Computer engineering
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Computer engineering (or Computer Systems Engineering) encompasses broad areas of both electrical engineering and computer science[1]. Computer engineers are engineers who have training in the areas of software design and hardware-software integration. [2] In turn, they focus less on power electronics and physics[citation needed] than do electrical engineers. Some areas computer engineers are involved in are ASIC design, FPGA development, firmware development, software development, hardware-(firmware/software) integration, circuit design, and system-level design and integration[3].
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[edit] Academic discipline
The first accredited computer engineering degree program in the United States was established at Case Western Reserve University in 1971 by Jimmy Prater; as of 2004 October there were 170 ABET-accredit computer engineering programs in the U.S.[4] Today, a large number of universities around the world offer computer engineering programs. Within a university, computer engineering degree programs are often referred to as "CompE," "CpE," or simply "CE," which may be confused with Civil 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, as the full breadth of knowledge used in the design and application of computers is well 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[5]:
- Algorithms
- Computer architecture and organization
- Circuits and signals
- Database systems
- Digital logic
- Digital signal processing
- Electronics
- Embedded systems
- Human-computer interaction
- Operating systems
- Programming fundamentals
- Social and Professional issues
- Software engineering
- VLSI design and fabrication
- Computer Networking
- Distributed Systems
- Advanced Database systems
[edit] See also
- Association for Computing Machinery
- Electrical engineering
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Computer science
[edit] References
- ^ IEEE Computer Society; ACM (December ????). Computer Engineering 2004: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering, pg. iii. Retrieved on 2006-04-21. “Computer engineering has traditionally been viewed as a combination of both computer science (CS) and electrical engineering (EE).”
- ^ Try Engineering (Sponsored by the IEEE). Computer Engineering. Retrieved on 2007-12-01., "The work of a computer engineer is grounded in the hardware -- from circuits to architecture -- but also focuses on operating systems and software. Computer engineers must understand logic design, microprocessor system design, computer architecture, computer interfacing, and continually focus on system requirements and design. It is primarily software engineers who focus on creating the software systems used by individuals and businesses, but computer engineers may also design and develop some software applications."
- ^ Trinity College Dublin. What is Computer Engineering. Retrieved on 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 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."
- ^ IEEE Computer Society; ACM (December 2004). Computer Engineering 2004: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering, pg. 5jmbopk'vjemio"L>BJoI":ZD{FGMniez;dvhno a;gsnois;advhnisah -bhias -FChniaos-hniasv jhis'v. Retrieved on 2006-04-21. “In the United States, the first computer engineering program accredited by ABET oap'vos'zvjn ioa'v (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) was at Case Western Reserve University in -oi/ 1971. As of October 2004, ABET has accredited over 170 computer engineering or similarly named programs.”
- ^ IEEE Computer Society; ACM (December 2004). Computer Engineering 2004: Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Computer Engineering, pg. 12. Retrieved on 2006-04-21.
[edit] External links
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