Mar 14, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Computer Engineering, B.S.

Program Director

Dr. Russ Meier, FIEEE
Office: L-351
Phone: (414) 277-2243
Email: meier@msoe.edu

Overview

software, and embedded systems. Their foundation in calculus-based mathematics and physics supports the analysis of computer systems, the design of electronic circuits, and the implementation of control algorithms in intelligent products.

The MSOE computer engineering curriculum provides depth in both hardware and software. Hardware-focused study includes digital logic, computer architecture, electric circuits, electronics, signals, digital signal processing, and networking. Software-focused study includes software development, data structures, embedded systems control, and socket programming. This integration of hardware and software prepares graduates for the broad scope of modern computing systems.

Computer engineers are employed across industries such as automotive, avionics, building automation, appliances, agriculture, construction equipment, telecommunications, entertainment, gaming, and traditional computing. In all of these settings, computer engineers contribute to the design of smart systems and computing technologies used in contemporary products.

Study Abroad

Computer engineering students can study abroad after completing the first five semesters of computer engineering coursework, typically spending the sixth semester abroad. Courses are taught in English, participation does not delay graduation, and the only additional cost is airfare.

Students may study at:

Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague, a top technical university in the Czech Republic and a respected institution within Central Europe. Prague offers a historic and architecturally signficiant setting.
Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) in New Zealand, the nation’s leading research university. Its location in the coastal capital provides a vibrant cultural and academic environment.
Charles III University of Madrid (UC3M) in Spain, a prominent public research university known for its strong engineering and technology programs. Madrid extensive academic, cultural, and historical resources.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, CE alumni will:

Have a record of successful delivery as an engineer in areas such as product development, patent applications, engineering management, technical sales, and test engineering
Provide both informal and formal leadership (e.g., lead specific team efforts or function as team leader, project manager, etc.)
Develop expert knowledge in at least one area that is seen as an asset by colleagues and management

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the computer engineering program will attain:

an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying 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 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 (BS) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Computer Engineering.

View Annual Student Enrollment and Graduation Data

Jump to:

Associate Engineering Transfer Pathway into Computer Engineering
Approved Computer Engineering Program Electives

Computer Engineering, B.S.

Version S2

Year One

Fall

Total: 13 lecture hours - 4 lab hours - 15 credits

COM 1001 - College Writing 3 credits ♦ Raider Core: Communicate Effectively
CPE 1500 - Digital Logic 4 credits *
CSC 1110 - Software Development 4 credits * ¹
MTH 1110 - Calculus I 4 credits

Spring

Total: 13 lecture hours - 6 lab hours - 16 credits

CPE 1510 - Computer Architecture and Assembly Language 4 credits *
CSC 1120 - Data Structures and Graphical Interfaces 4 credits * ¹
MTH 1120 - Calculus II 4 credits
PHY 1110 - Physics I - Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4 credits ♦ Raider Core: Think Critically

Year Two

Fall

Total: 13 lecture hours - 6 lab hours - 15 credits

CPE 2600 - Systems Programming 4 credits *
ELE 2001 - Electric Circuits I: Theory and Applications 4 credits *
IDS 2020 - Career Development 0 credits
MTH 2140 - Differential Equations 3 credits
PHY 1120 - Physics II - Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics 4 credits

Spring

Total: 16 lecture hours - 2 lab hours - 17 credits

COM 2001 - Writing for the STEM Disciplines 3 credits ♦ Raider Core: Collaborate Successfully/Communicate Effectively
CPE 2610 - Embedded Systems 4 credits *
ELE 2011 - Electric Circuits II: Theory and Applications 4 credits *
MTH 2480 - Probability and Statistics 3 credits
Raider Core ♦ Embrace Diversity 3 credits²

Year Three

Fall

Total: 15 lecture hours - 4 lab hours - 17 credits

BUS 2411 - Building Inclusive Teams 3 credits ³
COM 3001 - Professional Presentations 3 credits ♦ Raider Core: Collaborate Successfully/Communicate Effectively
CPE 3600 - Embedded Systems Design 4 credits * ♦ Raider Core: Integrate Learning
ELE 3101 - Electronics I 4 credits *
MTH 2310 - Discrete Mathematics 3 credits

Spring

Total: 15 lecture hours - 2 lab hours - 16 credits

BUS 3420 - Innovation and Entrepreneurship 3 credits ³
CPE 3300 - Computer Networking 4 credits *
ELE 3300 - Signals and Systems 3 credits *
MTH 2340 - Linear Algebra with Applications 3 credits
Raider Core ♦ Demonstrate Ethical Understanding 3 credits²

