Academic Catalog
2023-2024

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering students working on laptops.

Home Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Department Head:

Mark G. Thompson, Ph.D.
Room 2-703 AB, 810-762-7900
ece@kettering.edu

Program Overview

Computer engineering is a branch of engineering concerned with the design, development, and application of computer systems. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (CE) program at Kettering University focuses on embedded-computer systems, in which a computer chip, module, or circuit board is built into a larger product or system. Examples of products containing embedded computers include “smart” phones, MP3 players, GPS navigation systems, hybrid and electric vehicle drive systems, unmanned vehicles, medical diagnostic devices, and manufacturing systems. Embedded systems applications span a wide range of industry sectors including consumer electronics, internet technology, computer hardware, automotive systems, and automated manufacturing.  Computer engineers today can find employment in all these industries, and many more.

The Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET

Program Educational Objectives

The Computer Engineering Program is designed to provide its graduates a solid educational foundation on which they can build successful and sustainable careers in computer engineering or a related field.  In particular, graduates of the Computer Engineering Program will:

  • Be employed or pursuing an advanced degree in the field of computer engineering or other related disciplines.

  • Be productive members of interdisciplinary teams.

  • Assume leadership positions in their industry, their continuing education, or in their communities, as their careers develop.

  • Continue their professional development and engage in the life-long learning necessary for a sustainable career.

The Computer Engineering program is designed to meet its objectives through its curriculum, experiential learning including cooperative education, and co-curricular activities sponsored by the department and the university. 

The curriculum includes a strong sequence of mathematics and basic science courses that provides the solid foundation in these areas that is common to all engineering programs at Kettering University.  Engineering design and basic engineering concepts from a variety of disciplines are introduced in the freshman year in IME-100. Basic and practical computer programming and problem solving are introduced, also in the freshman year, in ECE-101.

The “core” curriculum covers hardware design, software development in both assembly and higher-level languages, computer networking, and embedded computer applications through a combination of computer engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science courses. Every course in the core curriculum includes a strong laboratory experience, a hallmark of the program that both enhances students’ learning and hones their abilities to apply technology effectively in the workplace.  A flexible selection of electives allow students to deepen their knowledge in specific areas or applications of computer engineering, or to broaden their background through dual majors or minors, or simply well chosen combinations of courses that meet their individual educational goals.

The culminating experience in the curriculum takes place in CE-490, which gives students experience working in a team environment to complete a large engineering project that builds on the knowledge and skills they have gained in their coursework.

The curriculum is supported by modern lab facilities for digital systems, embedded systems, computer networks, virtual reality systems, logic systems, mobile robotics, mobile application development, circuits, and electronics.

BS/MASTERS PATHWAY

Undergraduate students also have an opportunity to get their bachelor's and master's degrees in five years with the BS/MASTERS Pathway

Computer Engineering Program Curriculum Requirements

First Year Experience
CILE-101First Year Foundations1
General Education
COMM-101Rhetoric & Writing4
ECON-201Economic Principles4
LA-201Sophomore Seminar: Exploring the Human Condition4
LA-489Sr. Seminar:Leadership, Ethics4
Advanced Humanities Electives 18
Advanced Social Science Electives 18
Total Credit Hours33
1

Humanities and Social Science advanced electives must be selected from approved 300 and 400 level courses.

