Computer Systems Engineering Requirements 2011-2012

The following discussion presents the requirements for computer systems engineering for 2011-2012.

Course Flowchart with Prerequisites

CURRICULUM
During the first two years (freshman and sophomore) of the BSE degree program with specialization Computer Systems Engineering, the student completes a set of fundamental courses of 64 credits (49 Core Course credits and 15 credits General Education Requirements). These courses cover basic sciences, mathematics, writing and communications (speech), and other general education requirement (GER) courses. This provides the student with a broad and solid background in the topics necessary to build a specialization in a field of engineering.

Computer Systems Engineering specialization courses (51 credits) are taken mostly in the 3rd and 4th (junior and senior) years. In addition, the student selects an additional 12 credits of Computer Systems Engineering specialty electives, and a 3 (or 4) credit Engineering-Science/Math/Statistics elective (explained below).

Engineering design is introduced early in the curriculum and is emphasized throughout the program. In addition to the seminar series, a three course introductory Engineering Practices series is a required part of the curriculum. It is an outstanding customized coordination of courses that specifically teaches engineering students what they most need to know early in the curriculum. These courses help students become more successful in all of their subsequent courses and to be more effective as practicing engineers. Topics include applied mathematics, computer applications, experimental data gathering and analysis, collaborative teamwork, and report preparation and presentation. Also, a senior capstone design course is required.

Since the BSE program allows for the selection of more electives than the traditional BS engineering programs, students can custom design their curriculum to specialize in the areas of engineering most applicable for their plans. So, students can prepare themselves to specifically meet the needs of specific companies, and state and federal agencies. Professional registration is emphasized throughout the program.

Students attend two professional seminar courses that expose them to multiple experts from education and industry speaking about their field of expertise. All students are encouraged to take the Fundamental of Engineering examination before graduation.

ADVISING
All undergraduate students are encouraged to meet with their academic faculty advisor each semester for the purpose of reviewing their academic progress and planning future courses. It is particularly important for students to meet with their advisor whenever academic difficulties arise.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS
All prerequisites for engineering courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. A student that has a cumulative semester GPA in engineering courses below 2.00 will be placed on academic warning by the School of Engineering. If a student on academic warning status receives a semester GPA for engineering courses of at least 2.00, that student will be removed from academic warning status by the School of Engineering. Otherwise, the student will be dropped from the BSE program and must reapply in order to continue in the BSE program. Re-admittance requires a letter from the student requesting re-admittance with an explanation of the reasons why that is subject to approval by the department head.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The total required credits for the BSE degree is 130 credits. There are five main categories of required credits: 1) General Education Requirements (GER), 2) Core Courses, 3) Specialization Courses, 4) Engineering Science, Advanced Mathematics and Statistics Electives, and 5) Computer Systems Engineering Specialty Electives.

1. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Complete the General Education Requirements (GER) for Baccalaureate Degrees listed at the beginning of this chapter. All GER requirements (a minimum of 37 total credits in 8 different categories) are built into the required courses for the BSE degree. There are 15 GER credits in three different categories that the student may select.
     Fine Arts (3)
     Humanities (6)
     Social Sciences (6)
It is very important that students should see their faculty advisors and review the rules for selecting these 15 credits. A website with the rules is linked on the main School of Engineering website.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
2. Complete the following core courses (49 Credits):

CHEM A105 General Chemistry I (3)
CHEM A105L General Chemistry I Lab (1)
*COMM A111 Fundamentals of Oral Communications (3)
ENGL A111 Methods of Written Communication (3)
ENGL A212 Technical Writing (3)
ENGR A151 Engineering Practices I (3)
ENGR A161 Engineering Practices II (3)
ENGR A192 Engineering Seminar I (1)
ES A302 Engineering Data Analysis (3)
ESM A450 Economic Analysis & Operations (3)
MATH A200 Calculus I (4)
MATH A201 Calculus II (4)
MATH A202 Calculus III (4)
MATH A302 Ordinary Differential Equations (3)
PHYS A211 General Physics I (3)
PHYS A211L General Physics I Lab (1)
PHYS A212 General Physics II (3)
PHYS A212L General Physics II Lab (1)

*Note: Any one of the following courses may be taken: COMM A111, COMM A235, COMM A237, or COMM A241.

3. Complete the following specialization courses (51 credits):
CSE A205 Intro. to C Programming for Engineers (3)
CSE A215 Object-Oriented C++ Programming for Engineers (3)
CSE A225 Assembly Language Programming for Engineers (3)
CS   A330 Algorithms and Data Structures (3)
CSE A335 Operating Systems Engineering (3)
CSE A342 Digital Circuits Design (FPGA) (3)
CSE A355 Computer Networking for Engineers (3)
CSE A438 Computer Engineering Systems Design (3)

CSE A465 Network Security (3)

CSE A481 Engineering Software/Hardware Systems (3)

EE A203 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering I (4)
EE A204 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering II (4)
EE/CS A241 Computer Hardware Concepts (4)
EE/PHYS A314 Electromagnetics (3)
EE A353 Circuit Theory (3)
MATH A231 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (3)

Advanced Electives
Many elective courses require prerequisite courses that are also elective courses. Thus, in selecting elective courses students are strongly advised to work with their advisor to develop a cohesive set of elective courses. Choice of engineering electives is subject to approval by the student's advisor and the department head.

4. Engineering Science, Advanced Mathematics and Statistics Electives (3-4 credits)

ES A208 Engineering Mechanics (4)

MATH A314 Linear Algebra (3)

MATH A410 Introduction to Complex Analysis (3)

MATH A422 Partial Differential Equations (3)

MATH A423 Advanced Engineering Mathematics (3)

STAT A307 Probability and Statistics in Science (4)

CSE students are required to take 12 credits from following list.

CS A385 Computer Graphics and Multimedia (3)
CS A401 Software Engineering (3)
CS A405 Artificial Intelligence (3)
CS A413 Computer and Data Security (3)
CSE A442 VLSI Circuit Design (3)
CSE A451 Digital Signal Processing (3)
CSE A445 Compute Design & Interfacing (4)
EE/PHYS A324 Electromagnetics II (3)
EE/PHYS A324L Electromagnetics Lab II (1)
EE A354 Engineering Signal Analysis (3)
EE A441 Integrated Circuit Design (3)
EE A465 Telecommunications (3)
EE A462 Communication Systems (3)


A total of 130 credits are required for the BSE degree with a specialization in Computer Systems Engineering, of which 42 credits must be upper division.

What is a computer systems engineer?

Computer Engineers are involved in all aspects of the computing industry in both hardware and software. Computer Engineers are tasked with the design of both computer hardware and software, such as microprocessors, software applications, super computers, Internet applications, video game consoles and software.  Computer engineers are hired by many different industries, including computer software, computer hardware, telecommunications, electronics, consulting, healthcare, aviation, energy, national defense, robotics and by a broad spectrum of financial institutions.

How much money does a computer systems engineer make?

Computer Engineers right out of college can expect to make approximately $28.18 per hour or about $59,000 per year! (Source: AK Department of Labor Workforce Development 2004).