The bachelor of science (B.S.) in computer engineering prepares graduates for a rewarding career in engineering. UC Santa Cruz computer engineering graduates will gain a thorough grounding in the principles and practices of computer engineering and the scientific and mathematical principles upon which they are built; they will be prepared for further education (both formal and informal) and for productive employment in industry. Because computer engineering is so broad, the B.S. in computer engineering offers four specialized concentrations for completing the program: systems programming, computer systems, networks, and digital hardware
Systems Programming Concentration
The systems programming concentration focuses on software systems: courses include operating systems, compilers, software engineering, and advanced programming. Students finishing this concentration are very well prepared for building large software systems of all types. This concentration is the closest one to a computer science major-the main differences are that it does not require computer science theory courses, but because of the core computer engineering requirements, includes more hardware and electronics than a computer science bachelor's degree.
Computer Systems Concentration
The computer systems concentration provides a balance between software and hardware design. Students are prepared for a large variety of different design tasks, especially those requiring the integration of hardware and software systems, but may need further training for any particular specialization.
Networks Concentration
The networks concentration focuses on communication between computers, covering both network hardware and protocols. Students finishing this concentration are well prepared for the design of wired and wireless network systems.
Digital Hardware Concentration
The digital hardware concentration focuses on hardware design and includes more electronics than the other concentrations. Students finishing this concentration are well prepared for building hardware systems. This concentration is the closest one to an electronics major; the main differences are that it does not require as much electronics theory or analog electronic design, but because of the core computer engineering requirements, requires more software skills.
The Baskin Engineering undergraduate advising office offers general advising for prospective and declared undergraduates majoring in Baskin Engineering programs. The office handles major declarations, transfer credits, course substitutions, articulations, and degree certifications. Undergraduate students obtain and submit all paperwork requiring departmental approval to the undergraduate advising office. Transfer students should also refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section.
Baskin Engineering Building, Room 225
bsoeadvising@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-5840
This major is highly course intensive and sequential; students who intend to pursue this major must begin taking classes for the major in their first quarter at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Math placement is required for one or more of the foundational courses for this major. For more information, please review the Math Placement website.
Major Qualification
Transfer students should refer to the Transfer Admission Screening requirements.
In order to declare the computer engineering major students must be listed as a proposed major within Baskin Engineering. Please refer to the Baskin Engineering "Proposed Major Retention" and its "Declaring a Baskin Engineering Major" sections in the catalog for more information.
In addition to being listed as a proposed Baskin Engineering major, declaration of the computer engineering major in the first six quarters of enrollment at UC Santa Cruz is based on performance in the following lower-division courses required for the major:
CE Major Qualification Courses
Both of these:
MATH 19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
And one of these (whichever is completed first):
AM 30 | Multivariate Calculus for Engineers | 5 |
MATH 23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
And one of these (whichever is completed first):
And one of these:
CSE 13S | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
ECE 13 | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
And all of these:
AM 20 | Ordinary Differential Equations for Engineers | 5 |
CSE 12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language and Lab | 7 |
CSE 16 | Applied Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
CSE 30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
PHYS 5A | Introduction to Physics I | 5 |
PHYS 5L | Introduction to Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
PHYS 5C | Introduction to Physics III | 5 |
Students in their first six quarters who have completed at least 36 credits in these courses (of the 63 total credits), will be admitted to the computer engineering major if their cumulative GPA is at least 2.8 in all of the courses listed above; and if they have attempted no more than seven credits resulting in grades of C-, D+, D, D-, F or NP in all of the courses listed above. Although all 63 credits listed above as CE Major Qualification Courses must be completed to earn the degree, only 36 of the 63 credits must be completed before declaring the major.
Appeal Process
Students who are informed that they are not qualified for the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the undergraduate director through the Baskin Engineering undergraduate advising office within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student, college, and Office of the Registrar of the decision.
How to Declare a Major
There are four steps to declaring a Baskin Engineering major. For a detailed guide to this process, please consult the Baskin Engineering Declare Your Major website.
Students should start the declaration of major process by completing Step One on the Baskin Engineering Declare Your Major website as soon as they complete 36 credits in the computer engineering major qualification courses or reach their declaration deadline quarter, whichever comes first.
Students petitioning when the campus declaration deadline is imminent (i.e., in their sixth quarter, for students admitted as frosh), will either be approved, denied, or provided with conditions (e.g., completion of some courses with certain grades) that will be resolved within at most one more enrolled quarter, even if they have not completed enough courses.
All students admitted to a Baskin Engineering major, or seeking admission to a major, must take all courses required for that major for a letter grade. This policy includes courses required for these degrees that are sponsored by other departments.
Majors are considered for “Honors in the Major” and “Highest Honors in the Major” based on their GPA and on results of undergraduate research and other significant contributions to Baskin Engineering. Students with a GPA of 3.70, in most cases, receive highest honors. Students with a GPA of 3.30, in most cases, receive honors. Students with particularly significant accomplishments in undergraduate research or contributions to Baskin Engineering may be considered with a lower GPA. Computer engineering juniors and seniors may also be eligible for election to the UC Santa Cruz chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society founded in 1885.