- Companies hiring our students for co-ops include Advanced Micro Devices, Alion Science and Technology, Annapolis Micro Systems, Baker Hughes, Bose, Collins Aerospace, Datto, U.S. Department of Defense, IBM, JPMorgan Chase & Co., L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, MIT, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman, Tesla, The Boeing Company, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, to name a few.
- Four required blocks of co-op mean nearly a year of hands-on, full-time paid work experience in industry.
In the computer industry, rapid innovation is the name of the game, and there is a great demand for computer engineers who can do it all–from designing high performance computer hardware components and software to developing next-generation intelligent, resilient and sustainable products and appliances that contain embedded systems.
As computer technology becomes more essential to commerce and daily life, companies will need computer engineers who possess a well-developed set of skills and who can quickly adapt to changes. To meet the challenges of the future, these companies will turn to computer engineers for innovative solutions and technological leadership. Graduates of RIT's computer engineering degree are well prepared to enter industry to meet these new challenges, and they are well positioned to continue their studies in high-quality graduate degree programs.
Computer Engineering Curriculum
Studying computer engineering begins with the fundamental math, science, and technology courses that are essential to the curriculum. Emphasis is placed on selected areas of computer science, software engineering, and electrical engineering, including data structures, object-oriented programming languages, circuits, electronics, and principles of software engineering. Professional and ethical responsibility is gained through seminars and cooperative education experience. Upper-level computer engineering courses prepare students to integrate hardware and software by formulating complete system solutions. This is achieved through courses on computer architecture, digital systems, interfacing, computer networks, and digital signal processing, as well as professional electives students select from concentration areas. All students are required to complete a two-semester senior design sequence during their last year of study and approximately one year (48 weeks) of cooperative education. Learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes and Program Educational Objectives for the computer engineering BS degree.
Concentration Areas
Concentration areas provide students with an opportunity to gain additional in-depth knowledge in an area of particular interest within computer engineering. Students can choose among the following concentration areas: software, high performance computing, computer architecture, integrated circuits and systems, networks and security, computer vision and machine intelligence, or signal processing, control and embedded systems. Students interested in research are highly encouraged to choose a concentration area and consult with faculty members in the corresponding area.
Senior Design Capstone Experience
Computer engineering students complete a senior project that consists of a two-semester capstone design experience. Students typically work in multidisciplinary design project teams of four to seven students from different engineering majors, including biomedical, computer, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering. Students are assigned to projects before the start of the first course. Most projects are initiated by industry sponsors, community partners, or faculty members; however, students may also propose their own project ideas. While completing their senior design projects, students develop engineering management and project organization skills, learn to communicate their ideas effectively within a multidisciplinary team, and present their project and ideas to a diverse audience of students, faculty, and industrial partners.
Engineering vs. Engineering Technology
Two dynamic areas of study, both with outstanding outcomes rates. Which do you choose?
What's the difference between engineering and engineering technology? It's a question we're asked all the time. While there are subtle differences in the course work between the two, choosing a major in engineering vs. engineering technology is more about identifying what you like to do and how you like to do it.
Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees
Today's careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT's Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.
+1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor's degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.