The new interdisciplinary profession of computer engineering has evolved over the last two decades. Computer engineering professionals develop, design, and test computer systems. They understand both computer hardware and software and possess enough engineering breadth to design computer systems for a variety of applications. Economics and Internet flexibility have led to the widespread use of computer engineering technology. The career potential for graduates with this knowledge has been strong for many years. Computer engineering consists of basic electrical engineering and computer science curricula combined with a set of special courses in computer systems. Computer engineering students will have a broad engineering background combined with in-depth knowledge of computer hardware, software, and application tradeoffs, and the basic modeling techniques representing the computing process. The core subject areas of computer engineering are discrete mathematics, fundamentals of computing, data structures, system software and software engineering, computing languages, operating systems, logic design, digital systems design, computer architecture, interfacing and communications, and laboratory work to support the above including a project. Students graduating from NJIT with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and a good academic record will be able to pursue further study leading to advanced degrees in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science.

The curriculum, as described below, is for students entering NJIT as freshmen in the Fall of 2007 or thereafter. Students entering before that date may have a different program and should consult the department to learn which curriculum applies.

The Mission of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering serves the community, the State of New Jersey, and the nation by educating engineers, expanding knowledge, and developing new methods and capabilities for solving complex technological problems through innovation and cutting-edge research in various disciplines of Computer Engineering. The mission includes a commitment to preparing students for professional and research activities with an ability to learn independently, for work within a global economy within a diverse multi-cultural environment over a spectrum of careers, enabling them to become global leaders in their respective fields. The programs of the Department are continually reviewed and revised to prepare engineers to meet the nation's changing needs and requirements.

Program Educational Objectives

1 - Engineering Practice: Graduates of our program are successfully engaged in the practice of computer engineering within industry, working in a wide array of technical specialties including computer communications and computer architecture.

2 - Professional Growth: Graduates of our program are advancing their skills through professional growth and development activities, such as graduate study in engineering, and continuing education; some graduates will transition into other professional fields, such as business and law through further education.

3 - Service: Graduates of our program are performing service to society and the engineering profession through participation in professional societies, government, civic organizations, and humanitarian endeavors.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Computer Engineering program will have:

(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

(c) 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

(d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams

(e) an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems

(f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

(g) an ability to communicate effectively

(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and social context

(i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

(j) knowledge of contemporary issues

(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

(l) breadth across the fields of computer engineering in areas, such as, computer programming, microprocessor, computer architecture, operating systems, data structure and algorithms

(m) depth in the fields of computer engineering in areas, such as, computer systems design and computer networking

(n) proficiency in mathematics through differential equations, probability and statistics, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700.

Electives

Lit/Hist/Phil/STS GUR: Students must take one 300-level course from any of the following fields: English (Eng); History (Hist); Literature (Lit); Philosophy (Phil); Science, Technology and Society (STS); Social Science (SS); or Theater (Thtr). Students may also satisfy this requirement with Architectural History IV (Arch 382) or by taking an approved 300-level course at Rutgers-Newark. The department recommends Computer Engineering majors take STS 350 to fulfill this requirement.

Cultural History GUR: Take one course (3 credits) from among HUM 211, HUM 212, Hist 213, and 200-level history courses at Rutgers-Newark.

*Basic Social Sciences GUR: Three credits of the basic social sciences requirement must be taken in economics; acceptable courses are SS 201, Econ 265, or Econ 266. The remaining 3 credits may be satisfied by HSS 202, STS 257 or STS 258. Students may also take approved introductory courses in basic social sciences at Rutgers-Newark to fulfill this requirement.

Capstone Seminar in Humanities and Social Science GUR: All students, except those enrolled in the honors college, take one of the following: HSS 403, HSS 404, HSS 405, HSS 406, HSS 407, HSS 408, HSS 409. Students enrolled in the honors college take one from HSS 491H-499H.

Physical Education GUR: Students who register as full-time undergraduates for two or more consecutive semesters must take two PE courses, one of which must be a 100-level fitness core course. Students are urged to complete the requirement as soon as possible.

Management: Students take IE 492 or Mgmt 390 or AS 333, which is acceptable only for students taking the aerospace option. Students enrolled in a dual degree program between architecture and management take HRM 601 to fulfill this requirement.

Technical: Chosen from a list of courses available from the faculty of the program.

Refer to the General University Requirement section of this catalog for further information on electives.

Technical Tracks

The computer engineering technical tracks are designed to provide in-depth study in a specialty area. Students at the fourth year of the curriculum must choose one of the available tracks. See advisor for more information.

Co-op

Co-op courses bearing degree credit replace a technical elective or another course approved by the faculty advisor in the student's major department. In Computer Engineering, ECE 310 is taken for additive credit, and ECE 410 is taken for degree credit, upon acceptance by the faculty co-op advisor of an approved proposal.