. To successfully adapt to the rapid changes in computer technology, UMBC computer engineers are engaged in life-long learning, including, where appropriate, graduate school training in professional and technical skills at the masters and doctoral levels.

Admission to the Program

Students admitted to UMBC who, by virtue of their math placement exams are eligible for MATH 150 - Precalculus Mathematics (4) or higher, who intend to pursue Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering and Information Technology are initially admitted to the Pre-Computer Engineering program. Full admission to Computer Engineering is granted upon completion of the Gateway Requirements and upon review of previous transcripts (if applicable). Students should review the academic requirements and policies of the university and the college, including gateway requirements and repeat policies. Additional information for incoming first year students and information for transfer students is available on the COEIT advising website.

University Requirements

Completion of Minimum University Requirements for an Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree .

Minimum 120 credits and minimum GPA of 2.0
Completion of 45 upper-level credits, residence requirement, Writing Intensive requirement, and General Education requirement

Major Requirements

Minimum 96 credits
Minimum grade of ‘C’ in courses applied to the major, except where otherwise indicated
Minimum of 18 credits in CMSC, CMPE and/or ENEE courses completed in residence at UMBC
Students may complete one major or minor from Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Completion of one of the following tracks: Communications Track, Cybersecurity Track, Electronic Systems Track

Course Requirements

Gateway Requirements (23 credits)

Students are admitted to the computer engineering program when they pass the following Gateway courses. Enrolling in a gateway course at UMBC or a Computer Engineering Department equivalent course at another institution is considered to be an attempt in accordance with the University Course Repeat Policy.

Students pass the gateway before taking CMSC 341 , CMPE 310 , and CMPE 314 .

Gateway Computer Science and Mathematics

Complete the following with minimum grade of ‘B’:

Gateway Physics

Complete the following with a grade of ‘B’ in a minimum of one course:

Gateway Engineering Course

Complete the following with minimum grade of ‘C’:

ENES 101 - Introduction to Engineering (3)

Required Computer Science Courses (16 credits)

Complete the following:

Required Mathematics Courses (14 credits)

Complete the following:

Science Elective (3-4 credits)

Complete one course from the following:

Required Computer Engineering Courses (30 credits)

Complete the following:

Computer Engineering Track (16-17 credits)

Complete a minimum of one of the following tracks:

Communications Track

The Communications track focuses on computer and electrical communications networks. Students who specialize in this track emerge with experience in the electromagnetic and signal processing techniques that are needed to design these networks.

The Communications track consists of 16 credits in addition to the core requirements of the major.

Requirements

Complete the following 7 credits:

Technical Electives

Complete 9 credits from the following, including a minimum of two courses from List A:

List A

List B

Cybersecurity Track

The Cybersecurity track emphasizes security of computer systems, along with in depth design of computer hardware topics closely related to the Electronic Systems track.

The Cybersecurity track consists of the following 16 credits in addition to the core requirements of the major.

Requirements

Complete the following 13 credits:

Technical Elective

Complete one course from the following or other approved course:

Electronic Systems Track

The Electronic Systems track focuses on large electronic systems and networks. Students who specialize in this track emerge with experience in very large scale integrated (VLSI) design and the design of programmable logic devices, including fully programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

The Electronic Systems track consists of the following 16 credits in addition to the core requirements of the major.

Requirements

Complete the following 7 credits:

Technical Electives

Complete 9 credits from the following, including a minimum of two courses from List A.

List A

List B

Laptop Requirement

Computer Science and Electrical Engineering requires all incoming first year and incoming transfer students to have a laptop computer.

The Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Technology Requirement is available from the department website.

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs

Qualified students may apply to an accelerated program, which allows them to share courses between a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Students take graduate courses as undergraduate students and later apply those courses to master’s degrees. An undergraduate may apply to participate in an accelerated program even if the desired graduate program is in a department other than the one in which the student is majoring. More information is available from the Accelerated Program page of the Graduate School website.