Computer Science and Engineering Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in engineering with a major in computer science and engineering requires a minimum of 129 s.h. of coursework. The major provides technical depth and breadth along with the flexibility for students to customize their programs according to their own goals and interests. Students choose one of several focus areas according to the type of job or research they plan to pursue. Many focus area (FAs) are available, such as bioinformatics, business, medical imaging, embedded systems, and software engineering; for a complete list, see ECE Focus Areas. Students may also work with their academic advisor to create a customized FA plan tailored to their goals and interests. 

CSE students complete BSE core requirements, including: RHET:1030 Rhetoric; ENGR:1100 Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving; ENGR:1300 Introduction to Engineering Computing; and courses in chemistry, engineering mathematics and fundamentals, and physics.  Students must earn a grade of C-minus or higher in the core requirements MATH:1550 Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus and MATH:1560 Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus.

Students also complete the curriculum designed for their major program, which covers four major stems: mathematics and basic sciences, engineering topics, a focus area, and the general education component. For information about the curriculum stems, see Bachelor of Science in Engineering in the catalog.

Computer science and engineering students complete the curriculum listed under Academic Plans. During their second year, they select a focus area in consultation with their academic advisor. Students typically begin FA courses in their third year.

Coursework

New curriculum since 2021 for all CSE students:

• ENGR:2110 Statics is no longer required for the CSE major. This course has been replaced with a minimum 2 s.h. focus area free elective.
• If a student has already taken Statics, then they should list it as this free elective.
• ENGR:2130 Thermodynamics is no longer required for the CSE major. This course has been replaced by ENGR:1100 Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving.
  • If a student was enrolled in CSE before Fall 2021 and takes Thermodynamics, then Thermodynamics will automatically be substituted for ENGR:1100 Intro to EPS.
  • If a student was enrolled in CSE before Fall 2021 and does not take Thermodynamics, then that student must fill out a course substitution form for ENGR:1100 Intro to EPS. Any non-regressive engineering course may be used as a substitution for ENGR:1100.
• CS courses for Informatics majors (including CS:3980 Topics in Computer Science I) taken after summer 2021 can no longer be used as a CS elective.
• Students wanting to take CS:3980 should take CS:4980 Topics in Computer Science II instead since these courses are designed for CS and CSE majors.

CSE students must complete 6 core courses; 9 math, science, and communication courses; 13 required computer science and engineering program courses; one constrained program elective course; 6 approved FA courses; 5 general education courses (GEC); and a two-semester capstone design sequence.

The computer science and engineering major requires the following courses.

^aStudents enrolled in CSE before Fall 2021 and have not taken ENGR:1100 must fill out a course substitution form for ENGR:1100 Intro to EPS. Any non-regressive engineering or CS course may be used as a substitution for ENGR:1100.

Capstone Design Courses

In their senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone design sequence culminating in the development and implementation of a significant, original project. The capstone design experience emphasizes teamwork, professionalism, open-ended problem solving, and the ability to work within real-world constraints and engineering standards.