The Computer Engineering major is offered through the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments at UWM. Computer engineering pertains to the design, implementation and maintenance of hardware and software components of computers and computer-controlled equipment.
Our program provides students with a broad and strong technical background in the field. It also helps students develop a solid grounding in computing, mathematics and engineering. Students will learn to apply these theoretical principles to design hardware, software, networks, and computerized equipment for diverse application domains.
Accreditation
The Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, 415 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, (410) 347-7700.
New Freshmen
Admission to the College of Engineering and Applied Science is based on an overall assessment of both academic and non-academic qualifications. The primary review factors for admission are the strength and quality of the high school curriculum, high school class percentile, grade point average, and the result of the ACT or SAT. Well-prepared freshman applicants will have four years of mathematics (including one-and-a-half years of algebra, one year of geometry, and one-half year of trigonometry) and four years of natural science (including biology, chemistry, and physics). The College also will consider non-academic qualifications such as leadership skills, diversity in personal background, work experience, motivation, and maturity.
Freshmen applicants will be considered for admission directly to the major or to the First-Year Program. Admission directly to the major is selective.
Transfer Students
Transfer student admission is based on an overall assessment of both academic and non-academic qualifications. For transfer applicants, the primary factors considered for admission are the grade point average on transferable courses and the level of curriculum completion. The College also will consider non-academic qualifications such as leadership skills, diversity in personal background, work experience, motivation, and maturity.
Transfer applicants will be considered for admission directly to the major or the Transfer Transition Program based on the number of transfer credits and GPA.
Admission to the Major
Students admitted to the First-Year Program or Transfer Transition Program (Engineering-Intended or Computer Science-Intended) may apply for major status with their academic advisor at the time they believe they meet the requirements. The program may impose major status as a prerequisite for courses numbered 200 or above.
- Complete first semester calculus with a C or better grade.
- Complete GER Oral and Written Communication Part A.
- Engineering majors must complete Chem 100 with a C or better grade (or satisfactory score on the placement test). Computer Science majors must complete CompSci 251 with a C or better grade.
- Obtain a minimum grade point as set by the major department. A 3.00 GPA guarantees admission to any CEAS major.
- Courses required by the major may be repeated only once. No more than two courses may be repeated.
First-Year students have a maximum of three semesters to complete the admission to major requirements. Part-time students may be granted an extension by their academic advisor.
Transfer Transition students have a maximum of two semesters to complete the admission to major requirements. Part-time students may be granted an extension by their academic advisor.
Placement Testing
Most new freshmen are required to take placement exams in English and mathematics. Engineering students also take a placement exam in chemistry, provided they have had previous coursework in chemistry. Students with previous college-level credits in chemistry, English, and math may not be required to take placement tests. Additional prerequisite coursework may be required as a result of these placement tests. Credit for prerequisite academic work may not count toward the degree program. Entering students are urged to take their placement exams when scheduled. All placement exams must be completed before beginning coursework in the subject area. Students who place into precalculus math courses may be asked to participate in an online summer bridge program.
Questions on admission to CEAS or choosing a major should be directed to the Office of Student Services, (414) 229-4667.