Year Four

Fall

Total: 12 lecture hours - 4 lab hours - 16 credits

CPE 4901 - Computer Engineering Senior Design Project I 3 credits *
ELE 3320 - Digital Signal Processing 3 credits *
Elective (Program) 3 credits*
PHY 3700 - Physics of Electronic Materials and Semiconductor Devices 4 credits ⁴
Raider Core ♦ Exhibit Curiosity 3 credits²

Spring

Total: 13 lecture hours - 2 lab hours - 16 credits

CPE 4800 - Information Security 4 credits *
CPE 4902 - Computer Engineering Senior Design Project II 3 credits * ♦ Raider Core: Integrate Learning
Elective (Free) 3 credits
Elective (Program) 3 credits*
Raider Core Elective ♦ Choice of CLO 3 credits⁵

Program total: 110 lecture hours - 30 lab hours - 128 credits

Notes:

*Courses with an asterisk are used to calculate major GPA. If a DSAC or ECBE course is chosen for the free elective, it will count toward the student’s major GPA.

¹Transfer credit for both CPE 1040 and CPE 1140 will substitute for MSOE courses CSC 1110 and CSC 1120 in the degree requirements.

²The noted CLO is a placeholder. Raider Core electives can be taken in any order. The combination of courses must address and assess the Exhibit Curiosity , Embrace Diversity and Demonstrate Ethical Understanding (PHL 3101 , PHL 3102 , or PHL 3103 or HUM 0103 for approved courses transferred into MSOE.) Common Learning Outcomes. With some exceptions, these courses must be taught out of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Communication Department. See The Raider Core page for details on the general education program and Common Learning Outcomes (CLOs). See the full list of courses covering CLOs for the Computer Engineering program.

³Transfer credit forBUS 2221 and BUS 2222 are Associate Engineering Transfer pathway substitutions for BUS 2411 and BUS 3420 in degree requirements.

⁴Transfer credit of an approved physical or life science course is an Associate Engineering Transfer Pathway substitution for PHY 3700 in degree requirements.

⁵This course can cover any of the following CLOs: Collaborate Successfully, Think Critically, Demonstrate Ethical Understanding, Exhibit Curiosity, or Embrace Diversity. With some exceptions, eligible courses must be taught out of the Humanities, Social Science, and Communication, Mathematics, or Physics and Chemistry Departments.

Associate Engineering Transfer Pathway into Computer Engineering

This pathway is taken by students who have completed an Associate degree with an engineering emphasis at an institution with which MSOE has a formal articulation agreement or an agreed upon transfer pathway.

It assumes an incoming student has completed transfer equivalent courses for:

MSOE courses: BUS 2221 , BUS 2222 , COM 1001 , COM 2001 , COM 3001 , CPE 1040 , CPE 1140 , MTH 1110 , MTH 1120 , MTH 2140 , MTH 2310 , PHY 1110 , PHY 1120 .
Courses fulfilling the Demonstrate Ethical Understanding, Embrace Diversity, and Exhibit Curiosity Common Learning Outcomes, as well as a Raider Core Elective .
An MSOE physical or life science course.

Students who are missing one or more of these courses may experience a delay in graduation.

Year One

Fall

Total: 13 lecture hours - 6 lab hours - 15 credits

CPE 1500 - Digital Logic 4 credits *
CPE 2600 - Systems Programming 4 credits *
ELE 2001 - Electric Circuits I: Theory and Applications 4 credits
IDS 2020 - Career Development 0 credits
MTH 2480 - Probability and Statistics 3 credits

Spring

Total: 13 lecture hours - 4 lab hours - 15 credits

CPE 1510 - Computer Architecture and Assembly Language 4 credits *
CPE 2610 - Embedded Systems 4 credits *
ELE 2011 - Electric Circuits II: Theory and Applications 4 credits *
MTH 2340 - Linear Algebra with Applications 3 credits

Year Two

Fall

Total: 13 lecture hours - 4 lab hours - 17 credits

CPE 3600 - Embedded Systems Design 4 credits * ♦ Raider Core: Integrate Learning
CPE 4901 - Computer Engineering Senior Design Project I 3 credits *
ELE 3101 - Electronics I 4 credits *
ELE 3300 - Signals and Systems 3 credits *
Elective (Program) 3 credits*

Spring

Total: 12 lecture hours - 6 lab hours - 17 credits

CPE 3300 - Computer Networking 4 credits *
CPE 4800 - Information Security 4 credits *
CPE 4902 - Computer Engineering Senior Design Project II 3 credits * ♦ Raider Core: Integrate Learning
ELE 3320 - Digital Signal Processing 3 credits *
Elective (Program) 3 credits*

Program total: 110 lecture hours? - 30 lab hours - 128 credits?

Notes:

*Courses with an asterisk are used to calculate major GPA. If a DSAC or ECBE course is chosen for the free elective, it will count toward the student’s major GPA.