Computer Engineering includes the design, implementation, and programming of digital computers and computer-controlled electronic systems. Computer engineers do everything from write operating systems software to design next-generation microprocessors. The School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering jointly offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, allowing students to pursue their passions by taking classes from either department. The program is a software- and hardware-oriented degree with courses offered by both the School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The culminating experience of the program includes a semester capstone or an alternative yearlong project. Computer engineers are in demand, and students who graduate from the program will enter the industry with valuable knowledge in both the hardware and the software aspects of computing.
The Student Experience
For enrichment opportunities, be sure to participate in some of the many clubs and honor societies offered by the School of Computing and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Join Tau Beta Pi, the University of Utah’s only national engineering honor society, or become part of the iPhone Programmers Association, a club of students who develop iPhone apps for fun. Students may also wish to complete internships or study abroad programs, allowing them to develop and hone their technical skills in a non-academic environment.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the U’s Computer Engineering program have found work as software engineers and developers, computer engineers, and firmware engineers. You can also pursue careers in quality control, network administration, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, and bioinformatics (using technology to collect and analyze biological data). Graduate school and subsequent employment in the fields of computer science and engineering is possible, as are graduate programs and careers in law, medicine, and other sciences.
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