Computer Engineering

Instructional Program (CIP)

Description

The Computer Engineering curriculum provides students with the technical skills as well as the mathematical and scientific background required to advance current technology and to contribute to future developments in the computer engineering profession. The curriculum strives to instill critical written and oral communication skills in addition to providing a diverse background in the humanities and social sciences. Our graduates acquire a sense of professionalism as they become aware of an engineer’s responsibility to help solve societal problems. They also develop the ability to contribute to team solutions and an appreciation for the importance of lifelong learning.

The curriculum adopts a practical hands-on approach that combines classroom theory and laboratory experience to produce graduates who can carry a technical project from inception through to implementation. The process begins in the first year of the program when students learn to prototype digital circuits and program a microcontroller. It continues through the senior year when they complete their capstone design projects. In this latter case, students usually work in two-person teams over three semesters where they propose, specify, create, present, and demonstrate a solution to a technical problem of their choosing. A computer engineer must know how to select and interconnect the electronic and mechanical devices which make up a computer-based system, activities usually associated with electrical engineering. However, the computer engineer must also be capable of developing the software that makes a computer system perform its task. They might need to know, for example, which programming language is best for a particular need or the most efficient way to store or process data. This area is normally associated with computer science. Thus, a computer engineer must be proficient with computer science topics as well as electrical engineering material.
A computer engineer, equipped with a broad background in electrical engineering and computer science, will be entering an exciting and rapidly growing profession with unlimited opportunities in industry, government and education. While still in school, many students participate in the profession by electing an optional co-operative work program. Our co-op work program allows students to gain valuable experience, earn money to help offset college expenses and receive college credit. Recent examples of companies offering co-op opportunities include Bangor Hydro Electric Company, General Electric Company, National Semiconductor, Fairchild Semiconductor, IBM, Kepware Technologies, The Massachusetts Electric Co., Proctor and Gamble, Delorme, Georgia Pacific, Mead Paper, BAE, and Analog Devices. See www.eece.maine.edu/ for the most current list of open co-op opportunities.

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