B.S. Computer Engineering

The Computer Engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. For more information on ABET, please visit their website for more information.

ABET Accreditation Information 

Our mission is to prepare students for rewarding careers and higher education. Our graduates will be able to solve complex technical problems and address the needs of modern society, and will pursue lifelong learning.

Electrical & Computer Engineering majors at Cal State Northridge receive a solid, broad-based education. Among the many topic areas in the basic curriculum are:

• mathematics
• physics
• chemistry
• computer programming
• engineering materials
• electrical circuits
• engineering mechanics
• thermodynamics
• engineering economy
• numerical analysis.

At the senior level, students are required to take an approved concentration in one of the Electrical and Computer Engineering options:

• biomedical engineering
• communications
• digital systems design
• control systems, electronics
• microwave and antenna engineering
• power systems

The Computer Engineering (CompE) program bridges the curriculum gap between Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. Computer Engineers deal with the hardware and software aspects of computer system design and development. The CompE curriculum contains components of both the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering programs.

Computer Engineering majors receive a broad knowledge in the basic curriculum. Among the many topics are: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, electrical circuits, engineering economy, algorithms, programming, and computer organization. Computer Engineering students will take coursework in a number of areas (i.e. computer architecture, digital design) from both the software and hardware points of view, allowing them to get a broader, more complete exposure to the subject. Additionally, these curricula will be unified in the one year senior design project course bringing together the existing Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science programs.

The ECE department has 17 labs associated with its ECE classes. In the labs, students work alongside professors who may be designing medical instrumentation for health care, designing microcontroller based applications, developing pager and satellite communications systems, or working on innovations in electrical power systems.

The department's practical approach to engineering offers hand's on design experience as well as theoretical knowledge. That's an advantage on the job because graduates actually have experience in constructing projects as well as designing them. Students who enjoy using math and science creatively to solve real-world problems will find rewarding careers as electrical and computer engineers.

Careers in Computer Engineering:

Graduates in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering design build communications systems, information processing, entertainment devices, medical diagnosis equipment, robotics control, navigation, and traffic control systems. Graduates can find work in virtually every industry. Among the major employers are electronic manufacturing firms, communications companies, the entertainment industry, public utilities, oil companies, laboratories, transportation companies, and chemical plants. Some graduates pursue professions as patent attorneys, technical writers, consultants, teachers, or technical sales representatives. This program not only prepares students to enter the work force, but also to enter graduate school to pursue an area of specialization.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Overall employment of computer engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2016 to 2026. In May 2018, the median annual wage for computer engineers was $114,600.

• It must be emphasized that this program is based on an expectation of adequate high school preparation in science, mathematics and English. High school courses should include algebra, plane geometry, trigonometry, chemistry or physics (all desirable), and four years of English.
• Students who have not had an adequate background of pre-engineering work in high school may be required to take some additional coursework in their first year and may not be able to complete an engineering program in 8 semesters.
• Entering beginning engineering students must take or be exempt from the Entry Level Mathematics Test and the Mathematics, Chemistry and English Placement Tests before registration in basic courses will be permitted.

CSUN requires most beginning students to take the Entry Level Mathematics Exam (ELM) and the English Placement Test (EPT) prior to enrolling in their courses. Refer to Test Requirements for further details on these exams.

In addition to these general University requirements, students in any of the engineering programs may also need the following exams:

• The Mathematics Diagnostics Test (MPT) is required prior to enrollment in MATH 150A. Students who have passed or are exempt from the ELM should take this exam prior to enrolling in their classes so they may be placed in the appropriate mathematics course. Students with scores of 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB or BC tests are exempt from the MPT.
• The Chemistry Placement Test (CPT) is required with a score of 40 or higher prior to enrolling in CHEM 101. Students who do not receive this score must receive a grade of “C” or better in CHEM 100 before taking CHEM 101.

All degree programs in engineering accommodate students beginning as freshmen or as transfer students. Transfer students should have completed lower division writing, mathematics, physics and chemistry courses. Courses that are transferred into the major are reviewed to ensure that they satisfy the same requirements as courses at CSUN. Courses transferred into the engineering major must have been completed with a grade of “C” or better.

The following are minimum grade requirements (no exceptions will be waived):

• For all required courses in your major: C-
• For all transfer courses: C
• For all General Education (GE): D-
  • Basic Skills Requirements Section A (A.1 through A.4): C-
  • Such as ENGL 115, COMS 151/L, PHIL 230

* More stringent prerequisite requirements may apply to some courses.

