Courtesy: ECE 189 CE Capstone
About the Program
The CE Program is offered jointly by the Computer Science (CS) and the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) departments. Administratively, the CE Program is housed within the ECE Department.
Computer engineering is an interdisciplinary field that integrates elements of computer science and electrical engineering to design, construct, and optimize both hardware and software systems. Students gain expertise in hardware design, software concepts, robotics, signal processing, controls, circuit design, and networking, blending theoretical foundations with practical application. The curriculum emphasizes low-level interactions between software and hardware, digital hardware design, and peripheral-systems interfacing. Students can choose electives in either the ECE department or the Computer Science department to tailor their studies to specific interests.
The program offers students:
- a broad education in the fundamentals of computer engineering, as well as a solid foundation in the basic sciences including mathematics, probability and statistics, data science, and physics
- research areas including bioinspired computing; circuit & system design; computer architecture; embedded systems; design, manufacturing & test automation; machine learning & AI; emerging technologies for computing; energy-efficient computing; nanotechnology; and software and language
- preparation for a wide range of positions in industry, business, research & development, and government
Program Features
Degree Program
The Computer Engineering major’s objective is to educate engineers with both depth and breadth. We expect our undergraduates to gain an understanding of digital electronics, computer architecture, system software, hardware/software interfaces and integrated circuit design. These topics bridge traditional electrical engineering and computer science curricula.
CE major’s graduates can design and build integrated digital hardware and software systems in a wide range of application domains. Teamwork, project management skills, and attention to ethical & socially-responsible design decisions are emphasized throughout the program.
Curriculum Highlights
Senior Elective Sequences
During the junior year, students select two sequence topics each consisting of two to three courses. These courses help satisfy CE Major Degree Requirements in the Senior Elective Study Plan.
Senior Projects (ECE 189 or CMPSC 189)
During the senior year, each CE student is required to take the Senior Capstone Project. Students work in teams to design and engineer complete systems, beginning with formulation of requirements and proceeding with hardware & software design, integration, documentation, and testing.
Combined BS/MS Degree in ECE or CS
A program offered by either the ECE or CS departments..The following BS/MS options available for CE undergrads — ECE BS/MS Combined Degree Program OR CS BS/MS Combined Degree Program
Our Mission
To prepare our students to reach their full potential in computer engineering research and industrial practice through a curriculum emphasizing the mathematical tools, scientific basics, fundamental knowledge, engineering principles, and practical experience in the field.
- Read the full Mission Statement
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Our Mission
To prepare our students to reach their full potential in computer engineering research and industrial practice through a curriculum emphasizing the mathematical tools, scientific basics, fundamental knowledge, engineering principles, and practical experience in the field.
Educational Objectives
We expect our graduates to:
- Possess a strong foundation in the fundamental theories, laboratory skills with industry-grade equipment, and tools related to computer engineering, and be able to apply this knowledge to solve complex problems and create products.
- Be able to work effectively in teams, manage tasks, contribute to group efforts, and effectively communicate technical information clearly and concisely.
- Understand the social, business, technical, ethical, and human context of the world in which their engineering contributions will be utilized, and uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and accountability.
Program Student Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will have:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying the principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze, and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
The Computer Engineering B.S. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org
- Possess a strong foundation in the fundamental theories, laboratory skills with industry-grade equipment, and tools related to computer engineering, and be able to apply this knowledge to solve complex problems and create products.
Leadership
- Yoga Isukapalli, CE Co-Director – Vice Chair of CE Undergrad Studies & ECE Teaching Prof.
- Diba Mirza, CE Co-Director – Vice Chair of CS Undergrad Studies & CS Teaching Prof.
- Erika Klukovich, Student Affairs Manager
- Beth English, Undergrad Program Officer: Trailer 380, Rm 105 | ugrad-advisor@ece.ucsb.edu
- Joanna Villalobos, Undergrad Advisor: Trailer 380, Rm 101 | undergrad@ece.ucsb.edu
Office Location: Trailer 380, Room 101, 105
CE Five-Year Enrollment & Degree History
- Fall Enrollment: 2024 (314) | 2023 (301) | 2022 (277) | 2021 (275) | 2020 (271)
- Degrees Awarded: 2023-2024: (81) | 2022-2023: (58) | 2021-2022: (72) | 2020-2021: (62) | 2019-2020 (55)
CE Program Statistics (Fall 2024)
- 2318 applicants | 100 enrolled
- Average incoming GPA: 4.44
- Interested in the BS/MS Program?
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A program offered by either the ECE or CS departments.
BS/MS options available for Computer Engineering undergraduates:
- BS in CE and MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering: ECE BS/MS Combined Degree Program webpage
- BS in CE and MS in Computer Science: see the CS BS/MS Combined Degree Program webpage
Applications for the BS/MS in ECE are usually due at the end of the spring quarter of the junior year. BS/MS in Computer Science has a different deadline. As this is an accelerated program, it is expected that you have completed all the required courses for the CE major including all the junior required courses. GRE exams are not required to apply.
To check the status your BS/MS application:
