Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Engineering, BS


Program Description


Computer engineers have excellent career opportunities in the design and application of hardware and software components for a variety of computer applications. These include mainframe, desktop, and embedded microprocessor platforms, as well as the networking of various types of computers and peripherals.

Based on a strong foundation in mathematics, computer science, and the physical sciences, the Computer Engineering program includes engineering science and design in circuits, electronics, computer organizations and design, peripheral interfacing, and software engineering. Emphasis is placed on hands-on experience with networked computer systems, micro-, mini-, and mainframe computers, and the solution of a wide range of practical problems using engineering principles. In addition to these technical skills, students learn to communicate effectively and to develop interpersonal, teamwork, and management skills, all of which contribute to success in a professional engineering career. The program is also an excellent preparation for graduate study.

Information on the program and its objectives is available at https://www.clemson.edu/cecas/departments/ece/.

Program Requirements


Freshman Year


First Semester


All General Engineering students take the same classes their first term, regardless of their intended major. Coursework in the second term varies. Students should consult with a General Engineering advisor to determine appropriate courses.

Credit Hours: 17


Second Semester


Credit Hours: 16

Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Senior Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 17

Second Semester


  • 2 Credits
  •  

  • Arts and Humanities Requirement 3 Credits 4
  • or

  • Social Science Requirement 3 Credits 4
  •  

  • Computer Engineering Technical Requirement 6 Credits 7
  • Special Requirement 3 Credits 8
Credit Hours: 14

Total Credits: 129


Footnotes


1 This course must be passed with a grade of C or better to transfer into Computer Engineering from General Engineering or another major or to satisfy later course prerequisites.

2 The combination of ENGR 1050  and ENGR 1060  or the combination of ENGR 1510  and ENGR 1520  may be substituted for ENGR 1020 .

3 Depending on a student’s math placement based on the Clemson Mathematics Placement Test (CMPT) score, ACT mathematics score, or SAT mathematics score, MATH 1040  and MATH 1070  may be substituted for MATH 1060 ; or the student may be required to take MATH 1030  or MATH 1050  before enrolling in MATH 1060 .

4 See General Education Requirements . Three General Education credits must also satisfy the South Carolina REACH Act R­­equirement. See the South Carolina REACH Act Requirement in the Academic Regulations  s­­ection.

5 ENGR 1640  or the combination of ENGR 1070 , ENGR 1080  and ENGR 1090  may be substituted for ENGR 1410 .

6 AS 4090  may be substituted.

7 Twelve credits selected from BIOE 3700 *, BIOE 4310 *, BIOE 4350 *, BIOE 4710 *, ECE 3210 *, ECE 4050 +, ECE 4160 *, ECE 4270 , ECE 4290 , ECE 4300 ECE 4310 , ECE 4380 , ECE 4400 , ECE 4420 , ECE 4490 , ECE 4550 ECE 4590 *, ECE 4600 , ECE 4670 , ECE 4680 , ECE 4730 ECE 4740 , ECE 4910 +, ECE 4920 +, ECE 4930 +ECE 4980 +, and ECE 4990 +. Three credits of this requirement must include ECE 4270 , ECE 4300 , or ECE 4400 . A maximum of six credits of courses marked with an asterisk and a maximum of three credits of courses marked with a plus may be used to satisfy this requirement.

8 Select a 3000- or 4000-level Global Challenges course with a prefix other than ENGR. If the six credits of the Global Challenges requirement are satisfied by other requirements such as the Electrical or Computer Engineering Technical requirement, select any of the following: Three additional credits from Humanities and Social Sciences for Engineering Curricula ; any additional three-credit, 4000-level course from footnote 7 above; any course from the following list: ECE 4040 , ECE 4060 , ECE 4180 , ECE 4190 , ECE 4200 , ECE 4220 , ECE 4320 ECE 4330 , ECE 4340 , ECE 4360 , ECE 4370 , ECE 4460 ECE 4570 ECE 4580 , ECE 4610 ECE 4700 , ECE 4710 , or ME 3100 ; or one additional course selected from MATH 4120 , MATH 4340 , MATH 4350 , MATH 4400 , MATH 4410  or MATH 4530 .

NOTES:

  1. To transfer from General Engineering or other majors into the Computer Engineering program, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in courses taken at Clemson and must have earned a C or better in each course of the General Engineering Core.
  2. A student is allowed to enroll in ECE courses (excluding ECE 2070 , ECE 2080 , ECE 3080 ) only when all prerequisites have been passed with a grade of C or better.
  3. All Computer Engineering students must have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 to enroll in any 3000- or 4000-level ECE course. If this condition is not met each term, enrollment in these upper-level courses may be restricted. Students must fill out a Variance Request form, which will be reviewed by the Departmental Variance Committee. Strict adherence to the committee decision is required.
  4. No student may exceed a maximum of two attempts, excluding a W, to complete successfully any ECE course. A third and final attempt will only be considered by a written Variance Request to be reviewed by the Departmental Variance Committee before the deadline to add a course in a subsequent term. Students who do not complete a Variance or who have a Variance denied are not eligible to continue in the Computer Engineering major. Strict adherence to the committee decision is required.
  5. Depending on a student’s math placement, they may be invited to take part in the General Engineering Learning Community where they complete the following courses: ENGR 1000 , ENGR 1010 , ENGR 1100 , ENGR 1110 , ENGR 1510 , ENGR 1520 , and ENGR 1640 . The combination of ENGR 1510  and ENGR 1520  may be substituted for ENGR 1020 . ENGR 1640  may be substituted for ENGR 1410 .
  6. A transfer course may not be used to satisfy the General Education Global Challenges Requirement. While a transfer course may fulfill other degree requirements, students must enroll in a Clemson course(s) on the Global Challenges list to fulfill the Global Challenges Requirement.