• All freshmen are required the make their academic advisement appointments with the CECS Student Services Center/EOP Satellite (Jacaranda Hall 4509, 818-677-2191) or with the Matador Advising Hub (Extended University Commons (EU) Room 150, 818-677-2900) prior to enrolling in all classes. Based on the results of their placement tests, students will be placed in the appropriate courses and supplied with all advisement materials.

• All sophomores are required to make their academic advisement appointments with the CECS Student Services Center/EOP Satellite (Jacaranda Hall 1501, 818-677-2191).

• All new transfer students should meet with a faculty advisor in the ECE Department to meet and advise them into the proper classes for their first semester. All continuing undergraduate students in good standing are encouraged to seek advisement each semester.
   
• All students on Academic Probation or Disqualification are required to make an appointment with the Department Chair.

The Computer Engineering program requires a minimum of 123 units total, including:

1. General Education and Title 5 requirements of 27 units
2. Computer Engineering core of 96 units
3. a minimum of 12 units of an approved elective.
4. Computer Engineering majors must complete a minimum of 30 semester units of upper division computer engineering courses in residency, including senior design project I and II.

1)  Lower Division Required Courses (39 units)

NOTE: All students must pass the English Placement Test with a score of 151 or above before enrolling in any 200-level engineering courses. 

2)  Math and Science Electives (6 units)

      Select a minimum of 6 units from the following list with corresponding lab if one exists:

3)  Upper Division Required Courses (39 units)

Note: All students must complete lower division writing requirements with grade of C or better before enrolling in any 300-level course and any 400-level course in the major.

The senior year must include a "capstone" design experience and additional courses with design content so that the student's total engineering program contains at least one semester of engineering design. This engineering design requirement must be taken in residency.

An advisor and the Department Chair must approve all senior year electives.

4)  Upper Division Electives (12 units)

Select a minimum of 12 units from the following:

Note that some elective courses have prerequisites that are not part of the required program. All courses must include the lab, if one exists. Other courses may be selected with the approval of the ECE Department Chair. The total number of units in the major is 96.

5)  General Education (27 units)

Computer Engineering majors have to follow a modified general education program depending upon the year and enrollment status as a college student. Returning and transfer students should consult an advisor before planning their general education programs.

Computer Engineering students are required to take courses in the following GE sections: Analytical Reading and Expository Writing (3 units), Oral Communication (3 units), Social Sciences (3 units), Arts and Humanities (6 units), Comparative Cultures (6 units), U.S. History and Local Government (6 units). All other GE requirements are met through completion of courses in the major. Nine of the GE units must be at the upper division level and two courses must meet the Information Competency requirement.

Total Units Required for the Degree: 123

FOUR-YEAR PLAN - COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEGREE

This is a suggested schedule for students wishing to complete their degree in 4 years. The number of units required in each semester can be reduced by taking some courses during summer school or by spreading the program out over a longer time period. Students are encouraged to meet regularly with an advisor.

FRESHMAN - YEAR 1

Fall - 1st Semester                                                      Spring - 2nd Semester        

SOPHOMORE - YEAR 2

Fall - 1st Semester                                                      Spring - 2nd Semester        

JUNIOR - YEAR 3

Fall - 1st Semester                                                      Spring - 2nd Semester        

SENIOR - YEAR 4

Fall - 1st Semester                                                      Spring - 2nd Semester        

*Start Math/Science electives if they include chemistry or Biology; otherwise start them in the Fall of the sophomore year. 

1. Math/Science electives must be selected from the list on the next page. 
2. See "Engineering Major General Education Planning Form" and/or DPR. 
3. CompE Electives must be selected from the list on the next page. A 4 unit course indicates a lecture/lab course, while a 3 unit course is lecture only. Students are always recommended to take the lab for lecture/lab courses. See "Instructions for Filing Senior Program", available in the ECE Department Office. 

**Upper Division writing exam should be completed before the beginning of the Spring Semester in the Junior Year. 

View Major Evaluation Sheet

Required Courses

Subtotal of Upper Division Required Units = 39. Subtotal of Required Design Units = 19.5

1. Students must receive a grade of "C-" or better for all courses in the major. A grade of "C"or better is required in Math 150A, Math 150B and Math 250
2. ECE 492 & ECE 493 must be taken in residence

*Select 8 units from the following list with corresponding lab, if one exists:

• Biology - 106/106L (4 units), 107/107L (4 units)
• Chemistry - 101/101L (5 units), 102/102L (5 units)
• Math - 262 (3 units), 326 (3 units)
• Phys - 227/L (5 units), 375 (3 units)

Comp. Engr Senior Elective Courses

Note: Some elective courses have prerequisites that are not part of the required program. Other courses may be selected with the approval of the ECE Department Chair.

