Computer Engineering

The program in computer engineering deals with the organization, design, and application of digital processing systems as general-purpose computers or as embedded systems, i.e., components of information processing, control, and communication systems. The program provides a strong engineering background centered on digital technology combined with an understanding of the principles and techniques of computer science. Computer engineering is design-oriented. The basic principles of engineering and computer science are applied to the task at hand, which may be the design of a digital processor, processor peripheral, or a complete digital processor-based system.

Whatever the undertaking, the comprehensive academic training in this program enables engineers to evaluate the impact of their decisions, whether working with hardware, software, or the interface between the two.

The computer engineering program combines fundamental core requirements with flexibility to allow students to specialize in a variety of emphasis areas within the program. The curriculum includes requirements in the basic sciences, mathematics, and humanities; a primary core of hardware and software courses; and a set of electives that combine breadth and depth requirements as described below. Students who major in computer engineering who wish to apply for graduate study in electrical engineering or computer science are encouraged strongly to select their elective courses to demonstrate depth in that particular area; the structure of the program enables that option. The course of study leads to a bachelor of engineering.

Undergraduate Honors Program. With faculty approval, junior and senior students may be accepted into the Honors Program. To achieve honors status, the student must:

1. achieve and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.
2. complete 3 hours of undergraduate research (EECE 3860, 3861 or CS 3860, 3861) with final written report
3. complete 6 hours of EECE program elective credit from the following list:
   1. up to 3 additional hours of undergraduate research (EECE 3860, 3861 or CS 3860, 3861), or
   2. design domain expertise (DE) courses beyond the one course required by the program, or
   3. CS 3259, CS 3892, CS 4287, or
   4. 5000-level courses.

The diploma designation is Honors in Computer Engineering.

Facilities. Electrical and computer engineering supports undergraduate laboratories emphasizing the principal areas of the disciplines: analog and digital electronics, microcomputers, microprocessors, microelectronics, and instrumentation. In addition, several specialized facilities are available for graduate research: the advanced carbon nanotechnology and diamond labs, the Institute for Software Integrated Systems, the Institute for Space and Defense Electronics, the Medical Image Processing Laboratory, the Center for Intelligent Systems and Robotics Laboratories, the Embedded Computer Systems Laboratory, and biomedical, biosensing, and photonics laboratories.

The work in electrical and computer engineering is supported by a variety of computers and networks, including the high-performance computing facilities of the Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education. Vanderbilt is one of the founding partners in the Internet II initiative.

Students interested in the major or minor in Computer Engineering are encouraged to consider instead those in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The major or minor in Computer Engineering may be declared by currently enrolled students until May 15, 2023. Such students will be supported in completing the relevant program, including the pursuit of honors in the major if relevant.

• All required parts of the Common Application or Coalition, powered by Scoir, including the personal essay and short answer
• $50 nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students
• Official high school transcript
• Counselor letter of recommendation
• Two academic teacher letters of recommendation
• Optional for students applying for fall 2024 entry: SAT or ACT scores (SAT code: 1871 / ACT code: 4036)

Three Ways to Apply:

• Coalition, powered by Scoir
• Common Application
• QuestBridge

Choose the application system that is right for you - we do not prefer one over the others. Do not submit an application through more than one system. Choose one application, and submit all required materials through that method.