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Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering Department

Computer Engineering

Two students in a contemporary computer engineering classroom are focused on their computer screens, while the professor stands in the background, engaged in the lesson.

9:1 Faculty/student ratio

The Computer Engineering (CpE) degree integrates computer science with electrical engineering. Students learn hardware and software design principles by taking courses in digital design, analog circuits, operating systems, network protocols, embedded systems, data structures, algorithm design, and operating systems. The CpE degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

CpE Requirements

Students receive a rigorous education through a set of core courses, technical electives, capstone design project, and liberal arts courses.

Broad description of CpE curriculum

  • Core Courses: A sequence of required courses in math, science, and engineering with weekly hands-on laboratories.
  • Technical Electives: Upper-level courses in specialized topics such as power systems, nanotechnology, medical imaging, signal processing, embedded systems, and neural networks.
  • Capstone Design Project: During their senior year, students work on a project in small teams (or individually) with a faculty adviser.
  • Liberal Arts: A set of courses in literature, writing, arts and humanities, languages and cultures, and social sciences.

Summary of CpE Major Requirements

  • Class of 2020 and beyond

    A total of 40 courses including the following:

    • Math and Science:
      1. Calculus through MTH-115
      2. PHY-120 and 121
      3. One math elective (e.g. MTH-117, 140, … )
        • NOTE: IMP120+121 is equivalent to MTH115+117 and PHY120+121.
      4. MTH-130 or 234
      5. MTH-197 or 199
      6. One science elective (100 or higher)
    • Engineering Science: ESC-100
    • CpE Core:
      1. ECE-118, 225, 240
      2. ECE-241, 248, 351
      3. ECE-218, 318, (336 or 337)
      4. One from CSC103-109
      5. CSC120, 151, 270
      6. CSC250 or 260
      7. CSC333 or 335
    • CpE Electives: (3 CSC or ECE courses numbered 300 or higher)
    • Capstone Design: ECE-497, 498, 499
    • GenEd: (HUL, HUM, LCC, SOCS, WAC, … )
    • Free Electives: (Up to 3 courses from any department)
  • Class of 2018+2019

    A total of 40 courses including the following:

    • Math and Science:
      1. Calculus through MTH-115
      2. PHY-120 and 121
      3. One math elective (e.g. MTH-117, 140, … )
        • NOTE: IMP120+121 is equivalent to MTH115+117 and PHY120+121.
      4. MTH-130 or 234
      5. MTH-197 or 199
      6. One science elective (100 or higher)
    • Engineering Science: ESC-100
    • CpE Core:
      1. ECE-118, 225, 240
      2. ECE-241, 248, 351
      3. ECE-218, 318, (336 or 337)
      4. One from CSC103-109
      5. CSC150, 250, 260, 270
      6. CSC333 or 335
    • CpE Electives: (3 CSC or ECE courses numbered 300 or higher)
    • Capstone Design: ECE-497, 498, 499
    • GenEd: (HUL, HUM, LCC, SOCS, WAC, … )
    • Free Electives: (Up to 3 courses from any department)

Full Description of CpE Requirements (Academic Catalog)

CpE Advising

Students work closely with their faculty adviser to formulate and implement a successful plan of study.

Teaching Excellence

  • Our focus solely on undergraduate education, small classes, and close faculty-student interaction are all hallmarks of the CpE curriculum at Union.
  • All courses and laboratories are taught by Union College faculty members, and many classes have fewer than 20 students.

Successful Careers

The rigor and depth of a CpE education combined with a broad study of the liberal arts provide an excellent background for careers in engineering as well as professions such as medicine, law, and business administration. Through our study abroad programs, undergraduate research opportunities, and personal attention given to each student, we educate well-rounded members of society who are prepared to excel in an increasingly multicultural and technological world.

Examples of some recent CpE alumni:

  • Bao Vo '23: Goldman Sachs (Salt Lake City, UT)
  • Jennifer Williamson '23: Fidelity (Boston, MA)
  • Edwin Garcia-Flores '22: Optum-United Healthcare (New York, NY)
  • Xavier Quinn '20: Saildrone Inc. (Alameda, CA)
  • Desmond Tomaselli '20: Bookshop.Org (Brooklyn, NY)
  • Laura Aptowitz ’17: General Dynamics (Pittsfield, MA)
  • Riley Konsella ’17: Watson Fellowship
  • Yucan Liu ’17: Masters program at NYU
  • Taylor Ullrich ’17: Harris Corporation

A more detailed list of what recent CpE majors have done after graduating from Union!