Computer Engineering
Capstones
Program
LEAP
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with ECE advisor to create a course plan
- Enroll in pre-major courses - Circuits & Systems I + Lab and CS 1400 or 1420
- Take calculus & physics courses
- Begin taking Gen Eds (spread these out)
Making Progress
- Meet with your advisor often to discuss your course plan & explore technical elective course options
- Use degree audit & major flowcharts to stay on track of GEs & degree requirements
- Circuits II & III, Physics II, Differential Equations & Linear Algebra, Software Practice, Computer Systems, and Digital Design
- Begin crafting your senior capstone in CS/ECE 3991 & 3992
Finishing Up
- Enroll in senior capstone course(s)
- Finish GE courses
- Complete remaining technical electives & major requirements
- Review degree audit & meet with advisor
- Apply for graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Join a learning community like LEAP or the Honors College
- Attend the Get Involved Fair & Engineering Club Rush to explore student clubs/organizations
- Follow ECE on social media
Making Progress
- Build relationships with students in your ECE/CS courses as you move through the program together
- Organize study groups with your peers
- Find a job on campus
- Get involved with ECE student groups & honor societies
- Become a LEAP peer advisor or orientation leader
- Consider getting involved in ASUU or talk to your advisor about joining the Student Advisory Council (SAC)
Finishing Up
- Network with your fellow classmates & professors
- Take on a leadership role in your student group(s)
- Get involved with the Alumni Association and Forever Utah
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Utilize tutoring resources in ECE, the Math Center, & Learning Center
- Research careers that interest you & identify skills they require
- Explore ECE research areas & learn about OUR resources
Making Progress
- Apply to be a TA or tutor
- Engage in undergraduate research - check out UROP, SPUR, REU & talk to your advisor about other opportunities
- Find an internship that allows you to apply your knowledge & skills
- Check out Lassonde+X or the Engineering Entrepreneurship Certificate
- Interact with student projects at Computer Engineering Demo Day & begin developing your own senior capstone proposal
Finishing Up
- Work with your team to complete your senior capstone
- Take electives that pique your interest & prepare you for desired career path
- Present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
Transformation
Getting Started
- Develop a solid foundation in math, circuits, & science classes
- Apply for scholarships & other financial aid options
- Attend professors' office hours to learn more about their research
Making Progress
- Meet with an internship coordinator or career coach to create an internship plan
- Consider a learning abroad experience
- Use ArtsPass & check the U calendar to find events that interest you
- Request a learning consultation in the Learning Center to evaluate & improve your study habits
- Develop foundations of your senior project & practice presentation skills in junior seminar
Finishing Up
- Showcase your skills & present your senior capstone at Demo Day!
- Reflect on what you've learned in the program & extracurricular experiences
- Participate in graduation events
Impact
Getting Started
- Volunteer & engage in service projects in the Bennion Center
- Consider participating in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program
- Meet with an advisor to set goals for your time in college
Making Progress
- Apply to go on an Alternative Break trip
- Get involved with Engineers Without Borders at the U
- Grow your teamwork & communication skills in lab classes
- Consider taking a community-engaged learning course
- Apply to be an Engineering Ambassador
- Contribute to a project in the Sorenson Impact Center
- Participate in a workshop in the Counseling Center or Center for Student Wellness
Finishing Up
- Complete an internship or undergraduate research experience
- Share research at a local, national, or global conference
- Explore graduate programs, if interested
Careers
Getting Started
- Draft a resume & sample cover letter
- Meet with a career coach in the CPDC to explore your strengths & career interests
- Research possible companies & teams that interest you
Making Progress
- Create & customize accounts on Handshake and LinkedIn
- Apply for internships - browse the COE's Jobs Board & attend the STEM career fair in the fall to connect with employers
- Meet with your advisor or a career coach to discuss your goals post-graduation & explore ways to build your resume
- Conduct informational interviews or job shadow with professionals in fields that interest you
Finishing Up
- Update your resume & online career profiles
- Meet with a career coach to create a job search plan and practice interviewing & salary negotiation
- Apply for jobs or grad school
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
Computer engineers work with and design computers from embedded systems to networks of GPUs. They handle the interfacing of computers with other devices and computers, write operating systems software to analyze and control sophisticated instrumentation, and design next-generation microprocessors. The BS in Computer Engineering at the University of Utah is a hardware-oriented degree that includes the design, implementation, and programming of digital computers and computer-controlled electronic systems. This major is jointly offered by the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the School of Computing, allowing you the flexibility to take courses within either department. You will complete core courses in computer engineering topics including circuits & systems, digital system design, and embedded design. In addition to physics and mathematics courses, you will study areas of computer science such as computer programming, algorithms & data structures, software practice, computer systems, computer design laboratory, and computer organization. In your final year, you complete a senior capstone where you demonstrate and apply your knowledge and skills gained in the program. The Computer Engineering program provides ample opportunities to get involved in research and engage in internships. Graduates of our program experience high job placement rates and typically work as software engineers, software developers, computer engineers, and firmware engineers. You can also pursue advanced graduate study in computer science and computer engineering and related fields.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- 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
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences; and function effectively on a team to provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- 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
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.