Computer Engineering Curriculum
The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is 120. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, and foreign language may need additional credits. Engineering students may apply for major status with their academic advisor at any time they believe they meet the requirements. Admission to major is a graduation requirement. Programs may impose major status as a prerequisite for courses numbered 200 or above.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Core | ||
| COMPSCI 250 | Introductory Computer Programming | 3 |
| EAS 200 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
| ELECENG 301 | Electrical Circuits I | 3 |
| IND ENG 367 | Introductory Statistics for Physical Sciences and Engineering Students | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| COMPSCI 251 | Intermediate Computer Programming | 3 |
| COMPSCI 317 | Discrete Information Structures | 3 |
| COMPSCI 337 | System Programming | 3 |
| COMPSCI 351 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| COMPSCI 361 | Introduction to Software Engineering | 3 |
| COMPSCI 395 | Social, Professional, and Ethical Issues | 3 |
| COMPSCI 458 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| COMPSCI 520 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| COMPSCI 535 | Algorithm Design and Analysis | 3 |
| COMPSCI 537 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
| ELECENG 305 | Electrical Circuits II | 4 |
| ELECENG 310 | Signals and Systems | 3 |
| ELECENG 330 | Electronics I | 4 |
| ELECENG 354 | Digital Logic | 3 |
| ELECENG 367 | Introduction to Microprocessors | 4 |
| ELECENG 457 | Digital Logic Laboratory | 3 |
| Mathematics Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following Calculus sequences: 1 | 10-12 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I and Calculus and Analytic Geometry II and Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Honors Calculus I and Honors Calculus II | ||
| ELECENG 234 | Analytical Methods in Engineering | 4 |
| Chemistry or Biology Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4-5 | |
| General Chemistry for Engineering | ||
| General Chemistry | ||
| Foundations of Biological Sciences I | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Physics Requirement | ||
| PHYSICS 209 & PHYSICS 210 | Physics I (Calculus Treatment) and Physics II (Calculus Treatment) | 8 |
| GER Distribution Requirement | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| ENGLISH 310 | Writing, Speaking, and Technoscience in the 21st Century | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity - Arts, Humanities, or Social Science course must also satisfy UWM Cultural Diversity Requirement | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Select 0-2 credits | 0-2 | |
| English Composition Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 0-6 | |
Earning a satisfactory score on the English placement test; or | ||
Earning a grade of C or higher in ENGLISH 102; or | ||
Transferring a grade of C or higher in a course equivalent to ENGLISH 102 or higher expository writing course; or | ||
| Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| The foreign language requirement can be completed with one of these options: | 0-8 | |
Two years of a single foreign language in high school | ||
Two semesters of a single foreign language in college | ||
Demonstrate ability by examination | ||
| 1 | Placement Examinations. Once admitted to UWM, most engineering students are required to take placement examinations in mathematics, English, and chemistry. Students with previous college-level credits in these areas may not be required to take placement exams. The placement exams are administered by the UWM Testing Center, Mellencamp Hall, Room B28, (414) 229-4689. The results of these tests help students determine the appropriate course in which to register. Background prerequisite courses may be required in addition to the courses listed above. |
Technical Electives - 16 Credits Required
Group A Technical Electives Select 9 to 12 credits from the following list:
All Computer Science and Electrical Engineering courses 300-699 that are not explicitly listed in another category.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 to 12 credits from the following: 1 | 9-12 | |
| Introduction to Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming | ||
| Introduction to the Theory of Computation | ||
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Introduction to Natural Language Processing | ||
| Introduction to Data Mining | ||
| Programming Languages Concepts | ||
| Introduction to Text Retrieval and Its Applications in Biomedicine | ||
| Fundamentals of Computer Graphics | ||
| Introduction to Computer Security | ||
| Symbolic Logic | ||
| Computer Networks Laboratory | ||
| Software Engineering | ||
| Advanced Object-Oriented Programming | ||
| Introduction to Database Systems | ||
| Introduction to Compilers | ||
| Compiler Implementation Laboratory | ||
| Topics in Computer Science: | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Electronics II | ||
| Electromagnetic Fields | ||
| Electromechanical Energy Conversion | ||
| Digital Signal Processing | ||
| Random Signals and Systems | ||
| Communication Systems | ||
| Introduction to Medical Instrumentation | ||
| Introduction to Biomedical Imaging | ||
| Introduction to VLSI Design | ||
| Microwave Engineering | ||
| Antenna Theory | ||
| Fundamentals of Photonics | ||
| Broadband Optical Networks | ||
| Introduction to Control Systems | ||
| Introduction to Nanoelectronics | ||
| Topics in Electrical Engineering: | ||
| Integrated Circuits and Systems | ||
| Telecommunication Circuits | ||
| Optical Communication | ||
| Power Electronics | ||
| Intermediate Control Systems | ||
| Analysis of Electric Machines and Motor Drives | ||
| Fundamentals of Nanotechnology | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Simulation Methodology | ||
| Reliability Engineering | ||
| 1 | The following course is approved as a technical elective, but is currently inactive: COMPSCI 438. |
Group B Technical Electives - Select one course from the following list:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMPSCI 595 | Capstone Project | 4 |
| or ELECENG 595 | Capstone Design Project | |
Group C Technical Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 0-3 credits from the following: | 0-3 | |
| Foundations of Biological Sciences I | ||
| Foundations of Biological Sciences II | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Small Business Formation | ||
| Entrepreneurship | ||
| Server-side Internet Programming | ||
| Rich Internet Applications | ||
| Web Languages and Standards | ||
| Topics in Applied Computing: | ||
| Engineering Co-op Work Period 1 | ||
| Study Abroad: | ||
| Electric Power Systems | ||
| Introduction to Wind Energy | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Engineering Economic Analysis | ||
| Engineering Materials | ||
| Electronic Materials | ||
| Basic Engineering Thermodynamics | ||
| Basic Heat Transfer | ||
| Introduction to Technology Entrepreneurship | ||
| Introduction to Technology Management and Innovation | ||
| 1 | Students who earn 3 or more credits of Co-Op may use 3 of those credits as approved technical electives. |
Minimum Requirements
Students must maintain an average GPA of at least 2.00 on all work attempted at the University and in all courses offered by the College. Students majoring in biomedical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, industrial engineering, and materials engineering must maintain an average GPA of at least 2.00 in all 300-level and above courses in the student's major department. Students majoring in civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering must maintain an average GPA of at least 2.50 in all 300-level and above courses in the major department. Transferable courses will be included as appropriate. Advancement to major status is required for graduation.
In order to provide maximum flexibility while preserving the institutional identity of a UWM degree, the College requires residence:
- during the last 30 credits, or
- during 45 of the last 60 credits, or
- during any 90 credits of a student’s undergraduate career.
At least 15 credits of advanced work in the major must be completed in residence at UWM.
A student who does not maintain continuous registration during the academic year and is re-admitted to the College must meet the program and graduation requirements in effect at the time of re-entry.
Degree and major requirements must be completed within 10 years of initial enrollment at UW-Milwaukee. Should students not complete the major within the 10-year time frame, the students will switch to the most current degree and major requirements. A new 10-year time frame would then begin.
Dual Majors
Students wishing to major in more than one field can do so in two ways:
- Complete the requirements for more than one major before receiving a degree from the College. In this case, the degree will list both majors.
- Be admitted to the College as a second degree candidate (after earning a bachelor's degree in any field), providing University and College entrance requirements are met. Such a student must meet all undergraduate degree requirements in the College and present a minimum of 30 credits beyond the previous bachelor's degree.
Concurrent Registration at Other Institutions
CEAS students wishing to establish concurrent enrollment at another institution must obtain prior permission from their academic advisor.
Student Academic Appeals
Students may appeal an academic action to the Office of Student Services. An appeal is a request for an exception to an established policy or rule. The content of each appeal is carefully reviewed in order to reach a decision. Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Services. The appeals committee considers individual cases concerning the degree requirements and other academic rules and regulations established by the College of Engineering and Applied Science faculty.
The College of Engineering and Applied Science has established written procedures for undergraduate student academic grievances. Copies of the grievance procedure are available in the Office of Student Services. As a first step, students must discuss the grievance with the faculty member or administrator as soon as possible to attempt to resolve the issue, but not later than 30 days after the action that prompted the grievance/appeal.
Computer Science and Engineering Programs
Detailed descriptions of the CEAS undergraduate programs are provided in this catalog. All courses are not offered every semester. A few technical elective courses may be offered only once every three to four semesters. In addition, since computer science and engineering curricula are continually evolving to keep current, students are encouraged to consult with their advisors to plan each semester's list of classes. Part-time students should always maintain a plan that looks ahead two to three semesters to avoid scheduling difficulties.
