Prospective Student FAQs

Questions

Answers

How do I apply to the UCSB Computer Engineering Program?

Visit the University of California Admissions website for information about:

How to apply: dates & deadlines, check majors, apply online, personal statement, application fees
Freshmen: requirements, CA residents, how applications are reviewed, freshman admission profiles
Transfers: requirements, major preparation paths, transfer admission guarantee, how apps are reviewed
International: TOEFL/IELTS exams, passports & visas, finances, living accommodations, admissions contacts
Campuses: UCSB Campus Admissions
Paying for UC: What does UC cost?, financial aid, scholarships, tax credits & savings plans, payment plans
Parents & Families: preparing for UC, important dates, application help, open house & campus visits, safety

UCSB admissions resources:

Admissions Office and Admissions Publications & Videos

How much does it cost per academic year at UCSB (Fall, Winter, Spring Quarters)?

The UCSB Financial Aid Office has an online cost of attendance form that calculates costs for the academic year. The Cost of Attendance webpage includes residency (CA resident / non-resident) and housing (commuter, off-campus and university) options.

Who do I contact if I have curriculum questions?

To receive a Computer Engineering degree from UCSB, students must satisfy three sets of requirements: major, college and university. As a first point of reference for curriculum questions, go to the CE Curriculum webpage. For additional questions, contact the following:

MAJOR (Computer Engineering degree requirements): ECE Student Affairs Office - Trailer 380, Rm 101 | (805) 893-8292 | ugradinfo@ece.ucsb.edu
COLLEGE (College of Engineering general education requirements): College of Engineering Office of Undergraduate Studies - Harold Frank Hall, Room 1006 | (805) 893-2809 | coe-info@engineering.ucsb.edu
UNIVERSITY (UC, Santa Barbara general education requirements): College of Engineering Office of Undergraduate Studies - Harold Frank Hall, Room 1006 | (805) 893-2809 | coe-info@engineering.ucsb.edu

Not sure? Contact the ECE Student Affairs Office - Trailer 380, Rm 101 | (805) 893-8292 | ugradinfo@ece.ucsb.edu

Who do I contact if I am a transfer student?

The College of Engineering Undergraduate Studies Office handles all Prospective Transfer Students inquiries.

Why is the Computer Engineering Program called a "Program"?

The Computer Engineering Program acts, in many respects, like a separate department but it is not totally independent. The Computer Engineering curriculum is jointly administered by the Computer Science Department and the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, thus making it a program rather than a separate department. Computer Engineering students receive a comprehensive program of study - 50% of instruction is from Computer Science and 50% of instruction is from Electrical & Computer Engineering.

The UCSB Computer Engineering B.S. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

What percent of CE Program students become involved in hands-on computer systems design work?

100% - all Computer Engineering students are required to complete a Senior "Capstone" design project as part of their senior elective plan.

Should I take any computer programming classes to prepare for the CE Program curriculum?

If you have never had a computer programming class, the Computer Science Department offers an optional course, CMPSC 8, which will prepare you for the introductory programming sequence in CE.

What's the current job outlook for computer engineers?

Computer engineering is listed as a top undergraduate and graduate degree by demand level according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). CE is listed at #5 as a "Top-Paid Major Among College Class of 2011," according to NACE (pdf).

PayScale.com's 2011-2012 College Salary Report has listed Computer Engineering at #6 in their "Top 10 College Majors that Lead to High Salaries." (pdf)

For additional information, the College of Engineering has an excellent Career Resources web page that helps undergraduates and graduate students locate jobs and internships.

Are there internship and job opportunities available for computer engineering students?

Santa Barbara and the Goleta area are known as being a part of the technology corridor between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Many technology companies are located in our area and contact us seeking students who are interested in participating in internship and employment opportunities. The ECE Student Office regularly sends out Umail email notifications to students about these opportunities.

Students are also advised to initiate direct contact with companies and to discuss internship and employment interests with faculty members since many have their own research labs and also have contact with local industry.

UCSB Career Services has an official website for jobs, internships, and campus interviews called GauchoLink. In addition, GauchoLink serves as a gateway to subscription services that are free for UCSB students. The College of Engineering also has a Career Resources web page that helps undergraduates and graduate students locate jobs and internships.

Annual UCSB Career Fairs occur in the Spring and Fall quarters and are a great opportunity to see which companies are looking for interns. This is also an excellent chance to network for employment after graduation.

Who do I contact If I am interested in undergraduate research opportunities?

You should consult with faculty members who a have similar interests so they can steer you in the right direction. Both faculty research interests and research areas are available on the CE Program website under Areas of Research.

Additionally, there are prominent research centers on campus that have structured undergraduate research programs such as the Materials Research Lab and the California Nanosystems Institute - Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships.

Can I participate in the University of California's study abroad program?

Yes - the UCSB Office of the Education Abroad Program (EAP) is dedicated to making the experience of such study available to as many qualified UCSB students as possible. EAP allows students to continue to progress toward their degrees while living and studying in some of the best academic institutions around the world.

For more information about EAP, contact the College of Engineering liaison, Tacy Costanzo - tacy@engr.ucsb.edu.

Can I participate in the UCSB Technology Management program?

Yes - students can participate in UCSB Technology Management Program (TMP) and one TMP course may be used as a senior elective for the EE major.

The Technology Management Program's educational programs include classes in management, entrepreneurship, new product development, marketing, and much more taught by world-class scholars, highly successful business lecturers and entrepreneurs.

The program's New Venture Competition has launched new ventures including several EE and CE senior year projects.

What is the advantage of the combined Bachelor of Science / Master of Science degree program?

Computer Engineering students may obtain both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree either in Electrical & Computer Engineering or in Computer Science by taking applicable courses in the last half of their senior year. Students interested in the BS/MS Program may apply in the Spring quarter of their junior year after they have taken their junior level courses For the BS/MS program in ECE. Please see the ECE student office for more information. Check with the Computer Science department for the BS/MS program in Computer Science deadline and requirements. The applicant should have a good GPA and faculty recommendations. Roughly the top 25% of Computer Engineering students may be eligible to apply for the BS/MS Program.

Does UCSB, the College of Engineering and ECE have campus tours?

The University holds an open house every April. This year's UCSB Open House - 2012 will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

For additional information about visiting UCSB go to the UCSB Visitor Center webpage for information about:

Reservations
- Campus Walking Tours
- Admissions Presentations
- UC Application Workshops
- Virtual UCSB: webinars/ chats
Self-Guided Podcast and App Tours
Visitor Center Hours / Schedule

The College of Engineering (CoE) and the ECE Department do not offer regularly scheduled tours but do offer student advising by appointment only.