Computer Engineering

Computer Engineers (CPE) are electrical engineers that have additional training in the areas of software design and hardware-software integration. Common CPE tasks include writing embedded software for real-time microcontrollers, designing VLSI chips, working with analog sensors, designing mixed signal circuit boards, and designing operating systems. Computer engineers are also well-suited for research in the field of robotics, which relies on using computers together with other electrical systems. Below is a recommended plan of study for CPE.

CPE program educational objectives

Computer Engineering graduates shall:

  1. practice their profession using a systems approach encompassing technological, economic, ethical, environmental, social, and human issues within a changing global environment
  2. continue life-long learning by acquiring new knowledge, mastering emerging technologies, and using appropriate tools and methods
  3. function independently and in leadership positions in multidisciplinary teams
  4. perform effectively within their profession, their community, and in the public service arena

CPE student outcomes

At the time of graduation, students will have demonstrated :

  1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
  2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
  3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
  4. an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
  5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
  6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
  7. an ability to communicate effectively
  8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and social context
  9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
  10. a knowledge of contemporary issues
  11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

The computer engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org

COMPUTER ENGINEERING PLAN OF STUDY

Freshman Year
Fall Term Credit
PH 111 Physics I 4
MA 111 Calculus I 5
CLSK 100 College & Life Skills 1
RH 131

HSS 		Rhetoric and Composition
or
Elective 		4
ECE 160 Engineering Practice 2
Total 16
Winter Term Credit
PH 112 Physics II 4
MA 112 Calculus II 5
CSSE 120 Introduction to
Software Development 		4
RH 131

HSS 		Rhetoric and Composition
or
Elective 		4
Total 17
Spring Term Credit
PH 113 Physics III 4
MA 113 Calculus III 5
ECE 130 Introduction to
Logic Design 		4
CSSE 220 Object-Oriented
Software Development 		4
Total 17
Sophomore Year
Fall Term Credit
MA 211 Differential Equations 4
CSSE 232 Computer Architecture I 4
ECE 203 DC Circuits 4
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 4
Total 16
Winter Term Credit
MA 212 Matrix Algebra and Systems
of Differential Equations 		4
CSSE 332 Operating Systems 4
ECE 204 AC Circuits 4
HSS Elective 4
Total 16
Spring Term Credit
MA 381 Introduction to Probability
with Applications
to Statistics 		4
ECE 250 Electronic Device Modeling 4
ECE 205 Dynamical Systems 4
HSS Elective 4
Total 16
Junior Year
Fall Term Credit
MA 275 Discrete & Combinational
Algebra I 		4
ECE 351 Analog Electronics 4
ECE 333 Digital Systems 4
RH 330 Technical and Professional
Communication 		4
Total 16
Winter Term Credit
ECE 300 Continuous-Time Signals Systems 4
ECE 331 Embedded System Design 4
ECE 332 Computer Architecture II 4
Math/Science Elective 4
Total 16
Spring Term Credit
ECE 380 Discrete-Time Signals
and Systems 		4
ECE 342 Introduction to
Elecromagnetic
Compatibility 		4
ECE 362 Principles of Design 3
HSS Elective 4
Total 14
Senior Year
Fall Term Credit
ECE 460 Engineering Design I 3
Tech Elective 4
Area Elective 4
HSS Elective 4
Total 15
Winter Term Credit
ECE 461 Engineering Design II 4
Tech Elective 4
Area Elective 4
HSS Elective 4
Total 16
Spring Term Credit
ECE 462 Engineering Design III 2
Area Elective 4
HSS Elective
Free Elective
Free Elective 		4
4
4
Total 18
Total credits required: 194

AREA ELECTIVES

An area elective course is

  1. Any course bearing an ECE prefix at the 400 level or above.
  2. All area electives must bear an ECE prefix at the 400 level or above.

TECH ELECTIVE

  1. Any course NOT bearing a GS, RH, IA, SV, GE, JP, and SP prefix

NOTES

  1. MA 351-356 Problem Solving Seminar may not be combined and substituted for the math elective.
  2. CPE majors are not permitted to take ECE 206 Elements of Electrical Engineering, or ECE 207 Electrical Engineering as free electives or technical electives. Free electives may be selected from any other Rose-Hulman courses.
  3. CPE majors may take any additional math, biology, chemistry, geology or physics course as a math science elective except those courses that are cross-referenced with any engineering courses.

COMPUTER ENGINEERING CORE COURSES

Course Number Course Title Credits
ECE130 Introduction to Logic Design 4
ECE160 Engineering Practice 2
ECE203 DC Circuits 4
ECE204 AC Circuits 4
ECE205 Dynamical Systems 4
ECE250 Electronic Device Modeling 4
ECE300 Continuous-Time Signals Systems 4
ECE331 Embedded System Design 4
ECE332 Computer Architecture II 4
ECE333 Digital Systems 4
ECE342 Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility 4
ECE351 Analog Electronics 4
ECE362 Principles of Design 3
ECE380 Discrete-Time Signals and Systems 4
ECE460 Engineering Design I 3
ECE461 Engineering Design II 4
ECE462 Engineering Design III 2

SECOND MAJOR IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING

The ECE Department will not allow the following second major combinations:

  1. Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Second Major in Computer Engineering.
  2. Degree in Computer Engineering and a Second Major in Electrical Engineering.