If a student has taken all or some of the lower division core courses at some other school and has transferred them to CSUN, he or she still needs to complete the "Recommendation for Course Substitution or Waiver of Major or Minor Requirements for Bachelor's Degree" form (commonly referred to as the substitution form) that can be obtained from the ECE Department or on the "students forms" section of the CSUN Admissions and Records website. The student must also bring a copy of his or her DPR report and a copy of the course description from the other academic institution with the course/s highlighted. This needs to be done before filing the senior program. Exceptional cases should be reviewed by and discussed with your advisor. 

Units/Design Units requirements:

All students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree must have a minimum of 30 Upper Division Engineering Units taken in residency, a minimum of 18 Engineering Design units taken in residency, and a minimum of 4 ECE/Comp Senior Elective Units taken in residency.  Senior Elective courses should be selected with these requirements in mind.

TO FILE A SENIOR PROGRAM:

1. Make an appointment to see the undergraduate advisor by contacting the ECE Department office. At this meeting, the undergraduate advisor will review your DPR with you and make sure you are aware of all remaining course requirements. The undergraduate advisor will recommend a Professor in your field of interest to be your career advisor and complete the senior program with you.

2. Make an appointment to see your advisor by contacting him or her during their office hours and indicate that you need to plan your senior program.  Allow 1 to 2 days notice for the advisor so that he or she can obtain your file.

3. Before meeting with your advisor, review the attached senior elective package and make a tentative list of ECE/Comp senior courses you would like to take.
   
   NOTE:  Some elective courses have prerequisites that are not part of the required program. Other courses may be selected with the approval of the ECE Department Chair.

   Undergraduate ECE students are required to take both the lecture and the lab for all elective Electrical Engineering and Computer Science courses that have labs.

   Attached you will also find the list of all undergraduate required courses including Senior ECE Electives with their design units.  Your TOTAL program must have at least 18 design units.

4. Bring the attached forms with your worksheet to the meeting with your advisor. The advisor will forward the forms to the ECE Department office for the Chair's approval (please allow 1 week to process).

5. After the senior program has been signed by the student, advisor, and ECE Department Chair, the student can request a graduation check. A graduation check is to be requested from the ECE Department office (JD4509) approximately one year before graduation.
   
   NOTE: Should a student want to change his or her graduate program after the graduation check is completed, the student can do so by completing the following forms:

1. "Recommendation for Course Substitution or Waiver of Major or Minor Requirements for Bachelor's Degree" (commonly referred to as the substitution form)

2. "Request for Senior Program Questionnaire"

   These two forms can be obtained from the ECE Department office. After completion of these forms, they are to be turned in to ECE Department for the Department Chair's approval.

Begin this process at least ONE MONTH prior to the deadlines below: 

• Application for Spring/Summer Graduation: September 1st
• Application for Fall Graduation: March 1st 

STEP 1: GRAD CHECK (DPR Review with Undergraduate Coordinator} 

• Contact the ECE Department Office (818-677-2190 or ece@csun.edu) to schedule an appointment with the ECE Undergraduate Coordinator (Dr. Ruting Jia). During this appointment, you will review your Degree Progress Report (DPR) to confirm you are aware of any remaining course requirements.

STEP 2: COURSE SUBSTITUTION 

• If you have transferred any courses towards your major outside of CSUN, it is recommended you review your DPR to ensure those courses have been properly transferred and applied to the appropriate area. If they have not been properly transferred, please contact the ECE Undergraduate Coordinator for necessary course evaluations and substitution.
• Make sure that you provide an official course description from that university when you make the request. If that course has any prerequisites, you will need to attach those course descriptions as well.

STEP 3: SENIOR ELECTIVE PROGRAM 

• After your appointment with the ECE Undergraduate Coordinator, you will be required to contact any ECE Full-Time faculty member (excluding the Department Chair and Undergraduate Coordinator) to select your Senior Elective Program corresponding to your major.
• Once formally selected, the Senior Elective Program will be submitted electronically to 
• Admissions and Records for processing.

STEP 4: APPLICATION FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND DIPLOMA 

• About two weeks after completing Step 3, apply for graduation online by following the guide provided by CSUN.

STEP 5: AFTER GRADUATION APPLICATION SUBMISSION 

• About two weeks after completing Step 4, review your DPR and confirm the information is correct. If you have any questions, please contact the ECE Undergraduate Coordinator immediately. You will not graduate unless all listed requirements are complete.

Biomedical Engineering

Communications and Radar Engineering

Control Engineering

Digital and Computer Engineering

Electronics, Solid State Devices & Integrated Circuits Engineering

Microwave and Antenna Engineering

Power Systems Engineering