Mathematics and Basic Science
CS-211Discrete Mathematics4
MATH-101Calculus I4
or MATH-101X Calculus I
MATH-102Calculus II4
or MATH-102X Calculus II
or MATH-102H Calculus II - Honors
MATH-203Multivariate Calculus4
or MATH-203X Multivariate Calculus
or MATH-203H Multivariate Calculus - Honors
MATH-204Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms4
or MATH-204H Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms - Honors
MATH-258Probability and Statistics4
PHYS-114
PHYS-115
Newtonian Mechanics
and Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory
4
PHYS-224
PHYS-225
Electricity and Magnetism
and Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory
4
Math/Science Electives8
Credit Hours Subtotal: 40
Engineering Topics
CE-210Intro to Digital Systems Design4
CE-320Intro to Microcomputers4
CE-420Microcomputer Systems4
CE-422Computer Architecture and Organization4
CE-426Real-Time Embedded Systems4
CE-480Computer Networks4
CE-490Senior CE Design Project4
ECE-101MATLAB and C Programming4
EE-210
EE-211
Circuits I
and Circuits I Lab
4
EE-320
EE-321
Electronics I
and Electronics I Laboratory
4
IME-100Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing4
Computer Engineering Electives8
Electrical Engineering Elective4
Computer Science
CS-101Computing & Algorithms I4
CS-102Computing & Algorithms II4
Computer Science Elective4
Credit Hours Subtotal: 68
Electives
Free Electives8
Technical Elective8
Credit Hours Subtotal: 16
Culminating Undergraduate Experience
CILE-400Culminating Undergraduate Experience: Thesis 24
Credit Hours Subtotal: 4
Total Credit Hours128

(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161

2

Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status. 

Electives

Computer Engineering Electives

A computer engineering elective may be any course with a CE prefix.

Computer Science Electives

A computer science elective may be any course with a CS prefix.

Electrical Engineering Elective

The electrical engineering elective may be any course with an EE prefix, except EE-212.

Free Elective

COMM-435 and MATH-100 are not accepted for free elective credit.

Math/Science Electives

A math/science elective may be any course with a BIOL, CHEM, EP, MATH or PHYS prefix, except MATH-100 and EP-235.

Technical Electives

The technical electives may be any course with a BIOL, CE, CHEM, CHME, CS, EE, EP, IME, MATH, MECH, or PHYS prefix, BUSN-303, BUSN-304, and MGMT-419except EE-212, EP-235, and MATH-100.

Representative Program

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman ICredit Hours
CILE-101 First Year Foundations 1
COMM-101 Rhetoric & Writing 4
IME-100 Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing 4
MATH-101 Calculus I 4
Math/Science Elective 4
 Credit Hours17
Freshman II
ECE-101 MATLAB and C Programming 4
ECON-201 Economic Principles 4
MATH-102 Calculus II 4
PHYS-114 Newtonian Mechanics 3
PHYS-115 Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory 1
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore I
CE-210 Intro to Digital Systems Design 4
LA-201 Sophomore Seminar: Exploring the Human Condition 4
MATH-203 Multivariate Calculus 4
PHYS-224 Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS-225 Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory 1
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore II
CE-320 Intro to Microcomputers 4
EE-210 Circuits I 3
EE-211 Circuits I Lab 1
MATH-204 Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms 4
Advanced Humanities Elective 4
 Credit Hours16
Junior I
CE-420 Microcomputer Systems 4
CS-101 Computing & Algorithms I 4
EE-320 Electronics I 3
EE-321 Electronics I Laboratory 1
MATH-258 Probability and Statistics 4
Advanced Humanities Elective 4
 Credit Hours20
Junior II
CE-422 Computer Architecture and Organization 4
CE-426 Real-Time Embedded Systems 4
CS-102 Computing & Algorithms II 4
CS-211 Discrete Mathematics 4
Advanced Social Science Elective 4
 Credit Hours20
Senior I
CE-480 Computer Networks 4
LA-489 Sr. Seminar:Leadership, Ethics 4
Computer Science Elective 4
Electrical Engineering Elective 4
Math/Science Elective 4
 Credit Hours20
Senior II
CE-490 Senior CE Design Project 4
Computer Engineering Elective 4
Free Elective 4
Technical Elective 4
 Credit Hours16
Senior III
Advanced Social Science Elective 4
Computer Engineering Elective 4
Free Elective 4
Technical Elective 4
 Credit Hours16
Any Term
CILE-400 Culminating Undergraduate Experience: Thesis 4
 Credit Hours4
 Total Credit Hours161

(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161