Contact the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science
Can you imagine what your world would be like without your IPod and IPad, your smart phone, computer, and other smart devices? Are you fascinated by the microminiature world of the electronic chips that we find in almost every piece of technology we use everyday? Do you want to help solve some of the grand challenges of our society? Then you could be wired for a high-powered career in computer engineering.
We will challenge your inquisitive mind and prepare you to succeed through an emphasis on innovation, real-world applications, and evolving technologies. Learn the technical and people skills employers are looking for in our innovative and award-winning Design4Practice Program. Develop your tech-savvy by using industry caliber design, simulation, and analysis tools. Build your teamwork, communication, and thinking skills by collaborating on student design projects.
This degree is the first step towards immediate employment or further study in computer engineering. It opens the door to technical exploration in design, production, renewable energy, and future problem-solving.
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Career opportunities that might be pursued:
- Computer Engineer
- Embedded System Developer
- Consumer product design and development
- Communication and entertainment technologies
With further education, one of these paths is possible:
- Research and development
- Computer engineering management
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University Requirements
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University's liberal studies, diversity, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
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Overview
In addition to University Requirements:
- At least 40 units of mathematics and science requirements
- At least 69 units of professional requirements
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 126 units
Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 126 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 239 |
| Additional Fees/Program Fees | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
| Licensing or Certification | This program may lead to licensure or certification. |
Purpose Statement
The BS in Computer Engineering will prepare you to work with other engineers and scientists to develop innovative consumer electronics, sensors and instrumentation, integrated circuits, communication systems, computers, and control systems. Computer engineers use digital design and engineering skills to design microcontrollers, microprocessors, and computing systems of all sizes.
Coursework and learning experiences in our program provides students with professional preparation in the study and application of the principles of mathematics, computer science, physics, and the natural sciences for the analysis, design, test, manufacture, and maintenance of computing systems. In addition to the underlying principles of electricity and computing, our curriculum provides you with a solid foundation in problem-solving, analysis, design, project management and preparation for professional licensure. Students have multiple opportunities to learn and practice design starting with our introductory engineering design class and culminating in a Capstone experience that involves engineering design, project management, teamwork and significant client communication.
Our curriculum will help you pursue a career designing and developing the latest smart phone, electronic chips, and products in between that benefit people by connecting, healing, informing, entertaining, defending, and providing the essentials for life.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the degree, students will have the ability to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
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Details
Major Requirements
This major requires 103 to 104 units distributed as follows:
- Mathematics and Science Requirements (31-32 units)
- Professional Requirements: 72 units
Take the following 103 - 104 units:
Math and Science Requirements (31-32 units)- CENE 225 or STA 275 (3 units)
- CHM 151 or BIO 181 or AST 180 or (GLG 101 and GLG 103L) (3-4 units)
- MAT 136, MAT 137, MAT 238, MAT 226, MAT 239 (18 units)
- PHY 161, PHY 262 (7 units)
Professional Requirements (72 units)- CS 105, CS 126, CS 126L, CS 136, CS 136L, CS 205, CS 249, CS 305, (14 units)
- EE 110, EE 188, EE 188L, EE 215, EE 280, EE 286, EE 310, EE 325, EE 348, EE 364, EE 380 (38 units)
- EGR 333W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
- (EE 476C and EE 486C) which meets the senior capstone requirement (5 units)
- Additional units from any 300-level or 400-level EE or CS course (6 units)
- Additional units from any 400 or 500-level EE courses (6 units)
Required courses must be completed with a C or better. No more than one D is allowed in professional electives. Up to six units of letter-graded individualized study (EE 485 or EE 497) may be used to meet degree requirements.
General Electives
Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 126 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
Additional Information
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.
Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
- PROGRAM FEE INFORMATION
Program fees are established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). A program fee of $500 per year once students have transferred or completed 60 or more units has been approved for this program.
By the numbers
386
Enrolled students$96K
Median annual pay in 20167%
Job growth to 2026NAU’s Computer Engineering program may lead to professional licensure/certification. State information can be found at NAU’s Professional Licensure by State table.