Computer Engineering, B.S. | NYU Tandon School of Engineering

Computer Engineering, B.S.

Computer Science and Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science
On Campus
Motherboard Chip

Products of computer engineering touch nearly every part of our lives. They let us chat via webcams, send e-mails from cell phones, and withdraw cash from ATMs. But computer-based devices and information networks aren’t the only products computer engineers develop; they reconstruct genomes, design robots, and develop software to make businesses more efficient. That’s just the kind of invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship that the School of Engineering encourages.

Our BS program in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The program has a comprehensive analysis and design curriculum that provides an outstanding, cutting-edge education in computer systems with emphasis on hardware and software, The program incorporates the latest market and technology trends and combines the traditional disciplines of electronics, communications, control and computer programming with newer courses, such as Cyber Security, Nanoscale Circuit Design, Parallel Computers, Image Processing, Biomedical Instrumentation, Web Search Engines, Wireless Networks, Peer-to-Peer Networks, SoC (System-on-a-Chip), VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) and Game Development.

Recognizing the need for well-rounded engineers, we also emphasize strong communication and interpersonal skills. Our students develop these skills not only through required courses in the humanities and social sciences but also during team projects in design classes. Sponsored research and affiliate programs at our Center for Advanced Technology in Telecommunications (CATT), and Offensive Security, Incident Response, and Internet Security Lab also put you in constant contact with alumni and instructors whose experience in the industry you can draw upon.

Graduates of our program have gone on to design microchips and computer graphics, monitor and control industrial plants, and develop embedded hardware/software systems. They also occupy positions in manufacturing, research, financial services, health, and government, or create their own companies.

With departmental permission, you may earn a single bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. This degree requires a minimum of 142 credits rather than the typical 128 required for individual bachelor’s degrees.

About the Program

The broad objectives of the Computer Engineering Program are:

  • Graduates are expected to be engaged and advancing in their professional careers in a profession that utilizes their NYU Tandon degree, in Computer Engineering or another career path, that include industry, academia, and governmental or non-governmental organizations.
  • Graduates are expected to be seeking continuous professional development and life-long learning through graduate school studies, continuing education credits and/or professional registration.

In order to prepare our students to meet these objectives after graduation the ECE department has adopted the ABET 1 to 7 criteria as the appropriate student outcomes that our curriculum is designed to foster in our students:

(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

(2) 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

(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

(4) 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

(5) 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

(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

You may obtain a minor in computer engineering by taking the following courses with a GPA of 2.0 or better.

ECE-UY 2004 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-UY 2204 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
ECE-UY 4144 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

For students not earning the BS degree in computer science, ECE-UY 4144 may be replaced by CS-UY 2214 Computer Architecture. You must take a minimum of 8 credits at the School of Engineering. Students for whom CS-UY 1133/CS-UY 1114 is not required for major should note that CS-UY 1133/CS-UY 1114 is a prerequisite for CS-UY 2204. The minor in computer engineering is not open to students earning the BS degree in electrical engineering.

 

Retention, Graduation, & Placement Rates

Curriculum

To obtain a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, you must complete 128 credits. A sample semester-by-semester look at your program can be found on the Sample Course Schedule below. 

In this section, you'll find:

  • Grade Requirements
  • Senior Design Project
  • Senior Thesis 

For a CompE Study Plan, please refer: CompE Study Plan.

The Institute requires a 2.0 GPA in all courses and specifies other general requirements in the section “Undergraduate Academic Programs and Policies,” beginning on page 16 of the School of Engineering catalog which describes the core curriculum for all engineering majors, including placement procedures in writing, mathematics and programming; course credits by transfer and advanced placement; and credit by examination.

To graduate with a BS in Computer Engineering, you must:

1) Have a C-grade or better in:

CS-UY 1114 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-UY 1134 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-UY 2124 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-UY 2204 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
ECE-UY 2004 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

2) Have a technical GPA of 2.0 based on all courses prefixed ECE-UY, CS-UY or ECE-GY. Seniors may elect graduate courses labeled ECE-GY 5XX3, but not CS-GY 5XX3. To enroll in other graduate courses, you must meet required department GPA standards and adviser approval.

The 2-semester Senior Design Project allows you to focus on an application of computer engineering. In the first semester, you and your classmates will concentrate on hardware and/or software. You will develop skills using specialized laboratory equipment and computer-design packages and will be introduced to techniques for planning projects and making effective presentations. You will learn to balance design requirements such as performance, safety, reliability, and cost effectiveness.

In the second and final semester, you will design, build or simulate, and test a device or system to meet prescribed engineering specifications.

If as an undergraduate computer engineering student you wish to do a Senior Thesis (BS thesis) instead of Design Project (DP), you must:

  • Complete 6 total credits of ECE-UY 397
  • Make a presentation to your thesis adviser, with attendance open to other students and faculty; and
  • Bind your thesis according to Institute guidelines for MS and PhD theses.

Note: For the thesis, you do need not register for Design Project I or Design Project II. Before registering for Senior Thesis, you must find a faculty member to serve as thesis adviser. In addition, you must have a 3.0 GPA in order to register for Senior Thesis instead of Design Project.

Additional notes:

  • The Senior Thesis must be design oriented
  • The 6 credits of DP-1 and DP-2 are replaced by 6 credits of Senior Thesis (ECE-UY 397)
  • You are advised not to take all 6 credits of Senior Thesis during a single semester

Typical Course Schedule

This schedule lists specific courses you might take as you work towards your bachelor's in computer engineering. 128 credits are required to complete the degree.

If there is not a link supplied with a course number, please consult the Bulletin.

Fall Semester

MA-UY 2114 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-UY 2214 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
ECE-UY 4001 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

3-4 Credits ECE/CS Elective

3-4 Credits Math/Science Elective

Total: 15/17 credits

Spring Semester

MA-UY 2224 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
ECE-UY 4144 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

3-4 Credits Free Elective

4 Credits Humanities and Social Sciences Elective*

Total: 14/16 credits

*See Footnote 3

Fall Semester

3 Credits ECE/CS 4XX3 Design Project I 
OR
3 Credits VIP-UY Course
4 Credits Humanities and Social Sciences Elective*
4 Credits Humanities and Social Sciences Elective*
3 Credits Free Elective
3-4 Credits Free Elective

Total: 17/18 credits

Spring Semester

3 Credits ECE/CS 4XX3 Design Project II 
3-4 Credits ECE Elective
3-4 Credits Free Elective
3 Credits Free Elective
4 Credits Humanities and Social Sciences Elective*

Total: 16/18 credits

Total credits required for graduation: 128

*See Footnote 3

Note: A GPA (Technical) of at least 2.0 is required in all ECE-UY, CS-UY and ECE-GY courses.

1. For transfer students and students changing major, CS-UY 1012 Introduction to Computer Engineering is not required. ECE-UY 1001 Engineering and Technology Forum and ECE-UY 1003 Introduction to Engineering and Design may also be excused depending upon transfer credits.

2. Grades of at least C- are required in CS-UY 1114, CS-UY 1134, CS-UY 2124, CS-UY 2204, and ECE-UY 2004. C if repeated twice.

3. Choice of humanities and social sciences electives must conform to the established requirements of the Technology, Culture and Society Department. After the first-year writing courses, students will need one writing intensive elective course (W). In addition, one of the four courses must be a Junior or Senior-level course.