Other students outside of ECE can get a second major in CPE by completing all of the courses in a required plan.

Course Number Course Title Credits
ECE130 Introduction to Logic Design 4
ECE203 DC Circuits 4
ECE204 AC Circuits 4
ECE205 Dynamical Systems 4
ECE250 Electronic Device Modeling 4
ECE300 Continuous-Time Signals Systems 4
ECE331 Embedded System Design 4
ECE332 Computer Architecture II 4
ECE333 Digital Systems 4
ECE342 Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility 4
ECE351 Analog Electronics 4
ECE380 Discrete-Time Signals and Systems 4
CSSE120 Introduction to Software Development 4
CSSE220 Object-Oriented Software Development 4
CSSE232 Computer Architecture I 4
CSSE332 Operating Systems 4
Total 64

AREA MINOR IN ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING (ECE)

The Area Minor in ECE is designed to allow students to add another dimension to their Rose-Hulman degree.

Advisor Dr. Bob Throne

Requirements for Area Minor in ECE

  • ECE203
  • ECE204
  • Plus four additional ECE courses, except EC160, ECE361, ECE362, ECE460, ECE461, ECE462, ECE466, ECE206, and ECE207

Example Area Minor for Physics and Optical Engineering

Course Number Course Title Credits
ECE203 Required DC Circuits 4
ECE204 Required AC Circuits 4
ECE205 Dynamical Systems 4
ECE300 Continuous-Time Signals Systems 4
ECE380 Discrete-Time Signals and Systems 4
ECE310 Communication Systems 4

Example Area Minor for Computer Science and Software Engineering

Course Number Course Title Credits
ECE130 Introduction to logic Design 4
ECE203 Required DC Circuits 4
ECE204 Required AC Circuits 4
ECE250 Electronic Device Modeling 4
ECE332 Computer Architecture II 4
ECE333 Digital Systems 4

Example Area Minor for Mechanical Engineering

Course Number Course Title Credits
ECE203 Required DC Circuits 4
ECE204 Required AC Circuits 4
ECE370 Power & Energy Systems 4
ECE371 Sustainable Energy Systems 4
ECE470 Power Systems I 4
ECE471 Industrial Power Systems 4

Optical Communications Certificate

Faculty advisors: B. Black and S. Granieri

Rose-Hulman has become a leader in providing opportunities for students to choose a great mainstream degree program with flexibility to specialize in other areas of interest. This leadership is in no way limited to only traditional areas of study. One of these new areas that had a high impact in technology is optical communications. It is a rapidly growing field requiring investment beyond the traditional program structure, and is well suited to the students at Rose-Hulman All these topics are closely related to well established disciplines as optics and electronics. Considerable R&D efforts are allocated in both university and industrial laboratories enhancing the demand for both researchers and engineers with expertise in the field.

We propose the creation of a new certificate program in Optical Communications to enhance the programs currently offered. Combining expertise in Optical and Electrical Engineering, this program requires an interdisciplinary emphasis that is beyond the traditional content of either of its parent programs. This program is more than just the creation of the certificate program Optical Communications. This program will be critical to help developing a more interdisciplinary interaction for students and faculty. The creation of a workgroup within the faculty of both departments will coordinate current courses and resources, create new courses of interest for the field, and develop a showcase testbed education and research laboratory. Primary objectives include the removal of redundancy from existing courses, increasing interaction between the PHOE and ECE departments, and improving opportunities for students in the field.

This certificate is designed to give the student a firm theoretical and practical working knowledge in the area of fiber optic devices, optical communications, networks and its applications. The main purpose is to couch these fundamentals in a context that serves as the backbone for device, components and sub-system development for use in high-speed optical data and information links and networks. At the end of the program the student will be expected to:

  1. Understand the fundamental operation characteristics of high speed optoelectronic components, such as laser transmitters, light modulators and receivers and passive fiber optic components as connectors, couplers, filters, and switches.
  2. Understand the technology and performance of analog and digital fiber optic links, optical amplification and optical wavelength division multiplexing and optical time division multiplexing networks.
  3. Have a hands-on working knowledge of the use of fiber optic test equipment and techniques used by industry and telecommunication companies to test the performance of optical fiber links and components, such as, optical time domain reflectometry, optical spectrum analyzers and optical bit error testing equipment.

The Certificate will consist of 20 credit hours of which 12 credit hours will be required courses. Students interested in pursuing this Certificate should contact an ECE/PHOE certificate advisor (Professors Black, Bunch, and Granieri)

Required Courses

ECE 310 Communication Systems
OE 393 Fiber Optics and Applications
OE 493 Fundamentals of Optical Fiber Communications

Elective Courses (two from the list)

Only courses not required for the student’s major will count for electives in the certificate.

ECE 380 Discrete-Time Signals and Systems
ECE 410 Communication Networks
ECE 414 Wireless Systems
OE 360 Optical Materials and Opto-mechanics
OE 435 Biomedical Optics
OE 450 Laser Systems and Applications
OE 485 Electro-Optics and Applications

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
5500 Wabash Ave.
Terre Haute, IN 47803
812-877-1511
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