Computer engineering

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An example of an FPGA programming/evaluation board, representative of one a Computer Engineer might use for processor, hardware, and software design

Computer System engineering, also called computer engineering, is a discipline that integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer science required to develop computer systems.[1] Computer System engineers usually have training in electronic engineering, software design and hardware-software integration instead of only software engineering or electronic engineering. Computer System engineers are involved in many hardware and software aspects of computing, from the design of individual microprocessors, personal computers, and supercomputers, to circuit design. This field of engineering not only focuses on how computer systems themselves work, but also how they integrate into the larger picture.[2]

Usual tasks involving computer engineers include writing software and firmware for embedded microcontrollers, designing VLSI chips, designing analog sensors, designing mixed signal circuit boards, and designing operating systems. Computer engineers are also suited for robotics research, which relies heavily on using digital systems to control and monitor electrical systems like motors, communications, and sensors.

The first accredited computer engineering degree program in the United States was established at Case Western Reserve University in 1971. As of October 2004, there were 170 ABET-accredited computer engineering programs in the US.[3] Due to increasing job requirements for engineers, who can concurrently design hardware, software, firmware, and manage all forms of computer systems used in industry, some tertiary institutions around the world offer a bachelor's degree generally called computer engineering. Both computer engineering and electronic engineering programs include analog and digital circuit design in their curricula. As with most engineering disciplines, having a sound knowledge of mathematics and sciences is necessary for computer engineers.

In many institutions, computer engineering students are allowed to choose areas of in-depth study in their junior and senior year, because the full breadth of knowledge used in the design and application of computers is beyond the scope of an undergraduate degree. The joint IEEE/ACM Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering defines the core knowledge areas of computer engineering as the following:[4]

The breadth of disciplines studied in computer engineering is not limited to the above subjects, but can include any subject found in engineering.

[edit] Salary and wages

In 2009, a qualified graduate with a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering when employed could have an average salary of $61,738 in the United States.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ IEEE Computer Society; ACM (12 December 2004). Computer Engineering 2004: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering. p. iii. http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_ieeecs/ieeecs/education/cc2001/CCCE-FinalReport-2004Dec12-Final.pdf. Retrieved 2006-04-21. "Computer System engineering has traditionally been viewed as a combination of both electronic engineering (EE) and computer science (CS)." 
  2. ^ Trinity College Dublin. "What is Computer System Engineering". http://www.tcd.ie/Engineering/about/what_is_eng/computer_eng_intro.html. Retrieved 2006-04-21. , "Computer engineers need not only to understand how computer systems themselves work, but also how they integrate into the larger picture. Consider the car. A modern car contains many separate computer systems vbzems for controlling such things as the engine timing, the brakes and the air bags. To be able to design and implement such a car, the computer engineer needs a broad theoretical understanding of all these various subsystems & how they interact."
  3. ^ IEEE Computer Society; ACM (12 December 2004). Computer Engineering 2004: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering. p. 7. http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_ieeecs/ieeecs/education/cc2001/CCCE-FinalReport-2004Dec12-Final.pdf. Retrieved 2006-04-21. "In the United States, the first computer engineering program accredited by ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) was at Case Western Reserve University in 1972. As of October 2004, ABET has accredited over 170 computer engineering or similarly named programs." 
  4. ^ IEEE Computer Society; ACM (12 December 2004). [http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_ieeecs/ieeecs/education/cc2001/CCCE-FinalReport-2004Dec Final.pdf Computer Engineering 2004: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering]. p. 12. http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_ieeecs/ieeecs/education/cc2001/CCCE-FinalReport-2004Dec Final.pdf. Retrieved 2006-04-21. 
  5. ^ CNNMoney.com (24 July 2009). Most Lucrative College Degrees Retrieved 2010-5-5.

[edit] External links

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