The curricula outlined in the pages are applicable to new students entering CEAS in fall 2016 or later. Students who enrolled in computer science or engineering programs prior to that date should consult with the appropriate previous editions of this catalog for information about their program requirements. As a general rule, when program changes occur, continuing students have the choice of continuing in their existing program or following the new requirements. Occasionally, a program change will be required of all students regardless of their date of matriculation, so long as it does not increase the total credits needed for graduation.
These program descriptions represent the minimum requirements for graduation from UWM in computer science or engineering. In all cases, it is important that students consult with their advisor before making course selections to avoid errors in programming.
Academic Advising
The Office of Student Services in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, located in Room E386 of the Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Building, offers undergraduate students academic advising from professional advisors who are familiar with the curriculum, College requirements, and the special needs of engineering and computer science students. These advisors provide services such as freshman orientation, course selection, program planning, and credit transfer evaluation. Students are assigned to a permanent professional advisor as soon as they are accepted into the College, and are urged to confer with their advisor at least once each semester. Students also are assigned to a faculty advisor who provides technical expertise specific to the student's area of study.
We understand that it can be a delicate balance managing school, work, family, and active social lives. The College of Engineering and Applied Science advisors are here to help you achieve that balance.
You will be assigned a professional academic advisor upon being admitted to the College of Engineering & Applied Science. Your advisor will work with you throughout your undergraduate experience, providing guidance on:
- course registration,
- graduation planning,
- career preparation,
- and serving as a liaison to the many other resources available on our campus.
Advisors are also a great source of information on student organizations, tutoring and scholarship opportunities.
In addition to professional academic advisors, you will also have access to faculty advisors. These advisors can provide insights into the technical aspects of the engineering and computer science curricula while mentoring you as you define your professional goals.
Program Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the undergraduate Computer Engineering Program are:
- Graduates will have successful careers in computer engineering fields or will be able to successfully pursue advanced degrees.
- Graduates will provide solutions to challenging problems in their profession by applying computer engineering theory and principles.
- Graduates will communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and exhibit high levels of professionalism and ethical responsibility.
- Graduates will engage in lifelong learning and professional development to adapt to rapidly changing work environments.
Honors in the College of Engineering and Applied Science
Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors Degree and Honors Degree with Thesis
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.
Joint Programs with Other Campuses
Pre-engineering
Qualified students may enroll in coordinated pre-engineering programs at UW-Green Bay, UW-Parkside, and UW-Waukesha for two years of pre-engineering coursework. These coordinated programs ensure equivalent coursework, appropriate advising, and early access to the Cooperative Education Program at UWM.
Dual Degree Programs
Qualified students may enroll in coordinated dual degree programs at Alverno College, Carroll University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Whitewater and Wisconsin Lutheran College. Students in these programs will earn a bachelor's degree at both universities in five years. Students transfer to UWM after three years at the partner university. For more information, contact the Office of Student Services at (414) 229-4667.
Joint Programs with Wisconsin Technical Colleges
Gateway Technical College
An agreement with GTC allows those students having associate degrees in the Electrical Engineering - Technology the opportunity to be given credit for courses required in the UWM bachelor of science in engineering program. For more information, contact the Office of Student Services at (414) 229-4667.
Milwaukee Area Technical College
An agreement with MATC allows joint admission and enrollment at MATC and CEAS. Qualified students may take English, mathematics, chemistry, and general education courses at MATC. The program ensures equivalent coursework and appropriate advising. Students complete a bachelor of science degree in engineering or computer science at UWM.
Waukesha County Technical College
An agreement with WCTC allows those students having associate degrees in the Industrial Occupations Division at WCTC the opportunity to be given credit for courses required in the UWM bachelor of science in engineering or bachelor of science in computer science program. For more information, contact the Office of Student Services at (414) 229-4667.