Computer Engineering at Illinois focuses on the development of vital computing technologies, ranging from chips to computers to networks to programming tools to key algorithms for building exciting applications. Fundamentally, Computer Engineering addresses the problem of building scalable, trustworthy computing systems, and the faculty's interests span a broad spectrum of issues pertinent to this theme. Computer has taken the lead in revolutionizing many science and engineering disciplines with parallel computing, from chips to clouds to planet-scale critical infrastructures, and has defined new standards of security, privacy, and dependability for systems ranging from small circuits to the electric power grids of many nations. Students need a broad and sound set of mathematical and computing skills, and are well-served by a flexible curriculum that enables them to pursue topics of interest among the many subdisciplines in computing.

To prepare the student for the Program Educational Objectives to be achieved, a set of Program Outcomes, that is, statements that describe what students are expected to know and are able to do by the time of graduation, have been adopted. These Outcomes, which parallel the ABET EC2K Criterion 3 list of outcomes (see ABET Engineering Criteria 2000) and the applicable Program Criteria, are:

(1) Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;

(2) Ability to design and conduct experiments as well as analyze and interpret data;

(3) Ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;

(4) Ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;

(5) Ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;

(6) Understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;

(7) Ability to communicate effectively;

(8) Broad education necessary to understand impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;

(9) Recognition of the need for and ability to engage in lifelong learning;

(10) Knowledge of contemporary issues;

(11) Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;

(12)Knowledge of probability and statistics, including applications to electrical/computer engineering;

(13) Knowledge of mathematics and of basic and engineering sciences necessary to carry out analysis and design appropriate to electrical/computer engineering;

(14) Knowledge of advanced/discrete mathematics.

The computer engineering core curriculum focuses on fundamental computer engineering knowledge: circuits, systems, electromagnetic, computer systems, electronics for information processing and communication, and computer science. The rich set of ECE elective courses permits students to concentrate in any sub-discipline of computer engineering including: computer systems; electronic circuits; networks; engineering application; software, languages, and theory; and algorithms and mathematical tools.

Planned Duration of Program: Four Years Full-Time

Degrees Awarded: BSc of Zhejiang University and BSc of UIUC

Curriculum Requirement for Computer Engineering